First Dose of Moderna on 04/30/21 Lot #040A21A
Second Dose of Moderna on 05/28/21 Lot #002821A
Tennessee
64 yrs old
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
I was a very active, healthy 64 year old. I worked in my garden, kept up my home, and drove myself between Tennessee and Louisiana to visit my family. I love working in my yard, swimming, and playing with my grandkids.
Q: Would you like to share your reasons for getting vaccinated?
I have Asthma and COPD and was so scared that I wouldn't be able to survive COVID if I would have been exposed to it.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
Shortly after receiving it I became very fatigued and could no longer keep up with my housework or garden. I noticed my right eye was blurred but didn't think much of it. As time went on, my symptoms got worse. From my head to my feet, my entire left side went numb and felt like pins and needles. My head felt like it was in a drum and I had these internal vibrations, like electrical shocks throughout my body. My left hand began involuntarily moving and would hit me in the face constantly and still does. I had changed in my mood and behavior. I lost the ability to walk, talk, and eat.
Q: What is your life like now, after getting the vaccine?
It has been 7 months since this nightmare started and I still remain with all the same symptoms. I have not been able to fall asleep and stay asleep since September, it is physically impossible. My body feels restless and has to move constantly. All muscles in my body feel constantly tight and they cannot relax. My extremities still feel like pins and needles and I'm suffering with incoordination. Doctors diagnosed it as dyskinesia. I have lost the ability to swallow food and depend on a PEG tube for nutrition. I cannot walk or speak clearly and have difficulty with understanding and word finding. My days are spent lying in a new hospital bed in my room or propped up on the couch and I depend on my husband for everything.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
I have been in and out of the hospital since September and have been admitted to the hospital 4 times now for a total of 47+ days. I have been treated in 3 separate states. I have seen SEVERAL doctors, Neurologists, and specialists. None of them would report this. Most said it's likely to be from the vaccine but they will never be able to prove it. Best diagnosis they could come up with is Autoimmune Encephalitis. I have had the full workup for AE: IV steroids, IVIG and 5 rounds of plasma exchange: none of which have helped. I hope to begin Rituximab soon.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
I have reported it to VAERS and Moderna. VAERS sent an automatic email just stating that my report had been received. I called Moderna to report it, they took down my story and emailed me with a form to fill out for more detailed information.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
We are not sure if the initial decline in health just plalteaued or if the IVIG possibly stopped the symptoms from getting even worse than they did. I am also finding minimal help by taking Gabapentin throughout the day with Melatonin at night. Nothing has helped the dyskinesia, dysphagia, or any other symptoms.
Q: Have you had Covid before? What was your experience if so?
No. I have been tested each time I presented to the hospital and was negative every time.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
I wish the public had more information stating the possibilities of adverse reactions. I really wish the creators of this vaccine had also studied what to do for patient's that have an adverse reaction to give them the best outcome. I wish the public would understand that we aren't trying to get anything out of this other than help to reverse our symptoms and get our lives back. We were never anti-vax or we wouldn't be in this situation today. We believed in the science and trusted the makers of this vaccine, they should do what's right and help us heal from this.
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