Erin Mc
What was your life like before you received the COVID-19 vaccine?
Describe the symptoms and the timeline of the reaction.
The day I received the Janssen COVID vaccine, my body started to ache from head to toe. My husband said I seemed very confused. The swelling started right away. I felt such tremendous pressure in my pelvis. I kept saying something is very wrong. My period came early with blood clots. (My cycle still comes every 2 weeks now.)
By the time I went to the ER a few weeks later, I was 4 hours away on a business trip. My stomach was so swollen I looked six months pregnant. I was unable to urinate, vomiting and very confused. They did a vaginal and pelvic ultrasound, CT scan and bloodwork. Everything came back inconclusive/normal. When I checked in, I told them I feel like I’m about to give birth to my internal organs, I felt like I needed to push. I’ve never felt this way before, complete with vaginal dryness and intense pelvic pain.
Since then I have had debilitating narcolepsy-like fatigue/chronic insomnia, sleeping 12 to 14 hours per day (and waking up at least 6-7 times per night, often lying awake for hours). I have poor sleep quality now, per my sleep study. I take a 2-3 hour nap during the day most days. I have heightened anxiety, nervousness and irritability. I startle easily.
I have muscle weakness, stiffness and rigidness. I have been an athlete my entire life and this has been agonizing, both physically, mentally and emotionally. I get flares of pain from head to toe lasting weeks at a time, with little reprieve. The pain in my head, neck and shoulders is constant. My masseuse says my muscles feel like one big rock, and she can’t get them to relax.
My brain felt like it was on fire at all times. Decreased concentration, loss of memory, head pressure and pain. Like I had permanent brain damage, or early onset dementia. I forgot entire conversations, repeat myself. I got so frustrated doing everyday tasks. I used to enjoy reading, now I can barely read a few pages without falling asleep, getting blurred vision, or becoming easily distracted. My optometrist said my reading glasses prescription has changed drastically since my last pair. Much of the time, my eyes can’t focus, and get so much worse at night.
My hashimoto's thyroiditis (since initial diagnosis in 2008) has flared for the first time. My TPO antibodies went from 200 to 1435 after the vaccine. I now have diagnosed adrenal insufficiency and low cortisol. Diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome. Very sensitive to stress, cold, hot, lack of sleep and most medications will cause a flare, pain and dizziness. I also have swollen lymph nodes.
I also have chest tightness and palpitations that comes and goes.
