Age: 43.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLUX
Symptoms: Facial pain, Flushing, Haematocrit decreased, Haemoglobin decreased, Impaired driving ability
Clinical narrative: The evening of the vaccine I developed a sickening pain in the back of my neck that was worst at the base of my skull and radiated up over my head. I was nauseous and just felt really sick. Within a couple days I was feeling worse and no otc pain meds helped. I saw my family doctor who ordered blood tests and examined me. I was told that I may be having an adverse reaction to the vaccine and told to wait it out. My symptoms got worse and I became very dizzy and lightheaded. I felt as though I would pass out but it never progressed to passing out. I just felt on the verge of it all of the time. I returned to my doctor and was examined. At this point I had a sore throat with ear pain and congestion with face and teeth pain. I was given zithromycin for a sinus infection and but/apa/caf for the pain in my neck and head. I was given nasonex to help with the ear pain. Again I was told it was probably just a reation to the vaccine and I needed to wait it out. I went back to work after missing 2 days one week and 1 day the next week. I still had the pain in my neck up into my head and still felt dizzy and lightheaded. On Tuesday November 21, I was at work and became more dizzy and lightheaded, clammy, and flushed and just felt that I was going to collapse. I was taken to the ER and from there was admitted to the hospital. I was in the hospital for 4 days. I was given an MRI/MRA of the brain, cat scan of my head,US of the carotid arteries, echo of my heart, placed on a telemetry moniter and given blood tests. I was given Midrin for pain and that didn't take it away. Voltaren did relieve me for approx 2 hours with each dose but I could only have that 2xdaily...so we alternated the midrin with tylenol and the votaren.I was given zofran for nausea. My tests came back normalexcept for mild anemia but my symptoms did not go away.The doctors did not feel the anemia would cause any of my symptoms.  I was seen by an ENT spec. and a neurologist. Neither felt that I was having ear or brain issues. I was given antivert for the dizziness and flexeril for the pain in my neck and discharged after all results from tests were in and I had seen all the consulted doctors. I have been home for 2 1/2 days now and I am feeling worse as far as the head/neck pain and dizziness. I will follow up with my family doctor this week. I just want to cry all the time and don't feel steady enough to shower alone and definitely can't drive. I don't even want ot ride in a moving car. I have missed an additional 4 days of work now and don't feel any improvement.  While hooked up to the telemetry moniter I had sinus tachycardia with activity and a few times just while laying in bed. My temp is normally below 98 degrees and while in the hospital it ranged from 98-99.8  My heart feels like a fish flopping out of water at times and I get a little sob when it does that.  1/18/07 Received medical records from hospital which reveal patient admitted 11/21-11/24/06 for light headedness, headache w/nausea, dizziness for approx 2 weeks & recent URI w/otitis media & ruptured TM 1 week prior to onset of symptoms.  Only abnormal on exam was horizontal nystagmus.  Admitted for r/o labyrinthitis, CVA, complex migraine, aneurysm. FINAL DX: near syncope; headache; dizziness; depression; & anemia. The vaccine triggered an MS exacerbation.  I was diagnosed with MS in May 2007   If I had not had the vaccine.... I may not have had an exacerbation for years if ever.  I wish I had chosen not to have the vaccination.  5/13/2010 Follow up: I continue to have the pain at the base of my skull. I lost my job and some days I can't get out of bed. This has been a nightmare for me and my family.