Received Jun 15, 2025
| Type | Name | Manufacturer | Dose | Lot | Route / Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVID19 | COVID19 (COVID19 (PFIZER-BIONTECH)) | PFIZER\BIONTECH | 1 | EL0142 | IM / LA |
| COVID19 | COVID19 (COVID19 (PFIZER-BIONTECH)) | PFIZER\BIONTECH | 2 | EL9262 | IM / LA |
Shortly after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, I experienced intermittent vague fatigue and mild joint pains which I attributed to stress and aging (in 2021 and 2022). In April of 2023, I rapidly developed a constellation of persistent and debilitating symptoms that significantly impacted my health and quality of life. These included severe joint swelling and pain, inability to use my hands for simple routine tasks, profound fatigue, persistent extreme tiredness, and a chronic cough, despite evaluation and treatment by multiple physicians. My cough only began to improve after nearly 18 months, with the initiation of antifungal therapy. In April 2023 when I began experiencing severe, joint pain in my hands and knees. The pain came and went in flares, but during episodes it was extremely intense and disabling with inability to walk or drive. This all prompted an extensive autoimmune workup, referral to a rheumatologist, and initiation of aggressive treatment with medications such as methotrexate, high-dose prednisone, and biologic agents. I developed hypertension and elevation in my blood sugars. Additionally, I developed severe mouth ulcers. These treatments, while necessary to manage my inflammatory joint disease, have caused their own burdens. Methotrexate, a chemotherapeutic agent, comes with significant side effects, and prolonged prednisone use has contributed to abnormal glucose levels and hypertension. Both the stress of my illness and the side effects of treatment have further impacted my metabolic health. I now require care from a multidisciplinary team that includes a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, ENT, pulmonary specialist, lipid specialist, cardiologist, and my primary care physician. Several of these providers have expressed concern that my symptoms and disease course were most likely triggered by an adverse immune reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. This ongoing experience has been physically, emotionally, and medically overwhelming, as I continue to manage both the disease and the complex side effects of its treatment.
low thyroid, high cholesterol, seasonal allergiesA
As of 6/15/2025: hashimotos thyroiditis, joint pain, HTN, glucose intolerance, aggressive rheuatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, chronic cough, anemia, high cholesterol
sythroid, liothironine, nexlizet estrogen patch, progesterone
none
On radiographic evaluation, bilateral hand and wrist X-rays demonstrated soft tissue swelling of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints and intermetacarpal (IMP) regions findings suggestive of an underlying inflammatory arthropathy. Laboratory testing revealed a markedly elevated cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody level of over 250 on April 28, 2023, consistent with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. At my most recent primary care visit on March 12, 2025, the active problems documented included hypercholesterolemia, sick building syndrome, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, chronic cough, impaired glucose tolerance/prediabetes, oral candidiasis, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency, bronchiolitis, anemia, anxiety, and menopausal syndrome. Additionally, my complete blood count showed a low red blood cell count of 3.54 million/µL, a hemoglobin level of 11.1 g/dL, and a hematocrit of 34.2%, all indicating mild anemia.