Sex: F
Vaccine: ANTH
Symptoms: Arthralgia, Dizziness, Ear pain, Fatigue, Fluid retention
Clinical narrative: Submitted to Docket No. 1980N-0208; 69 FR 78281, December 29, 2004 - Bacterial Vaccines & Toxoids Efficacy Review Proposal. Last October, I was healthy and flying operational missions. I first became ill in November and then again in December following my first and second anthrax vaccinations. Presently I am on indefinite DNIF status. Let me briefly summarize the event which led up to my decline in health. My first anthrax immunization from lot 030 was on 10/21/98. My arm went numb for about 20 minutes, but others felt the same so I wasn't concerned. Weeks later, while flying a return leg, the right side of my head filled up with fluid. It was as if a faucet were turned on inside my head. After landing, the flight surgeon grounded me on sight for a head cold and middle ear infection. Within days, the fluid building up in my ear caused dizziness. When I returned home, I was told to delay my second anthrax vaccination because of the antibiotic and the infection. I recovered in three weekes. On the morning of 11/30/98 my doctor returned me to flying status and I went straight to the clinic for my second anthrax injection (lot 030). I had the same numbness in my arm which subsided after 20 minutes. By afternoon, I began to feel excessively tired and fatigued. I went home and slept the remainder of the day. When I woke up the next day, I did not feel well. My body was very tired although I had slept for over 12 hours and my head was reeling. I returned to the doctor. He was very surprised at the change in my condition. He asked, "What did you do differently between yesterday and today?" The only difference was the anthrax immunization. My doctor then referred me to an ENT. The ENT diagnosed viral labrynthitis, which is an inflammation of the inner ear. He expected me to recover in 4-6 weeks. Throughout December my symptoms became worse. The dizziness progressed to the point that I could not drive, read a page of paper, or concentrate. I was so tired I slept most of the day and so nauseous I barely ate. At my lowest point, my vision blurred. I could not work in December at all. I relied upon my husband and my mother to take care of me. The doctors told me it would take time for me to get better. I saw three different ENT's--including one private ENT in January. They agrees with the diagnosis, viral labrynthitis and told me to be patient. During this period my symptoms were dizzines, periodic headaches, unusual fatigue, and joint aches. I also missed several weeks worth of duty due to my symptoms. February brought slight improvement regarding the dizziness. Unfortunately, I contracted a cold and this worsened my symptoms. I had several colds throughout the spring and they were much harder on my body than I had normally experienced. During March, a neurologist described my viral labrynthitis as not behaving correctly. 12 different doctors, including civilians at my own expense, had no explanations for my ongoing condition. In April, I had a left breast lumpectomy which caused my symptoms to increase. At then end of May, my commander put me in contact with the Immunology Clinic. The doctors promptly recorded my symptoms in my medical records and sent me for blood tests. My blood tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA)which are a marker for autoimmune disorders. Although I did not have a specific disease, my symptoms were consistent with immune system problems. Due to this, the doctors recommended a waiver from immunizations. The last few months I have felt some improvement in my condition. The dizziness has become less frequent. However, the fatigue is like living at midnight and remains a major factor in how I live. I have also continued to experience joint pain, periodic ear aches, and headaches. There is no way that I know of to prove that the anthrax vaccine caused any of this. All I can tell you is that I became uncharacteristically ill after I started taking the anthrax shots. It has taken 12 doctors and 8 months for me to finally find any reason for my symptoms. My recovery is slow and I continue to have periods of regression. However, I maintain a positive mental attitude and strive to get healthy again in the long run. (OMIC)