First Dose of Pfizer in March of 2021
Second Dose of Pfizer in June of 2021
Edmonton, Canada
49 yrs old
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
Life was great, energy to burn, could survive on 4/5 hours of sleep. Completely pain free, vibrant and full of life!
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
Not long after my second dose in June of 2021, within 2-3 months, I started to get sore shoulders, elbow, wrists, knees and hands.
Several years ago (15+), I had knee surgery for a work related injury, I have worked in my trade as a HD Mechanic ever since, and have had no additional issues.
A few weeks after, I noticed increased pain in various joints. I woke up one morning with my right knee extremely swollen, and I could not bend or straighten my leg. I ended up at the hospital, and they drained just over 140cc of fluid from my knee. The inflammation markers in my blood work were more than 8X what they should be. A few weeks later, I got a cortisone shot into my knee joint.
For the next few months of waiting to get into a rheumatologist, the pain was nearly unbearable through out my joints, along with swelling in my hands that looked like a blown up rubber glove. I was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I am now on multiple drugs, including a weekly injection of methotrexate. As the methotrexate is a form of chemo, all my hair has fallen out.
I am still in ongoing treatment and will likely be on meds the rest of my life, according to rheumatologist. I have chronic and constant pain and swelling throughout my joints. Most days, my hands don’t want to work until noon, and I can barely lift my right arm above the shoulder. I have lost close to 50 pounds, need 8-10 hours of sleep and could nap for a 1/2 hour after I get up.
The hardest part with all of this for me is that I took the shots to keep my employment, and now as a result, it may cost me my career. I need my hands and body mobility to perform my work as a HD Mechanic.
Q: Tell us about any tests, diagnoses, and/or Medical Care received:
Diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in the form of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I am on multiple medications, including a weekly injection of methotrexate that has caused my hair to fall out.
Q: Have you had Covid before?
No
Q: What do you wish others knew?
Do your own research and make an informed decision. Don’t blindly follow what you are being sold.
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