First Dose of J&J on 09/24/21 Lot #211A21A
San Antonio, Texas
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
I was a T1D with controlled blood sugars. A1Cs that was 6.0. I walked a mile and a half every day. I enjoyed being around people, going to church, and hanging out with family and friends. I did housework and laundry.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
I took the shot because my husband's job required him to. I did not want him to be alone. So we took the shot on 09/24/21. In 72 hours, I was walking in so much pain. All my joints were swollen. I waited 45 days to see if it would ease up. It progressively got worse with every day. So much to a point, my husband would have to help me do my hair and get dressed. I was unable to walk to the kitchen to get something to eat. I finally saw a doctor, who told me to see a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist has still not been able to diagnose the source of my pain. She said that I was not the first person to see her with all these symptoms. She is waiting on blood work to see if the vaccine has triggered my immune system into attacking my body.
Q: What is your life like now, after getting the vaccine?
I am now having to take methotrexate and still am unable to walk or hang out with friends or family. I live 24/7 in my house and occasionally get out to go for a drive with my husband. My husband has to help me in and out of the shower and do my hair. As a 41-year-old woman, I have lost my ability to do anything for my family or in my home. My 96-year-old grandmother who is unvaccinated moves faster than me. I miss cooking and playing with my dogs. I miss going to my church.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
As of right now, they just are saying I have frozen shoulder and inflamed joints. This is a general diagnosis until we do more blood work.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
My rheumatologist has seen multiple people with the same issues. Some she is able to get back to before the vaccine but some she has not been so successful with.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
Methotrexate has taken the edge off the pain along with hot showers. However, I am not sure if it's just because after being in pain for over 50 days that it just I am learning to tolerate it better.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
Don't give up. I am scared to take the booster. Please help us. No one should have to live in this much pain. I have become scared and terrified of everything because I don't know what this shot has done to me.
