Age: 45.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLU3
Symptoms: Dizziness, Electrocardiogram normal, Gait disturbance, Heart rate decreased, Lumbar puncture
Clinical narrative: This case was reported by a consumer and described the occurrence of throat tingling in a 45-year-old female subject who was vaccinated with influenza virus vaccine (Flu vaccine, GlaxoSmithKline). A physician or other health care professional has not verified this report. Concurrent medications included METFORMIN, CENESTIN, LEVOTHYROXINE, Aspirin, LEVODOPA/CARBIDOPA and Hormone replacement therapy. On 17 October 2008 at 11:30 the subject received unspecified dose of Flu vaccine in the right arm. On 17 October 2008, while still in the doctor's office following vaccination with Flu vaccine, the subject experienced tingling in the back of the throat within 10 minutes, chest tightness within 15 minutes, chest pain within 15 minutes and thirst. An EKG and blood work were done. The EKG was ok. The subject was referred to a cardiologist on 18 December 2008. The subject received a nuclear heart scan and another EKG. The subject had a follow-up visit on 12 January 2009. No specifics were reported. On 06 February 2009, the subject went back to the doctor and was prescribed ALEVE and 2 baby aspirin. The chest pain improved some following treatment with ALEVE and baby aspirin. Throat tingling reportedly resolved, chest tightness remained unresolved and the outcome of thirst was not known at the time of reporting. The reporter commented that she was not sure if she received FLULAVAL or FLUARIX, but she was told that the flu vaccine given to her was one of GlaxoSmithKline's. Follow-up information was received on 24 March 2009 from physician's office. On 17 October 2008, the subject had blood testing done and received a flu shot. After her blood testing was done, the subject felt lightheaded. Her throat tickled. Blood pressure was 101/66 and pulse was 56. Her blood pressures were repeated at 102/72 lying down, 112/64 sitting and 105/72 with pulses of 52, 64, and 49 respectively. The subject's blood glucose was 77. She was given a cola drink to drink and laid down. She slowly began feeling better. The subject also complained of increased dizziness. She remained talkative and her speech was fluent and she followed well. She was given an electrocardiogram (EKG) due to mild symptoms of chest pain which was normal. After laying down, the subject did slowly feel better. She was discharged from the clinic with precautions. She was going to stay in town one more night to make sure she felt better. Follow-up information was received from the subject on 13 April 2009. On 15 March 2009, while trying to do some work in the living room, she had to sit down and could not do anything most of the day. Then on 23 March 2009, her previous reported symptoms worsened, and she went to her local emergency department. She was then airlifted the same day to a hospital. A pulse could not be obtained in her leg and she barely had a blood pressure. While at the hospital, she had a heart catheterization, computed tomography (CT) scan, and ultrasounds performed. Everything was normal, and she was discharged on 25 March 2009. That night while at home, she experienced a sharp burning feeling in her right leg and a jabbing feeling in her chest. The next day, 26 March 2009, she went to her local emergency department and was hospitalized. She was discharged the following afternoon on 27 March 2009. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted, and she was then referred to a neurologist. Also, during this timeframe three weeks ago from the time of reporting, she started to experience trouble walking and states the pain started in her ankles, then went to her calf and is now up at her shoulders. She saw the neurologist who referred her back to her primary care physician. On her way to the primary care physician, the pain started going up her legs and fingers, and her friend, who is a nurse, advised her to stop at a hospital. A lumbar puncture and ultrasound were conducted, and she also saw a neurologist there. She was then referred back to her original local neurologist. On 10 April 2009, she went back to the original neurologist, and this neurologist now wants her to see a rheumatologist. The subject stated that the physicians are telling her something is wrong, but they do not know what is wrong. She states her physicians do not think it is heart related because her tests have come back negative, however, they do believe it may be neurological. She stated there has been talk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but they do not think it is that because it occurs more quickly. The subject stated that she still does not know which GSK flu vaccine she received.