Karen’s Vaccine-related Story

This is a personal account of Karen’s Vaccine-related Story. Karen completed the Autoimmune Sisters vaccine-related story form and submitted with permission to share.

About Karen:

Name: Karen Dubs

Age: 52

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Occupation:Yoga & Health Coach

Family/Children: Married for 30 years. 4 Rescue Pups. No kids (Hashimoto’s made it hard to get pregnant).

IG Handle: @flexiblewarrior

Autoimmune Diseases: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Chronic Viruses: Lyme, Migraine, Chronic Pain, Reoccurring UTIs

Physical Activity/Dietary/Lifestyle Preferences: Anti-inflammatory diet, yoga, dog walking, hiking & cycling, conscious commitment to toxin-free living, sleep and self-care as a key part of my health care.

Do you have any of the following COVID “high risk” factors? No, I have no COVID “high risk” factors

Are you under the care of a medical doctor? No

Health Related Questions:

Please describe your health along with any autoimmune, chronic or related illness symptoms you are experiencing. My health is good now, thanks to my commitment to diet and self-care but I still have flare ups of pain, fatigue, migraines or infections if I slack on my self care.

What kind of prescribed medications do you currently take?: NP thyroid

What kind of vitamins/supplements do you currently take?: doTerra Lifelong Vitality pack along with doTerra MitoMax (adaptogens) and polyphenol complex.

Covid-19 Questions:

Did you already have Covid-19?: Yes

When did you have Covid-19? March 2021

Please explain your symptoms and experiences while sick with Covid-19. Fever, fatigue, intense 2-day migraine and a UTI (urinary tract infection)

Since having the vaccine, have you been tested for Covid-19 antibodies?: Yes

What were the results of your Covid-19 antibody test? Positive

What factors are influencing your hesitation to be vaccinated for Covid-19? My main hesitation for vaccination is a combo of two things:

1. I have the antibodies! Which gives me as good if not better protection as the vaccine would.

2. The vaccine will go after those antibodies and likely cause me a migraine or autoimmune flare up.

I have worked for over 10 years to get my inflammation under control and my health to where it is now and my doctors agrees that since I have antibodies, the vaccine is likely more risk than reward in my situation (and that’s the key – we are all unique with different medical histories and situations so although the vaccine might be safe, effective and ideal for some, it’s not the case for all, especially having had Covid-19 plus an autoimmune disease.

Interested in Sharing Your Autoimmune Sister Story?

Now that you’ve read Karen’s Vaccine-related story, if you are interested in sharing your autoimmune story keep reading. Sharing your story is the very core of what we believe in at Autoimmune Sisters. We believe in bio-individuality; that every woman is uniquely designed and therefore there is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

In addition to sharing your autoimmune story, we are now accepting submissions for those of you interested in sharing your story and how it relates to the Covid-19 vaccine. Keep reading to learn more!