Never vaccinated my 2yo

[bronxmom2]

Hi-- I know this has been discussed many times, but I don't feel like there's a clear consensus on this. I'm curious how many people here currently think vaccines might play a role in triggering the PANDAS response.

 

As soon as I figured out what was happening with my ds7, I stopped vaccinating my baby (who was then about 6 months).

 

He has his 2-year checkup next week and I know they are going to pressure me about the vaccines. I know my husband wants me to vaccinate as well but if I feel strongly enough, he will probably support me.

 

It just makes sense to me on a gut level that pumping a tiny kid full of vaccines all at once could play a role in a subsequent rogue immune system response. So when they come at him with that needle I say no.

 

NYC schools are very stringent about vaccinations (as they should be I guess), but right now I am homeschooling the PANDAS kid anyway.

 

Anyway I'm just curious about people's views of the role of the vaccines in all this.

 

(BTW I'm still breastfeeding the 2yo and plan to continue indefinitely.)

[Ellen]

Hi-- I know this has been discussed many times, but I don't feel like there's a clear consensus on this. I'm curious how many people here currently think vaccines might play a role in triggering the PANDAS response.

 

As soon as I figured out what was happening with my ds7, I stopped vaccinating my baby (who was then about 6 months).

 

He has his 2-year checkup next week and I know they are going to pressure me about the vaccines. I know my husband wants me to vaccinate as well but if I feel strongly enough, he will probably support me.

 

It just makes sense to me on a gut level that pumping a tiny kid full of vaccines all at once could play a role in a subsequent rogue immune system response. So when they come at him with that needle I say no.

 

NYC schools are very stringent about vaccinations (as they should be I guess), but right now I am homeschooling the PANDAS kid anyway.

 

Anyway I'm just curious about people's views of the role of the vaccines in all this.

 

(BTW I'm still breastfeeding the 2yo and plan to continue indefinitely.)

[thereishope]

I don't really know where I stand. I'm being honest here. It would be easy for me to say don't vaccinate at all, but my kids are 3,6,9. So all their baby vaccinations are past. I am debating what to do with my 3 year old as she approaches kindergarten. She has had strep already and PANDAS did not surface, but I also know that does not mean she is 100% in the clear. I have mixed feelings that the boys got the protection from those vaccines and she may not, but I don't want to put her in danger.

 

I know that I do not like live vaccines. I've already passed on the second dose of chicken pox for my boys and none of my kids got a flu vaccine or the H1N1 vaccine.

 

So, I don't think I will be much help for you on this topic. I'm confused and torn too.

 

I live in Ohio where I can get a religious or philosophical exemption.

 

A great website is www.nvic.org

Edited April 25, 2010 by Vickie

[Ellen]

In my opinion vaccines can play a role in making PANDAS symptoms worse and this is what happened with my son. He developed OCD after a strep when he was 10 and 1/2, but his symptoms became much worse and new ones appeared shortly after getting two vaccines (while his allergies were acting up) at the age of 11. Since then I have stopped doing vaccines for him and his nonPANDAS brother, who is three years younger. It is a difficult decision. Go with you gut. I personally would not agree to it right now. If you ever decide to vaccinate, I would never do more than one at a time and never while there is anything else going on in the way of cold, illness, or allergies. I hope this is helpful.

 

Ellen

 

 

Hi-- I know this has been discussed many times, but I don't feel like there's a clear consensus on this. I'm curious how many people here currently think vaccines might play a role in triggering the PANDAS response.

 

As soon as I figured out what was happening with my ds7, I stopped vaccinating my baby (who was then about 6 months).

 

He has his 2-year checkup next week and I know they are going to pressure me about the vaccines. I know my husband wants me to vaccinate as well but if I feel strongly enough, he will probably support me.

 

It just makes sense to me on a gut level that pumping a tiny kid full of vaccines all at once could play a role in a subsequent rogue immune system response. So when they come at him with that needle I say no.

 

NYC schools are very stringent about vaccinations (as they should be I guess), but right now I am homeschooling the PANDAS kid anyway.

 

Anyway I'm just curious about people's views of the role of the vaccines in all this.

 

(BTW I'm still breastfeeding the 2yo and plan to continue indefinitely.)

[thereishope]

.

Edited April 25, 2010 by Vickie

[thereishope]

I totally agree with that!

 

 

 

If you ever decide to vaccinate, I would never do more than one at a time and never while there is anything else going on in the way of cold, illness, or allergies. I hope this is helpful.

 

Ellen

Edited April 25, 2010 by Vickie

[Tenacity]

My understanding is that, while vaccinations do not cause PANDAS, they most certainly can exacerbate it and trigger secondary (tertiary, etc...) episodes. I have seen this in my own child, heard it from an expert PANDAS doctor, and read it in medical literature. I have been advised by this expert doctor not to have my sick child receive any more vaccinations, except for Tetanus, until adulthood. As for my second healthy child --I too am "gun-shy," as I suppose any parent in my position would be. But each child is unique, and it might just be more dangerous to deprive my second child of vaccinations than to administer them to him. My plan is to consult with the PANDAS expert about this question as well. I don't think there's a "one-size-fits-all" here.

 

Tenacity

 

 

Hi-- I know this has been discussed many times, but I don't feel like there's a clear consensus on this. I'm curious how many people here currently think vaccines might play a role in triggering the PANDAS response.

 

As soon as I figured out what was happening with my ds7, I stopped vaccinating my baby (who was then about 6 months).

 

He has his 2-year checkup next week and I know they are going to pressure me about the vaccines. I know my husband wants me to vaccinate as well but if I feel strongly enough, he will probably support me.

 

It just makes sense to me on a gut level that pumping a tiny kid full of vaccines all at once could play a role in a subsequent rogue immune system response. So when they come at him with that needle I say no.

 

NYC schools are very stringent about vaccinations (as they should be I guess), but right now I am homeschooling the PANDAS kid anyway.

 

Anyway I'm just curious about people's views of the role of the vaccines in all this.

 

(BTW I'm still breastfeeding the 2yo and plan to continue indefinitely.)