Age: 45.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: COVID19, UNK
Symptoms: Oedema peripheral, Pain, Paraesthesia, Plasmapheresis, Sciatica
Clinical narrative: My symptoms started 2 days after receiing my first Moderna vaccine at work (12/29/20).  I am a nurse practtioner.  I noticed lower extremity edeam and weakness in both legs. By early January 2021, I was having issues with bilateral leg weakness and balance.  I had issues walking across the parking lot to come into work and difficulty physically navigating the hospital to make rounds, operate, etc.  I received my second Moderna Covid 19 vaccine late January 2021.  I was pursuing care for sciatica at the time, which was a long-standing issue for me.  I had had an MRI and a failed steroid injection which then led me to a physical therapist mid-Februrary 2021.  By that time, I had profound weakness in my lower extremities, right arm and hand weakness, numbness in my torso, numbness in the right side of my face.  The physical therapist noted that I had absent reflexes everywhere on my body. A neurologist emergently saw me during that PT appointment and I was sent for an EMG.  I was diagnosed with CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) and admitted to the hospital for IVIG.  I was discharged after 5 days for home PT and home IVIG.  My condition continued to fail and I began to have worsening myalgias particularly in the area of the pelvis and upper legs as well as my right torso.  I lost the ability to walk and my pain was difficult to manage.  I then received a 5 day course of high dose steroids on an outpatient basis.  I continued to worsen.  I was admitted to the hospital again due to weight loss and inability to tolerate food or fluids.  I l lost about 40 lbs in 2 months. I was discharged home after 3 more days and continued with IVIG with no improvement.  I continued to worsen at home and it was felt that my case was too complicated for my local care team and I was sent to different Hospital on May 4, 2021.  There, I had a nerve biopsy and a central line placed.  I was started on plasmapheresis and started on a Ketamine drip to manage the pain.  I was there for two weeks and then transferred back to Medical Center for inpatient rehabilitation.  During this time, I could not walk, had profound weakness in my right hand and arm, gastroparesis, urinary retention and the inability to void, the inability to cough or sneeze. I had severe issues with dysautonomia and wild fluctuations in blood pressure which impacted my ability to move around. I was discharged home on June 1, 2021 where I continued on home PT and plasmapheresis.  My condition stabilized by did not improve.  I then traveled to Clinic on July 5, 2021 for further testing.  I did not see my condition begin to turn around until late August 2021.  Now, one year later, after two times weekly physical therapy and many struggles, I can walk with the assistance of a walker.  I also use a wheelchair.  I have not worked since February 5, 2021.  I continue to suffer from weakness, vibrations, tingling, burning, numbness, vision changes, gastroparesis, dysautonomia and blood pressures issues, and various other issues.  I cannot drive or engage in the activities and hobbies that I once enjoyed. My course and care has been extremely complex and lengthy.  This is a very abridged version of the nightmare that I have been through during the past 19 months and my struggles are not nearly over and may never be.    The second Moderna vaccine was given late January 2021 and ws the same lot number.  My symptoms  worsened significantly after that.  It was given by IM injection in the arm at the same hospital location.   My testing included, but was not limited to multiple EMGs, a spinal tap, multiple MRIs, a CT scan, a nerve biopsy x-rays, laboratory testing too numerous to list, a tilt table test, sensory testing, fat aspirate.