HI,
I have a history of autoimmune conditions - Glandular fever, Rickettsia and Lyme disease.
I have spent a lot pre-vaccine on getting to the point to maximise my health where I can function and hold down a job as a single income earner. This is a challenge when you have chronic fatigue / fibromylagia as a result of chronic infections over years.
Having to be upfront about all this at work whilst advocating exemptions has been stressful and worsened my health.
I had a bad reaction to the first Pfizer vaccine - within 24 hours my manager took me to A and E.
My left hand was shaking, I was confused, found it hard to talk on the Covid Help Line, and my speech slightly slurred. I had burning and tingling under my feet, in my fingers, mouth and tongue, and pain in my joints and glands. The doctor at A and E did some blood tests and told me it was my anxiety and joking told me to go home and have a glass of wine.
I had some time off work, the symptoms didn't subside.
My GP said they hit a nerve in my arm, and again, anxiety.
I was very grateful to have the help of another GP I went to who gave me my first exemption. I called her and had a phone consult (she has since not been allowed to practice). I also had a phone consult with one of your doctors.
The more extreme burning in my feet, ringing in my ears etc subsided gradually after a couple of months, and I didn't have the same reaction to the Astra Zeneca. (My second exemption which my GP submitted was declined).
I thought I was on the mend but the pain in the glands, joints, and all the other symptoms have flared up.
A week ago I was walking on the beach and got chronic pain in my chest which went up my neck to my jaw. It didn't subside, I managed to walk to the car and to A and E. They did and ECG, chest X-ray and blood tests and ruled out clots / stroke but advised gallbladder / ulcer and told me to follow up with my GP.
I have been feeling terrible the last two weeks or so and being testing negative for Covid.
Today I saw a practitioner privately and was retested and am Covid positive.
I would like my story to be part of a collection, unfortunately I can't publish it as it would be seen as a conflict of interest in my work and I do appreciate my job and my work means a lot to me and I am a sole income earner. However I feel I have the right to have a voice about my personal health, and would like to also try help others.
Thank you.