desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
Okay..it's too late. I got the shot - I figured the shot was better then getting tetanus. But now I am reading it is not a good thing for those with lyme.
Feeling well enough to be active again and in the middle of a trail run I was not paying attention and took a nasty superman like fall.
Fractured one of my ribs, hand and a big ol' puncture wound in my hand. Not sure what punctured it but it was deep and filled with dirt.
So I agreed to the shot. Anyone else ever get a tetanus shot whil tx'ing for lyme? If so how did you fare??
Thanks.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First, good call. Necessary, IMO.
Just now, this morning or yesterday?
If just now or this morning, be sure to take care of yourself the rest of the day. Sorry to hear of the injuries, so I guess you have to take it easy for a while.
Glad you brought up the DIRT as many don't know that DIRT can carry tetanus. It's not just rusty nails.
Often, vaccines can really clobber someone with chronic health issues.
It was very important for you to get that tetanus shot. (I wonder if you were able to get that without the added mercury, though?).
Still, Tetanus shots are one exception to the vaccine issue. Tetanus can kill within hours. You cannot take that chance.
There are other "exceptions" too. I just can't think of all of them. Smallpox, Polio, Whooping cough . . . Anything that can pose serious risk, especially to children.
Now, there are some things you can do to help your body now, most of which are just common sense.
I did have a very serious reaction to a tetanus shot, way back in '87. I nearly died. However, I was very ill, on my second round of a sulfa drug for a serious months-long sinus infection, plus a second new antibiotic AND a new decongestant.
I had also been on a medical fast at that time.
Because fasting can trigger porphyria (which I'd find out about years later), that might have been a player in those seizures & hives that hit after the tetanus shot. Although monitored by doctors, that medical fast (Optifast) was a terrible idea and caused me harm.
The shot was preventative as I had gotten a new puppy who liked to scratch my legs with her claws.
Being as ill as I was then, though, the shot should have been postponed.
But, it's not clear exactly what happened with all the variables.
Within a couple hours of the tetanus shot, I did have "lock jaw" (tetanus) symptoms, for sure, in the E.R. My mouth locked so tight, all my throat muscles were like concrete.
I've also had terrible set-backs with flu shots and will never get one again.
But, if possibly exposed to tetanus, I would get that shot. Tetanus can kill and do so quickly. Not worth the risk.
I share all those other details for others to be aware of all things to consider IF a certain vaccine is needed. Of course, for a tetanus shot after possible exposure, waiting is not an option.
So, for tetanus, it seems that a preventive booster might be the better idea - but done when one is feeling as good as possible and
getting one as free of additives as possible.
I'm not against vaccines, per se, but wish we could do SAFE VACCINES. There are ingredients in many of those that do not belong.
Often, you can find mercury free but you may have to ask and order in advance and pay more.
Some vaccines say they do not have mercury. Still, study up on if that is true and what all the ingredients are.
Along the avenue of those wanting SAFE VACCINES, the schedule has a lot of attention for infants and young children.
For the flu, there are some homeopathic options. -
[ 04-10-2012, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks, Keebler, I am thinking about getting the TDAP due to the pertussis rates in our area and the fact that I have bad asthma. I did get a vaccine when I was a baby, but it won't cover me now. According to the health department, I can't just get the Pertussis part, I have to do the tetanus and the diptheria, too. Rats
Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Otter,
Be sure to ask Dr. R about this. She is brilliant and can either direct you otherwise or help you prepare properly.
Other NDs may be able to, as well. But I know you've seen Dr. R and I'm familiar with her reputation and breadth. And, for you a LL ND advising you about vaccines is best.
This site seems slight. There may be a newer site along this line. Likely, the autism groups or doctors who treat autism should know. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
Keebler; Thanks for all the info..
I did not even think about the Mercury. I am going to call the clinic and see if they used the mercury free version.
Good news is I am seeing my LLMD tomorrow and we are going to discuss chelation therapy for my high levels of mercury.
I knew if I did not get the shot, I would be worrying about lock jaw et al.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- While not the article I was looking for, there are some after-care suggestions here.
Then, you'd want to search the second author listed above:
Randall+Neustaedter -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
Perfect - thank you..I am currently taking Brown Seaweed Extract for mercury toxicity. I have a sulfa allergy so my choices are limited in terms of chelation.
Do you think it would be bad to do an IR Sauna now or would that push the vaccination through my body too quickly?
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I can't say about the IR Sauna. I don't know enough about how relaxing - or stressful - that may be to YOUR body, at this point.
And, if the vaccine did contain mercury, that complicates things.
I could share my hunch but I just don't know. I think you cannot go wrong with resting and gentle movement, good food. Early bedtime. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I can't go through this now, and I can't even voice exactly why I include this (I know the reason but I can come up with the words) . . .
Good herx support is detailed here - and good detail about treatment for heavy metals.
posted
I had to get a shot 3 months ago and I got very unpleasant reactions for at least 2 months. Pain at the place of injection (upper arm) which started to move through half of my torso and lot of brainfog and weakness. Thankfully it has mainly subsided now.
Posts: 269 | From Germany | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I got the Tdap vaccine a couple years ago (when I was already very sick with Lyme). I had no negative reaction to the vaccine, just a little arm muscle soreness the next day where the injection was given.
As OtterJ mentioned, I got the Tdap version instead of the plain Td version of the vaccine so that I would have the extra protection against pertussis. At the time I was working with newborn babies, small children, people at high risk for developing the infection.
If you ever hear a child with pertussis cough and gasp for breath, you will never forget it. This is a miserable, lingering infection that is hard on adults too. Probably life threatening for those of us with Lyme that are already considered seriously immune compromised.
Sorry I got a little side tracked there...
Desertwind, I'm encouraged to hear that you are doing so well that you were out on the middle of a trail run. Hope you heal quickly and carry on with your fun adventurous activities!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
Thanks Sammy:)..
I believe I got the Tdap as well.
Saw my LLMD yesterday and he said not to be surprised if I herx from it. According to him the shot is going to activate my immune system and may actually help kill some of the suckers.
He felt it was not harmful in regards to lyme but rather helpful. Every case is different though...
He mentioned that a couple of LLMD's actually GIVE a tetanus shot to their patients to help activate the immune system.
I personally would never sign up for one unless I needed it.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The tetanus booster should last a certain number of years.
IMO - for tetanus - it's really best to have that on board in case it is needed as, after a tumble or puncture that might introduce tetanus into the bloodstream, one may not be able to seek emergency care soon enough.
A shot MAY help after one is exposed but, not necessarily. Tetanus is very quick. Minutes can matter. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Desertwind, I got a tetanus shot (also covered whooping cough), about six weeks after I got bit the last time. They tested me for lyme, came back negative, and said, hey, while you're here, you need tetanus and flu shots. I went for the tetanus (blew off the flu shot) and had no reaction to it (that I know of).
I forgot to ask about a mercury free booster, but that is a great idea.
Keeb, what would any of us do without you? You rock! :)
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am sorry to say that I had a very bad downward spiral with Lyme within four weeks after a tetanus booster shot. (I had cut my thumb on a can a few months before and thought it would be a good idea to get a booster as it had been more than ten years since my last.) I wound up in the hospital and in a wheel chair. It took three months of weekly IV's to get me out of that chair. If you start sliding, RUN to your LLMD.
Posts: 43 | From Florida | Registered: Jun 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am sorry to say that I had a very bad downward spiral with Lyme within four weeks after a tetanus booster shot. (I had cut my thumb on a can a few months before and thought it would be a good idea to get a booster as it had been more than ten years since my last.) I wound up in the hospital and in a wheel chair. It took three months of weekly IV's to get me out of that chair. If you start sliding, RUN to your LLMD.
Posts: 43 | From Florida | Registered: Jun 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic