Michelle Lin

Severe joint pain started the night after the first shot. However, I thought I may have suddenly developed severe arthritis because it was raining that day. It lasted two weeks. The pain was so intensive that I couldn't sleep at night and of course I couldn't exercise. I thought a few times: what's the point of living if I have to live like this for the rest of my life. on the 15th day, my joint pain suddenly alleviated significantly for no apparent reason. This is the 1st time I began to wonder if this is related to the vaccine. I googled and found out that the shot could cause joint pain. I had a lot of medical issues afterwards. Here is the timeline:

2021

March 3rd, 2021

1st Pfizer shot – muscle pain, increased joint pain afterwards

March 3rd – 17th

severe joint pain that interfered sleep. Thought it was arthritis. Couldn’t exercise during this period and developed depression.

March 3rd – July?

Episodes of heart beat going up to 80 for no apparent reasons, -thought it was anxiety attack.

March 18th

joint pain suddenly alleviated, -1st realization that it may be caused by the shot. Resumed exercise. did kickboxing in the morning and felt really good.

March 19th

Couldn’t walk when waking up in the morning. Started limping when I finally able to walk. Scheduling appointment with the first Orthopedics.

March 24th

1st visit to my primary physician to establish file with her. Discussed sleep issue and depression. Later, 2nd Pfizer shot.

March 25th

appointment with the first orthopedic, -X Ray showed no issues. He ordered MRI.

March 31st – May 12

counselling with Dr. xxx for depression

April 21

MRI for knee (delay due to insurance mistake and I had to switch doctors).

April 26

appointment with my primary physician for annual physical. Appointment with 2nd Orthopedic to review MRI result – referred to 3rd Orthopedic to evaluate options. Heard via casual conversation in the office that they heard a lot from their patients Covid vaccine appears to make joint pain a lot worse.

May 4

Appointment with the 3rd Orthopedic to evaluate options. He recommended physical therapy.

May 12 – July 8

Physical therapy.

May 16

Sudden sharp pain on left chest, -couldn’t lift left arm over shoulder or bend forward upper body. Took aspirin and rest.

May 17

Continue to rest and scheduled appointment with cardiologist.

May 18

appointment with cardiologist. EKG test showed no issue. He asked if I lifted weights on that day. I didn’t. He ordered echo test. However, echo test is not available until July 1st.

July 1st

because the chest pain was gone, I decided to cancel the echo appointment.

December

I continued to feel burning pain in my joints after exercise until December. Prior to that, any little hop when walking would cause pain.

2022

Jan to now I would get fatigued and had joint pain after 6-8 miles of hiking. I fatigued much more easily than before. I also felt some dull pain in my chest area from time to time. Took the echo test in Jan and it was okay. My whole body was stiff if I sat at my desk or in the car for too long. I could barely walk normally when I got up. I am quite depressed that I started to feel like an old person at this age. I used to hike for 10 miles yet not satisfied.