Q: What was your life like before you got the vaccine?
I had just finished a two year contract in Yemen as rotor casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) for operations in and around the area. I was a Critical Care Paramedic and medical lead for our team. I was extremely outgoing, active, healthy, very fit (training for physique competitions) and attending medical school at night. I spend all of my off-time with my two beautiful girls, running around, playing, having crazy sleep-over parties with their friends. My girls were proud of me and were excited that I was going to become a Pediatrician.
Q: Would you like to share your reasons for getting vaccinated?
There were several reasons: first and foremost was to protect my children as much as I could. The second was that, as a healthcare professional, I am responsible to both my patients and to myself to be a safe as possible.
Q: What was your reaction, symptoms, & timeline?
I had an anaphylactic reaction within 10 minutes of administration of the vaccine. Full-blown hives; hoarse voice; cough; stridor; with tongue, face, and neck swelling. I had a series of biphasic reactions followed by a dramatic increase in random things that I am now “allergic to”. To this day, I am suffering from daily anaphylactic, sometimes mast-cell attacks that generally require epinephrine. The initial reactions were nowhere in comparison to what happens now- I am just used to it.
Q: What is your life like now, after getting the vaccine?
Life…there isn’t one. I have to live in a bubble. I am allergic to almost everything. My weight can fluctuate a lot in a day due to swelling and bloating. I have to wear specialized masks, use hospital-grade air purifiers in order to breathe. I haven’t been able to see or hold my children in over 9 months. My partner and I cannot have a relationship. We have lost everything- our children; our careers; our home; and are about to lose our vehicle. We have spent everything we have trying to get this controlled. I am immunocompromised but seen as an anti-vaxxer, even though I’m not one. I have been unable to get financial support; medical support; home care; etc.. I have exercise-induced anaphylaxis. I cannot paint- I am allergic to the brushes and the paints themselves. I have a severely restricted diet, but because I have difficulty swallowing, I have to puree what I eat. Even then, I still choke on it. Close your eyes for a second and imagine what it is like to have your neck, face, and tongue swell daily to the point of choking. I am in constant pain. Because of the GI issues, I cannot absorb my medication which leads to more severe reactions.
Q: Share your experience with any medical care and any diagnoses you have received:
Medical care- as a Canadian, I am seriously disgusted at what has happened. I was only treated appropriately when the physician understood and knew our healthcare backgrounds. And that was only one physician. I was tossed to psychiatry numerous times, only to be cleared and have the doctors told that this is definitely not in my head. We were pushed to get medical help from a private centre. Over $100,000 later and we are still no farther forward. To top that one off, the other physicians will not accept his labs results and tests. I have a test from Germany that SHOWS I am allergic to the COVID antibody, not the excipients. Yet, no one will listen. I finally went back in to the ER after a horrible experience in Ontario under the care of “MTCU”, who managed to not only make it worse, but also caused loss of vision/hearing/memory after withdrawing all of my medication for 24 hours without consent. At this ER, the doctor understood. EMS was wonderful taking me there. Now, over a year later, he is trying to kickstart Internal Medicine to quarterback Hematology and Immunology. The sad part is the treatment was known right from the beginning. They could have treated with plasmapheresis and left no ongoing damage. Now…I am begging them for plasmapheresis and Imatinib.
Q: Was your reaction reported, and what was the response?
My reaction was apparently reported on the provincial system. It was never reported nationally. The response from it: “come into my clinic if you’re that worried, and I will watch as the pharmacist gives you two small doses of the vaccine.” This is as I was still having ongoing anaphylaxis- not much has changed. Just upgraded to 15 medications rather than 10 and an additional 12 supplements.
Q: Is there anything that has helped, and have your symptoms improved?
The medications and supplements barely keep it controlled. I am getting worse. Because I cannot absorb the medication, it provides minimal relief. Ivermectin helped when we were still able to get it, further proving that it was indeed, the protein on the antibody. Since we cannot get Ivermectin anymore, the control we once had is gone.
Q: Have you had Covid before? What was your experience if so?
I have never had COVID before, I have been told that I am at high risk of severe, if not fatal disease.
Q: What do you wish others knew?
Everyone should do what is right for them. Getting the vaccine was what I thought was right for me. I am angry and will not be able to have some form of peace, until this is finally treated for what it is, not for the symptoms it causes. As a very wise doctor said (and this is where our mistake must have happened) “If you do everything to help yourself, we will not help you. But, if you do nothing to help yourself, we will do everything we can to save you.”
