Prior to getting the vaccine I was in great shape. In September 2021 I had been running stairs weekly, up to 15-20 times, and also working out (boot camp style, HIIT) getting ready for ball hockey in fall.
I had been dealing with an alopecia flare up from Wellbutrin, so in September 2021 I asked my family doctor for an exemption from the COVID vaccine, as I was worried. She said there was nothing in my file telling her that I needed an exemption. She said that I would have to have a reaction after the first one, prove the reaction with an allergy specialist, and then apply for an exemption. She didn’t want to discuss it any further.
October 1st, 2021 – first vaccine
After the first vaccine I started to need my inhaler multiple times daily, although it wasn’t really helping. Prior to the vaccine I’d had very mild asthma, and I very rarely used my inhaler. I had sores on my fingers and thumbs that wouldn’t go away and were very painful. I also had weird symmetrical marks on my body, face and neck that wouldn’t go away (I still have them).
October 12th, 2021
I played ball hockey and felt weak. I had reduced lung capacity and no stamina, with shortness of breath and I saw stars. I needed my inhaler. I felt awful.
October 18th, 2021
I ran the stairs. I did not feel good, and could not run them. I walked and still struggled.
October 20th and 27th, 2021
I played ball hockey. Same issues as the first time.
October 28th, 2021
I tried to run the stairs. I couldn’t run, only walked them six times. I had to take breaks and was struggling.
October 29th, 2021 – second vaccine
That night I got chills and breathing issues, and I was sick all weekend. I then started feeling weak in general.
In November I developed a super painful inflamed rash on my scalp, and my hair loss went crazy. I had random bouts of severe stiffness in my shoulders.
At the beginning of December I got blood work results from the family doctor. The results were suspected to be an autoimmune condition, perhaps lupus. I had lost 80% of my hair. The rash on my head was worse. I had zero energy.
I went to a walk-in doctor, who told me the asthma flare up was in my head, and that my anxiety was from worrying about COVID or the vaccine. I was never worried about COVID, nor have I had it.
December 15th, 2021
I saw a different doctor. He mentioned there was low white blood cell count when he looked at my labs from the family doctor (she had never mentioned it, she had just told me this was autoimmune). The new doctor sent me for various lung and chest tests. I was put on a steroid inhaler. 90% of my hair was lost.
In the week of December 13th I had severe joint pain in my shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers (to start). I could barely move my arms, make a fist, or get out of bed. My head inflammation was worse, and very painful.
December 19th, 2021
I developed a very swollen forehead and went to hospital thinking it may be a severe sinus infection. After waiting for four hours the doctor looked at it for five seconds and I was sent home with a topical ointment, being told it was not life threatening.
In the week of December 20th the joint pain continued into my knees, ankles, and hips. I could barely move, and was taking Advil constantly to be able to work. I couldn’t sleep from the pain in my joints, and the scalp nerve pain was unbearable.
December 21st, 2021
My eye was now swollen, so I went to a walk-in clinic and the same thing happened. I was turned away because it was not life threatening.
December 24th, 2021
My wrists and hands were swollen. The joint pain and scalp pain had worsened. I had zero energy. I slept a ton. I felt weak, like my body was shutting down, and I needed constant rest.
This continued through to the new year. My family doctor got my rheumatologist and dermatologist appointments moved earlier. They were supposed to be at the end of February.
January 5th, 2022 – first rheumatologist appointment.
The rheumatologist confirmed the lupus diagnosis from the vaccine. I had to ask her three times before she confirmed it was from the vaccine. She also said that she had seen it before. She had tried to justify it the first two times.
January 7th, 2022 – first dermatologist appointment
Biopsies were done. I was put on 50mg of prednisone daily, and 200mg of hydroxychloroquine.
January 17th – second rheumatologist appointment
The latest blood work confirmed I am prone to blood clots now. I was put on more medication for that. I asked how to go about reporting the vaccine reaction, and if she was going to. She replied “What do you mean? You had lupus prior. This is not a reaction to the vaccine, there’s nothing to report.”
Currently I am still able to work, but with severe fatigue. I am dealing with serious side effects from the high dose of prednisone that they are estimating I’lI be on for another three months, and will still need to taper off, something which will take another three-to-six months. The side effects of the medication include: severe anxiety (almost resulting in panic attacks at times); severe raciness/vibrating/heart pounding constantly (even in bed); severe insomnia; exhaustion; restlessness; brain fog; agitation; loss of memory; and loss of focus, thinking and motor skills.
My periods have also been messed up since the vaccines. I would have a normal four-day period, and then three days later would have another period for two weeks, with constant cramping for about a month. I felt as if I was going to start my period constantly.
I can’t play hockey or work out, which is what I do for my mental health, and it was the only reason I took the chance and got vaccinated. Also I took it so I could date, because I’m single.
January 28th, 2022
I’m saving all my energy so that I can continue working. I am not working out or playing hockey. I am spending money on alternative medicines, because at this point they are my only hope. I have received more help from this than I have from seeing over five different doctors.