Sex: M
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Complex regional pain syndrome, Discomfort, Epidural injection, Gait inability, Herpes zoster
Clinical narrative: Information has been received on 15-DEC-2017 regarding a case in litigation from a lawyer concerning a male patient of unknown age. The patient's concurrent conditions, medical history and concomitant medications are unknown. On or about 26-APR-2012, the patient was inoculated with ZOSTAVAX (lot number and expiration are unknown) subcutaneous, as recommended for routine adult health maintenance and for the prevention of shingles. The vaccine did not prevent shingles as intended, but rather caused the patient to contact a persistent strain of shingles and serious crippling complications. On or about 09-JAN-2017, the patient was treated by a physician for the onset of a blistery rash on his feet, rendering him unable to walk, which was diagnosed as severe herpes zoster, or shingles. On or about 14-FEB-2017, (also reported as 14-FEB-2014), the patient was treated by a physician for continued and worsening symptoms, which were diagnosed as post-herpetic neuralgia, a condition of chronic pain and nerve damage secondary to shingles infections. On or about 23-FEB-2017, the patient sought subsequent treatment by a physician for continued and new outbreaks of shingles blisters. On or about 23-MAR-2017, the patient was treated again by a physician for uncontrolled symptoms of shingles, despite aggressive antiviral treatment, at which time he was referred to a neurologist. On or about 16-APR-2017, the patient was treated by a physician for his post-neuropathic pain. On or about 18-APR-2017, the patient was treated by a neurologist, who diagnosed his ongoing conditions and severe post-herpetic neuralgia and complex regional pain disorder. On or about 19-MAY-2017, the patient was treated by a physician for treatment of his debilitating complex regional pain disorder and post-herpetic neuralgia. On or about 25-MAY-2017, a physician administered epidural steroid injections to attempt to curb his severe and relentless pain. On or about 20-MAY-2017, the patient was again treated by a physician for additional epidural injections. On or about 21-JUL-2017, the patient was treated by a physician who referred him to a pain management specialist because the physician was unable to resolve his uncontrolled neuritis symptoms. On or about 05-OCT-2017, the patient underwent a surgical procedure to decrease pain and sensation in his lower extremities where the shingles had been. The patient was implanted with a spinal cord stimulator (nerve block) performed by a physician at an orthopedic surgery of the spine medical center. The patient still experiences pain, discomfort, and lack of mobility, despite aggressive therapy and surgical intervention to ease his symptoms. As a direct and proximate result of these malfunctions, the patient has suffered and will continue to suffer significant medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. Severe herpes zoster/persistent strain of shingles, severe post-herpetic neuralgia/implanted with a spinal cord stimulator (nerve block)/surgical procedure, complex regional pain disorder and neuritis were considered to be disabling. Upon internal review, severe post-herpetic neuralgia/implanted with a spinal cord stimulator (nerve block)/surgical procedure was considered to be medically significant. Additional information has been requested.