Kristy

I was very apprehensive about getting the vaccine as my body has always been hypersensitive to medications and experienced many adverse reactions in the past. I openly discussed these concerns with my long-term GP, which unfortunately seemed to have landed on deaf ears.

I had my Pfizer on 26th of July 2021. Fifteen minutes after, I had mild pain at the vaccine site (right arm) and I started experiencing a fairly aggressive headache which dulled after 2 days. It’s now been 10 months and the headache is still there.

I got my 2nd Pfizer on the 16th of August (left arm). When I arrived, the doctor asked me if I had issues with the first and I mentioned I had a headache that never went away. She said I would be fine and continued with the procedure. Immediately, my dull headache became a pounding headache with the pain focused around my right eyeball. I was monitored for the required 15 minutes and sent home with the advice that this was normal and I’d feel better in a few days. 

Once home, I took Panadol as directed and went to bed. The next morning I woke up feeling lethargic and very sore. My joints felt stiff and my muscles ached. All my bones were hurting making it painful to walk/hold things and I couldn’t function as normal. My biggest concern was the pain in my chest as there’s a family history of heart disease. I persevered with these symptoms for four days, but it got to the point where I thought I was having a heart attack just sitting down. Lying down was the worst because I had sharp shooting pains across my chest, up my left jaw and down my left arm.

I saw my GP who did an ECG and directed me to the Emergency Department because he found an abnormality. I went straight from the GP to Emergency. On arrival I was taken in quickly. The triage nurse ran tests; ECG, X-ray, Bloods and I gave them the copy of the ECG from my GP. I tried to explain my whole body was in agony, not just my chest but felt this wasn’t acknowledged. I was told my heart was fine and they couldn’t find anything serious so they sent me home with painkillers.

I went home and I tried to deal with the pain by taking the prescribed painkillers but my symptoms were worsening with no improvement. After a couple of days, I returned to my GP and explained what happened at the Emergency Department and he said in his own words that he thought I had a negative immune response to the vaccine. I didn’t realise at the time how important these words were, and I didn’t push him to write it down on paper because I felt so sick and unable to think clearly. He gave me a referral to a cardiologist and I endured six weeks of hell before my appointment.

During this time, my symptoms were worsening. I had been calling in sick for work in an attempt to keep my job, but in the end, I had to resign because I’d only been able to work a total of 6 days since getting the vaccine. I could barely keep up with my family, take my kids to school and do all the household duties while my husband worked 60+ hours a week to cover my medical expenses and loss of income, which totalled $30k in 10 months.

The six weeks of hell passed and it was time to see the cardiologist. He tested me with ECG, Stress test, and CT angiogram. I was diagnosed with costochondritis (Inflammation of the cartilage that connects ribs to the breastbone). He prescribed me with Colgout but the treatment was unsuccessful, giving me diarrhoea to the point where I was unable to leave the bathroom for three days. So I stopped the medication.

I returned to my GP with a long list of symptoms and I was again told I was having a negative immune response to the vaccine. Once again, I didn’t think to get it in writing because he was saying it as if this was a normal occurrence. It didn’t occur to me that my symptoms would be ongoing and I genuinely thought this was going to pass. He gave me a referral to a rheumatologist. He also sent me for multiple blood tests and scans to look at my joints. We tried multiple painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, anti-nausea pills, and even antidepressants because apparently they can block pain signals. Nothing worked.

When I finally had my appointment with the rheumatologist, I told her straight up my symptoms were from the vaccine because I was perfectly fit and healthy until I had the vaccine. She seemed to brush off what I was saying, explaining she had no idea what was wrong with me and suggested we try some more painkillers. She also referred me to an immunologist who she believed could help me.

So far, I’ve been to see the GP, Emergency Department, cardiologist and a rheumatologist and still have no clear answers or effective treatment. Whilst I waited for the immunologist appointment, I returned to my GP many times seeking help. He sent me to the Gastroenterologist who was stumped because I continued to vomit daily but my bloods were fine. I was then referred to a hepatologist. They sent me for more scans and bloods and found two lesions on my liver, but the doctor was unsure what was causing the persistent nausea and vomiting. I feel they’ve palmed me off by saying they don’t think it is anything bad, and maybe I need to see a neurologist once I’ve spoken to my GP. I’ve been left with no answers and a hefty bill.

I finally got my long-awaited immunologist appointment on the 4th of February 2022 and the doctor reviewed my scans, blood tests and all my photos. She said my symptoms are consistent with multiple autoimmune disorders. However, it is usually a six-year gap between exhibiting symptoms and the blood work matching. She said to see her again in 6 months if I’m not feeling better. My pathology work is showing inflammation and autoimmune markers, and I have a second opinion booked with a professor in rheumatology at the end of May, but I’m not super confident I’ll get the answers.

It’s been 10 months since this unfortunate journey began and I often find myself still in shock this has happened. As a pathology collector myself, I was required by Law to be vaccinated against Covid. No Jab, no Job. Before my vaccine, I was working for a leading pathology company in Australia. I loved my job and I’m very passionate about providing excellent and individualised patient care. Unfortunately, I cannot work due to my poor health. 

Up until very recently, I have not been able to obtain an exemption for the vaccine that’s now compulsory in the medical field. Doctors told me the vaccine was not suitable for my body, BUT I also couldn’t get it in writing. The doctor explained to me that unless I had an anaphylactic reaction to the vaccine, I wasn’t eligible. 

Friday the 13th of May came and I had an appointment with my GP and two standing witnesses; one was a caseworker and the other was a psychologist. I was then able to put the question forward on the spot and ask for an exemption while having these people there. My GP said it had to come from a specialist and GP’s weren’t allowed to give out exemptions. The psychologist said this wasn’t a mental issue, and it was a physical reaction from the vaccine causing anxiety.

Current and persistent health issues since getting the vaccine include muscle aches, severe joint pain and stiffness, light sensitivity, difficulty swallowing, chest pain (costochondritis), overwhelming fatigue, persistent headache, constant nausea, intermittent vomiting, breathlessness, finger nails falling off and strange vertical lines, face rash, leg rash, skin discoloration (mottled skin) on legs feet and hands, eyebrows falling out, hair falling out, scalp lesions, numbness in feet and fingers, insomnia, photosensitivity, facial swelling, dry mouth, dry eyes, eyesight deterioration, presyncope.

I have just had a consultation with a natural healer and have been trying some alternative therapies. So far no improvements, but I’ll continue to try. I will try whatever it takes.