It has been a long time since I last upload something in here. Today I just want to share my experiences with COVID-19 VACCINE as an immunocompromised patient. For those who didn't know me yet, I'm having an autoimmune disease known as Scleroderma since December 2016. Thank goodness that everything is still under control even though I'm being referred to few specialists: rheumatology (main), nephrology (main) and neurology (for the time being). Supposedly I was also referred to dermatology, but I ditched it since I was too busy to go to hospital frequently. Luckily, both of my main appointments were arranged on the same day and they work close to one another. Furthermore, I am also on methotrexate (MTX) that make me more susceptible to infection since my immune system is being controlled extremely.
Once the government announce that vaccine were available for public, I was getting overwhelmed with many thoughts. When the Malaysians fought hard to book a slot for Astra Zeneca, I didn't join the fight. Fortunately, my appointment with my doc was approaching at that time. On the appointment date, I was accompanied by my father as usual. After having the regular check up, the doc asked me if either I wanted the vaccine or not. As fast as lightning, I nodded. Then, the doc told me more about vaccine that were being given by the hospital's vaccine centre. The vaccine given was Pfizer due to the fact that most people that were vaccinated there mostly patients. She then filled my information in the web and gave me the medical slip for vaccine. I felt slightly guilty since I was the earliest in my family to get vaccine.
I was very impatient while waiting for my 1st vaccine on 11th June 2021. Everyday I checked MySejahtera for any update on my appointment status. I was filled with anxiety since there were nothing while people who got the spot for AZ had status update on theirs. Unfortunately, travels between district were not allowed due to increasing covid cases. So, I needed to go with university's transport. The procedures were quite troublesome since I must filled in few forms and got clearance from the university. And during that time, I was required to travel to hospital frequently and those procedures must be done each time. Don't ask me, I got all mad when thinking about this. However, the drivers were all good and understanding.
On the long-awaited day, I wore short-sleeved t-shirt and layered it with cardigan since many people suggested this. I rode the van all by myself, just imagine how embarrassing and guilty I felt when there was only me as the passenger in the big van. What can I do. Once I got there, a lot of people were queueing. I joined the line. Most of them were elders in wheelchair, and I was possibly the youngest there. Hmmm what can I say. While waiting for my turn, it started raining cats and dogs. By the way, my doc did highlighted that I have tachycardia which is a condition of abnormal heartbeat rate in the slip. The staff who took my blood pressure look puzzled but then I said " it's always like that for me". Then, the procedures continue as usual. It's time for my 1st jab. I felt slightly nervous since thus is my first time I got vax shot after so long. But, it was better than I expected since I used to getting blood drawn out for blood tests that usually took around 3 jabs before the blood could be drawn. I only knew later that MySejahtera update were done on the spot. My anxiety was all for naught. The side effects after 1st dose were only tiredness, red and sore at injection site, muscle and joint pains without fever. Then, life went on plainly in hostel dorm. Btw, it was the firts time that I stayed for 2 solid months in the hostel without going back home. My home is considered as nearby while my father also works as lecturer in the same university.
My 2nd dose was on 2nd July. A few days before, I had another appointment with neurologist due to mishap that happened prior. Rheumatologist referred me to neuro since she worried that something bad might happened that caused me to face an accident before. It was a tiring week for me to be honest. Nothing much happened during registration. However, upon receiving the jab, the feeling of vaccine dispersed was not there. I tried to be positive. When I got to my room, there was no side effect emerged, no joint pain, no muscle pain, no redness, nothing at all. I tried to be positive. A few days later, I read a news article about empty vaccine syringe and later, more and more about vaccination mishap surfaced one by one. I was overwhelmed with negative thoughts. What if the same thing happened to me? Why I didn't look closely when I was jabbed? I did received the required amount right? Almost a week I thought about this. But I couldn't do anything to calmed myself since there was no evidence and solely rely on my memory. I tried to be positive about it.
Months later, the government announced that 3rd dose were needed and they prioritised frontliners followed by elderly citizens. But, the condition for 3rd dose is that the duration from last shot must be at least 3 months for Sinovac and 6 months gor Pfizer. Once again, I felt disturbed when the conditions did not aligned with me. Luckily, I got appointment with me rheumatologist on 18th November. Actually, the date was postponed from September when the Covid cases when frenzied during that time. And so, there I went to the appointment as usual. Fortunately, I arrived relatively early before many more patients. Thus, I met with the doc early. After finishing my routine check up and asking questions, she asked me if I wanted the 3rd dose. Being me with the insecurities about my 2nd dose, of course I did want it ASAP. She filled me a form by 10.30 am for the vaccine slot at 12.30 pm that same day. I was on my toes because my nephro appointment was not settled yet. Plus, the waiting time for medicine dispense at the pharmacy also quite long. Luckily, all of them finished by 12.20 pm and the vaccine location was nearby. I rushed to the location and arrived there at 12.28 pm and no people was waiting. The processes were smooth like butter. And I felt at ease since not many people were around. But, as soon as I entered the car, I had splitting headache and my blood pressure after vaccination was low than average apparently. After few hours of sleep, the headache was gone. The side effects for my 3rd dose were similar to my 1st one with muscle and join pain, tiredness, and so on.
That's all for my vaccination experiences for all my three doses. Actually, there were many more that happened, but I cut it short 😁😁. See you when I see you. Byebye 🤗🤗
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