It is estimated that between 10,000 and 20,000 people in Norway are living with ME.
Heidi Andresen, 41, is one of them.
Most of his story is told to us in video messages, which he sends as he crosses the line.
She is not suited to receiving visitors, and even brief phone calls rob her of what little energy she has.
– ME is a really brutal disease.
I have been tired absolutely every single second for over 17 years, to varying degrees.
It feels as if you have a plumb line attached to your body at any given moment.
13 stable years – but then…
Andresen says his form has been fairly stable over the past 13 years. Although everyday life was greatly affected by the disease, he was able to work part-time as an accountant in a small company. She even managed to have a social life on the side at times.
Then came the corona pandemic. Heidi stayed at home, like most of the others. She limited social contacts and took the vaccine when the offer arrived.
GOOD FORM: This photo was taken in December 2021. Heidi’s form was stable and she was able to keep the disease under control. Photo: private
– I did not feel anything from the first and second dose. I took the third dose on Christmas Eve. After that, the shape began to slowly but surely spin downwards.
In February he said boom stop. Suddenly he couldn’t even lift his hands above the keyboard.
– One day something terrible just hit.
I was on sick leave for several weeks after that.
I haven’t taken sick leave from my part-time position in 13 years.
It’s the worst feeling in the world for people who prioritize their work above everything else in life.
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TV 2 has been in contact with several ME patients who say their conditions have worsened significantly after taking the second and third doses of the corona vaccine.
The Norwegian Medicines Agency tells TV 2 they are closely monitoring any side effects they suspect are related to the vaccine.
From the start of vaccination on December 27, 2020, until November 22, 60,924 reports of suspected side effects following vaccination against the coronavirus have been received.
55 of these report ME-like conditions.
The Norwegian Medicines Agency says there is no basis for believing that ME patients experience different side effects than other vaccinees.
– In general, it is difficult to determine whether the worsening of an existing disease is caused by a drug or a vaccine, or whether it is due to the development or change in the disease state, says Pernille Harg, senior consultant at the Norwegian Medicines Agency .
The gain is greater than the risk
Professor and infectious medicine specialist Nina Langeland of the University of Bergen says it’s sad to hear the stories that come out here.
At the same time, he points out that the benefit of the covid vaccine is, overall, far greater than the risk of not taking it.
He also points out that the ME symptom of fatigue is one of the most common side effects of covid disease itself.
– A study shows that more than one in three suffer from fatigue six months after illness. If some of these were protected from fatigue by vaccination, we would avoid many diseases, says Langeland.
Nina Langeland, a professor at UiB and a senior physician at Haukeland University Hospital, is interviewed about COVID in children and its long-term effects. Photo: Ole Enes Ebbesen / TV 2
The study you refer to it was implemented at the beginning of the pandemic, before the 233 participants were protected by vaccination and fell ill.
– Having said that, I think we in the healthcare system are committed to being open about the fact that side effects exist, even if they are rare, and in some cases very rare.
– Like Joker North
It has now been a year since Heidi took the first dose of the corona vaccine.
He says his body is unrecognizable.
In addition to exhaustion, she has menstrual disturbances and feels unexplained pains in her body. Her doctor couldn’t find an explanation.
– The cycle is like the north joker. June was the worst month. Then I bled for 20 days, says Heidi.
Heidi is not alone in this.
Three months ago, Heidi tried to go for a walk in the forest. – Ten minutes was enough. I never tried it again. Photo: private
Menstrual disorders
Last November with a card television 2 the experiences of more than 200 women who told about the changes in their menstruation after the corona vaccine.
A year later 85 of the same women responded who still have menstrual disorders.
The European Medicines Agency has since concluded that heavy menstrual bleeding after corona vaccination should be considered a side effect of corona vaccines.
Hoping for change
For Heidi, everyday life is still heavily affected by the disease and she lives as if there is still a pandemic.
He rarely manages to leave the apartment, and whenever he manages to meet his friends, he spends a lot of time.
Heidi hasn’t used a single self-report or illness report in thirteen years. She used them all this year.
– I am worried if I will get back the life I used to have or if it is a permanent injury. I would really like to improve, says Heidi.
– How can you be so sure it’s the vaccine? Can’t you think it’s something else?
– I have been stable for 13 years. Nothing else happened. I had no infections and lived as usual. I can’t figure out what else it could be.
WORSE: This photo was taken in March, three months after I got the vaccine. So she couldn’t lift her hand to the computer keyboard. Photo: private
TV 2 has been in contact with Heidi’s GP, who also believes the worsening symptoms are related to the vaccine.
– Many ME patients experience worsening symptoms after a viral infection. I think this type of patient has a sensitive immune system, which means she may react more strongly to a vaccine than expected, says the doctor.
The doctor, who doesn’t want his name printed, says he hasn’t found anything else that might have caused Heidi’s health to deteriorate.
Hoping for a better 2023
For Heidi, this year’s Christmas will be very different from last year’s Christmas.
This year the party will be at my sister’s house with the family. Her father has set up a cot in the living room so that he can join the party.
Her grandchildren lend their beds for the times she needs a break in the dark with earplugs.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: This is how Heidi celebrated Christmas with her family. The father has set up a camp bed in the living room. Photo: private
She hopes for a better 2023 and that health authorities can come up with some more answers as to why more ME patients are getting so sick from the vaccine and what they can do about it.
– I think it’s important that this comes to light, and that it has happened to several people. There may be new variants and new viruses and we need to be prepared for the future.
– I just want to be taken seriously.
– Then write me in December.
I’m still about 45 percent of who I was this time last year.
