I’m from Hamilton, Ontario, and I am 30 years old. I got my first Pfizer vaccine on September 12th after talk of my job mandating the vaccine. My husband was also being coerced for work, so we went together. The following day I had the usual sore arm and headache, and was relieved to be doing okay.
The next day I had extreme vertigo and an off-balance sensation, plus a horrible migraine and numbness in my left foot. I called my doctor and she told me there was nothing I could do, but if it got worse I should go to the ER. She was concerned about GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome).
On September 16th, the numbness continued up my left leg and I immediately called my doctor who suggested I go to the ER. I work in a hospital, so I immediately went to seek care. Seven hours later they did a CT scan of my head which was normal, and they also did some reflex tests. The neurologist who saw me suggested I should get an MRI.
A month later after persistent numbness, I had a MRI of my head. The follow up with a neurologist to discuss it was very disappointing. She dismissed any connection to the vaccine, and told me I should still get my second. I did not.
I called my doctor and explained that the neurologist had no diagnosis and was not helpful. My doctor ordered another MRI of my spine and leg, which was again, said to be normal. She then referred me to an allergist and to have an EMG to rule out nerve damage. Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test that measures how well the muscles respond to the electrical signals emitted to specialized nerve cells called motor nerves. A doctor may order an EMG test if a person has symptoms of a muscular or neurological condition, such as numbness or unexplained weakness in the limbs.
I had my EMG in February, and was told it was benign and no nerve damage was detected. That same month, I saw an allergist who did a skin test. I had an allergic reaction almost immediately. Without me having to fully explain my situation, the allergist immediately knew what was causing my issues. It was the first time I felt heard. No one was taking my issues seriously, and I was still being encouraged to get more vaccines. During all this I had to keep my work informed of all appointments and updates in order to keep my job.
I no longer have numbness in my left foot or leg, but since October/November it is now persistent in my right foot and leg. I have anxiety and panic attacks now more than l have ever experienced in my life. I’ve never dealt with this before. Despite being given a diagnosis that it was in fact related to the vaccine (as the allergist put it “the vaccine attacked my nerves”) I have no treatment plan. I’ve been experiencing pain in my thigh and lower back the past few months also.
I’m disheartened to say that the threat of losing my job was what made me give in. I got vaccinated not because I believed in it, but because I needed an income.