Gardasil

[Pigeon]

1. People are wayyyy more worked up about the vaccine than they are about anti-lice shampoos. In other words, they are perfectly willing to put poison on their child's head, risking long term disability and sometimes death. But they are worried about a vaccine for their child that may save that child's life?

The possible side effects of anti-lice shampoos aren't what's being discussed here, so I'm not sure that's a valid statement. I wouldn't use those (now largely ineffective anyway) pesticides on my kids, either.

But, one would only use those shampoos if one had lice, and not in case one might contract some type of parasite which may or may not be lice down the road. So it's not a valid comparison at all.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Cindy:

I really have no idea what lice shampoo has to do with Gardasil. I'm not getting worked up about Lice shamppoo because I don't need it and it's not on my radar. I am being encouraged to get this vaccine which to me is questionable so I am asking questions and trying to make an informed decision.

I'm not somebody who thinks Western Medicine is bad, I have all my other vaccines, get the yearly flu shot, yada yada yada. But I also learned the hard way not to blindly trust doctors. Two years ago I went to a doctor because I kept feeling my blood sugar bottom out. I was told to fast so they could do a test. When I got there I was treated like an idiot, told I was overreacting, refused the test they said they would perform, and even accused of lying about my symptoms. This meant that I went over a year with undiagnosed diabetes because just like the idiot she thought me to be I trusted and thoguht I was overreacting. If I had done some research, I would have realized that what I was experiencing was one of the first signs of diabetes and would have sought help again much sooner.

Unfortunately there have been cases of vaccines/drugs that were considered miracle workers when they came out and then dow nthe road were pulled from the market due to unknown side effects either because the vaccine/drug was rushed to market or the sample size was too small during testing. This happened in the 70's with the last pandemic flu scare, it happened with Thalidomide, Vioxx is another great example.

I have learned to be cautious when something is brand new.

And you are right, A could cheat on me down the road, we could break up, etc. etc. I could be raped. I could also be struck by lightning when I'm headed out the door. Right now, niether A nor I have had any kind of sexual contact with anyone including each other (and we do not split hair the way some people do) so the chance of either of us having HPV is pretty much nil. I trust him implicitly not to cheat on me. I know that I sound like every other love struck woman since the dawn of time, but anybody who knows him/us would find that laughable.

I'm just not sure about trusting a fairly new vaccine which has had some problems including paralysis (which may have nothing to do with the vaccine) that the FDA is currently researching when it's meant to protect against something that needs specific behaviors to contract unlike other illnesses we vaccinate against which just need casual or no contact with the carrier.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Cindy:

I really have no idea what lice shampoo has to do with Gardasil.

Right now, niether A nor I have had any kind of sexual contact with anyone including each other (and we do not split hair the way some people do) so the chance of either of us having HPV is pretty much nil. I trust him implicitly not to cheat on me. I know that I sound like every other love struck woman since the dawn of time, but anybody who knows him/us would find that laughable.
.

I'm not saying there is a connection between lice shampoo and Gardasil. What I'm saying is that over and over again on this board people talk about their child getting head lice, other posters chime in saying to use lice shampoo, the majority of posters do in fact use the shampoo without even batting an eye. Yet, the side effects are as dangerous or more dangerous than this vaccine and they don't even CARE! But mention Gardasil and posters are up in arms about the potential side effects. I just find that odd and even scary. Is it the sexual nature of gardasil?? The fact that we have to admit that our children will one day have sex?

You also state that neither you or your partner has ever had sex. As I stated before you cannot, in any way, know that as fact. You can believe it as fact, you can trust it as fact, but there is no way for anyone but your partner to know that for fact. I also trust that you know your partner well, and I also trust that he has never had sex. But I can't know that. Does that make any sense??

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Yes, but at some point you have to be willing to trust. I trust him when he says that. Can I ever know it 100% sure? No. But I would hazard to guess that most people in a married relationship do not use protection unless they are trying to avoid pregnancy, which means that they are trusting their spouse not to have an STD such as HPV, AIDS, Herpes, etc.

 

[kafitty]

If you are having sex and have been to the OBGYN you can have a test to see if you have had HPV already. You may have no need for the shot to begin with.

PLEASE do not listen to this (no offense to the poster), it is inaccurate. There are different strands of HPV - just because you have one strand does not give you immunity to others, nor does Gardasil protect you from all strands of HPV.

having had HPV and gone through some really, REALLY scary medical stuff because of it, i can tell you i got my shot. All y'all into googling stuff, look up what a LEEP is...yeah.

If anyone has questions, feel free to PM me, i went through it a couple of years ago so i'm pretty open about it now. But it's probably Top 3 Traumatic Experiences in my life.

 

[Melmac]

I don't mean to sound like a moron, but WTH is this business about a "window"? How can you ever be too OLD for this shot? If you're 30, a virgin and don't have HPV, wouldn't you be a candidate? Because in theory, wouldn't the shot still protect you and therefore, still be useful?

I don't have it, always test clear, so let's say DH passed away and I wanted to date again. If this vaccine protects you, wouldn't someone like me find value in it, according to what they say it does?

I'm not a confirmed believer in the vaccine yet. I just don't get the logic that there is some magic cutoff age at which the vaccine is no longer useful. Seems to me if you don't have HPV, the "window" is still open.

Can someone explain?

The vaccine has only been approved by the FDA for women up to age 26. The effects of hte vaccine on older women are still being studied. I don't know why age would make a difference, but apparently it does.

Seems that the rules in Canada are different than the US. When my regular doc was on leave, another doc in her practice took me for my physical. She tried pushing Gardasil on me (I am 29). I mentioned that I had seen on TV that is was only good for women up to the age of 26 (I get US channels in my city). She said that was an FDA thing and that she has vaccinated women up to the age of 40. So, if it is the same vaccine (could it be different across the border but be called by the same name?), I would guess that there really isn't a window, but the studies have focused on women less than 26. Best thing is to follow your doctor's advice in this case.

I opted not to get this vaccine. Vaccines make me really sick so I don't get any that are not mandatory anymore. Also, I felt that the vaccine has not been on the market long enough to see the long term effects.
That doctor said she was encouraging every women that went through her office to get it because even if you think you are in a monogamous relationship, your partner may not be.

 

[rie'smom]

There is more than one strain of HPV and Gardasil vaccinates against several.

I'll be getting the vaccine for my DD when she's old enough--she's only 3 months old now.

You might get her vaccinated when she is old enough. By then, there will have been documentation of the severity of side effects and who knows, it may have been pulled off the market.
Gardasil protects against infection from types 6,11,16 and 18.

 

[precious pixie]

Well I am not one to get into a big heated flame but I did get the vaccine and would recommend it. Everything that is administered has a side effect

that said I wanted to clear up the "age limit" the makers of Gardasil, many researchers and dr's want this to be approved for women up to age 45 and men. Remember that when this vaccine first came out there was much upheaval bc some thought it would promote sex and alot of the restrictions and such are derived from that.

I know my body, my family history, etc and if there is something that can decrease my chances of contracting HPV and even possibly cancer I will do it. It is why I use sunscreen, eat organic, etc. Perhaps none of it will matter but if I get cancer then at least Ill be able to tell myself that I did everything I could to prevent it.

Just my 2 cents

 

[georgina]

My conservative doctor recommends it, and I trust his opinion. He sees a lot of STD's in young girls in our suburban area. My DD had it her senior year of high school and younger DD will get it also in a few years.

 

[1stluvispooh]

There are 26 strands of HPV. Gardisil only protects you from 4. For this and other reasons I will not be having my daughter vacinated

 

[Kriddlet]

This was just offered to my daughter at her last physical; but I am still undecided if I want her to receive it or not. I know there are side effects to everything, I'm just not sure this one has been on the market long enough.

 

[tmq2766]

I respect your decision to get the shots for your dd but I have to say I resent the implication that by choosing not to get them for my 2 dds, I am not doing whatever I can to protect my dd's. I apologize if that is not what you were implying. I am not comfortable in giving my dd's the shots right now. For me, right now the risks outweigh the benefits. I very well may change my mind in a few years as more research comes out but for now, I am holding off for my girls.

I accept your appologies and I too "could" resent the fact that you are implying that by getting my daughter vaccinated I am putting her at risk. I trust my doctor enough to feel that if she is getting her own children vaccinated then there must be enough known.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I really trusted my doctor in New Hampshire though I do not blindly trust all docotrs. He was not one to jump on the latest "medical miracle" bandwagon or prescribe anything without real cause. He also was one to get to the bottom of issues, and to believe me when (like the OP) I had symptoms which other doctors did nothing about (for me it was "just anxiety"--I had undiagnosed Pernicious Anemia with all the classic symptoms for 5 years while 3 different doctors said it was all in my head without testing for anything buy Lyme and Thyroid before he ran the simple bloodwork and found the problem).
In New Hampshire the vaccine is required for school and he felt it was safe (alrgely due to the years of use of a smiliar vaccine in Europe). My mother had cerivical cancer in her early 30s caused by HPV (a strain this vaccine protects against) and I saw what that did to her. So, my DD did get the series a year ago. She had absolutely no side effects with it.

 

[robinb]

OP, what happened to the subject title?

Yes, but at some point you have to be willing to trust. I trust him when he says that. Can I ever know it 100% sure? No. But I would hazard to guess that most people in a married relationship do not use protection unless they are trying to avoid pregnancy, which means that they are trusting their spouse not to have an STD such as HPV, AIDS, Herpes, etc.

I was thinking about this last night. Of course you are an adult and can make your own decisions about the vaccination. My only concern is if you are using your current relationship as the primary reason why not to get the vaccination. I know that you are in love and that you trust your BF when he says that he has not been sexually active in any way. However ... he's just a BF and from your other posts it seems that he is in no hurry to get married or even engaged. What happens if you split up and then you're too old to get the vaccine? The odds are pretty high that you will start dating someone who has not been so chaste and the odds are pretty good that person may have been infected with HPV in the past or is a carrier.

I guess what I am saying is that boyfriends come and go. Maybe this guy is "the one" and maybe he isn't. If he isn't I would not base my health on the previous chastity of the next BF.

 

[agnes!]

...In New Hampshire the vaccine is required for school and he felt it was safe (alrgely due to the years of use of a smiliar vaccine in Europe). ...

Really? It's required? If you don't mind my asking, at what age?

agnes!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Really? It's required? If you don't mind my asking, at what age?

agnes!

I am just going by what I was told by the doctor and the district DD would have been in (she was homeschooled but we planned on her attending high school), as I wanted her to have the vaccine anyway I didn't go looking the laws up. Anyway, we were told she would need to have received it to enter school and had to start teh series after turning 11. She got the first shot in the series about a week after her 11th birthday.

 

[PatsMom]

I really trusted my doctor in New Hampshire though I do not blindly trust all docotrs. He was not one to jump on the latest "medical miracle" bandwagon or prescribe anything without real cause. He also was one to get to the bottom of issues, and to believe me when (like the OP) I had symptoms which other doctors did nothing about (for me it was "just anxiety"--I had undiagnosed Pernicious Anemia with all the classic symptoms for 5 years while 3 different doctors said it was all in my head without testing for anything buy Lyme and Thyroid before he ran the simple bloodwork and found the problem).
In New Hampshire the vaccine is required for school and he felt it was safe (alrgely due to the years of use of a smiliar vaccine in Europe). My mother had cerivical cancer in her early 30s caused by HPV (a strain this vaccine protects against) and I saw what that did to her. So, my DD did get the series a year ago. She had absolutely no side effects with it.

FYI, NH does not require HPV vaccination. They do provide the vaccine free of charge to those in a certain age group - ending at 18.

I am a cervical cancer survivor. Even with regular pap's I needed surgery and like a PP lost a big chunk of my cervix. The doctors were very surprised that I was able to carry DD almost to term even though it was ten years after the surgery. My DD is vaccinated. If I can potentially spare her the trauma I went through, I felt it was worth the risk of the vaccine. Even though Gardasil protects against only 4 strains of HPV, if I recall correctly those 4 strains cause something like 70% of all cervical cancer.

At the time of DD's vaccination, she said she was not sexually active and I do believe her so the vaccine may not have been necessary at 16. But to my way of thinking, you are vaccinating against what might happen in the future, not the way things are currently.

 

[NHdisneylover]

FYI, NH does not require HPV vaccination. They do provide the vaccine free of charge to those in a certain age group - ending at 18.

I am a cervical cancer survivor. Even with regular pap's I needed surgery and like a PP lost a big chunk of my cervix. The doctors were very surprised that I was able to carry DD almost to term even though it was ten years after the surgery. My DD is vaccinated. If I can potentially spare her the trauma I went through, I felt it was worth the risk of the vaccine. Even though Gardasil protects against only 4 strains of HPV, if I recall correctly those 4 strains cause something like 70% of all cervical cancer.

At the time of DD's vaccination, she said she was not sexually active and I do believe her so the vaccine may not have been necessary at 16. But to my way of thinking, you are vaccinating against what might happen in the future, not the way things are currently.

Thanks for that. I hate to spread incorrect information. It must have just been the district we lived in.

I am sorry for what you and others had to go through with cervical cancer I am so glad you (and a pp) were able to have healthy little ones in spite of your brush with cc. I was 16 when my mom's cancer was discovered. She had not had a pap for a few years (dumb mistake) and is lucky to be alive today. She had a full hysterectomy--fourtantely for her she did not want more children (at barely 33 she was still of an age when many women are having babies).

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I wanted to add something to this. For all of those who have had their dds vaccinated with it and say that they have had no side effects- how do you really know? They have been no studies on the long term effects of this vaccine. How do you really know they have or will not have any side effects from it?
That is my concern. I do think it is up to the individual to decide but for me there is simply not enough scientific information about this vaccine. YMMV.

 

[PatsMom]

I wanted to add something to this. For all of those who have had their dds vaccinated with it and say that they have had no side effects- how do you really know? They have been no studies on the long term effects of this vaccine. How do you really know they have or will not have any side effects from it?
That is my concern. I do think it is up to the individual to decide but for me there is simply not enough scientific information about this vaccine. YMMV.

I did my research and I am comfortable with my decision. The vaccine has been tested enough for me to be OK with it - I would have loved to wait another 20 years and see the long term follow-up but unfortunately by then DD would have been in her 30's. The decision to protect her or not had to be made without the benefit of 20 years of research. If my decision (and hers because she got a vote too) turns out to be wrong, then we will deal with it.

I may not really know what the very long term effects of Gardasil are but I do know what the long term effects of cervical cancer are. To provide even some protection to my DD, I am willing to take what I consider to be the small risk of side effects from the vaccine.

How did my mother really know about long term effects from the polio vaccine (which was new when I was little)? She didn't - she made the best decision she could at the time to protect her children against a known disease by giving them a relatively new vaccine.