Age: 65.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Vaccination site rash
Clinical narrative: As a result of having the ZOSTAVAX, I have been left with a left arm that is totally numb most of the time, with tingling, pins and needles and not able to perform daily activities. Background Medical Health Information: I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in January, 2016. I had APR surgery, and followed with 6 weeks of radiation and 6 cycles of chemotherapy (in pill form, not intravenous). I ended my treatments in November, 2016. Due to the chemo-radiation, I now have a weakened immune system. When I had the ZOSTAVAX, I was not informed by the Dr. or nurses that I was not a good candidate for this shingles vaccination. Timeline: October 12, 2017: I received the ZOSTAVAX (live virus) vaccination on 10/12/17 by Health Center. Starting within one week after shot and for about 3 weeks, had a burning, itching, redness and rash on my upper left arm with a large knot in my muscle into which the vaccination was given. Immediately after receiving the shot, there was an awful pain in my upper arm where the shot was administered. October 20, 2017: I contacted the Health Center indicating that the painfulness, soreness, itchiness, rash and tightness of the left upper arm was not going away.  I still had a very large knot in my upper arm. I was told that this happens to some people and the "soreness" from the site of the shot should subside with time. November 3, 2017:  I saw my Primary Care NP at Health Center to have a sore callused toe looked at and also discussed my still sore arm. The entire area around where the shot had been given was still red, sore, itchy and sensitive to touch. It was also still a very large knot around the injection site. I also was now experiencing at times severe nerve pain with tingling, pins and needles and some numbness of the entire left arm from shoulder to hand. I asked if this pain and tingling was normal and if it was caused by the shingles vaccine. The NP indicated what I was experiencing was in the area right around where the vaccine had been injected, and it would probably take a little longer to settle down. December 1, 2017: I went to see a Dermatologist at the Office. I went for my calloused toe, a spot on my right arm and also my still sore left arm, now with tingling and pins and needles from my shoulder to my hand and fingers. I wanted to see if the soreness, ongoing redness, knotted lump and numbness/pins & needles around the site of the vaccination could possibly be an allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine that I had received, now 1 ½ months prior. With regard to the left arm, she wasn't sure, but said it was possible that a nerve could have been touched with the vaccine(?). December 14, 2017: Went to the Health Center to have stitches taken out of my right arm from the biopsy. At this time, I again stated that my left arm was still knotted and sore, and now had a new development with tingling pins and needles and a numbness all the way from my shoulder down to my left hand. The nurse that saw me said that she would put something in my record regarding this and to follow-up with my NP Primary Provider. December 26, 2017 through January 31, 2018: During this time, I called the Center on January 2nd to report that I still had tingling and pins and needles, with some numbness and still had the large knot in my upper left arm. Again I requested that this information about my left arm all be put into my record, which they said they did. They also stated that I should be seen while traveling. (When I called the local clinics, they said it wouldn't be wise to come in as they were experiencing a flu epidemic.) The pins and needles and numbness when doing even minor things was more pronounced this month and ongoing until now. January 2, 2018: I also contacted my other Primary Care Dr., with Medical Group and spoke to RN. I wanted to let them know about this ongoing situation with my left arm. I had received my annual flu vaccination from Dr.'s office in early August, 2017, and had experienced no issues from this shot. They reported that they would add this issue to my record at the Medical Group. February 3, 2018: I spoke to my local Pharmacist, who informed me that a new Shingles Vaccine called SHINGRIX had come out in January, 2018. This vaccine would have most likely led to less side effects as it is not a live virus, unlike the ZOSTAVAX vaccine. He also indicated that SHINGRIX is typically given with 2 doses of the vaccine. The Pharmacist also stated that this vaccine was predicted to last longer than the 5 years ZOSTAVAX supposedly gave me. The Pharmacist also told me that indeed the ZOSTAVAX could have given me Shingles symptoms and be the cause of my left arm pain and numbness. February 5, 2018: I contacted the Health Center, and spoke to my NP's office. I stated that the problem with my left arm had not gone away and it was causing a weakness and ongoing pins and needles and numbness from my shoulder down to my hand and fingers. My NP prescribed MEDROL 4 mg oral tabs to be taken for 1 week. I suffered terribly taking the prednisone with major headaches, dizziness and sleeplessness. I already suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome, and this medication gave me horrible RLS symptoms. I received no relief from this prednisone; my arm weakness, tingling and numbness has continued. I feel worse as time goes on. February 20, 2018: I had an Annual Physical Exam at the Medical Group, and again reported my ongoing pins and needles, numbness of my entire left arm and weakness from my shoulder down to my left hand. This has now been going on for 4 months since I received the ZOSTAVAX Shingles vaccine. Dr. asked me questions if there had been any injury to my neck or shoulder? I answered No because the tingling, pain and numbness really starts in the area of where the shot was given and then proceeds down the arm. March, 2018: My entire left arm has a continuous numbness, tingling and pain. I am unable to use my left arm when driving a car because it literally becomes totally numb without any feeling. I cannot perform basic jobs around the house, and when performing my job as a Realtor and Professional Stager. I cannot lift or use both of my arms when performing my jobs.