Jo Ann
Before the vaccine I was an outgoing and active person. I loved dancing and was always out and about. I was caring for my grandchildren and even planning to go to art school. I took my first vaccine on 25th February 2021 with no immediate side effects. About 8-10 days later small bruises began appearing on the insides of both my arms which was really unusual and I remember joking with my fiancé that it was probably from the Pfizer as we had heard of some bad reactions. He told me not to be so silly. Two weeks later I started feeling really tired and noticed more bruises on my stomach, where I have never had bruises before. Just under a month later I got married on 17th March. On my wedding day I had strange bruises on my fingers and I was very tired. Even on this exciting and special day, I couldn’t get my energy up.
The bruises then spread to my inner thighs with clot-type bruising on my outer leg that was sore to touch. The bruises kept on coming so I made an appointment to see a doctor but could only to see a nurse. She took blook and sent it for testing and I received a call at 11.40pm the same day, asking me to get into hospital as soon as possible. When I arrived, the doctor asked me if I am a drinker, as sometimes alcoholics’ platelets can get very low. He told me that my platelets, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 levels were all very low. To cut to the chase, seven month and three bone marrow biopsies later, I was put on the UK Data list of Blood disorders with a diagnosis of acquired Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia. This is similar to a condition children are born with, but mine is the acquired and has been acknowledge that it wsa acquired through pfizer as it was the only vaccine I had. My immune system is attacking my bone marrow so that it cannot mature so I am now on immunosuppressed drug called Cyclosporine, with horrendous side effects, and I don’t know what the outcome will be. I have issues with my blood pressure and awful headaches as well as kidney issues. In addition, I have neuropathy, nerve damage and pain in my arms and hands. I am unable to get out and about on my own and my husband works from home so that he can care for me.