Claire

Hi, my name is Claire. Im a 22 year old yoga teacher from Orlando Florida. Besides teaching and practicing yoga, I loved to ride my bike, hike, and travel. dreamed of becoming a pelvic floor physical therapist. My life drastically changed after receiving the Covid vaccine.

I took the vaccine because I was led to believe it was safe and effective but now realise that isn’t the case for everyone. I never thought this would happen to me.

I got the Pfizer vaccine on the 11th of April 2021 in Orlando Florida in my right arm . I went home feeling okay but woke up in the middle of the night with my right arm and my entire face on fire. A burning pain I had never felt before.

By the time the sun rose, the lacerating pain had spread to my entire body from my scalp to my toes. And for almost two years now I feel as if I have been set on fire.

I began to feel dizzy and lightheaded, fainting and experiencing pre-syncope episodes. I experienced fIu like symptoms such as fatigue, body aches, nausea and vomiting.

Stabbing pains started to happen in my wrists, elbows, shoulders. I cannot lift anything over five pounds in weight. I use a wheelchair now and can barely self-propel. This weakness spread to my legs and I later woke up with bilateral tendon injuries in my feet.

New symptoms just kept on presenting themselves. Every time you get a new symptom the grieving process starts all over again. With vaccine injuries and other chronic illness, loss is continued and sustained.

I saw dozens of doctors, visited Advent Health ER three times and underwent many tests including: A Biospy, EMG, Brain MRI. They checked my Thyroglobulin antibody and tested me for Lyme disease. My IgA showed 1,2 which shows my immune system is severely compromised.

I was eventually diagnosed with CIDP, Small Fiber Neuropathy and Autonomic Neuropathy/POTS.

I was a super healthy and active yoga teacher before the jab and the grieving of my old life is a process that I’m still working through. I have since lost my job and a lot of money.

Maintaining and building friendships are hard when you’re disabled and I am more aware of how the world is not accessible for us. We are pushed out of everyday society

One of the hardest parts about what happened is that people don’t believe me. They assume I’m lying or anti-vax. Neither of which are true. How can you possibly be anti-vax when you willingly took the thing?

Gratefully, my family and friends all believe me and support me through this.

I am also thankful for the doctors who took me seriously and had genuine concern for me. Almost all of my doctors have explained that my diagnoses are from the Pfizer vaccine.

I recently started IVIG treatment to try to get my immune system to stop attacking my nervous system. It was very difficult to get access to but I’m feeling hopeful about it.

I am on a plethora of medications including Gammunex (IVIG), LDN

lvermectin, Hydroxyzine, Pepcid, Luvox, Vascepa, Midodrine, Gabapentin, Prednisone, Carvediol, Toprol, Hydroxychloroquine and Valacyclovir.

I also treat with Red light therapy, Cryotherapy, Hyperbaric oxygen, Cranial sacral, Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Hypnotherapy, Physical therapy and Somatic Tracking. I take supplements of vitamins, minerals and oils but welcome any further therapies or treatments that could be of any help.

At this point of my life things are a bit better. I use a custom fit ultralight rigid frame wheelchair as well as a cane. I’m continuing to get new symptoms and random injuries but I’m feeling confident that with the IVIG and time I can recover at least 60-70%. I’m continuing to advocate for disability rights and sharing my story whenever I have the opportunity to.