Sex: F
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Acupuncture, Back pain, Electromyogram abnormal, Gait disturbance, Hypoaesthesia
Clinical narrative: Information has been received from a lawyer regarding a case in litigation concerning a female patient (age unknown). The patient's medical history, concurrent conditions and concomitant medication use were not provided. On or about 11-FEB-2014, the patient was vaccinated with ZOSTAVAX, (lot# and route unknown) as recommended for routine adult health maintenance and the intended purpose of preventing shingles and at the recommendation of her primary care physician. The vaccine did not function as intended and the patient subsequently suffered from severe neurological interference, which resulted in complete numbness of her left side and partial paralysis. On or about 01-JUN-2016, the patient began to experience high fever and severe back pain. On or about 02-JUN-2016, the patient sought treatment from a physician for treatment of her severe pain, which was given an unspecified diagnosis and estimated by her physician to be attributable to a viral infection. On or about 03-JUL-2016, the patient woke up to complete numbness and lack of sensation of her entire left side. At this time, the patient sought emergency medical care from another physician. The patient was immediately transferred to the hospital emergency department where she was treated by a physician in order to discover the cause of her left sided numbness. The patient underwent nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her lower region, which did not reveal any significant reason for the loss of sensation. While hospitalized, the patient was transferred to the care of neurologist, who gave a diagnosis of unspecified leg numbness and prescribed MEDROL PACK and follow up consultation to ascertain the cause of the loss of sensation. On or about 06-JUL-2016, the patient sought treatment from another physician, who was covering for her primary care provider. The patient was still not given an affirmative diagnosis, but was prescribed prednisone in attempts to treat her total numbness, which persisted and was unresponsive to steroid therapies. On or about 20-JUL-2016, the patient continued to experience complete numbness in her left side, and consulted her physician who referred her to a neurologist who performed MRI imaging of the patient's neck, brain and upper lumbar and an Electromyogram (EMG) test by which he determined that the diagnosis was Transverse Myelopathy Syndrome, caused secondary to zoster virus.  At this encounter, it was determined that there was no remedy or therapy that could treat the symptoms, and the patient was instructed to remain as mobile as possible in hopes that it would alleviate over time. On or about 01-MAY-2017, after being diagnosed with Myelopathy Syndrome, the patient sought a second opinion from another physician who affirmed the diagnosis of Myelitis. The patient suffered from total left side numbness for a period of more than one year without improvement or change in her condition. The patient has sought alternative remedies for relief, including treatment from an acupuncturist, who was not able to alleviate her symptoms, but restored some sensation. Since November of 2017, the patient has required continuous treatments by a physician performing acupuncture, in attempts to restore sensation on her left side. The patient presently continued to experience complete numbness in her groin, vaginal area, ankle and foot. The patient has experienced a complete interference of everyday life because of her myelitis symptoms and numbness. The patient experienced difficulty walking and a complete loss of capacity to enjoy intimacy. As a result of her injuries, the patient has been forced to discontinue her normal activity, such as volunteering and maintaining the household. The patient further experiences a frequent disruption in her ability to sleep because of the complications of her injuries. As a proximate cause of the complications the patient suffered from the ZOSTAVAX vaccine, and/or despite having used ZOSTAVAX for the long-term prevention of shingles, the patient suffered from unresolved transverse myelitis and left-side numbness, and cannot maintain a normal or independent lifestyle. As a direct and proximate result of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine, and/or despite receiving ZOSTAVAX for long-term prevention of shingles and zoster virus, the patient suffered painful injuries and damages, and required extensive medical care and treatment. As a further proximate result, the patient has suffered and will continue to suffer significant medical expenses, and pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. Myelitis and Transverse Myelopathy Syndrome secondary to zoster virus were considered disabling as the patient has experienced a complete interference of everyday life. Upon internal review Transverse Myelopathy Syndrome secondary to zoster virus and myelitis were considered medically significant events. Additional information has been requested.