Hi all; Last week i was helping a buddy of mine with some home renovations. I managed to poke myself with a dirty rusty nail. It didnt go too deep and did not bleed much at all.
So i contemplated getting a tetanus shot (not having remembered the last time i got one)but after skimming online and reading some of the horror stories on here i opted out.
Its been about 6 days now and my neck and left side of my jaw seem to be feeling tense. So i think im going to have to suck it up and get that shot before any more surprises.
Any advice?
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I'm allergic to the tetanus shot, so I have had to find an alternative. Homeopathic Hypericum Perf. is supposed to prevent lockjaw/tetanus. I don't know how it would be dosed for this purpose, but I would imagine one could take a dose as often as needed to help with symptoms. Probably should take at least 3 doses/day anyway, until the symptoms disappear. Hypericum is one of the more common remedies and is probably available in a local health food store, or you can order online (I like to get stuff from abchomeopathy.com or supursup.com - I have no financial connections with these websites/companies or any homeopathic products).
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think it would be a little late now ...??
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Please get to URGENT CARE right now as you are having symptoms that could be tetanus. You should be evaluated as soon as possible. It may or may not be too late for a shot, but tetanus can kill and when it does start, it can move very fast.
Paralysis of the lungs can happen and you'd want to know what you are dealing with. ----
Tetanus is infection of the nervous system with the potentially deadly bacteria Clostridium tetani (C. tetani).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Excerpts:
Spores of the bacteria C. tetani live in the soil and are found around the world. In the spore form, C. tetani may remain inactive in the soil, but it can remain infectious for more than 40 years.
Infection begins when the spores enter the body through an injury or wound. The spores release bacteria that spread and make a poison called tetanospasmin.
This poison blocks nerve signals from the spinal cord to the muscles, causing severe muscle spasms. The spasms can be so powerful that they tear the muscles or cause fractures of the spine.
The time between infection and the first sign of symptoms is typically 7 to 21 days. . ..
. . . Without treatment, one out of four infected people die. . . .
. . . Uncorrected episodes of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) caused by muscle spasms in the throat may lead to irreversible brain damage. . . .
. . . (many signs and outcomes listed)
Call your health care provider if you have an open wound, particularly if:
� You are injured outdoors. � The wound has been in contact with soil. � You have not received a tetanus booster (vaccine) within 5 years or you are not sure of your vaccination status.
.... -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It does not matter how deep the rusty nail went. If it broke the skin, and if tetatus bacteria was on the nail, or in dirt that was introduced to the wound, that's all that matters. The fact that it bleed as it did (even a little)is key; the bloodstream was opened.
For everyone, it's good to know that ANY scrape that results in tetanus-laden dirt getting into a wound can cause tetanus. A rusty nail is just one mode that can transfer if the bacteria is in the soil. See the "causes" section. -------------
. . . The incubation period of tetanus may be up to several months but is usually about 8 days. . . .
. . . In recent years, approximately 11% of reported tetanus cases have been fatal. . . .
. . . The booster may not prevent a potentially fatal case of tetanus from the current wound, however, as it can take up to two weeks for tetanus antibodies to form. . . .
. . . The wound must be cleaned. Dead and infected tissue should be removed by surgical debridement. . . .
. . . The "spatula test" is a clinical test for tetanus that involves touching the posterior pharyngeal wall with a sterile, soft-tipped instrument, and observing the effect. . . .
[Much more detail at link above] -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Yes, usually vaccines can have some bad effects for those with chronic fatigue syndrome and lyme, etc.
However, as tetanus can kill very fast, it's nothing to mess around with. Please get to URGENT CARE as soon as you can find someone to drive you.
If you are experience any symptoms, others could come along very quickly.
I hope this is not what's happening but you could save your life by acting right now if it is.
Indeed, the homeopathic Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) would be a good thing to get but I'd have a friend go now and pick it up at a health store or natural foods grocery (call first) and meet you at Urgent Care. You can slip a few pellets under your tongue there.
If it's too late for the shot, the homeopathic would be a good thing to have ASAP. (And even if you do get a shot.) But, still, you should be evaluated by a MD who know what tetanus can do so she or he can be the best judge.
Perhaps they would send you home with an emergency inhaler of sorts and advice for if this might progress.
Good luck. And take care. Please let us know how this works out. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
How I fought Tetanus naturally - November 23rd, 2010
[I can't read this at all due to spacing. I tried to find the author's name but could not. I did make out some things that may be of help.
Still, it's important to know that there may not be time to employ "natural" methods now but, after seeing the doctor you may want to come back to this - or have a friend now scour the web and help you out.
=========================
I would also call a naturopathic (or similar) doctor but there really isn't time right now.
If you happen to have a bottle of Colloidal Silver, that MIGHT be helpful but I'd want to study up on that, first.
If this is tetanus, you'd need some serious supplements to help address the toxins.
Again, I hope this all works out and I sure hope you can see a specialist tonight. -
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
good heavens...get that tetanus shot.
i had to get one last year. stepped on something outside. stupid me didn't have shoes on.
other than a large lump and arm hot to touch it didn't bother me. praise the Lord...
get it fast
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
DDEC2 - would you please let us know what you decided? Hopefully Urgent Care.....
Posted by blinkie (Member # 14470) on :
I too would get it and tetanus shots make me pass out. No other shot does that to me. But, I would not mess around with tetanus. The good news is if you get one now, you wouldn't need one again for 1o years.
good luck.
Posted by DDEC2 (Member # 30313) on :
Wow thank you for all the input guys.
I contacted my primary (whom i cant stand for the single reason he does not support my lyme diagnosis) and he will see me tomorrow at noon
i would go the route of urgent care but i really cant afford the 100 dollar co-pay my insurance required i pay
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Glad you made that call. I hope he will do a good evaluation.
Still, if you develop any other symptoms tonight, don't hesitate to call your doctor again.
Can you get the homeopathics tonight? Maybe read up on what supplements might be of help?
Also, what supplements to take to offset possible effects of a tetanus shot (if that is advised at this date). The FDA approved a new shot this past summer for adults. At the very least, ask for one with NO MERCURY in it.
Merola's site has some suggestions for what to do if one is forced to take a vaccine. That's not about tetanus but it may still give some good insight into how to help your body best manage before and after a tetanus booster.
Good luck. -
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
Maybe tetanus treatment, but I think it would be too late for a vaccine.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by jlp38: Maybe tetanus treatment, but I think it would be too late for a vaccine.
- That's what I meant .. but we can't make that call. Is there treatment?
Do keep us posted! Hope it all turns out just fine.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
You can get a lot of problems from a dirty nail whether it seems like it or not. It happened to me prior to Lyme.
I had to get a tetnus shot when I had Lyme, and I had no problems.
Posted by Mindy159 (Member # 31149) on :
I had the tetanus shot and had no problems with it (I think it also covered whopping cough too).
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo:
quote:Originally posted by jlp38: Maybe tetanus treatment, but I think it would be too late for a vaccine.
- That's what I meant .. but we can't make that call. Is there treatment?
I don't know. I hope so.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
make sure you get ONLY the tetanus shot and NOT the DTAP
Posted by DDEC2 (Member # 30313) on :
Hello everyone just thought id update you all on the situation.
After being examined by my GP he strongly felt that if i had been infected it was still in early incubation and felt all that was needed was a tetanus shot.
So i got the shot on the 18th and today is the 23rd and i must say im feeling pretty crappy.
The day of the shot i felt fine, the next day i awoke and found that not only did the puncture site ache my whole left arm hurt i mean right down to the fingers on my left hand.
So i got up and started to go about my routine then i started to feel internal trembling from my left shoulder down to my left hand. That came followed by this profound fatigue which i havent felt since before i began treatment. So i slept for most of the second day.
The third day comes along and i awake to not only pain in my left arm but pain all over! i mean like joint muscle everything hurt. I decoded maybe im having an allergic reaction so id better seek help. I was then told that muscle and joint pain although uncommon can occur after tetanus shots and that if i am not running a fever then it unlikely that i am having an allergy related reaction. I slept off most of that day as well.
Day 4 comes along and i awake with this sever pain coming from the left side of my collar bone, I inspect it only to find that a lymph node right above the left side of my collar bone has swelled significantly and is extremely tender and painful. At this point im just feeling like i opened a whole new set of flood gates on myself. So in pain and with swollen glands i pushed my way through that day.
Day 5 i woke up feeling pretty good alot less pain. About halfway through the day seemingly from out of nowhere my ears began to ring and the constant dizziness i deal with from lyme became worse and intolerable.I needed to lay down then i became overwhelmed with the return of the body pain i explained earlier.
Have i royally screwed myself up?
has anyone else had similar reactions?
Sorry for the long post.
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
I don't have any answers but hope you get feeling better. There are homeopathic remedies to help detox vaccines. Maybe that would be worth looking into.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
The body aches, fluey feeling, and even fevers are normal. It shows your body is responding as it should be to build immunity to tetanus vaccine. This response usually only lasts for a few days. You should start to feel back to your "normal" soon.
I had the Tdap vaccine a couple years ago, while sick with Lyme. It did make me feel crummy for a few days but there were no lingering side effects. Everything went back to my already sick "normal".
Take care Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Sorry to hear of the reaction.
Were you able to ask - and then assured that the shot you got did not contain mercury? Hope so.
Also hope you were able to locate that article mentioned above about what supplements might help offset reactions.
That part is really important. I was able to locate that. See next post.
Good luck. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
What To Do if You are Forced to Take Swine Flu Shot (by Dr. Mercola) 2009
Excerpt (from the very end of the article):
Treatment for Toxic Vaccine Exposure
1. Place a cold compress on the site of the injection immediately after the injection and continue this as often as possible for at least two days. If symptoms of fever, irritability, fatigue or flu-like symptoms reoccur -- continue the cold compresses until they abate. A cold shower or bath will also help.
2. Take krill oil as a source of animal based omega-3 fats.
3. Curcumin, quercetin, ferulic acid and ellagic acid as a mixture -- the first two must be mixed with extravirgin olive in one teaspoon. Take the mix three times a day (500 mg of each)
4. Vitamin E (natural form) 400 IU a day (high in gamma-E)
5. Vitamin C 1000 mg four times a day
6. Astaxanthin 4 mg a day
7. Zinc 20 mg a day for one week then 5 mg a day
8. Avoid all immune stimulating supplements (mushroom extracts, whey protein)
except beta-glucan -- it has been shown to reduce inflammation, microglial activation and has a reduced risk of aggravating autoimmunity, while increasing antiviral cellular immunity.
9. Take a multivitamin/mineral daily (one without iron -- Extend Core)
10. Magnesium citrate/malate 500 mg of elemental magnesium two capsules three times a day
11. Vitamin D3:
A. All Children -- 5000 IU a day for two weeks after vaccine then 2000 IU a day thereafter
B. Adults -- 20,000 IU a day after vaccine for two weeks then 10,000 IU a day thereafter
C. Take 500 mg to 1000 mg of calcium citrate a day for adults and 250 mg a day for children under age 12 years.
- keep scrolling way down after this article, Dr. Mercola shares some other thoughts.
Full article at link above. There is a lot of good information there to consider, even if not for this particular tetanus shot.
Of course, it might be distressing to read but I think you did the right thing as tetanus is nothing to mess around with.
I think the supplements suggested above will help.
If not already registered at Mercola's site, if you just register email address (nothing more) to get a email, you can read all his work. Costs nothing to read. He's very generous with sharing his studies. -
Posted by DDEC2 (Member # 30313) on :
Thanks guys, i will keep you updated.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
Thank you for updating us- I do wonder what happened to ______and then we don't hear.
I am sorry you are experiencing this. My professional degree of non doctorism tells me this will probably go thru your system and then begone - HOPE HOPE.
My son who does not have Lyme, got sick from this shot and it ran thru his system and was gone...
please keep us updated, sorry you are feeling so awful. I have to believe with my degree stated above, that this is better than if you had got lock jaw, etc....
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