First Dose of Johnson & Johnson 03/27/21 Lot#1805018
Joplin, Missouri
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
I am a 59 yr old, wife, mom of 3, grandma (Bam Bam) to 4. I love being outside, working in the garden, mowing my yard, picking up limbs for future bonfires. I love all crafting and decorating for any holiday. My steadfast love has been my church and volunteering with Awanas, VBS and greeting guests.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
March 27th, I received my Johnson and Johnson vaccine at a local Pharmacy. I was observed for 15 min and left. I felt a little off but thought it was my nerves. The next several days were busy and I only had a sore arm. Then on April 6th, I started having body and joint aches nightly, and felt feverish without a temp. These were the reactions the CDC had said could happen and were common. I didn't think anything of them. As the days went on my symptoms grew worse. Although weak, I still tried to get outside and work a little in the yard on Saturday April 10th. But that day I had significant lower back pain. By night time I was in agony and started feeling faint. Sunday April 11th, I could hardly get out of bed. In fact, I stayed in bed all day until later in the evening I willed myself to get up and get out of the house for some fresh air. I asked my husband to drive us to get ice cream. A little out of the neighborhood, I knew my decision was a mistake. I could hardly speak nor did I want too. A little further up the way, I felt my head bob forward and realized I had just passed out. I told my husband I just fainted and going to again. I knew I was in big trouble and to CALL 911. My body was shaking but I thought it was due to my rapid heart rate. I have never felt like this before. I started pounding on my own chest and coughing hoping to get my heartbeat back into rhythm. My husband made a split second decision and took me to a local Fire Station. Several fire fighters immediately came to my aid. They tried to get my pressure and heart rate but were unsuccessful a few times. It was there but very rapid and faint. Once they finally did, my pressure was sky high registering at least 225/125 with my heart rate over 125. They were assessing if I was having a stroke or heart attack while calling an ambulance. I was so sick, on the way to ER, I messaged my kids and husband to tell them I loved them. I honestly did not know If I would see them again. Once in the ER, my heart and pressure remained high so they started me on meds to reduce the rates, as well as many blood tests. I continued to feel as though I would pass out. My D-dimer came back high, so they ordered a Cat Scan and ultimately found a pulmonary embolism. While still in ER, I started losing the feeling in my legs, they felt like they weren't attached to my body. Then it traveled up to my arms. I kept telling anyone that walked in that I feel like I have icy/hot all over my body with a weighted blanket on me. The left side of my face went numb. My face, neck and chest were on fire. My ER Dr. just said that my body didn't like how it was feeling and was reacting. During my stay, my new hematologist/oncologist came in and asked if I had seen the news. At that same time, my brother had text that J&J had been halted for blood clots. Then my phone started blowing up with messages. Along with a beta blocker and high blood pressure meds, he put me on Eliquis, a blood thinner. After a couple of days I was released, but had horrible digestive issues the day to be released. My hospitalist dismissed me with a panic attack and pulmonary embolism.
Q: What was your life like after you got the vaccine?
I still have many symptoms often debilitating. I can do a few things, then have to stop and sit. I can't take long walks, I am heat intolerant, I have had a couple of falls, my legs and arms remain numb and tingle or burn. My face still goes numb. My toes turn purple and or white. I have had numerous rashes, migraines, brain fog, severe insomnia, internal, external tremors. Tinnitus that drives me crazy, metal sounding in my ear, muscle twitches, Mylar rash almost daily, and frozen joints, very odd feeling. Another scary symptom is my tongue gets thick like my throat is closing, along with very painful swollen lymph nodes in my neck. It's been life altering, sad and very scary. It's been 8 months since the vaccine. I do not get out much, hardly drive myself to appointments. I almost passed out in the eye Drs. office. I try to attend as many family gatherings as possible, but when I do, I come home exhausted. I hardly go to church, my immune system is so weak right now, it worries me being in close contact with people, even my own family. I think I am better but then feel like when I do take one step forwards I take two steps backwards. Every few weeks, something new pops up, some new immune disease. That causes a lot of unwanted anxiety.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
After acquiring a team of new Drs. and handfuls of new meds and supplements, a 30 day heart monitor, a 2 week monitor, two trips to ER, one to Urgent care, EMG test, sleep study, eye exam, mold test, blood tests too many to count, two Cat Scans, countless appointments, I have a little better understanding of what's going on. But the fear of waiting for the next bomb to go off is unnerving. Apparently, my immune system went haywire and is resurrecting any auto immune disease I was exposed too or had. My Dr. is doing his best to put the fire out as he states. I have four new irregular heart beats, my blood pressure is on it's own roller coaster. I have been told I have dysautonomia, neuropathy, some form of auto immune disease, low vit d, which I have never had. My stomach has been horrible but better, I had double vision the first month or so, but my eyes are not harmed. It took me 6 months to get into a neurologist who is questioning and checking for Guillain Barre Syndrome or possibly MS. To this day I have not had an MRI. So we shall see. I have recently been put on an anti viral for a new diagnosis of EBV or Mononucleosis. I have had to change my medicines so often due to them not being able to control my heart and pressure. I am on a strict diet to help reduce inflammation.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
VAERS, which I have not heard back to date. I reported the reactions to the pharmacy that gave me the injection. I believe they have actually reported twice to VAERS on my behalf. I was told in the hospital by one of my Drs. that he will not report , they don't want to hear from doctors, they would rather hear from patients. I also call Johnson and Johnson. Early on I spoke with them a few times, even had Dr. call me to discuss my reactions, But have heard nothing since. I have called and emailed my state Senator, in which I have heard nothing.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
My functional Dr. is trying his best with supplements and meds to get my immune system to settle down. I believe with time, diet and his supplements I have seen improvement, but not nearly like I was before the vaccine. I have a very special Dr. that reached out to me from FL and she checks on me almost weekly and offers tips and support. Right now, I still feel defeated. But thank goodness I have made many new friends online that share very similar experiences and have helped me through the hard times. My husband has been understanding but it's hard on him as well to hear of new symptoms flaring up every few weeks. Most importantly, I know in my heart I have my Lord to call upon that hears my every plea and prayer.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
I wish coercion and the shame blame would stop. I am thrilled that vaccines help people and hopefully have reduced Covid's effects on anyone that gets sick. I wish the vaccines could have helped all of us and put the pandemic to rest. But, that is not the case. I want people to know there are thousands and thousands of people just like me ALL over the world with debilitating reactions to all of the vaccines. I wish our government would listen and believe us. We need help just like people that get the virus, we need help. We did our part and got it because supposedly it would help everyone. We listened to the CDC, FDA, that said how SAFE it was. So now please help us. Allow research for these complications. Why hide the truth from people? The vaccines have hurt many innocent people. The most important, is STOP THE MANDATE. For goodness sakes, DO NOT make children get these or anyone that does not feel comfortable with the vaccine. It should be our choice!!! Period!!!!!
