Vaccine Injury of Ken Buckler
What was your life like before you received the COVID-19 vaccine?
Before the COVID vaccine I had a successful career in cybersecurity and software development as a Federal contractor. I led a small software development team responsible for visualizing the security status of the Department of Veterans Affairs 750,000+ computer systems.
My only pre-existing issues was a light sensitivity issue. None of the body-wide pain or brain fog issues existed before the vaccine. Prior to the vaccine I was slightly overweight, but able to exercise regularly by walking significant distances (typically at least a mile) non-stop.
My wife had just been discharged from the hospital due to a serious bacterial infection, requiring my continuing care. I was presented with the horrifying decision of either taking the vaccine, or losing not only our only source of income, but my ability to provide necessary medical care for my wife.
Describe the symptoms and the timeline of the reaction.
Approx four weeks prior to shot, employer (a Fed contractor) mentioned on call that he felt anyone who doesn't get covid shot should have their health insurance coverage taken away. Employer controls my health insurance.
7/22/2021 Dept. Veterans Affairs announces workplace re-entry guidance SharePoint Site
7/26/2021 Dept. Veterans Affairs makes vaccine mandatory for all Title 38 healthcare professionals. This doesn't directly apply to me.
7/28/2021 President Biden announced that federal workers and contractors would be required to get shot, or additional requirements when working in office
8/12/2021 VA makes vaccine mandatory for Hybrid Title 28 and Title 5 health care workers.
8/19/2021 VA Secretary announces that all employees/contractors required to attest to vaccine status. If unvaccinated or refuse to attest to status, additional requirements will be put in place when in office, including weekly testing, wearing masks, etc.
8/20/2021 mentioned during phone call to employer that a good friend of mine was in York hospital with covid. Employer's response was that he has zero sympathy for anyone who gets covid when they could have been vaccinated, and that they get what they deserve
At this point I felt I had no other choice than to get the shot, because of fear of losing my health insurance coverage, and if I would get covid my employer would not cover any extended time off work based on the statements he made to me, and that I was at risk of losing my health insurance if I did not get vaccinated. I'm currently caring for a very ill wife, and cannot afford to lose my health insurance coverage or lose my income.
8/23/2021 Forwarded email by (gov client) from VA Secretary reinforcing that will be required to attest to vaccine status.
Recieved J&J/Janssen shot 8/24/2021 11:30am
8/24/2021 approx 6:00pm started experiencing heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and debilitating pain all over my body. Resting heart rate peaked at 120 bpm. Peaked pain probably 8 pm. Did not go to urgent care or ER because was in middle of changing my wife's bandages from bacteria infection, and couldn't leave her in the middle of it. By the time I was done changing her bandages, the heart symptoms had passed.
8/25 woke up with debilitating pain over entire body, including headache. Had to call in sick. Informed employer that this was due to side effects from covid shot. Employer did not respond.
8/26 worked, but barely. Found myself unable to concentrate on complex technical tasks. Simple tasks still possible. Headache. Submitted VAERS e-Report 625633.
8/27 worked, but barely. Found myself unable to concentrate on complex technical tasks. Simple tasks still possible. Headache.
8/28 off work, intentionally rested my brain and did not do any complex technical tasks. Experienced brief headaches intermittently throughout day.
8/29 off work, intentionally rested my brain and did not do any complex technical tasks. Experienced brief headaches intermittently throughout day. Experienced severe migraine in evening, difficulty concentrating on even simple tasks.
8/30 work day. Found myself once again unable to concentrate on complex technical tasks. Co-worker spoke with me on phone call and became so concerned, asked another co-worker to call and check on me in my confused state. Headache/Migraine. Later that day was asked by employer for confirmation that I recieved the vaccine. Responded that yes I recieved it on 8/24, and that I am still experiencing brain fog from the vaccine. Employer did not respond. Went to ER. Spent appox. 5 hours in ER. Doctors confirmed that I am experiencing adverse effects from COVID vaccine. Could not provide timeline for clear up, or any good recommendations other than try to manage the pain with Tylenol/Ibuprofin and stay hydrated.
8/31 Woke up with severe headache. Had to call in sick, lack of sleep seems to make the problem worse. Slept until at least noon. Sent email to employer that I was in the ER for 5 hours, and the diagnosis that it's adverse effects from COVID vaccine. Once again, no response from employer. Took excedrin migraine at 1 pm. When woke up at 4 pm, headache persisted but reduced. Brain fog still present. Between 6 and 7 brain fog and headache cleared up temporarily.
9/1 work day. brain fog and headache appears to still be persistent, but reduced. Took Excedrin Migraine at 8:30 am. Reported to employer that I'd like to document the adverse effects, so that if they become persistent, we can open a worker's compensation claim. Employer responded as follows: "At no point has the company requested you get vaccinated for COVID. Whatever COVID shot you went and got was on your own time and at your own risk/choice. The only thing the company has done was to make you aware of the opportunity to utilize the VA hospital to receive a COVID shot if you desired at no cost to you. We have stressed repeatedly that this was your choice and the company was requiring you to do so." He then recalled the email, and re-sent the following: "At no point has the company requested you get vaccinated for COVID. Whatever COVID shot you went and got was on your own time and at your own risk/choice. The only thing the company has done was to make you aware of the opportunity to utilize the VA hospital to receive a COVID shot if you desired at no cost to you. We have stressed repeatedly that this was your choice and the company was not requiring you to do so." Stress headache immediately set in due to employer response, making existing headache even worse. Sadly this does not surprise me, based upon employer's previous statements persuading me to get the shot, without actually mandating it. Took second Excedrin Migraine at noon. 1 PM headache and brain fog appear to be reduced further by the pain killers.
9/2 work day. headache and brain fog persistent at same levels as previous day. Took Excedrin Migraine at 8:30 am. Second Excedrin Migraine at noon.
9/3 work day. headache and brain fog persistent at same levels. Took Excedrin Migraine at 8:30 am. Second Excedrin Migraine at noon. Took 1 Lecithin supplement at 7 pm. Recieved email at 1 PM that employer filed a worker's comp claim. Forwarded email to my personal account for my records.
9/4 off work. Forgot to take Excedrin in morning, worse headache and brain fog. Took Excedrin Mirgraine at noon. Started to bring headache and brain fog under control. Took 1 Lecithin supplement at noon. Took 1 Excedrin migraine and 1 Lecithin supplement at 7 pm. Brain fog and headache gone by 8 pm. Look Lecithin at 10 pm.
9/5 off work. Didn't sleep well. Woke up at 9 am with debilitating migraine and brain fog. Went back to sleep. Woke up at noon. Feeling a bit better but headache and brain fog still persistent. Took 1 excedrin migrain, 2 lecithin.
9/6 off work. Woke up at 9 am. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 2 lecithin. No headache or brain fog till about 4 pm. Took 1 excedrin migraine, took nap. Woke up no headache or brain fog. Intermittent headaches and brain fog returned approx 9 pm.
9/7 work day. Woke up at 7:20 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine and 2 Lecithin. Look 1 additional excedrin and 1 Lecithin at 7 PM
9/8 work day. Didn't sleep well. Headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine and 2 Lecithin. Took 1 additional excedrin and Lecithin at 7 pm. Took 1 Luteolin.
9/9 off work. Woke up at 9 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin.
9/10 work day. Woke up at 7:30 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin.
9/11 off work. Woke up at 9 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin.
9/12 off work. Woke up at 9 am. No headache minimal brain fog. Took 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin. Brief moments of intense headache during evening.
9/13 work day. Woke up at 7:30 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin. Phone call at 11:30 am with Hartford Insurance.
9/14 work day. Woke up at 7:30 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin.
9/15 work day. Woke up at 7:00 am. Minimal headache and brain fog. Took 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin. Call from Hartford Insurance that claim is being denied because shot was not mandated by employer.
9/16 work day. Woke up at 7:30 am. Headache and brain fog at higher levels than yesterday. Tooke 1 excedrin migraine, 1 Luteolin, 2 Lecithin. Composed letter to Congressman David Trone. Took second excedrin migraine at noon. Brain fog still pretty bad. Took 3rd Lecithin at 8 pm.
9/17 work day. Woke up at 7:45 am. Didn't sleep well. Pain at base of neck and brain fog, but lower levels that yesterday. Took 1 excedrin 1 Luteolin, 2 Lecithin.
9/18 off work. forgot log. bad headache spikes during day. brain fog okayish. Friend called and asked me a technical question I should know but can't remember.
9/19 off work. forgot log. brain fog and spikes throughout day but not as bad as yesterday
9/20 work day. Woke up at 6 am. Bad pain in morning. Took 2 excedrin migraine. 1 Luteolin and 2 Lecithin. brain fog bad at times, headache persistent all day, severe spikes in evening. Co-worker asked me a technical question I should know but can't remember.
Since these events I have and continue to experience recurring flare ups of brain fog as well as debilitating body-wide pain.
Describe the solutions that helped your symptoms
Luteolin, Lecithin, CBD (somewhat).
CBD has helped with diminishing pain, but also appears to increase by brain fog in the process. Because of this I have to evaluate other pain management options.
Which solutions were not helpful?
The following are some of the "solutions" presented to me by "friends", family, and others...
"That must have been a pre-existing condition"
"Clearly you just need to change your diet"
"You should have gotten the mRNA vaccine instead it's safer"
What would you like others to know?
The medical system failed me. The legal system failed me. I have been gaslighted and mocked, being told that either I had these neurological issues prior to my vaccine injury, or that I’m making this up. I wish I was making this up.
I have had to change my career, due to struggles with continuing my career in software development. After almost 4 years I've managed to regain some of my software development knowledge, but the uncertainty still persists in that sometimes I'm still not confident in my abilities.
I now become easily winded/fatigued, and as a result have difficulty exercising. This has resulted in weight gain, which likely does not help my condition.
