Age: 21.0
Sex: M
Vaccine: ANTH, ANTH
Symptoms: Weight decreased
Clinical narrative: I served for 3 years, 6 months, 12 days. I joined 1/22/96. My first experience was being sent to work as security, and then was assigned to a base. I decided in basic training to become the best, to do what I was told and to learn from my leaders. I was recommended for excellence in basic training and leadership skills and as all-around solder. I wanted to be the best of the best, I actually enjoyed basic training. In basic training, I did not learn just to become a soldier, I learned to be a team leader, a person that others could trust and look up to. For me, that was important to have the trust of others and to feel the dignity of being a soldier in the military. All I ever wanted to do was to be a soldier in the military. I got my chance and I loved every minute. I actually liked the PT training, the early mornings, the strict regime of everything. I was really looking forward to going to overseas training mission. I excelled in every aspect of training and excelled in every request that was asked of me. Being overseas was a true experience; it has made me appreciate what I had. Overseas, I was told that I might have to take the Anthrax vaccine just in case war broke out again, I said okay!. I had nothing else to say, I couldn't say anything else, and I was in the military. My Sgt. Major for the platoon said "that we all had to take the anthrax shot, if we refused, we would get a field grade Article 15 and MP's would still hold us down and give us the shot" so you see, either way I was getting the shot. I was a good soldier; I did what I was told to do without questions. If I knew then what I know now, I would have taken the field Article 15 and refused and would have taken the consequences for that decision. The consequences for taking this vaccine have been horrific. After receiving the Anthrax vaccine my good experience came to a screeching halt. I received the Anthrax vaccine 3/18/98 overseas, after receiving the first vaccine, I had chills, and fever, and became very sick, and it was just like having he flu. I did go to the Med tent and asked to see a doctor; the PA told me to take Tylenol and get rest. The second shot was on 3/31/98, I was reluctant to taking the shot due to the illness I experienced with the first shot. I was told I had to take the shot no matter what. I took the vaccine and again experienced the chills and fever and started the diarrhea and the vomiting, this time it was different than the first, the headaches had increased with more severe pressure than before. A soldier friend of mine took me to the Med tent due to me being so ill. They told me I had a virus and for me to rest. I was losing weight, losing ground of all my strength. The headache went away to a dull pain after a week or so and I seemed to feel better until the next Anthrax shot. The third shot was on 4/14/98, I was not feeling well at all, however, I had to take this hot, the illness that had taken my body was the worst flu that I had ever experienced. The headaches and the flu were not going away, the Tylenol was not working. When I arrived back in the states, I was sick on and off. I was not able to fulfill my duties at work. My Sgt. knew I was sick. He was there overseas with me and knew I had gotten sick after each shot. He gave me time off to be at home when I was sick, or he gave me desk duties. I refused to believe that the Anthrax vaccine had anything to do with how I was feeling. The military would not give me anything that would make me this sick! The fourth shot was on 9/22/98. I received at my home base. This was the same day that I was sent to the hospital by ambulance due to my becoming very ill and passing out. Two days later the doctors put me on temporary medical leave. I did not realize the Anthrax was what caused my illness until I had my fourth shot, not until I read the insert that came along with the Anthrax vaccine. To this day, I've had 70+ seizures and 40+ passing out spells, several of which I have lost my memory and forgot who my wife was! There have been times that I get lost because I forget where I am. I would not wish this on anyone.