Age: 48.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLUX, PPV
Symptoms: Depression, Dyspnoea, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hypoaesthesia, Injury
Clinical narrative: A report was received from a 53 year old female consumer in the US on 5/10/04. No details were provided regarding the vaccinees medical history or concomitant medications. On 12/5/99, the vaccinee received an influenza vaccine IM. Three weeks after vaccination, the vaccinee developed neurological problems. She was eventually diagnosed as having GBS. She received treatment with IV immune Globulins, which was some benefit but she still experiences pain and disability to this day. The vaccinee describes herself as being 100% disabled as a result of developing GBS. Further information will be sought. Follow up received from the vaccinee on 11/1/04. On 12/5/99, the vaccinee received an influenza vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine. A few days later, the vaccinee developed laryngitis, which progressed into her chest and left her breathless. The vaccinee attended an emergency room and was treated with IV antibiotics for the breathlessness and coughing before being sent home with inhalers and antibiotics. The vaccinee then fell at home, hurt her knees and her fingers were purple from the fall. For two days the vaccinate experienced severe pain and sensations in her legs and the next day she began to drag her right leg and experienced numbness in her left leg. The vaccinee attended an emergency room where she underwent a brain scan which was normal. A diagnosis of foot drop was made and the vaccinee was fitted with braces up to her knees and prescribed physical therapy. The vaccinee attended her primary physician, who referred her to a neurologist and a diagnosis of Guillain Barre Syndrome was made. The vaccinee underwent 5 sessions of IV immunoglobulin therapy, which allowed her to raise her toes and feet, use her legs and lessened the heaviness in her arms. The vaccinee was also being treated at this time for depression and anxiety. The vaccinee then experienced muscle twitches, which caused her to sit-up in bed involuntarily. MRI scan, X-rays and CAT scan revealed that the pain in her back and legs was due to missing sheaths on the nerves in her back. The vaccinee has been treated with 5 epidurals, physical therapy and 36mg daily of Neurontin. The vaccinee is still experiencing pain in her legs, anxiety and depression and as a result is unable to work. Further information and medical validation will be sought. Follow up received from healthcare professional on 12/13/04. The vaccinees medical notes were provided by her primary physician. Administration of pneumococcal vaccine is not documented in notes. The vaccinee attended an emergency room on 12/23/99 with shortness of breath and coughing. COPD or Chronic bronchitis was suspected. The vaccinee was also noted to be tachycardic (in the region of 140 - 160). The vaccinee sustained a fall and hurt her right leg (date not specified). On 12/31/99 the vaccinee attended an emergency room, was diagnosed with right peroneal nerve palsy and referred for physical therapy. The vaccinee began to experience anxiety and depression on 4/7/00. CT scan of head and lungs (dates performed not provided) were negative. However EMA for right and left leg (date not provided) showed bilateral peroneal nerve palsy and the vaccinee was fitted with leg braces. Review of the vaccinees condition on 1/29/02 indicated that the vaccinee was feeling much better and her anxiety had improved. She was tolerating her medications well and was wearing braces on both legs. Her hypertension had also improved with the treatment for anxiety. The vaccinee was referred to a neurologist for treatment of her bilateral leg weakness, which is likely to be GBS. Laboratory tests on 10/16/02 showed that the vaccinees TSH and T4 levels were low. A copy of the neurologist's report will be requested.