#7 Holly Del Valle

Holly Del Valle (36) talks about her her health which took a sharp downturn at age 25, shortly after receiving the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. In 2012, she received the recommended three-dose series of the vaccine. After the third shot, she began experiencing severe symptoms: intense abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, muscle weakness, daily nausea and a range of other debilitating issues.

The symptoms were so severe that she was unable to work, lost 40 lbs (18 kg) in just two months, and struggled to eat normally. For years, the cause remained a mystery. It wasn’t until four years later, after speaking with other women who reported similar experiences post-HPV vaccination, that Holly began to suspect the vaccine Gardasil as the cause.

When she sought medical help, a hospital doctor dismissed her symptoms as “psychosomatic.” This added to her frustration and delayed her search for answers. Unfortunately, she did not qualify for injury compensation, applications must be submitted within 3.5 years, and even then, the process is difficult and uncertain.

Now, more than a decade later, Holly has finally recovered through years of trial and error. She turned to holistic healing and found that craniosacral therapy brought significant improvement. Working with a functional medicine doctor also played a key role in her journey back to health.

Throughout her struggles, Holly held on to the belief that healing was possible. Her message to others facing similar challenges is one of hope and self-compassion: “The body is capable of healing itself if given the right tools. It is extremely important to believe in your body, even if you have a setback today. Speak to yourself kindly. Don’t push yourself, listen to your body.”

Regarding vaccination, Holly urges others to make informed decisions: “Please do your research first. Don’t feel pressured to take a shot, even if your doctor recommends it.”

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