Second HIB and Dtap

[pixiewytch]

DD is due for her 4 month checkup. On her first visit I reluctantly agreed to the HiB and Dtap vaccines, mainly because my son brings a lot of nasty germs home from school.

Well she had a terrible reaction. You may remember me posting about it here. She had a high pitched cry for hours on end and a high fever until that evening. It was quite a scary experience for me.

So you can imagine how reluctant I am this time around. Of course I have no idea which of the two vaxes caused the reaction or if it will happen again but my gut feeling is that I don't want to do either of them.

Can someone tell me which vax is more likely to cause those side effects and what good defense I can give my doctor on why I don't want to do them. I'm sure she will tell me that if I already did the first in the series that it doesn't make sense to not do the rest. I'm not sure what I should say or if I should just go ahead and get them anyway or if one is more likely than the other to cause a reaction.

[HeyArnold]

Have you done any research since the reactions? Had you done any research prior to giving your dd those vaxes? Just trying to figure out where you're at in your study/thinking here. But it sounds like you need to delay the next wbv for at least a few months so that you can get caught up on your research and make an educated decision (unless your comfortable telling your doctor that you're delaying vaxes until you inform yourself better).

With out a crystal ball, no one here can what vaccine gave the reaction. DTaP is the more likely one, but you never know. There's also no way to know if she'll have a reaction again, or how bad it will be. One reaction though often is a clue that there could be more (and worse ones) to follow.

I also wouldn't bother trying to convince your ped of anything. You need to do your research, get confident in your decisions, then go in there and say what it is you do or don't want your dd to get (even if it's no vaxes at all).

[DQMama]

Hi! I remember you! I hope you decide to delay until you research further. Remember that a reaction can happen at any time. Also since your dd already had a reaction, she is more likely to have another. Some kids are just more sensitive to vaccines. And long-term reactions can be cumulative. Please reconsider! Take someone with you if you think it will help you say no to the doctor. Or get a religious exemption and just tell your dr you are "religiously opposed." Doctors shouldn't question that, although they might try! Just keep repeating yourself and be polite but don't explain. A family dr might be more non-vax friendly than a ped.

I avoid some WBV by taking my dd to an LC to be weighed. But I understand with a little one you probably want more frequent checks!

[alegna]

Don't defend. Just say no.

-Angela

[HeyArnold]

Unless a baby is in daycare, they do not need an exemption. You can be "religiously opposed" and that's fine. The exemption would be for daycare only and has nothing to do with the doctor. All you're doctor needs from you is for you to tell them that you are not interested in continuing vaxes until you've done a bit more research.

[ftmomma]

I'm sorry your baby had a reaction after the vaccines. Did your ped tell you it was just "normal"?

Check out the "success & what happened" thread on the first page. The poster talked about how she did the research and was able to gain confidence in saying NO shots to keep her baby healthy.

Maybe you need a new ped if you feel they will not respect your wishes to delay or discontinue vaccinations.

Best of luck in your research...there is so much to learn and it isn't easy...but your child deserves it!

[spero]

Originally Posted by pixiewytch

On her first visit I reluctantly agreed to the HiB and Dtap vaccines, mainly because my son brings a lot of nasty germs home from school.

I have four kids in school, being exposed to "nasty germs" every day. For that matter, they're exposed to germs at home and everywhere else, too. Germs are everywhere - and they have a part in building a healthy immune system. Your part is to provide good nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, etc.

Well she had a terrible reaction. You may remember me posting about it here. She had a high pitched cry for hours on end and a high fever until that evening. It was quite a scary experience for me.

I do remember. Why would you put yourself and your baby through that again? PLEASE search here for info on the diseases, before you agree to one more vax. Educate yourself on the likelihood of catching and treatment of these diseases. Also look into the threads on Hib and "serotype replacement".

So you can imagine how reluctant I am this time around. Of course I have no idea which of the two vaxes caused the reaction or if it will happen again but my gut feeling is that I don't want to do either of them.

Then DON'T DO IT.
You can always put a vax in - but you cannot take it (or many of its adverse effects) out, once it's in.

Can someone tell me which vax is more likely to cause those side effects and what good defense I can give my doctor on why I don't want to do them. I'm sure she will tell me that if I already did the first in the series that it doesn't make sense to not do the rest. I'm not sure what I should say or if I should just go ahead and get them anyway or if one is more likely than the other to cause a reaction.

Originally Posted by alegna

Don't defend. Just say no.

You don't owe your doc any explanation, and it will do no good to try to convince her. You do NOT have to defend yourself - actually, the burden of proof is on HER, not YOU.

If you have trouble saying no, then just firmly state that you are going to delay future vaxes while you research. And let her know that you won't discuss it any further.

Originally Posted by ftmomma

your child deserves it!

It is worth the effort to research and stand up to the doc.

Good luck! That first confrontation with the doc is always the hardest ... I've been there. You can do it, mama!

[lil_stinkyfeet]

If she had a reaction I would Most definately NOT continue with those vaccines.
I agree with the others that you should do some researching.

[pixiewytch]

Thanks everybody. I rescheduled the appt while I do further research.

[Annikate]

Originally Posted by pixiewytch

DD is due for her 4 month checkup. On her first visit I reluctantly agreed to the HiB and Dtap vaccines, mainly because my son brings a lot of nasty germs home from school.

Well she had a terrible reaction. You may remember me posting about it here. She had a high pitched cry for hours on end and a high fever until that evening. It was quite a scary experience for me.

So you can imagine how reluctant I am this time around. Of course I have no idea which of the two vaxes caused the reaction or if it will happen again but my gut feeling is that I don't want to do either of them.

Can someone tell me which vax is more likely to cause those side effects and what good defense I can give my doctor on why I don't want to do them. I'm sure she will tell me that if I already did the first in the series that it doesn't make sense to not do the rest. I'm not sure what I should say or if I should just go ahead and get them anyway or if one is more likely than the other to cause a reaction.

I put the part in bold that I think you should read again.

The fact is, nobody knows for certain if their baby is going to react or which one is going to cause problems. It's like playing russian roulette.

If your babe reacted last time, it's likely she'll react again and that reaction could cause any number of problems from minor to death.

And that's the Truth.

ETA: I see you posted while I did!

Read some more and educate yourself. TAke a look at the link in my siggy - - go to the vaccinations page.