Age: 79.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLU3
Symptoms: Headache, Hypoaesthesia, Hypotonia, Malaise, Memory impairment
Clinical narrative: This case was initially reported by a consumer, who is also the patient, on 15 December 2010. A 79-year-old female patient received an Influenza vaccine (manufacturer reported as "possibly Sanofi Pasteur" lot not reported) in the left arm on 22 November 2010. The patient had a history of increased blood pressure and temporal arteritis (for past 3 years); she had previously experienced swelling and a hard knot at the site of a pneumococcal vaccine, and had received numerous influenza vaccines in the past. Concomitant medications included prednisone, a blood pressure pill and Vitamin B12 1000mg. According to the patient, approximately 6 hours post-vaccination she began experiencing fever, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty in moving. Approximately 12 hours post-vaccination, she had a fever of 103 degrees and was unable to get out of bed. She was seen by a physician the day after vaccination, at which time she complained of difficulty walking and "brain function problem", described as fuzziness, slow thinking process, and balance problems when walking. The patient noted that she had been seen by a "brain doctor". Outcome was not reported. Follow-up information was received on 15 April 2011 from a consumer who is also the patient. The patient provided an account of day to day events following vaccination. The patient received the Influenza vaccine on Thursday the 21st (also reported as 22 November 2010 which was a Monday). On the "Thur night" at approximately 8:30, the patient was very sick with nausea, 103 D fever and hard chills. She treated herself with ice to get the fever down and was "real sick". The patient attempted to sit up and "fell to the floor". Her entire body was limp, did not function and was reported to be dead weight. She stated her brain did not function at all for five to ten minutes but was able to "crawl" to the bathroom later with help. After returning to bed her fever was 100 D and she treated with two "" ex. stg. TYLENOL". She reported to have slept most of the night but her balance was still bad, her brain was not clear and she had a dead sensation in her arms, legs and left side of her face. On the "22nd", she went to the physician (also reported to have not required emergency/doctor visit) and he gave a "shot in vein" (not otherwise specified as to what type of injection) which caused two knots as it localized. On "23", she "seemed" to have better balance and bladder control but continued to have very slow thinking and the dead sensation in arms, legs and face. She reported her blood pressure to be normal at 140/80 and also a normal temperature. On "Sunday 24th", she "felt better" however "other things more the same". On "Monday 25", the patient had a "Cat Scan" at the hospital that was reported to be O.K., "no stroke". "On Tue 26th", the patient had several headaches but other things seemed better. On "Wed 27th", the patient drove a car for the first time but reported her legs were still weak and [Due to memory limitations, the remainder of this text could not be compared.]she had shortness of breath. On "Thurs 28", the patient still had no energy and was nauseated she treated herself with two TYLENOL and bed rest. The patient reported on "29" that she was still not 100%. Her memory was not back to normal. The patient reports that she continues to find things that "not normal". She reported to have had "flu shots" since the very first time they were given and had never had a side effect. The patient reported her outcome as not recovered. Follow-up information was received 03 May 2011 from a consumer, who is also the patient. The patient confirmed the date they received their influenza vaccination was 21 October 2010 (previously reported as 22 November 2010) which changed the event latencies and dates of onset for the reported events. At the time of the report, the patient reported that the events had not resolved. No additional information was provided. Follow-up information was received from a consumer on 28 November 2011. The patient has not completely recovered. The outcome remained not recovered. Follow-up information was received from a consumer on 05 March 2012. The patient's condition had not resolved. No further information was available at the time of the report. The patient's outcome remained not recovered. Documents held by sender: none.