Jerry Petuck
What was your life like before you received the COVID-19 vaccine?
Before COVID, besides Hashimoto's Disease which is autoimmune, I didn't really have many normal everyday issues. I've never been one to slow down much. I've always had a bit of a high-profile job having worked in radio for 17-18 years and still being in broadcasting, I've always got to be "on" and have a big personality that people expect. As far as illnesses, I've never been one to deal with too many colds or anything like that to slow me down.
Describe the symptoms and the timeline of the reaction.
Six weeks following my second Pfizer vaccine on April 1st, 2021, I developed facial twitching. Then, after two weeks of the unexplained facial twitching, I was just running some errands and I was stopped dead in my tracks but an electrical shock feeling that felt like my entire body was doused unexpectedly by an ice-cold bucket of water. It made me a little queasy and lightheaded and I wasn't sure what it was. It continued for a few more weeks off and on until June 16th when I got that same sensation but the tingling throughout my body never stopped and has continued to this day (4/25/22).
On top of the tingling feeling, over the last 10 months, the nonstop tingling/numbness that's 24/7 has continued and I've developed more twitches, neuropathy, facial twitching, tremors, blood pressure issues I've never had before (jumping and dipping like a roller coaster), dizziness, extreme weakness and fatigue, serious brain fog, worst depression I've ever had, I've fallen several times as well, and so much more. I’ve been told not to drive so I’m not going anywhere, which is difficult because I don’t like to be in one place for too long. I can only work about 90 minutes at a time because it wears me out and I never know from day to day how I’m going to feel.
I've had 5 MRIs, 5 CTs, 2 nerve conduction tests, a spinal tap, EKGs, a million X-Rays and scans, and a ton of bloodwork. All of which have come back relatively normal....... yet every day for the last year, all of it continues and I'm steadily getting worse. There have been days that I literally thought I was dying.
I've been told by doctors that I have had a stroke, a TIA, MS, Lupus, Lyme Disease, multiple myeloma, a Chiari 1 malformation (which is only fixed by brain surgery BTW), nervous system issues, and transverse myelitis. Last week, after a year, a neurovascular specialist diagnosed me with autonomic neuropathy (which he claims is permanent) and dysautonomia (most likely POTS). As I write this, I'm waiting to hear back from a specialist locally here at the University of South Florida in Tampa and I have an appointment with a neurologist at the Shands Medical Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
I have no clue what to expect.
Describe the solutions that helped your symptoms
Nothing has helped completely. I'm on 13 different medications at the moment.
I feel as though the combination of Gabapentin/Cymbalta helps take the edge off the tingling a little bit when it gets really bad.
The three BP medications I'm on (Valsartan 320mg/Metoprolol ER Succinate 50 mg/Clonidine 0.1 mg) help ease the roller coaster that my blood pressure has been. It doesn't jump into the 200s while I'm on the medication.
I've also found that massage helps a bit. I'm not sure if it's just the relaxing part of it or peace of mind for a little bit but at the very least, it turns your mind off for a bit.
Which solutions were not helpful?
The only thing the doctors I've seen have tried is medication.
I've had 5 MRIs, 5 CTs, 2 nerve conduction tests, a spinal tap, EKGs, a million X-Rays and scans, and a ton of bloodwork. All of which have come back relatively normal....... yet every day for the last year, all of it continues and I'm steadily getting worse. There have been days that I literally thought I was dying.
What would you like others to know?
I know it's easy to get frustrated with doctors and get ticked off when you don't get answers but these vaccines were rolled out so quickly that the medical professionals have no idea what they are dealing with. At the same time though, too many doctors are quick to dismiss a person's symptoms simply because they don't know what they don't know.
I haven’t discussed it before this because I didn’t want to be told that “Oh, you should do this” or “You should do that” because trust me, I’ve already done it. I don’t want to be told “You should’ve taken better care of yourself” because that has nothing at all to do with it. Something in my system didn’t like the vaccine. Plain and simple.
I also knew it would become a political discussion and what I’m dealing with isn’t political. It’s very real. If I’m being perfectly honest, I could give two squirts of duck poo about your political stance. No one knows where I stand politically. I don’t care where you do. This isn’t political. Not in the slightest.
I’m NOT pro-vaccine. I’m NOT anti-vaccine. Like I jokingly say about it, “You do you, boo.”
Just be patient with people. Be kind to people. Most importantly, try to be patient and kind with yourself.
