Age: 37.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: ANTH
Symptoms: Arthralgia, Clumsiness, Difficulty in walking, Dizziness, Dysphagia
Clinical narrative: Anthrax vaccine #3 Pre-deployment.  Late November/December 2003.  I suffered extreme headaches with vision issues or pain behind the eyes.  Vertigo.  Flu like symptoms.  Intense burning and redness at vaccination site.  Severe joint pain.  Hands, wrists, sholders, ankles, hips.  I found it excrutiating to walk upon first rising.  It would take several minutes to be able to be fully mobile.  I felt "crunched up" in pain.  The pain would be a shooting burning sensation unlike anything I had ever felt.  I believe the vertigo kept me from work, and that I may have called in sick several days. This was not completely uncommon at the unit as we recieved many vaccines in preparation for deployment.  This anthrax vaccine reaction persisted for several weeks and was quite psychologically frightening especially in light of the pressure militarily to just suck it up and keep your mouth shut.  It was like "yeah, you'll feel better, sometimes that happens." Or even "Shot number three is a bitch." We did discuss this vaccine as several members of our sister unit were discharged/courtmartialed for refusing to take the Anthrax vaccine. Late winter of 2005 I had a "flare up" and I suffered extreme joint pain, fatigue, and headaches.  I also had dizziness and at times a sensation of difficulty swallowing.  I sought and recieved physical therapy.  Many tests were run which did not diagnose anything but did rule out several things.  I mentioned at the time to the clinic on base that the pain I was now suffering felt the same and was located in the same locations as the pain I had suffered after Anthrax vaccine #3.  I was encouraged to file a form at that time but did not.  Through physical therapy and steroid shots my pain deminished significantly.  I did not pursue these "Anthrax vaccine" issues as the peer pressure to not do so is great within the military. 2006 approxiately 2 months ago I began to enter another phase of unexplained severe pain. (As a rule I have had more pain issues as a whole since the vaccine, but this is more like some kind of acute attack) Once again the symptoms are similar to those I experience after the vaccine.  Burning, stabbing muscle and joint pain. Intense migraines, vertigo.  I am also noticing occasional blurred vision which is subtle and feels as if I need to rub my eyes as if there is something in them.  This usually occurs during or after the intense headaches.  I am also clumsy, and kind of "walking into door frames" or "catching myself on the automobile mirror as I walk around my car" kind of clumsy.  Tripping over my own feet. The pain seriously prohibits me from getting normal sleep which I partially attribute to some of the other symptoms like being clumsy. I am scheduled to see my primary care doctor on 29 November.  2 days from now.  At that time I will ask for a round of more invasive testing. To include requesting an MRI and investigating the possibility of MS.  I have discussed this vaccine with several doctors in the "civilian" sector as this is where I recieve my healthcare as I am not active duty (I am guard) no one seems to know what to expect or what to say or how to treat me as a result of this issue which I bring to thier attention.  I have searched the internet and found a specialist who deals in this issue and will be following up with this Doctor who by miracle lives within a commuting distance.