Flu mist Vax and possible reaction???

[Rosegarden77]

I had my eldest 2 children receive the flu mist vax on 09/01 and basically 2 weeks to the day my 3 yo started waking up vomiting at 3am but then after emptying her stomach she would be absolutely fine the next day--like nothing happened--this went on for 2 more nights--my dh and I had already decided that after the second a.m. vomit we would call the doc if a third episode happened. Well we managed to only delay the vomiting episode by propping her up on pillows and giving her a pepto tablet so instead of waking between 1-3am she woke at 6am.

Docs office said it could be allergies etc and to try giving her Zyrtec before bed--well we tried that and guess what--no more vomiting but I am left wondering if it was caused by the flu mist????? My child has never vomited from sinus drainage cause by allergies before--why now??? When she does not have any allergic symptoms during waking hours--what could possibly be effecting her tummy now?

We are going to try to stop giving her Zyrtec tonight before bed--so far we have given it for 3 nights total.

Anyone with some insight???

TIA

Rose
mom to 3 under 5

[Marnica]

It doesn't sound related to the flumist...if anything she would have gotten the flu as it is a live virus mist, but vomiting only at night and being fine at all other times does not sound like the flu....

[SuburbanHippie]

I don't see a correlation either.

[13Sandals]

vomiting is one of the side effects listed for flumist - especially for children.

since the virus from flumist can be active for up to 3 weeks - it could be related absolutely.

[Cristiaz]

My two cents is that since the flu mist is a live virus and has toxins just like the shots do, it inflammed the sinus cavities. Every sinus problem I've had, it was worse when I layed down because it allows the sinus cavities to fill and become inflammed and infected. Vommitting is a quick immune response just like diarreaha...the quickest ways for the immune system to get toxins OUT. Instead of the flu vaccines I would do Vit D, C, and A everyday during flu season. More so that the flu vaccines never seem to work. Everyone I know who gets it, gets the flu. I hope your kids feel better soon

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by 13Sandals

vomiting is one of the side effects listed for flumist - especially for children.

since the virus from flumist can be active for up to 3 weeks - it could be related absolutely.

Yes, but I would think that if she was experiencing a side effect (ie vomiting) then it would not be occurring just at night???

[13Sandals]

Originally Posted by Marnica

Yes, but I would think that if she was experiencing a side effect (ie vomiting) then it would not be occurring just at night???

it could be if the vomiting is in relation to nasal drip. I admit I don't understand the exact mechanics of why nasal drip seems to be worse at night (presumably the nasal drip is occurring all day long). I just know that when I have nasal drip - I am far more uncomfortable, my throat much more sore and stomach queasier, at night...maybe because digestive juices are less active, the stomach less full - the stomach is more easily upset?
In any case, I think its possibly related. If I suspected a side-effect and felt certain my kids should have a flu vaccine, I might switch to the thimerosal-free flu shot next year instead of flu-mist.

[Rosegarden77]

Thanks everyone for weighing in

We did try no Zyrtec Monday and Tuesday evening-no probs Monday but come early Wed. am we were back to the vomiting so I took her to the doc today and she said it sounded like post-nasal drip and that was what was upsetting her tummy and to just keep giving her the Zyrtec.

Well believe it or not--our eldest who also got the flumist 3 weeks ago is up now with vomiting and I am stumped because neither of them have ever had vomiting episodes from allergies/sinus drip etc. Of course, our dd is fine because we gave her the "grape medicine" (Zyrtec) before bed.

When I asked about the flumist--the doc said no it would not cause allergies in the sinuses or as she said "up there" but my question was more of--does it exacerbate the sinus drainage??? Could it be amplifying the sinus drainage???

Normally-they get the pres. free fluzone that comes in the pre-filled syringe but this seemed less of a hardship for them than a shot so it is our first year doing the flumist--it seeeeemed like a no-brainer-no shot and no pres.-rethinking this choice...

Or is it all a very odd and untimely coincidence that I would have 2 children start vomiting at night from sinus drainage within a week of one another 2 and 3 weeks after flumist? They are fully emptying their tummies when they have these episodes. My kids do not have any history of just vomiting or having vomiting episodes. However-obviously-at least for my dd--the antihistamine is working-I just hate that we are having to stick that stuff in her system nightly.

I mean-what gives???

I guess we will be starting eldest on Zyrtec before bed too!

It just seems very odd to me that this would happen within a week of one another--I will be setting up appts at the allergist for both as well to have them tested for allergies too. I need to know what they are allergic to-

Thanks everybody for your insight and opinions--will keep you posted if I find out anymore info--

Rose
Mom to 3 under 5

PS I have the kids on a probiotic and I give them echinacea drops during flu season as well as a multi with vit D--we play outside lots in the sunshine as well

[13Sandals]

the doc said no it would not cause allergies in the sinuses

okay, well maybe she can explain why one of the side effects listed on the insert is vomiting and both your kids started vomiting after flu mist.

really, it doesn't sound like allergies. allergies aren't contagious. either they got a really 'hot' dose of flumist and it extremely irritated the sinus cavities or one caught a mild stomach bug and passed it to the other. hope they feel better soon!!

[Rosegarden77]

THank you--I hope this all goes away soon too!

Yup-I have never understood some docs who are quick to dismiss what you are asking etc--she really did not understand my question but I had already decided to follow up with our allergist--have an appt on Tues at 4:30-they are concerned about the vomiting but the nurse I spoke with also reiterated that she did not think it was the flumist-mainly because it was past the 2 week window in which they really scrutinize adverse events (well just past) but I am hopeful that it is coincidental.

I am just happy that they did not try to force a Hep A vax on me like the last nurse--even when I told her that:

1) my previous family doc said no need for hep A each and every year of all of my children's well child check ups--because our kids are not in a daycare setting or preschool setting outside of home

2) I said no the 2 times before that you asked

3) oh yea and the answer is stiiiilll nooooooo

Ya gotta love the looks on some nurses faces when you dig your heels in

Oh-but our current doc's nurse did mention a while back on the phone giving my 1 yo a calcium test because he is still BF even though he is getting solids too-including his yobaby yogurt--yea I don't think so--my doc NEVER asked for us to do this type of test with my other 2 children. (if anyone has more insight on those please fill me in) I have frankly-never read of such a practice either--and I am an info JUNKIE.

Maaann I miss my old doc--he has 8 children and took an ER position so he could be with his family more~totally understand~totally~ but it has been hard finding someone that can fill our tall order for a solid doc that does not push too much on certain issues!!!

[bookmom1]

Originally Posted by Rosegarden77 


PS I have the kids on a probiotic and I give them echinacea drops during flu season as well as a multi with vit D--we play outside lots in the sunshine as well

I know this is an old thread, but just an FYI, you should not give echinacea daily, only when you feel they might be getting sick and within the first couple of days of a cold. It's not good for them to be on it longer. Also, if they have any ragweed allergies then they are probably allergic to echinacea. I found that out with my daughter as it was in her vitamin C.

I labor over the whole flu vaccine every single year. ugh!