NFL Cheerleader Gets Dystonia After Flu Shot

VamPyroX

VamPyroX

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This woman got a flu shot a couple months ago. Two weeks later, she got sick... then dystonia.

Dystonia varies on the individual.

Dystonia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In her case, she can't walk forward... only backwards. She can run for hours forward, but walking forward causes seizures and makes her extremely tired. Her heartrate is 90 while sitting, but drops to 58 while running.

NFL Cheerleader Suffers Irreversible Dystonia after Flu Shot
Desiree Jennings, NFL Cheerleader
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The debate over how safe the flu shot is appears in the news several times a week. In general, there are more risks in getting the flu itself than there are in the vaccine. However, the news that NFL cheerleader, Desiree Jennings, now suffers from a neurological condition brought on by the flu shot is causing fear in many people.

The fact that Desiree Jennings had a terrible reaction to the seasonal flu shot she received in August does not mean that everyone will have the same reaction. In reality, it may be a one in a million shot that the flu shot would cause a rare neurological disorder called dystonia. This is what Doctors at Fairfax Inova and Johns Hopkins diagnosed the NFL cheerleader with and they think it was caused by a severe reaction to the flu shot.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The disorder may be inherited or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma, infection, poisoning or reaction to drugs.

Desiree Jennings, 26 was the picture of health prior to the flu shot she received on August 23. She is a Washington Redskins cheerleader and an avid runner. Ten days after receiving the flu shot, she came down with the flu. After that, her health got worse and she was hospitalized twice for seizures. Finally, she was diagnosed with dystonia and the doctors speculated that it was the flu shot that caused it.

Dystonia has been completely disabling for Desiree. She can’t walk forward, only backward. She can whisper but has difficulty speaking. Noises can cause convulsions. Her resting heart rate is 90. When she runs her blood pressure dips to 58. She gets exhausted walking a few steps but she could run for hours. Jennings now has difficulty speaking, walking, and even eating. She also experiences frequent seizures.

Desiree reported her health problems to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in case there was an issue with the vaccine. The FDA reported no problems with the vaccine she received and they have no other reports of adverse reactions from the lot.

NFL cheerleader Desiree Jennings, who had flu shots in 2007/2008 with no reaction, is aware that Dystonia is a rare reaction to the flu vaccine. Dystonia is an irreversible condition.

Although Desiree Jennings life is now completely changed, this reaction to the flu shot is very rare. Not getting a flu shot could have adverse affects as well, especially for those with chronic health problems.
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NFL Cheerleader Suffers Irreversible Dystonia after Flu Shot | HULIQ

One question that doctors have is whether she does have it physically or is it mental (psychogenic).

Here are a couple videos: (The first is her sit-down interview. The second shows her in action.)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0QYLMUZb4]YouTube - Cheerleader with dystonia from flu shot may have it all in her head[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGT0r-udstQ]YouTube - Beautiful Cheerleader Develops Dystonia After Receiving Vaccine[/ame]
 
That's horrible! I've never even heard of this condition before...and to only be able to run..I hope they find something for it to help her!
 
This is a common side effect for a lot of psychotropic drugs. I have never heard of it as a reaction to a flu shot though. But it can be a very disabling condition.
 
AliciaM said:
That's horrible! I've never even heard of this condition before...and to only be able to run..I hope they find something for it to help her!
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Yeah, it varies on the individual.

I remember watching a documentary in college about this guy who suffered from short term memory. He couldn't remember anything for more than a few minutes. He was asked to take notes every hour, which was the only thing he could remember to do... but never remembered writing in the notebook an hour ago. However, he was a very skilled piano player. He suffered shakes and tics, but could play the piano perfectly for a long time. Once he stopped playing the piano, he would have a mild seizure (like the cheerleader when she stops running) then slowly return to normal.
 
VamPyroX said:
Yeah, it varies on the individual.

I remember watching a documentary in college about this guy who suffered from short term memory. He couldn't remember anything for more than a few minutes. He was asked to take notes every hour, which was the only thing he could remember to do... but never remembered writing in the notebook an hour ago. However, he was a very skilled piano player. He suffered shakes and tics, but could play the piano perfectly for a long time. Once he stopped playing the piano, he would have a mild seizure (like the cheerleader when she stops running) then slowly return to normal.
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I saw the same video in biological psychology as an undergrad. He is a very famous case.
 
VamPyroX said:
Yeah. For me, it was for child development psychology.
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If you are interested in unusual cases like this, there is a book called The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. by Dr. Oliver Sacks. It is a short collection of case studies of unusual disorders like Dystonia. In fact, I believe the piano player you referred to earlier that was in the video was a patient of his, and his story is in the book. It is a pretty quick read, but is really interesting.
 
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