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I think this might be a long PSA

j-c-c-62

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I can keep this sharing within the guard rails I believe and I believe it is potentially rather pertinent and maybe revealing for everyone.

The Set-up:
I am a septuagenarian, in fairly good health with classic old age issues prediabetic, controlled high blood pressure, overweight, active, never broken a bone or been hospitalized, don't drink, never smoked, don't do drugs, don't wear glasses,:blah::blah:.
I am fairly active in daily life, golf, bike riding, etc I still carry my Class A CDL with a current DOT medical card.
I have 100% Insurance coverage.

I am a big believer in vaccines; I get them all. I have had 3 pneumonia shots, RSV, tetanus, Diphtheria Polio, MMR, Smallpox, Flu shots for over 15 years, etc and 8 Covid shots. Never had more than a sore arm except for the first Covid shot that had me in bed for one day.
I have no recollection of ever having had Chicken pox and definitely never shingles. I remember "Chicken pox" everybody drink Koolaid from the same cup "parties" that I distinctly refused to attend as a kid.

The Situation:
In late May I had effectively cosmetic surgery on my eyelids to improve peripheral vision, beneficial for driving.
During the 3 week recovery you are instructed effectively to not pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk.
So I was effectively stuck on the computer during all that recovery time.
During that time the water pump began to fail on my Dodge Ram.
After removal of stitches and approval from my Dr I tore into the Ram.
Bending over on that repair really aggravated my back, likely not helped by my previous 3 weeks of idleness.
In the middle of the repair, I needed to make a trip into town, parts store, bank, lunch, so I rode my bike for a 3 mile run.
Upon returning I was uncomfortable, so I decided, I'd tackle the rest of the repair the next day and went to bed early.
Next morning I am in severe pain from my back.
I am out for the count. I schedule a Dr appoint for Thursday as pain is not improving, I'm sleeping in a recliner.
Dr prescribes a typical anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant
It doesn't get any worse and I get a little relief, but I am still sleeping in a chair as I can't get comfortable.
The following Tuesday I am picking up normal monthly prescriptions at the Pharmacy where I get my vaccines.

The Motivation
I have seen and talked to many people who have dealt with shingles. Most stories are horrible and dreaded.
If I remember correctly approx 15? years ago a shingles vaccine was released.
Wanting to avoid shingles, but never being able to confirm I ever had Chicken pox, consensus was not to get the original Shingles vaccine.
Approx 6? years ago a new update shingles vaccine was released, and recently it was suggested it was OK to receive, even though one was suspected of never having chicken pox.
I have been keeping an eye on the new Shingrix vaccine to see how it's been received, and I heard little negative.
Being my lifetime track record with vaccines of every nature has been nearly stellar, the fact I was pretty sedimentary while my back recuperated, and I was expecting in the coming months in the fall to be taking separate flu and covid shots (I prefer and suggest it's best to space all vaccine shots, you will see why later), I asked for and was given a Shingrix vaccine on Tuesday afternoon.

Everything Goes South
My arm is normally sore from the shot, my neck is bothering me and I attribute that to odd position I am sleeping in the chair, my breathing is tough and I attribute that to my back pain.
I don't get much quality sleep.
Wednesday my back pain neck pain is still in play, both pains are more focused on right side, breathing seems oddly related to back pain?
I make another Dr appointment for Thursday PM.
Dr hears all above, but I don't mention and he doesn't ask about the vaccine shot.
He doesn't seem to care much about the back or neck pain, the breathing concerns him, insists on a chest X ray which I am given and its read offsite?, writes me a prescription for a spirometer.
I am walking into the Pharmacy on Friday to pick up my prescription and the Dr calls me on my cell phone and informs me I have collapsed right lung.
He says if I have ANY breathing issues that worsen before my next follow-up appointment with him on Tues, head straight to the ER.
On Saturday I am having trouble with my breathing simply walking to the mailbox. I decide an ER visit is in order, except there is a huge line of storms stuck between me in the sticks and the closest ER 35 miles away.
I decide to give it another day.
Sunday it's not better, ER here I come.

The ER

On Sunday I'm headed to ER.
They admit me for 4 days. They put me on O2 promptly and I get quick relief, the recliner bed also helps.
They run blood work, Chest X ray, CT scan, EKG, "Sniff" test, check my vitals every 4 hours.
They will not release me until I have O2 service at my home, I live alone so that can't happen until I am home, so they won't release me.
I get it set-up at my daughters 150 miles away and I will go there.
The Hospital Pulmonary Dr said the sniff test (basically a X ray video of your chest while you take a very robust sniff) indicated I had collapsed right lung caused by a partially paralysed diaphragm on the right side. He said they don't know why it is not working, and it only sometimes recovers, so "deal with it".
I check out with a personal portable O2 tank for breathing.
Not once was a Shingrix vaccine ever asked about, mentioned, or discussed. It is in my medical records as are all the other vaccines I have received in past 15? years


The Cleveland Clinic

My daughter nearly blew a gasket when I shared the last comment with her. It was a bit depressing to think I would be stuck on O2 the rest of my life and all that would mean for reasons unknown.
A week later I am at Cleveland clinic, being seen by a Thoracic surgeon, Pulmonologist, and a Neurologist, and they run 20? more tests over next three weeks. Again no one asks or mentions the Shingrix vaccine.
My sister. my daughter and I start an online search to dig deeper, and Guilliam-Barre Syndrome (GBS) keeps popping up caused by vaccines. I am starting to get some right-hand numbness /shooting painsin my wrist.
On a subsequent visit I ask the Neurologist about a potential GBS connection, she says, "oh, that is very rare"
Yes it is apparently, 2-3 per 100,000, and most severe symptom is breathing issues (phrenic nerve that controls the diaphragm) and requires immediate medical attention, and 6% of the 2-3 affected die.
Nobody at Cleveland Clinic has ever mentioned GBS or Shingrix

The Law
It appears the Vaccine makers sought liability protection in order to offer vaccines. They were given that protection in 1998? for a number of well-known vaccines.
The Government set up a no-fault program to financially compensate those "injured" by a vaccine. The injured only has to document an injury, proof of vaccine, and the fund determines damages, and pays the injured's legal fees separate from the compensation. No trial, ever. They have already paid out over $4 billion.
Covid comes along and they set up its own separate fund.
The fly in the ointment, Shingrix is omitted from both funds.
Remember before I said NEVER get both two vaccines at once? This is why.

My Predicament

I have contacted 4 legal firms, one being the nation's largest, nobody will take the case, mostly I suspect because there is no "easy" money for Shingrix vaccine.
Nearly all current vaccines in fine print mention "do not take their vaccine if you have ever had an allergenic reaction to the vaccines components or GBS"
What the heck does that mean? GBS from their vaccine or any vaccine?
I don't yet have a formal diagnosis of GBS, there is no definitive test, its more exclusion of everything else type logic, the Dr's will not even mention the name.
I have partially recovered breathing, I have a positive track record with 8 covid shots, I don't want to get covid, because I will be a goner.
Same for Flu shots.
If I show up ap at another ER after a vaccine shot, I am likely to be dead before they figure out its GBS related There is some time dependent medication available.
I likely have no future possible claim against the funds for flu or covid shots if I get a GBS reaction because I was warned not to take them.
I can't get any qualified Dr to give/suggest any health advice/options here.
I want to get shots.
I want to be around people/places.
I don't want to wear mask full/part time
I don't want to be on O2 full/part time (currently)
I will not get the suggested second Shingrix shot.
Not being able to breath is rather scary and sucks, pun intended.
I hope this has been somewhat informative and apologize for its length
If you made it this far, I'll buy you a beer the first time we ever meet.:thumbsup:
 
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I'll admit I skimmed through it. But I wish you well and hope your feeling better soon.
 
Well I read it all.
My advice:
1. Forget the legal side of things, it will be a waste of time and mental energy. Focus your energy on getting better instead.

2. Keep searching for a doctor who will help you, there must be someone out there. Not sure why you say none will help.

3. Skip any more vaccines for the time being.

4. Stay as active as you can, stay positive.

Good luck brother!
 
I am a big believer in vaccines; I get them all. I have had 3 pneumonia shots, RSV, tetanus, Diphtheria Polio, MMR, Smallpox, Flu shots for over 15 years, etc and 8 Covid shots.


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I read every word. Well written.
I have my own story but won’t derail.
Everyone should take heed in his situation.
Good luck hope things get better !!
 
I'll have beer with you. But I am completely on the opposite side with vaccination. I am almost 70 not overweight and eat properly. The wife and i grow veggies all spring through fall which we harvest and eat all year. We do not spray the plants with any insecticides at all. We buy local meat with no drugs.
I will not introduce any vaccine in my system. I am a firm believer that a body will repair itself. I also believe that the big dirty dogs I live with keep my immune system up to date. Covid was nothing more than a cold to me.
I do hope you get well without any longterm issues
 
Google GBS specialists. Find someone to help you. You may have to travel, but at this point, your life is priceless compared to any inconvenience you have to endure. I wish you well. I got the shingles shot and woke up the next day with, you guessed it, shingles! Lasted for a week. Dumbest thing I ever did. I got the pneumonia vaccine, as my doctor, who shares my political and skeptical views of medical treatments, said it was well worth the time.
I wish you well, please keep us updated. And always give the doctor every bit of info about your health, everything, even if you think it's not related, as they can't read your mind and since recent legislation, most of your history can't be shared without a bunch of legal hassle.
Keep your head up and stay as active as you can. Get better.
 
I did read through the post, I hope you get to feeling better. Glad you have family to help.
At times it seems like everything hits at once.
Shingles vaccine ..... I know a few who have received it , not sure what brand and did fine. That said I had chicken pox as a kid and did have a bout of shingles 25 yrs in the past.
They showed up around my waist line, miserable for sure but soon got through it.
I have turned down the shingles shot. But do take my yearly flu shot, have for years with no side effects.
Hope you get back on your feet and going soon.
 
It is sad to me that vaccines have become such a political issue. It is also sad to me that our health care system is centered around making money and not really about making people healthier. If you read some history, vaccines really increased the lifespan of the human race, I think in the 1890's 40 years was average life span. Any trip to an old cemetery and you will see lots of infant deaths from diseases now almost gone thanks to vaccines. Have the pharmaceutical companies been generating much more vaccines to increase profits, to me that may very well be the case. My problem is how does a person make an informed decision with all the misinformation? I have several friends that swear the Covid vaccine damaged their hearts. But they are in their late 70's overweight, and have other conditions as well, so was it Covid vaccine or is time just taking its toll.
I had an uncle that got a really bad case of shingles, took him a year to get over it. So I also looked at the vaccine, fine print told me it could also trigger the shingles as well as stop them, so I passed.
So, to me the bottom line is the best outcome you can have is to die healthy. Life is a mine field, and things can go south from decisions you made years ago. No way we can make perfect decisions all the time, hindsight is however 20/20
 
Vaccine shots were a blessing back in the day with polio etc. when they were actually trying to help humanity, I think its all about the $$$ in todays world, one of the side effects of capitalism. But I wouldn't want it any other way. Good luck on your situation hope you get things straightened out.
 
It definitely sounds like you are being properly proactive about it , which is good. I am surprised that the Cleveland Clinic wasn’t of more help . Keep up the fight. Good luck!
 
I read it all. Keep a positive attitude brother and let your body heal itself.
Good example of how they are billing us for killing us.
And to make things worse us old farts are usually treated like crap as they wheel us through
and clean out our bank accounts with surgical precision.
 
A tad bit long for me, so I just skimmed the substance as best as I could. The part on Vaccines got me. I, too, am of the '70s age grouping, and had most of the shots for everything related to getting. Had to because of my USAF service, mostly so I routinely get the Flu Shot every year, as I have done so now for well over 30 years. As for Covid...8 is far too many and has proven to be a waste of effort and producing very bad results as they are suspect at best. There was one that was introduced in the beginning that proved to be viable and effective, but was somehow dropped in favor of the Moderna and Pfizer ones. The J&J was supposed to be a one-and-done. After much deliberation and talking with my Doc/Provider, I got it. Nothing of any substance and after effect. I stopped worrying about COVID, so after more research and discussions, even here on FBBO, along with more research on my part, I refuse to allow any more jabs for it into myself. Exception: Flu Shot. Hell...The Flu Shot, in effect, is a shot for a COVID form of virus that has been around far longer, and as I said, it has become a routine for me for over 30 years. Everyone has the choice on any and all Vaccines, so I am not here to say otherwise. I will just say that you are far more accepting of taking what you have, but for most here and elsewhere, I think it is way too much...JMHO... cr8crshr/Bill:usflag::usflag::usflag:
 
Thankyou everyone for the considerate replies, I read every one, completely.
Let me clarify a few things, yes, I have had eight covid shots, my records document that and I had planned to get my 9th this past month, but obviously that is on a big hold and the main point of the thread from my standpoint.

The point of sharing the thread here was to give everyone a heads up mainly on the bizarre shingles shot aspect.
I appreciate everyone being respectful of my choices even if in great disagreement. I shared expecting worse but still felt it was noteworthy.

I have been dealing with this for months obviously, but this past week my exasperation reached new highs, being that for over a week I have been in phone contact for hours with Mayo Clinic in Rochester seeking an appointment with one of nearly a dozen GBS neurologists on staff at that location. I sent them all of my 50+ pages of medical records. 3 days ago, I got a call stating from Mayo, "they can't make an appointment", I politely asked are you too busy, is my insurance not good enough, bad time of year, the holidays, etc. No response. Like being Ghosted.

I am currently waiting on a call back from a GBS neurologist specialist at Univ of NC.

I am not a sue type of person IMO. I have sued twice in all my life, won both times and never received a dollar. :BangHead:

The $4+ billion paid out government no fault vaccine program according to their records have paid an average $258,000 per injury claim.

The best reason for me for legal pursuit is twofold, I likely would get to be examined by a knowledgeable GBS Dr and get a definitive confirmation of my GBS. and my GBS shingle injury would get recorded in the statistics raising the claimed odds of injury currently stated at 2-3 per 100,000. That may be why I am such a medical third rail.

I have been slowly improving. My friends say my "color" has returned.

Unfortunately, its reported GBS can reoccur at any time without warning.
That is unsettling. And a reason a legal settlement is scary, because I likely never will know what is around the corner with GBS and I expect I have to waive any future action in a settlement.

Thanks again.
It could be worse.

I'll add one more discovery I have learned, gravity is your friend when it comes to breathing. Being your diaphragm is at rest is somewhat of an upward bell-shaped curve, and your lungs are collapsed at that point. When you take a breath, your phrenic nerve tells the diaphragm to become taut, it basically straightens out, increasing the volume of the chest cavity, and taking in air. Because everything in the chest cavity effectively moves down, gravity is your friend when taking a breath. When you are laying flat, there is no gravity to help move everything "down" and increase the volume of the chest cavity. Any belly fat multiplies the effort required, it is one important indication of GBS, and a malfunctioning phrenic nerve.
 
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I sent them all of my 50+ pages of medical records. 3 days ago, I got a call stating from Mayo, "they can't make an appointment", I politely asked are you too busy, is my insurance not good enough, bad time of year, the holidays, etc. No response. Like being Ghosted.
They may have been overwhelmed and put you in the too hard basket.
This is blunt but don't be too j-c-c-62. You're obviously an intelligent guy - maybe play dumb and let the doctors do their thing. Keep it simple in other words.
 
I am praying for you to get better soon. I think it is Bullshit that these companies are protected
 
I read your entire post. I'm one who receives vaccinations without hesitation and turn 73 years old in10 days. My wife is one who won't take vaccines. I get them to protect her from illness. I figure if I don't get ill, her chances of catching something from me are near zero. Your post has certainly given me something to think about and consider. Thank you for putting that out there.
Terry W.
 
Well I have read all of your post as well as all the replies. About 11years ago, I was diagnosed with something else (won’t get into that now). Anyway, that first doctor that finally diagnosed me, sent me home with brochures for a couple of different drugs to choose from. I elected to get a second opinion and got an appointment at U of M. That doctor worked me into his busy schedule and spent over an hour with me and sent me for follow up bloodwork. One of the things that he checked for was that GBS, which turned up negative.
Your post reminds me of the doctor’s words. He said I can prescribe something, but I’ll need to check you for the JC virus antibodies first. Well it turns out that yes I have the antibodies (apparently a very large percentage of the population does as well). The drug that the first doctor wanted to give me was one that could cause (with the antibodies) a disease PML which I didn’t want. It goes to show that too many doctors are too quick to pull out the prescription pad and not go over the side affects with the patients, if that first doctor even knew or cared about them.
 
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