Kirstie London, Store Manager

First Dose of Pfizer on 05/19//21 Lot #EW0199

Second Dose of Pfizer on 06/30/21 Lot #FA9091

New Brunswick, Canada

Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?

I was a happy, 31-year-old woman. I had no pre-existing health issues and would regularly visit my doctor for checkups. I walked every day after work and loved to do the trails on the weekends. I worked 40+ hours a week and managed a retail store before returning to college.

Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?

I had mild symptoms a few days after receiving my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. My foot started going numb after walking and at first, I thought I needed a new pair of shoes but obviously, that didn't help. My eyes and cheek would twitch but I didn't pay much attention at the time. However, very quickly after my second dose, my life turned upside down. Within 24 hours, I began a 15-day long menstrual cycle, accompanied by numbness and neuropathy in my legs and feet. Ten days after the shot, began the twitching in my legs. I began feeling pressure in my knees and shins, as well as tightness as if I'd just jogged 5 miles. Severe muscle spasms, pops, internal tremors, and twitches spread into both my calves and within two weeks, quickly spread into the entirety of my body. I developed severe burning nerve pain in my right thigh for which I am on medication. The brain fog and fatigue are hard to explain, and falling asleep has been a challenge for months.

Q; What is your life like after you got the vaccine?

It has been hard, to say the least. I feel like I am in a fight for my health. I can no longer go on my walks. I cannot stand for long periods of time without pain in my legs. I can't pick up anything more than 5 pounds or my arms start to twitch. I can no longer simply lay down and go to sleep because I have to wait until the twitching and pops calm down in my legs. The life I used to know is a memory for the time being. I have gone public with my story, and follow many other brave people who have done the same. To see that I am not alone, makes me feel better in a sense, however, it also makes me feel worse since I would never wish this upon anyone else. I am currently in college and find it hard to get through the day, and regret taking this vaccine. I do have support from the people around me, but they don't really understand the toll it takes not only physically, but mentally. There were days I'd felt I'd hit rock bottom regarding my mental health, but 5 months later I am doing better in that sense. There is hope.

Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:

I have had a total of 2 emergency room visits, and one other where I was unable to see a doctor because it was too busy. I've had 8 doctor's appointments with my GP in the last 5 months; I am only able to get in about every 2 weeks. I've gotten blood work done twice and a spinal X-ray. My bloodwork came back with a high white blood cell count and low iron. I was sent to physical therapy, where I receive weekly acupuncture. I have just gone for an MRI and am on a waiting list to see both a neurologist and a physiatrist. My doctor has told me that both have a long waiting list. I have no diagnosis and received no possible explanation as to what is happening to me.

Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?

Yes, I reported my symptoms to Pfizer Canada on October 21, 2021 and received a call from them shortly after but no further response. After nearly four months, I finally got my doctor to send in an adverse reaction form to Public Health. They contacted me shortly after, and I was told I would hear back from them in a week, possibly two; it's been three and I've heard nothing.

Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?

I am taking Gabapentin, which has relieved a lot of the nerve pain. The numbness and neuropathy in my legs and feet have subsided. The tremors have lessened quite a bit and the twitches, spasms, and pops have their ups and downs. Overall I feel I am doing better than I was, but I am not back to who I was.

Q: What do you wish others knew?

I wish people knew of the potentially life-threatening and damaging consequences of this vaccine. These consequences are not rare like they've led us to believe. No, this does not happen to everyone, but it's happened to an overwhelming amount of people and should not be ignored. Simply one person should be too much. These neurological issues are debilitating, mentally and physically and no one can prepare you for the isolation you feel when your own doctors, the ones meant to keep you safe when you're sick, turn their backs on you. Both the public and the government have turned a blind eye to the injured and we've had to rely on the support of our fellow injured to help us through this. If there was a bright light in all of this, is that we've come together and are getting our stories and our voices out there. I feel proud of everyone who has come forward, and my heart is with you all. We will get through this together, even if things seem hopeless right now.

#WeWantToBeHeard #RealNotRare