Age: 36.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: COVID19
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, Anaemia, Blood test abnormal, Fatigue, Heavy menstrual bleeding
Clinical narrative: Initially created November 18, 2021 *Updated 11/23/2021  On May 15, 2021, I received the one-dose Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccination.   That day, I started my period, which I was expecting. After about 4 days, the bleeding started to become very heavy, and I expelled blood clots that were approximately the size of a racquetball. I have not experienced blood clots like this since I gave birth to my children. I have never experienced extremely heavy bleeding or clotting during my regular periods, which typically are spaced apart every 2-3 months. I contacted my OBGYN, Dr. approximately 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. My doctor said that many other women had experienced changes in their menstrual cycles, and it may only last 2 months, so I decided to wait to see if this would be the case for me. It has not. Since May 15, 2021, I have been continually bleeding and/or spotting every single day. It?s November 18, 2021. 187 days have gone by (Update 11/23/2021: 192 days have gone by).    Since the bleeding did not subside after two months, I visited my doctor in person on August 30, 2021 to discuss options for controlling the bleeding. We agreed that an ablation would be the best route for me, since I am unable to take hormonal birth control, which is typically the first route of treatment for excessive bleeding, and I am no longer considering having more children. I am unable to take hormonal birth control because it exacerbates symptoms of my diagnosed Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which include anxiety attacks and suicidal ideation. All of this information, including my inability to take birth control due to exacerbation of PMDD symptoms, was documented by my doctor and sent to my insurance company for review and preauthorization. On October 15, 2021, I contacted Health Authority Management and spoke with a nurse who was handling the pre-authorization request sent in by Dr.?s office. I confirmed with her that my doctor had sent information regarding my inability to take hormonal birth control because of my PMDD, and reiterated this information, asking that it be taken into consideration for the preauthorization. The claim was denied on October 28, 2021. In that initial denial of preauthorization, it stated that a lack of clinical record of using hormonal birth control was one reason for the denial, which makes absolutely no logical sense, considering the aforementioned contact with Health Authority Management. Another reason given for the initial denial was that I had not undergone an endometrial biopsy to check for potential cancer. On November 12, 2021, my doctor performed an endometrial biopsy to ensure that I had a benign result for endometrial cancer. This was done in an effort to appease the other requirements of the insurance?s protocols, and to add to documentation for an appeal on my behalf. The results of the biopsy were benign. As of November 18, 2021, according to my doctor?s office, my insurance has again denied coverage for an endometrial ablation on the basis that there is no documentation that I have taken hormonal birth control as a first line of medical therapy. This is negligent, and a clear case of wrongful denial of a claim.   This condition, resulting from the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccination, has significantly inhibited my ability to function, and it is getting worse. On October 18-19, 2021, the bleeding was so excessive that I had to leave work early, and then miss an entire day of work. Starting on November 7, 2021, I began passing multiple, golf-ball sized blood clots per day. I am a middle school classroom teacher. I often have to have other teachers or aides supervise my class so that I can use the restroom to pass these blood clots. I feel physically fatigued, and have scheduled blood work to check for possible anemia and low ferritin (Update on 11/32/21: Dr.?s office received the results of my bloodwork, and it confirmed that I am in the beginning stages of anemia).  As of mid-November, I have begun to experience cramping in my lower abdomen, consistent with menstrual cramping. I cannot use tampons or my menstrual cup, because the excessive blood clots cause them to leak, so I have been wearing extra-absorbent, overnight pads, as well as disposable menstrual underwear (which is akin to wearing an adult diaper) every day. I am constantly worried that I am going to bleed through my clothing at work or outside my home. The constant wearing of pads and menstrual underwear has started to cause sores on my labia and the outer parts of my vagina, so simple movements like walking or sitting down/standing up can be very painful. These products are also not free; boxes of overnight pads are approximately $7.00 for 20 pads, and disposable menstrual underwear are approximately $7.00 for 7 pairs (I have to use multiple products per day, so one box of each of these products lasts approximately 5-7 days). On November 18, because of the secondary denial of coverage, which I knew would prolong the time in which I spent bleeding, and in an effort to reduce sores and chafing from disposable products, I purchased 2 pairs of washable period underwear, which cost me nearly $90.00. Physical intimacy in my marriage has been negatively impacted, especially as the bleeding continues to become heavier, and I become more physically and emotionally exhausted. To put it mildly, this has been humiliating. It is also taking a toll on my mental health. The constant anxiety about leaking, and worrying about my health is exhausting. In addition to all of this, if this procedure isn?t approved and performed by the end of December, I will have to incur the cost of my insurance deductible, which has already been met this year, so this will have a significant financial impact on me and my family. The continual denial of coverage for this procedure has left me feeling hopeless and angry. Every time I have used the restroom for the last 187 days (update 11/23/21 it has been 192 days), I am reminded of this awful side-effect from a vaccination I was encouraged to take, and hesitantly submitted myself to, believing that it was ?the right thing to do? for myself.   I wish I had denied taking the vaccine when I had the chance.