First Dose of Pfizer 3/29/21 Lot #EN6201
Portland, Oregon
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
Prior to the vaccine I was an extremely active working mom to a toddler. I worked out hard, I trained kettlebells three days a week and would regularly go hiking in beautiful Oregon. I also ate extremely healthy, prioritized sleep, and overall led a lifestyle that was health focused.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
The night of the vaccine I was sitting on the sofa and felt a sudden jolt in my forearms, like a deep muscle ache. I thought that was odd and then went to bed, and did not think much of it. The next day I developed a low grade fever, muscle aches, chills, etc. and felt the general unwell feeling a lot of people described after their second dose. In the following 3-4 days I started to develop severe joint pain in my hands and feet, leg cramps, full body tingling that felt like electric shocks, nerve pain in the arms, and extreme pain in the forearms. By day ten, I lost the ability to completely close my hands. My hands became so stiff that I could not open and close them, I essentially lost the functions of my hands for 8 weeks. I had numerous rounds of blood work, saw three doctors, and none of them could explain what was happening to me and didn't seem to take me seriously. Since the vaccine I seem to have become incredibly injury prone. Prior the vaccine I NEVER dealt with injuries, I was incredibly fit, now it seems I only have to sneeze and something new pops up. Since the vaccine I have been struggling with costochondritis and plantar fasciitis. I am still regularly seeing a hand therapist to deal with the loss of strength and stiffness in my hands and arms.
Q: What was your life like after you got the vaccine?
I spiraled downhill. Try explaining to a two year old, "why mommy can't pick you up right now". I still have not been able to resume normal activity, the only thing I can do is walk. I became extremely anxious surrounding my body. I don't know if this was from the vaccine itself or because I was dealing with a serious reaction, but I am still working on being less anxious. I never dealt with anxiety beforehand.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
All bloodwork came back normal. I had three rounds of blood work, all inflammation levels were low. Only thing elevated was liver enzymes, which had never been elevated pre-vaccine.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
My doctor discouraged me from reporting to VAERS, saying it wouldn't matter.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
Yes, time and Ivermectin. 5 months post-vaccine I took ivermectin and had a dramatic improvement in joint pain and overall body "feeling". To a large degree I felt like I got my body back. I am still however dealing with the injury to my hands and forearms, although this has improved significantly.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
I should have trusted my gut that my healthy lifestyle, age, and no co-morbidities would have been enough to keep me safe if I had contracted covid. There are other therapeutics out there to take in the event you get covid that have a very long track record of being safe. We just don't know enough about these vaccines and those in power do no want our stories to get out.
