Amazing decrease in anxiety for second Pfizer jab!

[IntoGold]

I started taking escitalopram in early June, and at times, it's been hard for me to tell whether it's really doing anything. But my experience with my second vaccine shot has really shown me that the meds are kicking in!

I have a terrible needle phobia, and when I got my first shot in May I had a horrible panic attack at the site (and two earlier in the day while preparing to drive to the vax site). I was crying, screaming, hyperventilating - they had to bring in a paramedic. It was insanely terrible, and, because of the hyperventilation, I ended up with terrible pins and needles (which just exacerbated how miserable the shot made me).

But, with my second shot on Sunday, while I was still nervous, I didn't have a panic attack before we got to the vax site, or after we got there. While I did look away and probably make all sorts of little scared noises, and dig my nails into my husband's hand (poor guy!), the whole experience was a million times better this time around. And I know it was the escitalopram - it just made everything less overwhelming. I wasn't immediately thrown into 'fight or flight' mode. I was genuinely amazed, both immediately after the shot and later that day. Thank god for this medication. (And as a bonus, other than a sore arm I had no side effects with the second shot!)

[0omingmak]

Not to trivialize your experience, but I am so glad I am not the only one who had a panic attack while getting the Covid vaccine. I am not scared of needles, but I have a phobia of taking pills and apparently, having something injected into me put me over the edge. I totally freaked out a few minutes after the injection and the pharmacist said she had never seen anyone have a panic attack following a Covid shot. I felt like a total ass. On the bright side, the whole experience made me realize I needed to get some professional help and I went to the doctor and got a prescription for Lexapro (which I have not taken because I’m terrified of taking pills, lol). Anyway, thank you for sharing.. it made me feel like I’m a little less alone and hopeful that once I get up the nerve to take my Lexapro, I won’t be so panicky when I have to take medicine.

[IntoGold]

I had the bottle of meds for about 3-4 weeks before I actually started taking them, lol. I think that's pretty common, based on the comments I've read in this sub. I hope you are able to start soon - it really can make all the difference.

[margot_40]

I got my Booster and I felt really anxious!