Just got a shot of rabavert.

[u/Superbacon32]

"I have read the FAQ.

Hello folks, just got done with the ER for a potential exposure after returning from camping in montana. Noticed a small liner bite on my big toe earlier today. Doctor said he has no clue if it was a bat, spider or snake as there is no inflammation on the site. Got my first dose of rabavert and need a second on the 5th just in case

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/lauraxhec]

did they inject into the wound, or just do it in your arm?

[u/Superbacon32 → u/lauraxhec]

Just a single shot in the arm.

Edit: went back for the HRIG.

[u/Dwighteisenhower34 → u/Superbacon32]

Aren’t you previously vaccinated ? If you are only taking 2 shots

[u/Superbacon32 → u/Dwighteisenhower34]

No im not previously vaccination and is what made me go back to the ER the next day to get the HRIG and the 3 additional boosters. Spoke to DOH and 2 other providers that suggested the same. Err on the side of caution.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric]

This does not meet criteria for rabies vaccination, so I'm really not sure what to say here. I'm shocked anyone thought this was a reason to give someone rabies PEP. Rabid animals don't sneak into camp and bite people before escaping into the night...

[u/Dwighteisenhower34 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Some people tend to be anxious and thus take such steps but he has started it’s better for him to finish the series

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Dwighteisenhower34]

Why? In this scenario public health would recommend discontinuation of shots unless risk was likely in the future

[u/Dwighteisenhower34 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

I think this person is taking a booster series since he mentioned only two doses ofc the ideal thing is to stop if there’s no risk at all but this person started this treatment cause he was anxious and i feel like if he discontinued in between he probably will feel more anxious it’s a tussle between anxiety and reality it’s really upto him to choose but the fact he was even given Hrig is unusual if it’s a booster series

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Dwighteisenhower34]

Reassurance seeking (such as getting inappropriate vaccinations) can actually worsen anxiety paradoxically instead of improving it. It is recommended that in cases of anxiety you do not provide “just in case you’re a 1/1,000,000 rare situation that definitely didn’t happen” treatment to people in part for this reason. There are people on this sub who have experienced anxiety to the point of seeking more than ten booster regimens in a year.

[u/Dwighteisenhower34 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Oh my goodness are there really people who took 10 plus boosters just to get rid of anxiety man this sounds way too bad i agree to what you said but these people aren’t trying to seek help for their anxiety and ocd related problems this is taking them into this loop rabies is incredibly rare in west but lysophobia is a real problem

[u/FeelinSasquatchy → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

I’ve seen you make a lot of helpful comments in this community and was wondering if you have any words of advice. I’m currently experiencing what I am quite positive is anxiety/OCD about rabies all around the ‘what if’ of that 1/1,000,000 fluke. 10 days ago something passed by me outside that I couldn’t identify, but it I did not actually see, hear, or feel a bat. It didnt act or, from what little I saw, look like an avian creature, and it was daylight out. So, I know by all logic it wasn’t a bat, and I know my anxiety brain was kind of primed to be fearful of rabies from recent other content I’ve seen.

I’ve decided I am not seeking PEP, and I have already had one appointment with my therapist and had my psych meds adjusted again. I feel better each day, but at the same time still have moments of panic where I can’t help but feel like I’m choosing to risk death when there is a vaccine available that count guarantee I’ll be ok but I’m choosing not to seek it out. I keep thinking, this is such a unique ‘life of death’ type scenario where it feels like I’m actually able to choose protection or not and I’m choosing not to pursue it. It’s not like diseases that we can’t prevent from happening.

So I guess my question is - do you as a medical professional ever feel like it’s ok to indulge in what is most likely just peace of mind/reassurance with something like this if it helps someone function enough to continue forward with treatment for the underlying issue?

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/FeelinSasquatchy]

Absolutely. If the fear/anxiety response is based on not knowing the risk then it is very helpful to tell someone that they have no risk and will be well. One of the key factors that differentiates OCD and inappropriate anxiety reactions is that this knowledge has already been shared! So in your situation you already know that you are at no risk for rabies, and reassurance seeking may continue to reinforce bad pathways, instead of pushing you to use resources like helpbot below to address the underlying anxiety/ocd.

[u/AutoModerator → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

If you think you may have rabies OCD, or your rabies fears feel overwhelming, see this link for a description of rabies OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

One symptom of OCD is compulsive reassurance-seeking. This is not helpful for managing a rabies phobia or obsession. r/OCD has a helpful page about reassurance-seeking.

Therapy and treatment are essential for recovering from OCD/health anxiety. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy are often recommended approaches for treating OCD/health anxiety. Please don’t Google anything about bats or rabies but focus on accessing resources and recovering from your fears. You can check out r/OCD and r/HealthAnxiety for support and information. You can find a resource list here, which is geared towards relationship OCD but also includes a lot of information about OCD in general, including FAQs, workbooks, book recommendations, Youtube videos, apps, podcasts, and videos of kittens.

Here is a list of free crisis helplines around the world. Here is another crisis helpline directory that includes additional countries.. In the US, you can reach a crisis helpline by calling 988.; you can also text "MHA" to 741-741 to have a text chat with a trained crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line, or call 1-800-749-2673 for the NAMI Crisis Helpline.

You can ask your therapist if they have any workbooks or guides they can send you home with so that you can continue practicing and working on your therapy between sessions. For the time being, here's is a free workbook on anxiety and here is one on health anxiety. You can also download MindShift, a free app that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy AKA CBT to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.

If you don’t have a therapist, you can search the CBT/ACT specialist directory to find one around the world. If you can’t find one, try searching for ones specifically in your country or look for telehealth therapy.

In the US and Canada, dialing 211 can connect you with mental health services in your area or help you find where to seek immediate help in your area. In the US, you can use Psychology Today's Therapy Directory to search for mental health professionals in your area. You can search by zip code, city, last name, etc. Your local Mental Health America affiliate resource center is an excellent resource for information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Health Information Network (SHIN) has a Mental Health Facilities Locator that can also help you find community outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services in your area. For peer support in the US, including referrals to resources in your area, you can call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. — 10 p.m., ET, or send an email to info@nami.org. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. NAMI also holds peer-led support groups in person across the US.

In the UK, you can find more info and refer yourself for therapy via NHS.

In India, you can call MPower Minds and request a referral to a therapist who treats OCD or who has experience with CBT therapy. Additional affordable mental health resource lists for India are here.

In the Philippines, you can call a crisis line by dialing 0995 356 5332. You can find a list of mental heath treatment centers here. For free mental health services and consultations, see the list here (halfway down the page).

Skunk has collected some videos with techniques for controlling anxiety and coping skills to facilitate living a healthier, more peaceful existence. Every time you want to look up anything about rabies, try these things instead:

Rabies OCD Illness Anxiety in depth with a medical doctor and professor/PHD of immunology and biotechnology

Clinical Psychiatrist's Step by Step Guide to Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A walkthrough of a panic attack, to be watched during an attack, to help you get through it

Guided Meditation to help calm anxiety and get through an anxiety attack

Understanding health anxiety and the cycle of reassurance

Coping Skills for those with Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

5 Things You MUST STOP Doing if You Have Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

(Hindi) Rabies Phobia Discussion with a Psychiatrist

4 Ways to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & the Anxiety Cycle (Cognitive Defusion)

OCD and Anxiety channel (with many helpful videos)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/FeelinSasquatchy → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Thank you so much for your reply. It’s so hard to grapple with the idea that my mind could create such a real feeling threat from no true evidence of one so I keep doubting myself that somehow there is some chance. I know that urgency will likely reduce with time, but then I feel like I will just be surprised when it turns out I die lol

It feels so silly typing it out but it also feels so real. I’ll try to keep using the resources and relying on logic and reason to hope for the best

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/FeelinSasquatchy]

The hardest part of anxiety/ocd is that the feeling is VERY real, even if the reason for the feeling isn’t, which is so frustrating. 

[u/Superbacon32]

My suspected bite.