First Dose of Pfizer on 03/24/21 Lot #EP6955
Second Dose of Pfizer on 04/14/21 Lot #ER8731
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
I was an active traveler, financial planner and walked 5 miles a day. My friends called me the Energizer Bunny.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
About 5 weeks out I noticed what I thought was a shin split in my left leg on May 21, 2021. It was tingling. By May 25th my right shin was stiff and tingling. On May 28 my left thigh was tight and weak and I left work early. When I woke up Saturday May 29 I could barely walk to the coffee pot and went to the ER for the first time. I had been on WEB MD and had 5 potential diagnoses. Pinched nerve, cauda equina, brain tumor and spinal tumor and finally Guillain-Barre syndrome. When the doctor at the first ER examined me, he ordered an MRI to rule out what he thought was a pinched nerve. My MRI was normal ruling out pinched nerve, cauda equina, and spinal tumor. Because everything above my thighs was functioning fine that ruled out brain tumor. That only left Guillain- Barre. I told the ER doctor I have Guillain- Barre from the Pfizer covid vaccine. The doctor was unfamiliar and went out of the room presumably to google Guillain- Barre Syndrome and came back and told me to push my foot down. Because I was not totally paralyzed, he stated that there was no way that I could have Guillain- Barre and diagnosed me with double sciatica and sent me home with muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories. This was May 29, 2021.
Q: What is your life like now, after getting the vaccine?
Luckily, I was diagnosed within 12 days of onset, believed at the 2nd doctor and got treated. I walked 8 days out of hospital with a walker and in 2 weeks unassisted which I attribute to my faith in God and early IVIG treatment. I have anxiety and sensory issues but 6 months out now, I know that I will mostly recover. I am so incredibly thankful. I am not as strong as I once was but am hopeful that I will be and not relapse into the chronic form of CIDP as some of the vaccine injured have.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
On June 2, 2021 I went back to the doctor a primary physician, who believed me and sent me to a neurologist to perform nerve conduction studies and test my non- existent reflexes. The neurologist had me admitted that night. Diagnosis Guillain- Barre Syndrome. Since I had not had a respiratory infection, food poisoning or trauma my neurologist said that the 2nd covid vaccine was the cause of my Guillain-Barre Syndrome. After waiting 6 hours in the ER and a CT and spinal tap : Diagnosis Guillain -Barre Syndrome. The next day I received IVIG and could stand. After 3 treatments I could walk with the walker and after 5 I was sent home and had PT for 8 weeks. I could walk 2 miles within a month and now walk 6 miles a day, because I diagnosed myself and found a good neurologist to believe me. Others are not so lucky, and it is for that reason that I share my story. Please believe and treat the vaccine injured so that they can have their lives back and heal properly.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
Reported to VAERS and countermeasures for compensation and Pfizer and the CDC. Reported the misdiagnosing physician to the hospital and ANA and Board of Medicine. Have not heard from Pfizer, VAERS is reviewing my medical records.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
Constant movement, exercise often and little, go low and slow, anti-inflammatory diet, hydration, self- care, take time out in nature, prayer and meditation, antihistamines for IVIG reaction of itchy skin.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
Early diagnosis and access to IVIG is why my case was mild. I read stories of other injured still waiting for a diagnosis getting worse and worse and my heart breaks. To whom much is given, much is expected. That severe case could have been me. I wish that the risks were disclosed truthfully so that I could have made an informed choice.
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