The Easing of COVID Restrictions and My Fourth Vaccine

By Ali Long

2 min read

As Covid restrictions ease here in Ireland, my anxiety levels are doing the opposite. I understand that we can’t live forever in a lockdown, we as a world need to get back to "normal." Unfortunately, I am still immunocompromised, and being perfectly honest, I am afraid to go back to "normal" while Covid is still here.

I am terrified of getting a cold or any sickness, and even more afraid of getting Covid

I know that this new variant is said to be less scary than others, but in my opinion that only applies to people who have regular working immune systems. What about us? The chronically ill and immune suppressed people. My immune system is not regular. I take biologics which are immune suppressants and currently I am receiving steroid injections. I’m pretty sure steroids suppress your immune system too!

After Christmas, there were talks of another lockdown because of cases getting so high. Two weeks later, all restrictions have been lifted. It’s like Covid never happened. People are still wearing masks but there are no other restrictions. This is great for people who do not have the same worries as I do. It’s also great for the economy. I touch wood as I write this but luckily, I have not caught Covid yet.

I got sick around the same time as Covid. In a way, I was lucky because life here in Ireland was different, just like my own life was. I wasn’t missing out on things because of my illness but because of Covid.

Now that things are back to "normal," even though Covid is still a thing

I find myself missing out on more now than I did before. My friends are back doing the regular things, having fun, going out on the weekends. But I am too afraid to. Afraid for two reasons. One, I don’t want to catch Covid. Two, I’m so afraid of being out and feeling so miserable and in so much pain that I will have to go home. So now, it’s both my illness and Covid that are stopping me from living my life to the fullest.

In the past few weeks, there have been times when my friends have gone out and I really wanted to, but I felt too sick too. I want to be able to do the same things as my friends, like all other 24-year olds. But at the moment that doesn’t seem possible.

Luckily, all my friends, family, and boyfriend are vaccinated. They all understand that I am immune suppressed, so they are mindful of me. If they’ve been somewhere busy or are feeling unwell, they let me know. This reduces some of my stress in relation to Covid.

News about my second booster since I have ankylosing spondylitis

I received a text yesterday stating that "You are at risk of serious illness from Covid-19. Book your fourth vaccine here." Therefore, I am afraid of the world going back to "normal." Like I said above I understand that the world needs to go back to some sort of normality. In my opinion, the restrictions should have been eased out slowly rather than stopping them all at once.

I’ve booked my fourth vaccine for next week.

Have you received your fourth vaccine?

What are restrictions and Covid looking like where you are from?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The AxialSpondyloarthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Anna Samson Moderator & Contributor
Restrictions just ended in Canada and it's so terrifying seeing people without masks or not physical distancing. I got my first booster shot (fourth overall COVID-19 shot) in January and most of my family and friends have gotten them as well. I do hear you when you say that you feel like you're missing out, especially now that things are open again.
Julie Vallortigara Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Ali Long" user-id="2106796"/> Oh I hear you...I have been feeling like that as well as things started to reopen and people were travelling everywhere beginning of this year. I have discussed it with friends who also feel like that, they feel they are missing out on the new potential life and yet they are afraid to start doing things again. This is not an easy transition to manage for the public, to be back to live our life, going out, mixing with many people, and on top of that us with AxSpa have to deal with our extra vulnerability regarding a potential viral infection. All that to say that I understand your situation and your apprehension, and I have been there myself until I caught covid. I have had fourth jabs already (last one in January this year) and I am booked in for my fifth in April, following the vaccine schedule in Scotland for those clinically vulnerable! 😉 So, I caught covid mid march this year, most likely at work after being back working in person at the GP surgery where I go every Friday. I had all the typical symptoms, moderately probably thanks to the vaccines (since I am on immunosuppressant). I went through it ok and I was able to work from home. Of course I was tired, I had a cold and flu-like symptoms, but it was manageable and within 10 days I felt back to normal. I am not sharing that to diminish the impact that the virus can have on people, neither I am saying that to you to prove there's nothing to worry about. I thought you might just like to know my experience having Covid, in case it can be useful to you. Now I have to say that it has changed my perspective of Covid and I am now more prone to go out and join the party. I just had a belated celebration for my birthday last night (because I had covid on my birthday so I could not meet anyone...), and I went to a Ceilidh with friends! What a joy to finally be able to do that!! I really hope that you can find your way to go back doing things you enjoy doing, out with people, at your pace and in your own terms. And I hope your fourth vaccine went fine 😀 Take care, Julie.
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Ali Long" user-id="2106796"/> I can really relate to everything you are saying here. It is very terrifying having these regulations ending so quickly whilst cases are still alarmingly high. Over here in the UK there are literally no regulations at the moment, people with the virus don't even need to isolate or wear a mask if they go out so its pretty scary. I'm so pleased to hear that you have people around you that are considerate of you situation though! Great news about the fourth shot as well, I hope it goes well for you and gives you the protection you need without causing too much discomfort! Thanks for a great read, James (Community Member)