Update: 1st shot of vaccine - any protection? When?

[Spryte]

I’ve had one shot of Pfizer, seven days ago.

I think I need to go to the ER, and will double mask but wondering if the one shot will offer any protection at all?

Waiting on call back from doc, pretty sure she will say to go in.  (Sigh)

Update:  I ended up going to ER the following day, and worsened again the next night, so was admitted and have been here in the hospital ever since.  Have been wearing a mask all the time, except for rare attempts to eat (I’m on a liquid diet and not keeping anything down anyway, so not eating much), brushing teeth, and taking temperature. It doesn’t feel unsafe.  Everyone is masked and most who work here are fully vaxxed. I worry more about other patients and their visitors, but there are very few on my wing.  It’s a little nerve-wracking, but for two of the days I was sick enough not to really care.  I’m feeling a bit better this evening, and DH came to bring me some things.  He stayed masked, but it heightens the awareness of vigilance. Hopefully the one shot gives some little bit of protection. 

Edited March 21, 2021 by Spryte

[Laura Corin]

Very little protection after seven days, I believe.  It doesn't start to tick up until about 14 days, and doesn't reach full capability until after three weeks.  I'm sorry, just do your best.  I hope things go okay.

[Spryte]

12 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

Very little protection after seven days, I believe.  It doesn't start to tick up until about 14 days, and doesn't reach full capability until after three weeks.  I'm sorry, just do your best.  I hope things go okay.

Ah, that’s what I feared.  Disappointing.

Hoping not to go in, but we shall see.

[dsmith]

24 minutes ago, Spryte said:

I’ve had one shot of Pfizer, seven days ago.

I think I need to go to the ER, and will double mask but wondering if the one shot will offer any protection at all?

Waiting on call back from doc, pretty sure she will say to go in.  (Sigh)

We've had friends and family in our local ERs, and they have all felt very safe. They separated anyone with possible COVID before they even got in the doors, and there were plenty of safety measures. I wouldn't be crazy about going, being unvaccinated, but I would if I had to. 

[Spryte]

1 minute ago, dsmith said:

We've had friends and family in our local ERs, and they have all felt very safe. They separated anyone with possible COVID before they even got in the doors, and there were plenty of safety measures. I wouldn't be crazy about going, being unvaccinated, but I would if I had to. 

Thanks.  I don’t want to go, but if the doc says to go ... I will.

[Katy]

So the pharmacist in our family works at a pharmacy that offers antibody tests. Their whole staff saw a strong antibody response in about a week. That said, they’re pretty certain they all had it in January (14 months ago, before testing was done, but blood donors confirmed it was in the area at the time).

[TravelingChris]

30 minutes ago, Spryte said:

Thanks.  I don’t want to go, but if the doc says to go ... I will.

I just went to the ER last Wednesday and I hadn't even had my first shot (getting it Monday).  But it was a choice of going to the ER then or possibly losing a lower leg to a rapidly expanding infection.  While at the hospital, I was tested in two different ways for COVID and did not have it.  There were no COVID patients on my floor and in the ER, all the beds were in separate rooms. I also had a single for my hospital stay.

IF you need to go, go.  One bad affect of COVID has been a big increase in deaths of heart attack, stroke, etc because of people fearing the ER. Don't be one of them/

[Spryte]

2 minutes ago, Katy said:

So the pharmacist in our family works at a pharmacy that offers antibody tests. Their whole staff saw a strong antibody response in about a week. That said, they’re pretty certain they all had it in January (14 months ago, before testing was done, but blood donors confirmed it was in the area at the time).

Thanks, that’s reassuring.

I am still waiting to hear from doc, and mostly hoping she doesn’t send me.

[Kassia]

@Spryte I don't know the answer but I'm so sorry you are having serious medical issues and hope you are better soon.  😞  I know our local hospital feels very safe to me and I hope you feel safe if you need to go.  But please don't avoid going if you feel you should be seen - that is a much bigger risk to you than Covid.  

 

[Spryte]

@TravelingChrisI hope you are recovering well.  So glad you are home. I will go, if needed.  

@Kassia Thanks. I will definitely go, if the doc says to go, but will be nervous.

I’ve been fighting with a UTI for a few weeks, we thought.  It started as one.  And I’m on a second round of abx because I thought it wasn’t gone.  I’m now having pain that feels more like a kidney stone though.  I’m prone to little gravelly stones.  DH and IRL friends think it’s another stone.  Pain has abated, for now, so I’m chugging water.  It’s really acting like a stone, ugh. 

Edited March 17, 2021 by Spryte

[Ottakee]

46 minutes ago, TravelingChris said:

 

IF you need to go, go.  One bad affect of COVID has been a big increase in deaths of heart attack, stroke, etc because of people fearing the ER. Don't be one of them/

THIS....my friend that is a doctor keeps stressing this (and stressing over this).  

My daughter had an emergency appendectomy in Nov at the height of Covid in our area.  I felt totally safe.

 

[Spryte]

So, I have not gone in, but not because of Covid fears.  

The pain has slacked off considerably, and I have an appointment with the doc next week.  I’m guessing kidney stone, based on past history.

I don’t particularly want to go have another CT scan to see if it’s a stone, I’ve had so many CTs I’m probably radioactive.  Ha.  Mine tend to be small, and I just go home with a strainer and lots of water, maybe some Flomax.  No pain meds because allergies.

If it becomes really intense again, or if I run a fever or get much worse, I’ll go straight to the ER.  

Fingers crossed it doesn’t!

Thanks, all!
 

 

 

[Junie]

(((Spryte)))

Praying for you!

[Caraway]

My son had emergency surgery (accompanied by my DH) and my dad has been to the ER twice and stayed overnight in the hospital.  Everyone managed to stay Covid free. ❤️

[Spryte]

1 minute ago, kand said:

Just keep chugging that water. That’s good news it has abated. I’ve been in ER for a stone before, and have had two times since where similar symptoms came on, but neither got bad enough to need ER. I drank a ton of water and assume I passed whatever it was, because it tends to improve fairly quickly once that happens. 
 

That said, we have had to go to the ER twice in the last three months, both being overnight visits, which I hated having to do, but no one got anything either time. We wore really good masks, but the one being treated did have to remove theirs in their room sometimes, because they had to eat meals. If you need ER, you just need it and have to just mask up well and trust in the Covid precautions at the hospital. 

Chugging!  Check.  😊

It’s good to hear you rode it out at home a few times, too.  

And I even happen to have the “hat” strainer (because I’ve had *that* many stones!).  

I will definitely go in if needed.  My mom spent three days in the hospital over the summer - it was fine. I was pretty annoyed by one of the techs who wouldn’t wear a mask, but at this point I have no problem saying, “hey, pull your mask up!”  

[Ditto]

I'm glad you are feeling a bit better.   Take care of yourself.  I am thinking about you.

[Terabith]

Actually, Pfizer does offer protection after seven days, unlike Moderna which doesn't offer much until 14 days.  It's not maximal, but while certainly not covid proof, I think you have a certain amount of covid resistance.  Definitely social distance and double mask, but this isn't a recreational visit.  I think you have some real genuine protection.  

Hugs and hope everything goes okay.  Kidney stones are MISERABLE.  

Edited March 17, 2021 by Terabith

[Spryte]

I updated in the first post.  It wasn’t a kidney stone, we don’t think,  still trying to find the cause. No idea when I will go home. 😨I have to be able to eat solid food, I think, and still on a clear liquid diet.

[Junie]

Oh, I'm so sorry.  Praying that you're feeling better soon and able to go home!

[Spryte]

2 minutes ago, Junie said:

Oh, I'm so sorry.  Praying that you're feeling better soon and able to go home!

Thanks.  We could’ve waved at each other when you were in the area the other day. 🤣

[Kassia]

Oh no @Spryte.  I'm so sorry you're in the hospital and so sick.  😞  Thank you for the update and I hope you feel better and get released very soon.  Thinking of you.

 

[mommyoffive]

Oh no, I am so sorry you are not doing well and that you have been at the hospital.  Sending lots of good thoughts your way.  I really hope that you get to go home soon.  And I hope the doctors figure out what is going on so  you have answers.  

[Melissa Louise]

Hope you find a cause, a treatment and a way to get home soon. 

[Laura Corin]

Best wishes for a swift recovery. 

[Ausmumof3]

I’m sorry you’ve been stuck in hospital, hope you get some answers soon.

[HeartString]

A few years ago my husband had a kidney stone that was immediately followed by some sort of infection that required 4 days in the hospital.  They never really linked the two things or found a different cause for the infection.  They just released him after his fever subsided. It was pretty  scary for him to be that sick and the hospital not know why.  

[Acadie]

Hoping you're feeling better soon, Spryte, and get everything you need in terms of clarity and treatment. 

[Spryte]

2 hours ago, Cnew02 said:

A few years ago my husband had a kidney stone that was immediately followed by some sort of infection that required 4 days in the hospital.  They never really linked the two things or found a different cause for the infection.  They just released him after his fever subsided. It was pretty  scary for him to be that sick and the hospital not know why.  

I’m sorry he went through that!  These serious mystery illnesses are hard.  
 

I’ll be staying another day, looks like.  But get to try dry Cheerios, so yay!

[Storygirl]

I hope you feel better soon. I'm glad that you don't feel particularly at risk for exposure to the virus while you are there. I'm sure you have some measure of protection from your first vaccine dose. I'm really sorry that you have been so ill.

[Harriet Vane]

Sorry you've been feeling so poorly, Spryte. I hope you are fully well soon.

[Janeway]

On 3/17/2021 at 9:53 AM, Spryte said:

I’ve had one shot of Pfizer, seven days ago.

I think I need to go to the ER, and will double mask but wondering if the one shot will offer any protection at all?

Waiting on call back from doc, pretty sure she will say to go in.  (Sigh)

Update:  I ended up going to ER the following day, and worsened again the next night, so was admitted and have been here in the hospital ever since.  Have been wearing a mask all the time, except for rare attempts to eat (I’m on a liquid diet and not keeping anything down anyway, so not eating much), brushing teeth, and taking temperature. It doesn’t feel unsafe.  Everyone is masked and most who work here are fully vaxxed. I worry more about other patients and their visitors, but there are very few on my wing.  It’s a little nerve-wracking, but for two of the days I was sick enough not to really care.  I’m feeling a bit better this evening, and DH came to bring me some things.  He stayed masked, but it heightens the awareness of vigilance. Hopefully the one shot gives some little bit of protection. 

I had the Pfizer shot. I did a blood test for immunity 9.5 days after the first shot. I had zero immunities. So first shot was early morning Jan 14. My dad died Jan 22. I went to get tested in the evening January 23, late. My immunities were at zero.

[RootAnn]

@SpryteHow are you doing?

[Kassia]

15 minutes ago, RootAnn said:

@SpryteHow are you doing?

I've been thinking of @Sprytetoo.  Hope she's feeling better and was able to come home.

[Spryte]

I’m here.  😊

My numbers were trending in the right direction, and so they let me come home to wait and see the specialist again next week.  

I’m wobbly and in a good amount of pain, but home in bed. So, so glad to be home.

[mommyoffive]

Yay, I am glad that you are at home!  I am sorry you are pain.  I am sending some gentle hugs and some good thoughts. 

[Innisfree]

Hope you feel better soon and the specialist has helpful, reassuring information!

[Kassia]

38 minutes ago, Spryte said:

I’m here.  😊

My numbers were trending in the right direction, and so they let me come home to wait and see the specialist again next week.  

I’m wobbly and in a good amount of pain, but home in bed. So, so glad to be home.

I'm so glad you're home but sorry you're still in pain and you don't seem to have answers yet.  😞  

[Junie]

(((Spryte)))

[Spryte]

1 minute ago, Seasider too said:

I had lost track of this thread. I’m glad to hear you are home. I’d hope a cause will be soon figured out. 

Don’t quote, but ...

Yes, I had a UTI a few weeks ago and took a new-to-me antibiotic.  They think that caused liver damage, and then of course we didn’t know, but I was feeling poorly with continued UTI symptoms so we piled on more meds.  Needless to say I got worse.  The final straw was a pain med given at the ER, that one just tanked my liver.  So I spent a few days in the hospital.

Wow, is it painful.  Serious ouch.  I have been toughing it out since being home but tonight DH called the hospital again, and the doc there convinced me, on the phone, that it’s ok to take the pain med they gave me this time.  I’m much more comfortable now.

[Annie G]

Glad to hear you’re home and (and hopefully) resting comfortably.  Wow- those meds sure messed with your liver!