Age: 62.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Injection site pain, Injection site pruritus, Injection site warmth, Inner ear inflammation, Labyrinthitis
Clinical narrative: Thursday, April 12, 2018 I received the SHINGRIX injection at about 7:20 pm at the Pharmacy. The injection, in my upper left arm, was painful and remained painful as I left the store. Soon, though, the pain abated. Later that evening I began to feel slightly dizzy and slightly unusually energized, almost like a tingling. The pain returned in my upper arm at the injection site. Friday, April 13, 2018 I awoke with a severe, throbbing headache, fever and chills, my eyeballs feeling hot and grainy, severe pain in my arm at the injection site and preventing me from lifting my arm more than a few inches. I also had muscle and joint pain. I was also sensitive to light, and my hearing was diminished, as if I were in a well. Pain also returned in various places in my body that had been associated with previous injuries or arthritis, and that had been successfully treated in the past. The pain returned due to my injury in my right shoulder that I sustained in an elevator accident on March 29. That pain had not bothered me for a day or so but was back in full force on this morning. Lower back pain. Knee pain. Pain in small joints of my thumbs. Pain in right elbow due to tendinitis. Also, soreness due to my usual physical therapy and stretching exercises was exacerbated in my calves, abdomen and thighs. I also had pain in various other joints and muscles, including my ankles. My vison was occasionally affected, with a sensation of objects jumping to the right or left; and I was sensitive to light. I had overall malaise, extreme fatigue and minor nausea. The dizziness and pain were so severe that I had trouble turning over in bed and preferred to have assistance in getting up from bed. I was concerned that I would fall because of the dizziness. I had occasional urinary incontinence. Could not work. I took TYLENOL but it didn't help much. Saturday, April 14 I was feeling somewhat better but all symptoms were still present. I was seen by nurse practitioner at the clinic. She had me tested for flu (negative), said my symptoms were a reaction to SHINGRIX and that I should not have the second dose. She prescribed TYLENOL 3. I took one TYLENOL 3 before going to bed. It made me even dizzier but didn't lessen the pain much. Sunday, April 15 all symptoms improving but dizziness, fever/chills, pain in arm still bothersome. Also, my hearing was not back to normal. The lump in my arm was getting bigger. Also, a blister-like blemish appeared on my forehead and is quite painful. Still tired and weak. Monday, April 16 in the morning, profuse sweating. Still tired and weak; arm still hurts but not as much. Dizzy, sensitive to light; hearing not normal. Saw Dr. (PCP). Concerned that I make sure not to get the second dose of SHINGRIX. He said I am his only patient so far who has reported ill effects from SHINGRIX. I forgot to ask how many of his patients actually have had the vaccine. But since he's Fam Med, and SHINGRIX has been available only a few months, I assume it's not many. Regarding the balance problems, and lingering hearing and vision issues, he thinks it's all likely due to labyrinthitis, also called vestibular neuritis. It's an inflammation in the inner ear that affects the nerves. He says it was probably brought on by the vaccine's virus component. He said it may take two weeks for this to go away. I've dusted off a cane to use so I will be sure not to fall. Driving doesn't bother me, just walking. I still have a red knot that's warm to the touch at the injection site. He said if it gets worse to get medical attention right away and have it evaluated for cellulitis. He said I shouldn't have any problems with other types of vaccine such as flu shots. Tuesday, April 17 Awoke 1 a.m. covered with sweat. In the morning, profuse sweating. Injection site is more painful/itchy today. Abdomen feels achy and swollen. Balance problem more severe than yesterday. Ear pressure.