First Dose of Pfizer on 2/26/21 Lot #FN6205
Second Dose of Pfizer on 3/19/21 Lot #ER8727
California
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
I was a healthy & busy mom to 5 kids at home. I worked full time at an engineering firm at a job I absolutely love. My husband and I took trips together and my family and I enjoyed life. It was crazy busy and chaotic but I loved it. Always an event to go to or a school program and dance to help get one of the kids ready for.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
About 30 minutes after the 2nd vaccine I felt light headed and my heart took off. I felt like I was in fight or flight mode and my extremities got ice cold. I told my husband to turn the car around because something was wrong. The attending nurse did not take my vitals and told me it was anxiety. That night I went back to the ER because the symptoms were lingering and they also told me it was anxiety. I felt overly fatigued for over a month. Did not have energy to anything. May 15th the original symptoms came back stronger than ever and my husband again took me to the hospital. They said it was sinus tachycardia and to have my heart checked out by a cardiologist. While waiting for cardiologist I started to get weak and foggy brained and went to the hospital multiple times. My heart rate would be in the 170's and I felt short of breath and just out of it. I get adrenaline surges that shake my whole body at 2-4 AM and my blood pressure started being so low that I had to be hospitalized and almost died. I was misdiagnosed with Addisons Disease in the hospital because they tested my cortisol at 4 in the morning and I was given medication to take, that treats the cortisol disorder. Meanwhile, all tests with cardiologist were fine except constant Sinus Tachycardia but I was so sick I couldn't even walk. I took numerous tests with my private dr that all came back normal. I was finally cleared by 3 different endocrinologist for the Addisons, the last being from Stanford. I was also referred to Stanford to see an EP. They caught a brief episode of AFIB along with the tachycardia and they said there was a good possibility I had myocarditis. I was told it should clear on its own and was sent for a heart MRI. Heart MRI was clear and I started to feel slightly better for about 2 months. Over a month ago the symptoms came back and I am now waiting for my referral to Stanford Neurology.
Q: What is your life like now, after getting the vaccine?
My life is a nightmare. I miss being the mother and wife that I was. I barely have the energy or strength to get off of the couch or bed. I am watching from the sidelines as life goes on. I cry literally every day and just hope I wake up one day and have my life back.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
I have been diagnosed incorrectly with multiple things (anxiety, myocarditis, Addisons)I have yet to receive a diagnosis that has stuck. The new theory is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) but I am sure that is a long ways out.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
My reaction was reported to VAERS and I received 2 emails and sent them all of the requested information. I have yet to hear back or have any support offered.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
Unfortunately I have not found anything that relieves my symptoms except a beta blocker that slows my heart down.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
That as much as people try and deny any adverse reactions - they are happening. It's not made up and if people would talk about it or let us talk about it maybe we would be able to get help.
