First Dose of Pfizer on 03/03/21
Anchorage, Alaska
39 yrs old
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
After selling my business in late 2018, I was mountain and fat tire biking, traveling, running, and playing hockey while enjoying life with my wife and daughters (9 and 7). I am a fit, active, healthy male who at the time was 175 lbs, lean, and had no medical history of heart issues. I was healthier than I have ever been in life, no drinking, no smoking, no drugs - eat healthy and at least 12 hours per week of intense exercise.
Q: Would you like to share your reasons for getting vaccinated?
I got the vaccine due to the drive to travel and the clear push toward vaccine passports and the mandate of a vaccine to be able to participate as a normal member of society. Additionally, being here in Alaska - we were being told that we would NOT be allowed to drive through Canada without a vaccine which makes the isolation and inability to travel with my truck and trailer even more restrictive. I gave in even though it was the last thing I wanted to do - but also because I started to believe that it was safe - because why would they release something that wasn't? Why?
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
First Pfizer dose at Walgreens on 3.3.2021. On 3.7.2021 I had an episode of faintness and dizziness while standing in my entry way talking with my wife. I had to take a knee, and subsequently sit down on a bench where I regained my stability and did not think much of it.
8 days later on 3.15.2021, I was in my office when I got the same feeling again, although this time it did not go away. I attempted to rest, breathe, and gather myself but to no avail. My Apple watched showed my heart rate at 225 bpm with no leveling and after 35 minutes, I decided I should get to the ER. I was placed on an echo at 55 minutes post event and immediately rushed into the ER and after drugs failed, was put under and shocked back to rhythm.
Q: What is your life like now, after getting the vaccine?
My past year has been isolating, stressful, limited, and incredibly depression filled. I am constantly thinking back to what life was like, what has been taken away, and how to somehow get back to an optimistic view of life. I have spend many days thinking that I was supposed to have died and that everything that has happened since that time, to now - is so negative and wrecked because in fact - it would be better off if I were in fact dead.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
Initial diagnosis was AVRC here in Anchorage, AK and I was implanted with an ICD for protection. I had a great deal of scarring in my ventricles. I underwent an electrical guided ablation and was put on Metoprolol as well. I followed the AVRC diagnosis to Johns Hopkins specialty clinic focusing on AVRC where they modified my likely diagnosis to be Cardiac (only) Sarcoidosis. I then took up care at the University of Washington Heart Failure Center where they performed all tests to explore the Sarcoid Diagnosis (again, very rare for cardiac only) and found nothing. No symptoms, signs, or other factors. Only the scarring. There was, from the beginning - no willingness to explore Covid at all and now there is a willingness to talk openly about it and it's (high) likelihood to me but not as an official diagnosis. I am not set to be at the Mayo Clinic next week (March 14th) for a complete redo of all testing in hopes of finding out what in fact is happening.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
I reported to VAERS and indicated that my doctor in Alaska should as well. The Alaska Heart Institute indicated that they did but there is no confirmation I have been able to attain that shows that they do. They were unaware of the system and negligent in even thinking about filing it on my behalf. I think they still did not - but am unable to confirm it in any way.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
Metoprolol helps the arrhythmia's.
I ended up in VFIB, blacked out instantly, and after a minute of being out (300 bpm, no blood delivery) my ICD shocked me back into rhythm.
Again - I feel like I am supposed to be dead.
Q: Have you had Covid before? What was your experience if so?
I believe I was infected with Covid while traveling in Colorado in January 2020, while on a ski trip. I had about three weeks of intense cough, breathing issues, night sweats, and general lethargy. The original heart scarring may in fact have come from that sickness.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
I wish I know how much my story would be hidden, pushed aside, and how many people do not care at all - as long as it does not have a negative effect on them or their own direct family members. Nobody cares at all and ever worse, even believes any of this. I was perfectly healthy, happy, and loving as a person and wanted to help others more than anything. Now I sit - alone, and swept aside.
Tell Your Story: www.realnotrare.com/submityourstory
Subscribe: www.realnotrare.com/contact
REAL NOT RARE DISCLAIMER:
Real Not Rare does not diagnose medical conditions, offer treatment advice, treat illnesses, or prescribe medicine or drugs. Anything contained on this website or conveyed in the blog stories or groups, is not substitute for adequate medical care, diagnosis, and/or treatment from a medical doctor. It is strongly recommended that prior to acting upon any information gleaned via Real Not Rare or their representatives, you at all times first consult a physician. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual being interviewed in each story, and do not necessarily reflect the position of Real, Not Rare as a whole.
