Age: 60.0
Sex: M
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Herpes zoster, Hypophagia, Impaired work ability, Lung infection, Night sweats
Clinical narrative: I am 61 years old, semi-retired (professor) male. Since I changed my lifestyle and started to join the human race at age 34, I have been conscientious about my health. I have also been very fortunate to have two primary physicians who have been both concerned and holistic with my health care. They were and are very encouraging with their research based knowledge in utilizing preventive medical procedures and advertisement. At one time I weighed a phenomenal 645 pounds (and gaining) due to my obsessive and compulsive addictions. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict since December 29, 1983. I have been continuously alcohol and illicit drug free since this time. Besides having a spiritual, emotional and physical metamorphosis, I have been a very active member of AA for 26 and half years. In 1985, I underwent gastric bypass surgery in order to lose weight so I could have bariatric surgery. The gastric bypass was reversed in 1986 and I had my stomach staples. I believe I am a successful pioneer with this weight loss procedure. I maintain a 185-190 pound weight as of today, and work out at the local YMCA. Since this surgery I have heeded my primary physicians medical directives (i.e., pneumonia and flu vaccinations sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, yearly physicals, diet maintenance etc.), and I have been basically healthy. I retired in 2006 from a full time professorship, but still am part-time employed as a professional ESL teacher. When I turned 60 in 2009, my primary physician and RN assistant recommended that I have an anti-Shingles vaccination since I was vulnerable to the disease since I have had chicken pox as a child. I have acquaintances that have suffered the maladies of this virus and realized their excruciating discomfort from it. Though they have overcome the most serious part of the virus they have to deal with the effects of it. I learned about the research concerning Shingles, poured over it and agreed with my doctor's advice. My HMO would pay for the cost of the vaccination also. I was vaccinated with ZOSTAVAX on October 7, 2009. The initial reaction was mild: no redness, pain, itching, etc. But, two days later my agony began. My mouth and esophagus became intensely inflamed, painful and covered with viral thrush and a herpes breakout. I couldn't eat or drink anything without excruciating pain. My doctor prescribed an anti-viral medication in order to counteract the inflammations since I wasn't able to eat much for two weeks. I had constant diarrhea, fever, night sweats, pain. breathlessness, weakness, and was rapidly losing weight. The anti-viral medicine failed to help my condition. My primary referred me to a gastrointestinal specialist in late October, 2009, since my symptoms were still persistent and my weight went from 210lbs to 175 lbs in a month. I was still losing weight and had no real appetite due to the pain of eating and the diarrhea. On November 2, 2009 I had an upper-GI endoscopy and the results showed that my proximal and mild esophagus, gastric pouch and mouth were covered by a thrush like coating, herpes blisters and general inflammation. The GI specialist prescribed DIFLUCAN, OMEPRAZOLE and NYSTATIN 100,000Units/MI Suspension so I could eat and have relief when I age. Through all of this pain I still taught part-time and tried to maintain my normal activities until December, 2009. My condition worsened: extreme weakness, breathlessness, continued diarrhea, pain, etc., became more debilitation. I finally had to take a leave of absence from my teaching position with no compensation. I realized that I was slowly expiring. I could hardly walk without stopping and trying to catch my breath. Finally, on January 25, 2010 and after several MRIs, another endoscopy, and a colonscopy my primary admitted me into the hospital. I weighed 163 pounds and was very sick. It was discovered that a fissure occurred in my lower esophagus and the virus infected my plural sac and left lung. They were filled with a puss-like substance. My Hematocrit was dangerously low and the night sweats were increasing with intensity. My left lung and plural sac had to be drained and many css of puss were recovered. During my stay in the hospital I had a permanent drain in my plural sac and lung. I was tested for HIV which proved negative. I had a bone marrow biopsy for fear of Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma which also proved negative. Several specialists were assigned to my case in order to investigate my symptoms and treatment. They were from the administrations of the infectious disease. pulmonary osteopathic, oncology, gastrointestinal and phlebotomy departments. I continued to have several MRIs, x-rays and anti-viral and pain IVs. Eventually my pleural sac and lung began to clear up, the herpes inflammation and thrush and pain began to subside after a week and half in the hospital. I was still very weak and my Hematocrit low. I was discharged from the hospital on February 3, 2010 with the above mentioned medications, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Iron supplements, and followed by weeks of follow up MRIs and office appointments. Most of the specialists deemed me "a mystery" except for the infectious disease specialist. After a medical tests review, peer collaboration and much research she diagnosed my illness as a direct link to the anti-Shingles vaccination I received on October 7, 2009. The virus that was the cause of all this discomfort was the Varicella Zoster Virus from the ZOSTAVAX inoculation. The reason why I'm letting you know this is due to an article advertising ZOSTAVAX that I saw in one of my monthly magazines. It was promoting the vaccine, but also wanted to know about any adverse reactions. The article strongly urged contacting the FDA with this information. It's taken me length of time to let your agency know of my negative reaction to this vaccine because I am still regaining my strength. My vitality is not fully renewed and my Hematocrit is still somewhat below the norm. I wanted to let the FDA know about the pain, mental and physical anguish. loss of income and overall horror I experienced since October 7, 2009. Medical documentation will be provided on request.