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I've been MIA from Twitter for the past two weeks. Here's what happened to me after getting my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/26/pentagon-tracking-14-cases-of-heart-inflammation-troops-after-covid-19-shots.html
Two days after getting the second @pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, I experienced heart attack-like symptoms, shortness of breath, chest pain and arm stiffness. At first, I thought it was simply a side effect of the vaccine. It turns out, it was something much worse
My wife convinced me to go the emergency room to get checked out. After an abnormal EKG, doctors performed many more tests. An ultrasound revealed my function was reduced to 35-40% (normal heart function is 50-70%)
My bloodwork showed the presence of troponin an enzyme that appears when the heart muscle experiences trauma. My troponin level peaked at 11. Doctors performed an angiogram, which luckily found no clots or tears inside my heart.
I was admitted to the hospital and placed in the cardiac care ward. I was tentatively diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. One week later, a cardiac MRI confirmed that diagnosis. My heart function has increased to 55%. My EKG has also normalized.
The doctors say I'm making dramatic improvements for such a short period of time, but I'm not out of the woods yet. Hopefully my heart function continues to improve in the coming weeks and months. I'm on a number of meds that should help with that.
For the next three months, I cannot take part in any cardio exercises. I cannot drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks. On the positive side, I feel much, much better and see small improvements each day.
The doctors are exploring a number of theories as to why this happened. I've been frequently asked by friends and family if I would get the vaccine in light of what's happened. Without hesitation, my answer is yes, I would get it.
Myocarditis has been reported as a side-effect of COVID-19. As the above story notes, there are reports that healthy individuals in Israel were diagnosed with myocarditis after receiving the second shot
I can't say enough good things about the medical professionals who cared for me in the hospital and who continue to care for me now. And obviously my amazing wife @Oriana0214 for getting me to the hospital and taking care of everything in our lives
This experience has been absolutely terrifying, but I'm encouraged that I'm on the road to recovery.
