LymeNet Flash: Tetanus shot reactions?

This is topic Tetanus shot reactions? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/63855

Posted by wiserforit (Member # 9732) on :

Opened a can of soup that had a pull tab (Progresso) and nearly lost the top of my finger! Four stitches later I balked at the Tetanus shot until I spoke with LLMD first.

LLMD agreed that I should go back for a Tetanus shot. Wasn't sure of what reaction, if any, might happen. I am taking high dose Amox with Malarone.

Am I in for a bumpy ride with the Tetanus addition? Feel like a wimp with an ow-ey. [Frown]

Best,

wiserforit

P.S. This happened during vacation week when we all got the flu, I coughed my back out, cracked a tooth and cut my finger. Aw, come on now! [dizzy]

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

gosh, tori; you really know how to have a fun-free vacation right? [Big Grin]

seriously, sorry to read this; i had a tetnus in dec. but i'm not on those meds either. I HAD NO REACTION, and i'm on many other meds but NO ABX! good luck. [group hug]

please give your 2 boys an extra [group hug]

for me for what they made me last year for my march Birthday; i still have it HANGING ON MY BACK DOOR as we go in/out! SO COLORFUL !!!! I'm always picking up quilting needles that i used to hang all these characters up with!! [lol]

Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :

We were just discussing the Tetanus shot thing, Wiser.... here's the link:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=063743

Good grief. Some vacation. [Frown]

Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :

wiseforit,

I had gone in for my physical and my PCP said I was due for a tetanus shot but didn't want to give it to me without my LLMD's approval.

So I came out here and asked about it since I knew it would be a few days before I would hear from my LLMD since it was over a weekend and surely not an emergency.

I'll bring the topic back up since I'd say responses were pretty even between some saying they had no reaction at all to it causing trouble. Still good reading so check it out.

Cathy

Posted by wiserforit (Member # 9732) on :

bettyg, truthfinder, tdtid --

Thank you for replying!

Truthfinder, I did go to the link you suggested and was truly helpful in my thinking about what to do.

I chose NOT TO GET THE TETANUS SHOT. The stitch doctor said he was sure that the soup can wouldn't give me tetanus. He added that stepping on something embedded in soil transfers bacterium from the soil...rust is not the issue...possibility of soil garbage/bacterium is the issue.

The doctor said it is wise to get the tetanus shot every ten years as a preventive in case of accidents.

i've been feeling a little stronger lately and couldn't bring myself to introduce the possibility of messing with my system with the tetanus shot... the odds were too dicey.

I am relieved and grateful for all the sound research folks have shared on this topic.

Best to all,

wiserforit

Posted by Visual Afterimage Man (Member # 10435) on :

wiserforit,

I had a tetnus shot at my inital LLMD visit. For a couple of reasons.

1) I was due for my booster. It had been about 11 years.

2) He said that it's not that uncommon for tetnus to be in the system too. Since Lyme suppresses the immune system, you could have a layer of tetnus causing some problems.

So I took the shot. I had no issue until the next day. We all know that tetnus is injected into the muscle tissue, which ususally results in a sore muscle for a day or two. Sort of an aching pain like someone hit you with a baseball in the arm.

My reaction was much different then that. My arm started to swell around the injection site. It turned into a VERY painful lump, which got to the size of a golfball. (not kidding)

It lasted about 4 days and then went back to normal.

Some say it was an usual reaction to the injection. That it happens in about 5% of the people who recieve the injection.

Looking back.. I'm not sure why it happened. And the LLMD kinda just shrugged and said, "Hmm... thats interesting." He's of the opinion that Lyme is very very different and we don't know what types of problems that it might cause in a certain person.