Age: 60.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: TTOX
Symptoms: Injury, Insomnia, Medication error, Muscle spasms, Muscle twitching
Clinical narrative: Adverse Reaction to Tetanus Vaccine  Lot No. 1001aa, expiration June 2005         below is an outline of what happened to me:   On October 8, 2003, I had a fall on the main campus where I was employed.   I sustained multiple injuries including a laceration on my upper lip.   I was taken to the hospital.   The attending physician recommended a tetanus vaccine, which was given to me by the nurse.  He brought an open hypodermic needle, uncovered, from another department and injected me.   I was concerned that the needle was uncovered and could have picked up bacteria along the way, and I wondered if he had followed proper procedure in handling the vaccine.   Anyway, after receiving the vaccine I started to experience severe and persistent deep muscle pain, swelling of my left arm, nausea, vomiting, chills, and a lump at the site of the vaccine.   I experienced some sort of confusion and lack of concentration, dizziness and headaches.  I also noticed that there was a strong chemical under-arm odor under my left arm, the arm that was injected, while it was not the same under the other arm.  Because of the excruciating pain and muscle spasm in my upper left arm, on October 13th, I saw my primary care doctor.   She examined me and determined that my arm was infected, after which she prescribed 10 days of antibiotics.   At the end of the 10 days, the pain did not subside so I went back to her again and was given more antibiotics.   The pain subsided a little but until today I am still having pain, soreness, tenderness and swelling in my left arm.  During this period the muscle in which I was injected began to jump or twitched rapidly along with severe pain.   The twitching/spasm that began in the site of the vaccine gradually spreads down my left side to my legs, then to the rest of my entire body.   This twitching or muscle spasm goes on night and day.  Now I have developed some sort of neurological disorder:  the muscles in my legs are weak and sometimes I have problems walking.   My fingers and toes would periodically seize up.  I have problems handling small objects and things that I use to handle with ease, now seem difficult to handle, e.g., opening a bottle or picking small items, buttoning my blouse, etc.  I now have persistent and unusual tiredness, weakness, itching, especially of my outer ears, sleeplessness and blurred vision.  Also my blood pressure stays elevated although I take medication to lower it.   It seems as if the toxin in the vaccine is attacking my nervous system.  On December 2, 2003, I called the manufacturer, and reported to a nurse the problems I was having with the vaccine.   She said she would make a report of my complaint, I don't know if she did.   I also asked her if there was any kind of medication that I could take to reverse the adverse effects of the vaccine and she said no.   She told me to see my doctor again, which I did.   After seeing my doctor again, the doctor told me she did not know what to do.  I was very distressed at this time, because I could not understand how the manufacturer could make and distribute a vaccine that could cause possible harm and provided no antidote in the event someone develops an adverse reaction to the vaccine.  Also, we made a 3-way call to the hospital on 12/2, and made a complaint to the Hospital's Administrator about my experience with the vaccine.  He advised me to return to the hospital for evaluation.  On December 2, 2003, I went by taxi to the hospital and was examined by a doctor, but he never addressed my complaint concerning the injection.  The administrator told me that he would investigate and get back to me, but I never heard him or anyone at the hospital.   My pain and suffering are continuing and although I have seen other doctors regarding my condition and not one of these doctors addressed my complaint about the vaccine. It seems as if they are covering up for each other.  I understand that, by law, the doctor(s) should have reported my complaint to appropriated medical authorities.  No one wants to get involved.   I saw a neurologist on March 29th, as soon as I mentioned about the vaccine, he said "I am not interested in your lawsuit because I am sure you are not going to win".  I said nothing to him about a lawsuit. I just went there for an evaluation and treatment.   I was shocked that a doctor could be so callous.  Because of my condition, I was forced to retire from my job because I am unable to work.    On October 27th, I saw another doctor.  He has referred me to have the following tests: EEG, CAT Scan and EMG.         I am really frustrated and feel like no one is listening or really care about my well-being.   I hope I have not bored you with all this information, but if there is anything that you can do to help, I would greatly appreciate it.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Thanks so much for your help. Follow up 02/08/05: The patient still having pain and swelling in her upper left arm and some swelling in her left eyelid as well as twitching, painful spasms and muscle weakness in her legs and tremors in her fingers. She has severe insomnia. All of these symptoms have been quet debilitating. she has been prescribed medications such as neurontin and Stalevo, which are not alleviating her symptoms. She has been on disability and has recently been denied payment for medical treatment and from her insurance plan. I would like to ask if your program is able to give any advice as to where to turn next to try and help this patient. Her intent is not to open any kind of lawsuit, she only wishes to obtain a proper dianosis and be treated so that she can recover from this nightmare. This patient was a healthy and active woman prior to this event and we would appreciate any advice you are able to offer.