When I was in my 20s, I got a tetanus vaccine. After getting the vaccine, I began having a rash on my chin, neck, and chest. I would know the night before that I would have the rash the next day because my glands would swell in the front and back of my neck. Then the next day the rash would appear and I would feel so fatigued. This would happen maybe 3 times a year. Fast forward to the year I turned 40 (2003), I had this exact thing happen, but it was soooo much worse, and I never recovered like I had in the past. I remained profoundly fatigued all of the time like I had the flu and could literally do nothing. In the past, the above symptoms would last around three days, and then I would go back to normal. I went two years to the age of 42 before I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and I was found to also have three co-infections (Babesia, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and ehrlichiosis). I took antibiotics for four years and went into remission when I was 46. I’ve been in remission since then, and now I’m 62. Anyway, all of these years I have tried to figure it out. I did not have a bull’s eye rash. I know about half of the people with Lyme don’t get a bull’s eye rash. But I recently read that tetanus has bacteria in it. I feel like that’s where I got it because I immediately started having these symptoms off and on for about 14 years before it just burst forth with a vengeance and I was diagnosed with Lyme with two positive results for both the IgG and IgM with the labs being done by IGenex. Anyone relate to this? Does anyone believe this could be what caused their Lyme disease or has anyone connected their Lyme symptoms to after they received a Tetanus vaccine?
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Welcome, AwakeCupcake,
It is possible that the cause is due to more than one factor, which is usually the case.
For example, you may have reacted to the tetanus vaccine with a chronic fatigue-like syndrome (CFS/ME), which has been reported by many.
Later, you may have become infected with Lyme and coinfections (IgM result suggesting a more recent infection), and experienced similar but more severe symptoms.
You may have been more susceptible to a full-blown Lyme reaction because of your previous CFS condition and reaction to the tetanus vaccine.
I don't believe the tetanus vaccine contained Lyme and coinfection bacteria per se, but that it was both "insults" that caused similar and cumulative inflammatory reactions/symptoms.
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
Agree, with Phoiph. A few years ago I made the mistake of having the tetanus vaccine. My son as well, for two different reasons. We both were vaccine injured by it. His autoimmune condition was very accelerated. I too, ended up with burning mouth syndrome and a worsening of my Sjogren's symptoms.
Along with the vaccine injury, it impacts the immune system which allows the Lyme to rear it's ugly head.
I have made the decision that I will never take another vaccine. Sadly, one vaccine too late.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
So sorry, kgg.
Posted by marie (Member # 3980) on :
How about after a dental filling with novocaine injection. Later stage symptoms started with this. Could it be mercury also?
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
In any susceptible person, a toxic exposure (e.g., mercury, etc.,) and/or reaction to a substance/drug (e.g., epinepherine in Novocaine, etc.) can be the tipping point.
People at risk include those with histories of genetic detox snps, multiple toxic exposures, infections, concussions, long term antibiotic/drug use (the list goes on and on).
I have assisted many people (via mHBOT) who have never had Lyme disease but have strikingly similar symptoms due to any (or many) of the exposures above.
The common denominators are the same...including run away neuro-immune inflammatory response which affects everything else.
Usually someone will identify one incident or exposure as a cause, but if you look into their history, there are likely multiple compounding and cumulative factors leading to the tipping point.
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
Excellent explanation, Phoiph!
I really thought addressing MTHFR with our son would fix the problem. But we found it to be one of those protocols that make you feel worse and it was expensive. So we did not continue with it. Perhaps his infections needed to be dealt with first? Hindsight is sometimes 20/20.
Meanwhile, for me, mild hyperbaric oxygen treatment slowly but surely helped me with all things chronic. I highly recommend it.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Thanks, kgg...I am a broken record :)
I have found that MTHFR is super complex and tricky, and many practitioners who claim they treat it, actually end up making people worse.
I know of only one Functional Medicine/MD who I would trust with MTHFR (and other complex conditions). He has studied this in depth to help his son who has autism.
I'm happy to share his contact info with anyone interested...just PM me. He does online consults.