posted
I have not fully immunized my kids who are ages 6 1/2 and just about 4 years old.
I would like to complete their shots but I'm not sure what is the best thing to do.
Advice from two LLMD's has been conflicting - one said to go ahead and do it and the other said to be more conservative - like do a DT and not a DTaP.
So, have those of you with kids with lyme and co. immunized your kids?
Did you see any effect on their health from doing so?
My kids are waiting to see a new LLMD and that won't be until the end of summer.
Currently, they are being treated with Rife.
My daughter will be 7 in Sept. and I'm running out of time to give her the pediatric dose of DTaP. After age 7 it becomes a booster dose.
I appreciate all opinions and help in making this decision.
She has an appt. to get this shot tomorrow morning.
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Opus,
This is a difficult decision to make for sure. Have they had problems with the other shots? Definitely do the least possible, not sure if they just have a tetanus by itself? Diptheria isn't really that common, from contaminated water.
I know there are ways to reduce the effects of vaccines with homeopathy as well.
We have not vaccinated any of ours yet (ages almost 8, 5 and 2), if we would, I would find out how to help them for afterward.
I actually just saw that Dr. that is sometimes on Oprah with Dr. Oz on TV about vaccines yesterday.
He said to start vitamins one week before the shots and have the kid drink plenty of water. Surprisingly (b/c he was MD) he also said to use single shots. I don't think he knows that there is no single MMR though, they automatically come together.
Just try to support their immune system the best you can. do a search on it online, I'm sure you'll find lots of stuff!
posted
I have this same question. I had my 12 year old in the ER with a need for stitches and I left before they brought the Tetnus. They were NOT going to give him a booster. . they were indeed going to do the pediatric cycle, making me promise to continue.
I fully believe that my kids are not AS sick with Lyme, or not dead from lyme because I chose not to vaccinate, but as they are getting older, and I know what is going on, I'm weighing things again.
When your CD-57 is 35, what will your immune system do with all that chemical/vaccine invasion? I don't think anyone knows.
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Try to do each vaccine separately. My son does not have lyme, but I still wanted the shot done separately. There was no way I was going to give and MMR and 2 other shots at the same time.
Posts: 101 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
That's a good point Janice. But, I know someone whose kid got pertussis and the fact is that I just can't see them getting another illness on top of this one.
I did use the exemption for school.
We were dropped by one pediatrician for failure to vaccinate. I also think he did not like the whole lyme thing.
I would definitely only do one shot at a time.
This is such a tough decision and I feel like it's a no-win situation.
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
The thing with most of the diseases that have vaccines is that you get the illness, and
then it is gone. (Or you don't get it at all, because it is so rare). It's much different
than chronic Lyme which doesn't go away on its own, or the damage that can come from vaccines.
I have personal experience with pertussis. My daughter and I had it a few years ago. The
experience never made me question my decision to not vaccinate.
Posts: 311 | From CA | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Opus,
I do want to add that when orientating to a pediatric floor (I worked in the NICU, but we were cross-trained to peds as well), I saw 2 cases in one day of whooping cough, both children had received vaccinations. So while they 'can' help, they certainly do not have 100% effectiveness.
All vaccine companies are different too, I would try to find out which one is better with lower alumninum levels, ect. also, I did watch a video with a pathologist I believe who said that vaccines are often infected with mycoplasmas according to the testing he performed.
I'd never heard this before, have no idea if that is true, but did indeed scare me. Oh, and on that show I was watching on TV, the dr. said something about using a vaccine that is pre-drawn and everything, said there aren't preservatives in it???
i'd never heard this, we used the vaccines that you have to draw up where I worked, so i don't know if this is something new. after watching it, i wanted to look it up, but forgot!
It sounds like you have plenty of time to support their immune system now as well for the vaccines since you 'bought' another week. So sorry you guys are sick!!
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I got the one with tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis, and got EXTREMELY ill afterwards, and the effects lasted for a LONG time.
I had been doing relatively better, and I think this caused a big relapse for me. "Big" being an under-exaggeration....more like horrible.
I am not sure whether it is the pertussis or the diptheria that is giving people problems in that shot, but I would be VERY cautious.
What I went through was a nightmare I would not wish on anyone. I had misgivings about it, but my LLMD at the time said he thought it was okay.
I chose not to get the other one they wanted me to get (menningitis). Boy, do I wish I wouldn't have gotten any of them!!!!
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Opus please do your research on these and the 30
others recommended. One doctor had stated that one
vaccine given to a 6lb newborn is the equivalent
to giving a 180 lb adult-30 vaccines on the same
day. Yes they all do come singly but doctors will
not pay for the cost so they do not offer it. You
would have to buy the whole vial. Japans
schedule is a lot more conservative in choice and
amount and times given. By at least half. Meaning they are not
buying into the greed. They are buying America.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Hi Opus, I read your post a while ago and wanted to respond but did not do so at the time because I do not have children of my own and you were asking for personal experiences.
After reading some of the responses I felt like I needed to chime in here and give another opinion.
I too am an RN and work with kids on a daily basis. And as you can guess, a routine part of my job involves giving these vaccines. Before accepting this position I spent a significant amount of time researching (and still do) the safety of vaccines and the current vaccine recommendations for kids. I read anything that I can get my hands on.
At first, I was wary. I had heard alot of scary things about vaccines. But I honestly could not find the PROOF behind the claims that so many people hold to. On the contrary, I found an overwhelming amount of information that supported the use and safety of vaccines.
One of the biggest concerns is Thimerosal. But it has been removed from all routine childhood vaccinations. The only one that contains Thimerosal is the multidose flu (the one that comes in a vial) vaccine.
And the amount of aluminum found in the vaccines is less than what is typically found in one serving of human breast milk!
So, basically, what I wanted to tell you is that if I had children, I would vaccinate them. The diseases, or should I say complications from these diseases are much more serious and scary than the potential and rare complications from vaccines.
For a personal Lyme and vaccine experience, I received the Tdap vaccine when it came out about 2-3 years ago. It made my arm slightly achy the next day but that was it. I also had Lyme at the time but was not under treatment yet.
I asked my LLMD about the flu vaccine this year and he encouraged me to get it. Working with kids I get coughed on in the face, you name it, did not want to get sick with the flu and miss 3wks of work. So I got the vaccine and it worked thank God (along with good handwashing and general precautions or course)!
Since your children are older, you could probably skip a couple of the recommended vaccines because they are designed to protect babies (HIB and Prevnar). The essentials would be Dtap, MMR, Polio, and Hep B. Work on getting those first.
Then think about getting Hep A. Hep A is food borne and we eat a lot of food from foreign countries and food handling here has not been up to par lately.
Another one to consider would be Varivax (chicken pox). The disease in itself is not usually fatal but now that MRSA is on the rise more children are having complications, developing secondary skin infections (serious and sometimes deadly) from it.
Opus, I know this is a big decision for you so I hope that what what i've shared might help make things a little easier for you.
You know what is right for your kids. Go with your gut.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Even if there isn't "proof"....what I went through after the DPT is proof enough for me to "spread the word" about the fact that, when dealing with Lyme and co's, this is just not worth the risk!!!
What I went through was DEFINITELY from the vaccine. I had about a 10 minute drive home, and by the time I got back into my apartment, I crashed on the couch, and it literally felt like I had 50 lb weights on each leg and arm.
I tried to stand up, because I was scared, but I couldn't even stand up. This was within 10-15 min of getting the vaccine. It was like a truck hit me. I had never experienced anything like this phenomena in my life and probably never will again. Then, I started crying uncontrollably, because I could tell that whatever had just happened was not going to be better tomorrow....it just seemed very serious.
I don't know if it was an infection, an immune disregulation, or something that was toxic like an additive or a metal. I think it was an immune issue...but that is just a guess. It was like my whole body started freaking out and just wanted to give up and stop functioning.
I took the "wait and see" approach, and within a week I was able to get up and walk around, sort of like a normal person I guess, but I never since have gotten back to feeling as good as I felt in the moments before the vaccine.
So in other words, I kind of recovered, but not fully. I think evenutally I will, but this must have triggered a major Lyme-type relapse. It was a "here we go again with the disabled stuff" kind of thing.
At the time of the vaccine, I had gone from being severely disabled with at least 3 tick diseases, to attending college part time and working a part time job. That was MAJOR for me.
Within 6 months of getting the vaccine, I had to quit my job and drop out of school, because my health just did not return.
If you have your child get the shot, PLEASE, AT LEAST, do not get the pertussis component.
I'm sure that there were not many Lyme children who were followed in these studies that fail to prove these things can be harmful.
I am not judging people that get the vaccines, I can only give you my personal experience.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I really appreciate all the opinions. I've got yet another week to think about this as we are all still sick. Bronchitis on top of lyme and co. - what fun!
And of course, I want to give the vaccine to a well child - as well as can possibly be.
I am leaning towards the pediatric DT but am still undecided.
I am still worried about pertussis as a disease but possibly more worried about the vaccine. I have heard awful things about the vaccine.
Then again, my daughter is 6 1/2 and weighs 45 lbs. She's a lot bigger than a 2 month old newborn.
Oh, I don't know!!!!
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
please make sure your daughter is VERY much over the current infection. giving her an extra wk or 2 would be well worth the precaution.
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Keep in mind that I'm an adult and the DPT threw me for a loop. I was 23 when I got it. They were requiring it for college, and I was "going back" after taking time off school due to Lyme.
I think extra vitamins the week of the vaccine may help. But I dunno, I tend it also think it could be genetic, in terms of who is affected by these and who isn't.
I have already decided I am going to very severely limit the vaccines my future children get (if they get any, haven't decided), in case they have my genes, etc.
I am not typically an overly cautious person, but like I said, given my experiences it has made me more aware that bad things do happen.
If your child has an adverse reaction, I would come here right away, because I have heard people say there are things you can do right after the vaccine to offset the affects.
Good luck!
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
also, you might want to look into actual case numbers of pertussis in your area, (and ages, like does it mostly affect the elderly, etc)
You could also be informed of the symptoms and treatment. If it is something that you feel you would notice if your children get it and it is easily treatable, that might make you more secure not getting the vaccine for them.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
| 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