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Balaji Govindaswami


What was your life like before you received the COVID-19 vaccine?

Pretty “normal” very high functioning

Describe the symptoms and the timeline of the reaction.

BioNTech #1 12/23/2020, #2 01/21/2021, #3 09/08/2021

Was incidentally diagnosed with rare PID (primary immunodeficiency) named SIGMD in May 2020, so I was vigilant with vaccine protocol. Side effects with each dose included mild cold stress (felt intermittent shivers, not really chills but severe BLE severe MSS pain mostly buttocks and below knees.

By fall, progressive SOB, severe fatigue and PEM , with ADL. No longer could stand to shower for fear of falling, unable to function without spending 12-16 hours in bed 75% of days. Greatly reduced driving, mostly quit job by 11/27/2021.

Gradual decline beginning in March 2020 but much worse abrupt functional decline by late fall . Realized HR > 120 on 11/19/2020 when pulmonologist friend recommended pulse ox

Describe the solutions that helped your symptoms

Bed rest 15-20 hours per day, don’t stand for too long, can’t exercise, quit job (worked 60-90 hours per week x 37 years , indefatigable high energy ICU MD now reduced to mostly bed-ridden. Now able to tolerate standing showers most days, still with POTS and ME-CFS symptoms with mild to moderate activity eg cooking, gardening. Thus mostly nome bound.

Which solutions were not helpful?

1. Exercise, worsened BLE pain

What would you like others to know?

Beware….. I’m now reconsidering the Booster #2 recommendation. Definitely won’t do Pfizer. ??? Moderna / non-MRNA option
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