Karolyn Stephenson

I was a healthy, active person with no major health issues. I ran 3-4 miles a few times a week and did a cardio weight training class at least 5 days per week.

I have every single symptom on the Post-Covid Symptom Chart on our website. Burning shoot pain in neck, head, arms (Occipital neuralgia pain), twitching in toes, foot cramps, stomach nauseous and food sensitivities, severe headaches and tightness in skull, increased anxiety, bouts of tachycardia, vertigo and dizziness when standing up from sitting or lying position (POTS like), and extreme fatigue by the afternoon.

It is very hard to know what has really helped, but I have tried a clean diet, Intraveneous Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C and B transfusions, Reiki, Acupuncture, etc. My symptoms went into remission for a period time and then all of a sudden flared up again with a vengeance. When my immune system is triggered it gets worse. I have been to so many different doctors and specialists and have had every test imaginable. Not one doctor has been able to diagnosis me, although a few doctors believe that I have some type of peripheral neuropathy. I am taking Gabapentin (300 mg per day), but it only takes a slight edge off. I feel like I am losing my mind most days. I can't believe that I was such as strong, healthy, active person before taking the vaccine, and now I feel extreme despair and constant pain on most days. I feel like my life has been stolen from me.

I was given Xanax because one doctor said it was anxiety and lack of sleep, but the medications made me feel worse and I had such difficulty weaning off of it. I tried taking Lexipro (10 mg) and could not tolerate that either.

I would like for others to know that they are not crazy or imagining these symptoms. The horrific symptoms are very real and did not just happen by chance. My sister discovered this organization when desperately searching for answers for me because no one believed what I was going through. When she read about the injured people on this React19.org, she said she knew that this is what happened to me. I would be so grateful for a doctor affiliated with this organization to evaluate me and to just give me some reassurance that there is research being done to help people suffering like I am.