Father ‘paralyzed by Covid vaccine’ after rare condition leaves hospital after 420 days

Anthony Shingler, 58, has been diagnosed with a very rare condition that affects nerves and causes long-term problems in about one in five people, such as: B. the inability to walk unaided

A father who says he was left “paralyzed” by the Covid vaccine has been discharged from hospital after 420 days.

Anthony Shingler, 58, suffered severe pain alongside tingling and tingling days after receiving his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in March last year.

He was reportedly taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital in Staffordshire, where he was put on a ventilator before being transferred to Haywood Hospital last November StokeonTrentLive.

The former security guard has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – a very rare and serious condition in which your own immune system attacks your nerves.

Most people typically recover from the condition within six months to a year, according to the NHS, but around one in five people are left with long-term problems, such as: B. Inability to walk unaided.

Anthony, who now needs a wheelchair and walker at home with his wife and two daughters, says he will “never be the same” after his nerves were “stretched and damaged”.

Recalling his early days in hospital, the grandfather said: “I was asked to call loved ones when I was taken to intensive care as they didn’t know if I was going to make it or not.

“I spoke to my wife and two daughters and said goodbye. That was scary.

“I was then on a ventilator for months to recover. Even though I was paralyzed in a hospital bed, my family has been through more than I have.”

Anthony was able to breathe on his own last October and took off the ventilator but could only move his head.

He said: “There was a buzzer to call the nurses and I had to bang my head on it because I couldn’t use my hands. It messes with your head because your brain is telling you to get out of bed but your body can’t do that. It’s really frustrating.

“When I was transferred to Hayward, I started physical therapy. There was a phase where I lost my composure and burst into tears. They kept me in a separate room all night.”

His current carer, Nicola, visited Anthony twice a day while he was in hospital before returning home on May 17.

The 49-year-old previously said: “We’re unlucky because he got infected but lucky because he’s alive. It’s great to have him back home.

“Now we have to confront our daily lives with how it has affected Tony. I’m his supervisor and we have the added stress of clarifying benefits because we haven’t claimed them before. It is very stressful. We have lost our income and even the social benefits are not enough.

“Tony will go as far as he can and keep going. The doctor told us we have to wait and see what nature gives him back. I’m adamant it was the vaccine, he was fine until he had it. I couldn’t find any other trigger.”

Anthony, who has not previously had any health issues, said: “Before this happened I would classify myself as a mentally strong person. Nothing could upset me, but this was different – it took its toll on my mental health.

“I can’t go to work, drive or get dressed. My hands are so bad I can’t grab anything. I use a wheelchair and have a walker to lean on. I can’t stand alone I can only go up to 20 meters with one frame.

“I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, it’s really bad. I didn’t like any of it, but I’m lucky to be alive.”

He added: “My nerves became weakened and damaged. This is the beginning and it will be a long way. I will never be the same Anthony again.”

In an online post about GBS in 2020, the NHS explained: “Historically, vaccinations (particularly the flu vaccine used in the US during a 1976 swine flu outbreak) have been associated with an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome. “

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitors all potential side effects that are reported to it.

Various coronavirus vaccines have been approved and more than 50 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose.

Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca and Moderna have all developed safe and effective vaccines that can significantly reduce the chance of contracting serious illness from Covid-19.