MMR and Appendicitis connection?

[winginit]

In the last few months my almost 12-year-old son received his first MMR shots. Since he was coming to the age of puberty and had not had mumps yet, I wanted to make sure he was protected.

After the first MMR shot, he complained that he felt that he had pulled a muscle in his stomach. I didn't connect the two at all at that point.

Two months later (this last week), he went in for the second MMR shot. 36 hours later he started having incredible abdominal pain. After a couple of days (I thought it was the flu), we realized it was only getting worse and took him into the ER.

His appendix is slighty enlarged with some fluid around it. We're currently waiting to see if it progresses to appendicitis (on advice of the doctor).

Just wondering if anyone knows if there is a known reaction such as this to either the MMR shot or the preservatives in the shot?

I can't believe that I selectively delayed...and then the first time he gets the shot this happens!!! Makes you wonder what would have happened if I'd done it when he was a littler guy!!!

Thanks for your input!

[VillageMom6]

I have zero idea if there is a connection between the MMR and appendicitis. I'm inclined to think that it's a coincidence simply because it's my understanding that the peak time for appendicitis is between the ages of 12 and 20.

My oldest child (who is now 15) received the first MMR at 12 months. He had a slight reaction to it (a rash) so I did not get him the second dose.

When he was 13 he came down with appendicitis. I thought it was just the stomach flu. Children/teens often do not have that typical severe, lower right quadrant pain like adults do. He just had vomiting and some mild tummy pain. Then he got "better".

I didn't take him to the doctor's until almost a week had passed and by then his appendix had ruptured. He ended up in the hospital for six weeks and received Last Rites three times.

I'm glad that your son is already receiving medical care. I would not hesitate to have a suspicious appendix removed. How are they monitoring your son's condition? Are they doing CT scans?

Best wishes to you.

[PlayaMama]

i think that it is highly doubtful that is a rxn.

that being said, i've read that older kids tend to have more rxns than younger kids to vaxes so even if you did think it was a rxn it probably wouldn't have been worse when he was younger.