Amy Idzior

I had extreme symptoms of Covid in March 2020 but since it was new I did not qualify to receive a test or treatment. I was told to assume I had it and stay home for 2 weeks. I was sick for 3 weeks and after I still did not feel great for the rest of the year but was getting better and more back to myself.

On 1/30/21 I had my first Moderna Covid shot. I was very sick for 3 days. Then I had my 2nd shot on 3/3/21 and again was very sick for 3 days. I began to feel like I did after Covid where I did not have energy and it was hard to breathe when running.

On 7/26/21 I went to my family doctor PA to see if there was anything we could do to help with my symptoms. Basic blood work was done and a pulmonary lung test was done, but nothing came back showing why I would feel that way. I kept pushing through and then 11/15/21 I saw my endocrinologist for my thyroid lab work. I explained how exhausted I was and how it was difficult to breath at times. He said my labs are fine and my thyroid ultrasound only showed I had an atrophied thyroid so there was nothing for him to do.

On 4/4/22 I had a virtual appointment with my family doctor thinking I might have a sinus infection. I had a red left eye with a bad headache and pain that went from my eye to my lower sinuses and jaw. I was put on an antibiotic, but that did not change anything. I also went to see an optometrist. She said my vision was fine other than the lowest glasses prescription if I wanted them and I had Episcleritis so she gave me steroid eye drops. I saw the family doctor NP on 5/2/22 because I still had the same symptoms after my antibiotic ended. She put me on a new antibiotic and oral steroids. This is when I started to get really sick.

Over the course of a month I developed recurring Episcleritis that would only improve with daily steroid eye drops and now they are not working so my eye is pink all the time. My vision became blurry and she explained after a exam that my ciliary muscles in my eye have weakened. I developed intense tinnitus in both ears with random clicking. I went to an ENT and I now have tensor tympani myoclonus and mild-to-moderate high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss again, with no physical reason for my issues. Both the eye and ear doctors said they feel it is an autoimmune issue. Over the course of a week I went from a typical heart pattern to developing intense PVCs where my heart stops, pauses, then booms to restart. I had testing done by a cardiologist and there is no physical issues to explain my new issues or the intense pressure I feel in my chest, neck, and left arm. I went to the ER by ambulance when I woke up from a nap unable to breath more than shallow breathing and could barely talk, having extreme PVCs even on a new beta blocker, and absolute physical and mental exhaustion. Again, testing done but nothing blaring for an issue.

Having no explanation for my issues, my family doctor would only refer me to a psychiatrist and would not sign my FMLA forms as I had missed 2 weeks of work. I was DEVASTATED! I love my job and could not believe he gave up on me. His NP called me and said she believed me so she was willing to sign the FMLA forms and do my MRI scan of my head and give me referrals to specialists. My sister is an RN and was able to connect me with an internist who took over my care. We did a CT of my neck, back, and pelvis. Again, nothing found. But instead of making me feel like I'm losing my mind, he continues to help and check on me. I did a sleep study (waiting on results) because I stop breathing at night but do not snore (possible central sleep apnea), referred me to a rheumatologist (waiting on blood work results). X-rays show I now have I saw a neurologist recently. Again, waiting on blood results and having a MRI of my neck and back next week. I am having an EMG and possible spinal tap after that if needed. I am hoping to find the key disease causing all of this before I have irreversible damage. If I exert myself at all, even just eating sometimes, my body shuts down. My current symptoms are:

* recurring Episcleritis with eye lid droop and blurred vision

* tensor tympani myoclonus and mild-to-moderate high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss with tinnitus

* brain fog, light headed, very weak physically and mentally, exhausted all the time

* pressure/pain in my eye, head, jaw, left side of my neck, and left shoulder

* periarticular osteopenia with inflammatory process, narrowing of DIP and PIP joints bilaterally consistent with arthritis in my hands

* pain and swelling in my joints that comes and goes

* PVCs and shallow breathing that often stops when sleeping

* light headed and difficulty walking due to leg muscle weakness as well as tingling feelings

* esophagus contracts and finally relaxes when eating

* depression because of the symptoms and not taken seriously at first, not the other way around where my mental health caused me to have psychosomatic issues (took deterioration to these physical to be taken seriously)

* every week I get new symptoms and keep getting worse, but I just sit home waiting for the next appointment, test, or result

* missed all of the end of the school year fun events and it was so frustrating but there is no way I can go anywhere

* my friends come to see me and they are shocked at how sickly I look with my eye, purple under my eyes, weakness, hoarse voice, and I lost 10 pounds even though I eat and sit around