Menningococal Vaccine

[Debbie1]

My daughter's school informed me yesterday that she is missing the menningococal vaccine (a new requirement for kids going into 6th grade). She has been doing great lately and is no longer on medication for her tics (which was making her spacey at school last year). I am so afraid to give her something that might make her worse. Has anyone had a negative experience with this vaccine?

 

On another note, my 7 year old son, who tics had improved so dramatically had a terrible outburst in August. We still have not been able to get him under control. He has a frequent vocal tic that sounds like a chirp, he claps his hands often and looks up at the light is the room all of the time. Oh - and he has started going to the bathroom frequently again. Socially, things have become very difficult for him and he endured some teasing over the last few weeks. Yesterday was the first day of school. I had to warn his teachers before hand. Luckily they both said they once had another child in their class with tics. The teacher called yesterday after school to say his bathroom visits were so frequent she wanted to check in to see if he was ok. She said the tics were very frequent as well.

 

I have not changed his diet - we still eliminate artificial ingredients, preservatives and are mostly gluten free, although the doctor I brought him to said he could have oats, which we never removed from his diet. He is still on medication for his tics (although clearly not helping so much). I have wondered over the last several weeks whether all my efforts have been worthless since he seems to be having such a hard time and I feel like I'm back at square 1. I am definately in need of some inspiration - if anyone has some for me! - and a good cry.

[CSP]

YES!!!!

 

My son exploded with tics after having that vaccine. I really think you should look into have all your kids exempt from these shots. My son had very slight tics if any at all before the explosion. He started screaming, and that lasted about a year.

 

As for your son, I'm having the same increase with my son this summer. We are hopeful he will calm down after a round of antibiotics. If your son is using the bathroom a lot, maybe he has strep.

 

I'm right there with ya, I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

I know how much a good cry can help.

 

God Bless,

CP

[Debbie1]

Thanks CP. I really appreciate the support. Does anyone know how to get exempt from a state mandated vaccine in NJ?

[P_Mom]

Debbie,

I don't know about NJ, but, I'll tell you my experience. I ,too, was told it was mandatory my son received his several immunizations before starting Kindergarten, there was no way I was doing it, so, I called the school and told them I didn't want my son to get the shots and asked them what I needed to do. They said all I need was a note from the doc. Okay, so far, so good. I called my pediatrition and told him my concerns and that I needed a note..he said "no problem." The note said my son would not be receiving his shots due to "medical concerns." The school accepted it no problem and it has not been brought up since...I didn't even have to tell anyonw why, although a nebbie school nurse asked, but, I declined to tell her...actually, they aren't even supposed to ask...nor are there any circumstances where I need to tell her unless I choose.

 

I hope it works out this easy for you...

 

p.s. have you ever looked into infection (strep) or viruses as the cause of tics?

[emma1]

Does anyone know -- is this the same vaccine that some colleges are requiring before students can attend?

[michele]

After exposure to strep my son always has those frequent toilet trips/pee urges. The omnicef is the only antibiotic that resolved this. I think it is part of the obsessing that comes on during the strep pandas OCD episode. Has your son been emotional? Emotional liability is also one of the key symptoms for us during these pandas episodes. Also my son presents with vocal tics.

 

I am wondering about the vaccine tie also. After kindergarten vaccines my son had a horrible return of tics, ocd, adhd and obsessions. His initial strep and pandas came on after his twelve month shots. I would have to look and see if it was the menningococal shot given at that visit. Do you know at what ages it is given?

 

On a side note, my one year old is due for shots. She has her 18 month visit tomorrow. On the last visit the Dr. talked me into a few necessary ones(so she said) My daughter is showing signs of being delayed in language and her hips are showing signs of low tone( feet turning in coming from hips) It is like I had a bad feeling based on my sons history with shots, then I am seeing signs of delays with her and I am freaking out! I can't handle two with these problems. I am wondering if their immune issues are related to my autoimmune issues. I have arthritis and fibro and degenerative disc disorder. I presented with signs at 30! My first two kids who were born before the age of 30 are fine with their shots and have no immune issues.

 

Thanks for posting about these important topics.

 

My daughter's school informed me yesterday that she is missing the menningococal vaccine (a new requirement for kids going into 6th grade). She has been doing great lately and is no longer on medication for her tics (which was making her spacey at school last year). I am so afraid to give her something that might make her worse. Has anyone had a negative experience with this vaccine?

 

On another note, my 7 year old son, who tics had improved so dramatically had a terrible outburst in August. We still have not been able to get him under control. He has a frequent vocal tic that sounds like a chirp, he claps his hands often and looks up at the light is the room all of the time. Oh - and he has started going to the bathroom frequently again. Socially, things have become very difficult for him and he endured some teasing over the last few weeks. Yesterday was the first day of school. I had to warn his teachers before hand. Luckily they both said they once had another child in their class with tics. The teacher called yesterday after school to say his bathroom visits were so frequent she wanted to check in to see if he was ok. She said the tics were very frequent as well.

 

I have not changed his diet - we still eliminate artificial ingredients, preservatives and are mostly gluten free, although the doctor I brought him to said he could have oats, which we never removed from his diet. He is still on medication for his tics (although clearly not helping so much). I have wondered over the last several weeks whether all my efforts have been worthless since he seems to be having such a hard time and I feel like I'm back at square 1. I am definately in need of some inspiration - if anyone has some for me! - and a good cry.

[Debbie1]

P.Mom,

 

Thanks for your reply. I hope it is so easy for me!!! I have been warned though that NJ is tough. I spoke to my pediatrician yesterday right after the school called me. He told me he thought I would need a religious exemption to get out of it since this is not one of the vaccines on the radar for causing neurological problems. I have not yet told the school that I would like an exemption. I would bet that no one in this school has ever requested an exemption before leaving me in unchartered territory.

 

I never did look into the strep/virus connection to his tics. He never seemed to get worse when he was sick so I assumed it wasn't the issue. We have had many cases of strep over the years here. Do you think it is worth looking into? If so, where do I begin?

 

Debbie

[Debbie1]

Michele - I am not sure what you mean by "emotional liability" although I do not think of him as an overly emotional kid. I am not sure at what age they will give the shot going forward. My daughter's friends all got it very recently because it was a new requirement for this school year. My younger children have not been given it yet.

 

I just got off the phone with a doctor nearby. He is a pediatrician with a strong interest in ADD/ADHD and sees kids with several neurological disorders including tics. Someone suggested we make an appointment for a consultation with him as he seems to have had some success with another child with tics.

 

He is willing to see us, although there is a bit of a wait (isn't there always!) He recommended a book in the meantime - "Kids in the Mix"by Martin Kutscher. Have you read it?

[P_Mom]

Debbie,

Based on what you have said about your son, IMO, I think it would be a very good idea to look into the strep connection....it can't hurt, right? What I would do right now because he is in an increased episode...I'd go get a throat swab and CULTURE done ASAP...you never know..........even if things are negative, I'd try a round of antibiotics to see if it helps, a round of antibiotics won't hurt your son and many of us have seen dramatic improvements. If your son is having an immune reaction causing the increase, the antibiotics MAY help the symptoms...

[EAMom]

Yes, I agree, do the strep culture! If the rapid test is negative, get the 48 hour culture.

 

I don't know if I'm correct, but I think of emotional lability as more tantrums, overly sensitive, easily upset by things, moody...

[kim]

Does anyone know -- is this the same vaccine that some colleges are requiring before students can attend?

I believe the vaccine being discussed here is Menactra and yes that would be the same vaccine that used to be pushed for college students.

 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles...-reactions.aspx

 

It is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of adverse events after vaccinations are ever reported to VAERS, perhaps even as low as one to four percent.

 

Most doctors will simply deny the possibility that a vaccine has harmed a healthy patient, and when the vaccine is mandatory, their denial can run even deeper. Most frequently, in the case of mandated vaccines, the strategy used is to highlight the seriousness of the disease, while denying the potential complications from the vaccine itself.

 

Meningococcal disease and the Menactra vaccine is one such case in point

 

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/10/30/...s-menactra.html

 

A new commercial promoting a meningitis vaccine — and showing what might happen if parents don't vaccinate their children — has Canadian critics warning parents to examine the facts and not be swayed by such ads.

 

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01729.html

Info from FDA

 

You can read the package insert with ingredient here

 

http://www.fda.gov/CbER/products/menactra.htm

[patty]

Debbie,

 

Right before your son's outburst of tics, can you remember what environment he is exposed to, where he was at or what did he eat?

 

If your son is not PANDA, then you may want to consider food or environmental allergies.

 

Things are hard, but you will get thru it. Be strong and good luck!

 

Pat

[MARYANN]

Yes, my daughter had the Menningococal Vaccine and the 1 week later had the tetnus Vaccine and 4 weeks later had her first tic. About, eight months prior to that she did do something with her neck but she stopped. The nerologist questioned if that was a tic. After the vaccine she started ticcing eye, arms, and legs six months strong and then slowed down. I definetly believe it was the Vaccine. I don't know when her next vaccine is but im also going to be concerned.

Wish you luck Maryann

[CSP]

Maryann,

 

Those are the two shots my son had on the same day. Interesting you say 4 weeks later she had tics, and 6 weeks later my son exploded with them.

 

CP

[Debbie1]

Patty,

 

I remember my son was doing so well that we decided to reintroduce a little bit of gluten to see what would happen. Within a few hours, he had a head bopping tic that we hadn't seen in ages. We did not give him gluten again.

 

Not that long after (or before - I can't exactly remember), he ate a plum and seemed within minutes to have very frequent hand clapping. No more plums for him.

 

Around the same time, my daughter came home from a month away at sleep away camp. She came down with strep one day later, but my son was never symptomatic.

 

It has been down hill since then. Although we took away the seemingly "trigger foods", we haven't gotten him back to where he was. Seems only like a downward spiral since.

 

I spoke to my pediatrician this morning and asked about a throat culture. To my surprise, he actually knows what PANDAS is and said there is sometimes a correlation between strep and tics although not usually in what seem to be chronic cases. He agreed to do a throat culture later today. If it is negative, he said he would do the overnight. I asked about a 48 hour test and he said - not necessary. If strep is growing, he will see it with the 24 hr.

 

What else should I ask him? Am I supposed to ask him about blood work for elevated antibodies? I have read a little about that here, but never thought it applied to our case, so I am not on top of the info. If anyone can give me guidance, it would be much appreciated. Our appointment is at 2:30 Eastern time.

 

Thank you everyone.