OT: ease my mind about immunizations!

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Make sure you are getting mercury free if it eases your fears. Thimerosal goes by some other names as well. If you request mercury free you should be ok. What I found however is that not all doctors are aware of which preservatives have mercury or do not. Also you can have the shots split up not in one big dose shot.
Now all this might cost you more depending on your insurance. And I became a vaccine freak after my dd stopped breathing after her first dpt shot. So be an advocate for your child. I do get my kids vaccinated but I do it in a way that I am comfortable with.

I just have to second this. I am extremly allergic to Mercury. I never received my childhood immunizations (only one round that's when my mom found out I was allergic). I received a round of required hep B vaccine at my work. The level of Mercury was so low that it was not listed. I ended up at the hospital with seizures. Please triple check. Even if that means having the nurse look it up.

 

[problemchild718]

I have 3 children-all vaccinated and normal, healthy children. I also had a brother who was autistic (no corralation with his vaccines). That being said, I respect other parents choice to vaccinate or not-but take a look around when you are out, at WDW, the mall-wherever...many of the immigrants, visitors to our country, people from outside this country are NOT vaccinated. They touch carts, rides, packages. Sneeze and cough in front of you, use the bathroom...you see what I'm saying. They also bring illness into our country which we had under control at one point, but now are seeing again in the USA.

 

[mookie]

Well, here's our Story:

I have 2 sons...21 mos and 10 mos. - they are 11 mos apart.

My first son has had all of his vaccines on schedule. Including MMR.

Shortly after his 12 mo checkup, we did notice some serious sensory issues. In a nutshell, he stopped babbling, started "zoning." Not truly severe autistic child symptoms, but there were differences. He's been evaluated by Early Intervention and now receives Speech 2x a week, Developmental Therapy once a week, and Occupational Therapy every 2 weeks. While he is emerging and making huge progress, he still hasn't said a single word. He doesn't even shake his head yes or no....and he is almost 22 mos old.

Now, I didn't really think about things much until lately, since we have been so happy with his progress. But I happened to watch some video from about a year ago, and noticed how much our son (who was 9 mos at that time) was babbling, interacting, repeating....everything on schedule. It was like a totally different kid.

I know many parents say this. "They came back from their 12 mo appt and were never the same." But I can't help but think there might be something to this whole vaccine thing. What I do know is that there WAS a change in my son. And that change happened after he turned 12 mos. Could it have been the vaccine? Or was it the birth of his younger brother and that we didn't give him as much attention as we should have? Was it still something else that I haven't even thought of yet - even though I'm up quite a bit at night thinking about it?

To this day I don't know. What I do know is that while I did see a change....I did do something about it. Got him evaluated, and made sure I did everything I could to stimulate every sensory issue. The reason I am saying this is because I do think that there is a slight arguement to say that some of the autistic issues that you see in children don't usually come out until 12 mos of age or older....and it is a coincidece that it falls in line with the MMR vaccine schedule. With that said, the coincedence still isn't something that should be ignored. There HAS to be SOMETHING to the crazy vaccine schedule...and they just haven't figured it out yet.

Since all of my sons "issues" have emerged I have talked at length with my pedi about my concerns. And while I really don't know what, if anything, caused my son to change his behavior, I still want to make sure I cover all of my bases. So, my question to him was "What is the safest length of time I can wait or spread these vaccines out while at the same still meeting the requirements of the state?" I'm not against the vaccines, just the way in which they are administered. We've agreed for my youngest son, who is now coming up on his year appt, will wait a year to have the MMR.

Sorry to anyone if I came off preachy. I just don't think there is enough evidence out there....on either side. My child is one that very well could be one that fell victim to a vaccine complication, but how do I know that for sure? I don't. And just as we all want to be safe, I don't know if I can fall extremely on one side or the other until we have a DEFINITE decision on either side of the safety coin. Because it seems to me like either way you decide, there is some risk to your child. It's up to you to find the happy medium and find what is going to be the best...and for me, it's delaying the vaccines. But either way, I think you'll hear stories on both sides....the child that got vaccinated and they still had the disease, the child that didnt and was fine, the one that didn't get vaccinated but still has autism, etc. There is no definitive answer, and until there is, I'm not going to sway one way or the other....regardless of the "issues" my son now has. I love him just the same, and with early dectection and intervention, he can still be a happy, normal, and vaccinated child.

 

[cuppycake]

The Vaccine Book: Making the right decision for your child by Dr Robert Sears
http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316017507/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207023939&sr=8-1
(sorry, dont' know how to make a PRETTY link)
is another GREAT book that is totally informative. He doesn't really sway pro or anti vax...just presents a lot of facts about the shots, the diseases we are trying to protect against, etc. Very interesting reading.

Just wanted to add into the mix to those who are worried about their kids based on the unvaxed kids (yes, my kids are vaxed, but on a delayed schedule)....you do realize that MANY of the cases of these diseases are actually contracted (and thus passed on) by VAXED kids, right? It's not only the unvaxed kids that get them and pass them on. Vaccinations are NOT a guarantee....you can still contract a disease that you are "protected" from.

Just a thought. I never fully understood how parents could get so angry at other parents for making choices that they feel best for their child. I certainly don't get how the government should get to step in and tell people that they have no choice in the matter. I certainly hope that we never get to the point that you are not allowed to refuse a vaccine. That is freaky scary to me.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

The Vaccine Book: Making the right decision for your child by Dr Robert Sears
http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316017507/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207023939&sr=8-1
(sorry, dont' know how to make a PRETTY link)
is another GREAT book that is totally informative. He doesn't really sway pro or anti vax...just presents a lot of facts about the shots, the diseases we are trying to protect against, etc. Very interesting reading.

Just wanted to add into the mix to those who are worried about their kids based on the unvaxed kids (yes, my kids are vaxed, but on a delayed schedule)....you do realize that MANY of the cases of these diseases are actually contracted (and thus passed on) by VAXED kids, right? It's not only the unvaxed kids that get them and pass them on. Vaccinations are NOT a guarantee....you can still contract a disease that you are "protected" from.

Just a thought. I never fully understood how parents could get so angry at other parents for making choices that they feel best for their child. I certainly don't get how the government should get to step in and tell people that they have no choice in the matter. I certainly hope that we never get to the point that you are not allowed to refuse a vaccine. That is freaky scary to me.

They tried to do this in Texas recently with the new (and in my opinion, completely unproven long term efficacy) HPV vaccine for girls. storm of epic proportions there!

I think that while vaccinations should never be made mandatory, participating in public schools or universities should require immunizations for the "deadly" diseases. Chicken pox I don't worry so much about, but y'know what I mean.

 

[DMickey28]

My DS is approaching his one year appointment as well. I am not doing the MMR then. I am not sure when I will do it but it won't be at the one year appointment.

I am also on the fence regarding the chicken pox vax.

 

[Ariel8676]

I dont think it should be manditory to get a Chicken pox vax..they dont even know how long the vax wil last and that means booster's over and over and then rasing the risk of shingles in adulthood. I would definitely rather my children get chicken pox and gain immunity that way then worry about the complications of shingles later on.
I had CP when i was 14 my doc said it was the worst case he had ever seen..but i got through it and i am fine now...

 

[JandJ]

I haven't read all of the responses and I have to say I am terrified about Autism for my future child (no kids yet). My nephew has Asperger's Syndrome so it hits home. Just my 2 cents:

DH has a co-worker who has three boys and his middle son has Autism. NONE of his kids was ever vaccinated - not one of them - and the middle boy is Autistic. This really makes me question the link between vaccines and Autism. Maybe there is something in the vaccines that triggers it in some children, they don't know yet, but it cannot be the only cause.

The latest research looks at genetics and the environment, but in twins, one can be Autistic and the other is not, which just complicates finding the cause. In hindsight, we saw the signs in my nephew very early on and his parents don't blame the vaccines. The Autism Speaks website is a fantastic resource with the latest information. I try to stay up to date because of my sweet nephew but I cannot imagine dealing with it every single day. God bless the parents, children, and adults who live within the Autism spectrum.

 

[Pennykay]

Whether or not to immunize you're child is a very personal decision.
Vaccines do harm some children. It is a fact. It happens more often than you think. There is a government agency in charge of tracking vaccine reactions and deaths. VAERS. http://www.medalerts.org/vaersdb/index.html For instance search DTAP, which all vaccinated kids get, and choose "life threatening-YES" and then find. You will see actual cases and what happened to these children. For parents with teenage girls. Look at the HPV4 info about Gardasil. Very scary. And there is a government agency (National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) for compensating parents of vaccine injured children. Anyway, my point is, it happens. Non vaccinating parents and selective vaxing parents aren't just lightly making these decisions. We are researching the facts and making the best decision for OUR children. I respect you're choice to do what you believe is best for you're child, all I am asking for is that you try not to be so judgmental about my choice. My child was harmed, and until you walk a day in my shoes you have no idea what you would do if you were in my position. I doubt that you would just continue to vaccinate because everyone thought you should to "protect" their kids.

 

[matdrew]

I am terrified of vaccines. My son was a happy loving talkative baby. very typical(normal) from birth until he received his MMR.

After the MMR under his eyes became red for months. and overnight he stopped talking, He would not look anyone in the eye. HE avoided eye contact , he wouldn't even look at himself in the mirror. he also started doing weird things like focusing on something. lining up tapes across the living room and no one could move it or needing to have the same exact cup to drink from not even the same one in a different color would work. He starting lining up everything around him. trains became his favorite toy he would just line them all up on the track but never played with them.

He still was affectionate and friendly but no eye contact at all.
Everyday we would notice something else weird with him. Like if he went outside now he would keep his eyes closed and he had sensory issues. He would wake up at night alot.

I felt like someone stole his little soul at night because practically overnight he developed all these issues.
After being in shock and denial for a while, I got him therapy and put him on a special diet . I know I can never prove wht happened, the doctors insist that it could not be because of vaccines.

no one can explain how a normal little boy disappeared into himself so suddenly. and even more amazing and unexplainable is how that little boy that therapists told me I would have to start thinking about his care in the future (group homes, special wills for his care etc) is completely normal today. My son is now 10 years old , he is the most popular kid in his school, he has so many friends my hubby is always saying our lives revolve around Drew answering his calls from his many friends, fitting in his boyscout events, baseball, soccer ,etc. He is an A student in a typical public elementary school. our lives always has revolved around Drew but befre it was researching, getting the right therapy, doctor appts, more therapy appts, visting special schools, making special foods for Drew and crying every night.



Either it is a miracle or I think because of the research I did and the diet perhaps the mercury slowly left his body.

I think the vaccines in combination with the environment and contaminated foods like fish caused an autistic like symptoms. and as most of the poisons left his body he returned to normal. I do believe there are children that are classically autistic and then there are all these children like my son that were mercury poisoned and whose symptoms closely match those of autism. I think I lost quite a few years of my life while I was going thru all that with my son. But the worse feeling a had was thinking over and over that I held my child down so That the doctor could put poison in his perfect little body and he did suffer so much for a long time.

I I don't want to scare anyone. This is just my experience. After what i have been Thru my advice is just to research first and make an informed decision.

 

[gillenkl]

The latest research looks at genetics and the environment, but in twins, one can be Autistic and the other is not, which just complicates finding the cause.

Just as an FYI I have twins and DS is on the spectrum and DD is not. No one else in our family has ever been diagnosed on the spectrum. DS has been genetically tested and no abnormalities were found - also regarding environment we are non-smokers and non-drinkers. We went to a neurologist and from the brain scan he did find the markings for autism spectrum. As this poster says - it's very complicated.

 

[crisi]

There has been no statistical link proven between autism and vaccination.

The most common study that shows such a link was paid for by the attorney in charge of the case suing the pharmacutical companies - always know who paid for a study, it often skews the results. Those results have not held up to scientific scrutiny.

Vaccination is not proof against infection, but it is a HUGE shield against it. The interesting thing about vaccination is herd immunity. i.e. even if the vaccination doesn't work for me, you being vaccinated and therefore not getting the disease to pass on to me keeps me safe. This is especially important for people who can't be vaccinated due to immunosuppression - like kids with cancer.

Prior to vaccination, common childhood illnesses like measles, mumps and whooping cough killed thousands of people every year, and left many others severely ******** or disabled due to high fevers or weakened lungs. Many of these diseases can lead to sterility in men if they are contracted post puberty. These are viral illnesses - antibiotics won't help, your body simply needs to fight it off. The scary thing nowadays is that in fighting it off we put you in the hospital so you can stay hydrated with IVs, and that puts you at higher risk of being exposed to an antibiotic resistant bacteria.

A not uncommon side effect of choosing not to vaccinate is kids that travel as young adults getting ill. These diseases are more common in other parts of the world and people either assume they were vaccinated or believe that since they haven't gotten sick yet, they will continue to be safe.

Vaccines are not 100% safe, even if you aren't worried about autism. You need to decide where the greater risk lies. Personally, having done a little geneology work for my family, I see a family tree littered with the bodies of young children who died of measles or mumps or whooping cough or were disabled by polio - I vaccinate.

 

[MKCP5]

I work in a pedicatricians office. Get your shots, is all I can say. There is no evidence about the link with autism, none. It is the same age that autism symptoms are often picked up, a coincidence.

Fear is a powerful voice. I didn't hesitate to vaccinate my child

 

[jakenjess]

Either it is a miracle or I think because of the research I did and the diet perhaps the mercury slowly left his body.

I'm so happy to hear everything has worked out well for your son! I'm just curious what kind of diet you used. My DS has ADHD and is a very picky eater (he's 12). I've always questioned in the back of my mind whether vaccines had any bearing. If I knew then what I know now, I would have delayed the vaccines, but he would have had them all, just not all bunched together and at such a young age. My DD also had them all on schedule and has no problems, so who knows. I just don't think that splitting them up and delaying them a bit would be of any harm, and it may be a better way of doing it.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

For those of you that have done the research, is there information about prevelence of autism in boys compared to girls?

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I live in a small town (about 50,000 people). For many years I worked with developmentally disabled adults. There were about 400 adults living in various group homes in town. Out of 400 there were 25 that were born normal and healthy and right after they had their vaccines they were never the same and now living in facilities. There were quite a few more but they lived in hospitalized institutions. Now this is documented. Not one of the healt professionals ever said it was caused by vaccines. It is there job to give them. I have also never come across a health professional that will admit that vaccines can cause autism and many other problems. They won't ever admit that it does. (When I was getting my first round of shots...the only one I ever had...I fell over into seizures in the parking lot after the shot and my doctor still would not admit it was from the shots). Giving vaccines should be something that you look into yourself. Doctors are biased so asking their opinion will not help. Do the reasearch yourself and make an informed decision, either way.
Besides all that even if your child has had their vaccines and there is an outbreak your doctor will reccomend getting another vaccine. My daughter's doctor did admit that to me.

 

[matdrew]

I'm so happy to hear everything has worked out well for your son! I'm just curious what kind of diet you used. My DS has ADHD and is a very picky eater (he's 12). I've always questioned in the back of my mind whether vaccines had any bearing. If I knew then what I know now, I would have delayed the vaccines, but he would have had them all, just not all bunched together and at such a young age. My DD also had them all on schedule and has no problems, so who knows. I just don't think that splitting them up and delaying them a bit would be of any harm, and it may be a better way of doing it.

i did the gluten free casein free diet GFCF. no milk or wheat products. I found it very diffucult to be and stay on. It seemed to work but it is hard to say for sure and it isa lot of work to stay on
google GFCF
they say it works for ADHD disorders too.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

In all the research that you all have done (and I commend you for that) have you ever run across information regarding vaccines and adults? DD had her spleen removed and apparently has lost all of her immunizations, too. Immunologist wants to re-vaccinate her, but I'm not too sure. She does show an immunity to chicken pox; my kids all had chicken pox, the vaccine wasn't around back then.

 

[jakenjess]

i did the gluten free casein free diet GFCF. no milk or wheat products. I found it very diffucult to be and stay on. It seemed to work but it is hard to say for sure and it isa lot of work to stay on
google GFCF
they say it works for ADHD disorders too.

Thank you. I know this would be difficult, but I may give it a try.

 

[crisi]

I live in a small town (about 50,000 people). For many years I worked with developmentally disabled adults. There were about 400 adults living in various group homes in town. Out of 400 there were 25 that were born normal and healthy and right after they had their vaccines they were never the same and now living in facilities. There were quite a few more but they lived in hospitalized institutions. Now this is documented. Not one of the healt professionals ever said it was caused by vaccines. It is there job to give them. I have also never come across a health professional that will admit that vaccines can cause autism and many other problems. They won't ever admit that it does. (When I was getting my first round of shots...the only one I ever had...I fell over into seizures in the parking lot after the shot and my doctor still would not admit it was from the shots). Giving vaccines should be something that you look into yourself. Doctors are biased so asking their opinion will not help. Do the reasearch yourself and make an informed decision, either way.
Besides all that even if your child has had their vaccines and there is an outbreak your doctor will reccomend getting another vaccine. My daughter's doctor did admit that to me.

You do understand that correlation does not mean causation and that there may be another variable at play? Most autism researchers suspect that variable is developmental age - which study after study DOES bear out.