I have been going round and round with myself about the HepB vaccine. Well, a friend of mine from nursing school called me tonight. He got his first HepB vax this morning and is now SICK. He is throwing up, has a fever about 100F, he says he feels HORRIBLE and is kinda scared. The nurse told him that some people have these reactions and he called his Dr who told him the same thing, that is sucks but it happens. He is sending a report to VAERS about it though at least. I just hope nothing bad happens to him.
I read stuff like this and get freaked out (and Dr Dunbar is NOT a nut, she is very well known and respected and has gone before Congress about this. Sorry this link though might not be from the greatest source, I couldn't find the one I thought I had bookmarked though, its still exactly the same though) :
But of course who the hell wants to take the risk of the damn disease!? I did read over on the CDC site, if this makes anyone who comes into contract with HepB any better, that 95% of all adults who contract HepB recover completely (but still, who wants to get it to begin with?) and many have no symptoms.
But the vaccine really does scare me, especially when a friend of mine calls me. He is scared to even get anymore and I don't blame him.
I'm just upset and confused and just ughhhh....
I guess one of my main worries about this specific vaccine (no real long term studies have been done) is autoimmune diseases run in my family and I don't want to do anything to increase my odds of getting one basically. We all know that vaccines have risks. How do I decide if my risk is greater for an autoimmune disease (from both my genetics and the vaccine possible) or the risk of HepB itself from a needlestick????
Indigo, where else did you find it elsewhere? I have been looking for other studies. I've already started taking selenium :)
I guess I get worried off and on about this one vaccine because my sister is HepB+. She contracted it as a child and is a carrier now. But I also know that 95% of adults who contract HepB recover fully.....but I still can't get the fear of the disease out of my head because of my sisters experience.
I will search for you. It may take a few days though as I am way behind in my filing. I don't think it is from an internet source. I just remember thinking that you had posted about it when I read this other source (probably from one of the newsletters I receive).
Have you been tested for B? C? One of my dear friends got HepC and did well. Another acquaintance did not. How will you find peace of mind if you don't.
I will search for you. It may take a few days though as I am way behind in my filing. I don't think it is from an internet source. I just remember thinking that you had posted about it when I read this other source (probably from one of the newsletters I receive).
Thanks and I will search some more as well. I thought the selenium thing was really cool though!! But I would like to see more studies done to feel more confident about it.
Conclusions: "These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that immunization with the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is associated with an increased risk of MS, and challenge the idea that the relation between hepatitis B vaccination and risk of MS is well understood."
Once again, I'm just stating the information I have uncovered.
Yes yes yes. This is the type of stuff I have been reading in the medical journals as well, so glad I am not feeling like a nut here! LOL
Some people (Dr's and RN's!) just blow this stuff off and it kills me.
Anyways, we just got back from the zoo and now we are going swimming. I'm going to post more this afternoon/tonight. I think it's a relevant issue for all HCP because we are all encouraged to accept the HepB vaccination. The govt has made mistakes before when it comes to vaccinations (rotavirus, swine flu vax, etc) and other medicines, I don't want to be a part of a mistake, especially if my genetic history makes me more suseptable.
Have you been tested for B? C? One of my dear friends got HepC and did well. Another acquaintance did not. How will you find peace of mind if you don't.
I'm not sure what you mean? Can you explain a bit more? Thanks!
I have been tested for HepB I believe but I can't remember the results. HepC no. HepB titers are not very reliable because of amniestic (sp???) memory I do know (I think for both vax induced and natural).
You could also look into the test to find out if you are already immune to it. This was one option offered by a place I worked that required you to have the shot. Turns out I'm immune after only having one shot years prior to the test, so I didn't need the series. Its a real simple blood draw and usually the results are in the next day. Try not to freak out. I haven't heard of too many people reacting to it. It is probably better to be sick for a day than contract hep B.
This post caught my attention as well. I had my third HepB Vaccine of the series this past March and I had a reaction to it. I did not have a reaction to the first two injections, but a few hours after the last one I began experiencing nausea, extreme soreness at the site, and had a fever. I didn't think much of it, just a typical vaccine reaction. About two weeks later I began to get a rash and at the time I didn't connect this with the vaccine. The rash worsened so I made an appointment with the Dr. and he told me the rash was Pityriasis Rosea. Still no connection at this point, but I did some research and found a connection with Pityriasis Rosea-like rashes associated with the HepB vaccine. I also found some information on the MS/HepB Vaccine link and it concerns me. I'm hoping that my experience ended with the rash, but the correlation is troublesome. SherBear, thank you for sharing your story, and I wish you well.
Yes but what about the risk factors? If you had family who had autoimmune disorders, and the vaccine was suspected of causing autoimmune diseases in those suseptable (like I am), you would still get it? Some countries have banned it because they do believe this vax contributes, did you read the link?? Even though the chance of contracting chronic HepB from a patient was extremely low? Is it better to get HepB (which 95% of adults fully recover from) or an autoimmune disease from the vax?
Those are the types of answers I am looking for. This is SO frusterting for me
It sounds like you have quite a bit of information. Some of the answers you're looking for aren't readily available. The research data is contradictory. Or there simply haven't been definitive studies that provide clear indications. In this area, as in many others, research is better at pinning down the questions than in providing answers with a very personal application.
Your final question--Is it better to get HepB (which 95% of adults fully recover from) or an autoimmune disease from the vax?--is something only you can decide. You have to look at the choices and then assess the likelihood of each possible outcome. What about the 5% of adults who DON'T fully recover from Hep B? What kinds of short- and long-term problems do they face? How does that 5% compare with the percentage of people who go on to deal with an autoimmune disease? Is there enough research to strongly suggest a causative link or is there mainly anecdotal evidence?
Research can give you ideas, but in the end, only you can count the cost of any decisions you are considering.
This post caught my attention as well. I had my third HepB Vaccine of the series this past March and I had a reaction to it. I did not have a reaction to the first two injections, but a few hours after the last one I began experiencing nausea, extreme soreness at the site, and had a fever. I didn't think much of it, just a typical vaccine reaction. About two weeks later I began to get a rash and at the time I didn't connect this with the vaccine. The rash worsened so I made an appointment with the Dr. and he told me the rash was Pityriasis Rosea. Still no connection at this point, but I did some research and found a connection with Pityriasis Rosea-like rashes associated with the HepB vaccine. I also found some information on the MS/HepB Vaccine link and it concerns me. I'm hoping that my experience ended with the rash, but the correlation is troublesome. SherBear, thank you for sharing you story, and I wish you well.
When I received my first Hep B shot I was right in the middle of the grocery store that night and started to feel sick. Mostly just tired, sore and had a fever...nothing that some Tylenol and rest couldn't help. If it makes you feel better, I did not have the same issue with the rest of the series, or with any other vaccine....
When I recieved my first hep B vaccine 2 years ago, it made me ill like your friend. I had a fever of 101 and was achy, and throwing up. I bacame symptomatic within 2 hours of the vaccine. It did not last real long (maybe two days tops) and the subsequent rounds did not affect me at all. Just get your first vaccine on a day you dont have to go anywhere if you are worried. Oh, and my mom had autoimmune arthritis and I am just fine (at this time).
indigo girl
5,173 Posts
I will search for you. It may take a few days though as I am way behind in my filing. I don't think it is from an internet source. I just remember thinking that you had posted about it when I read this other source (probably from one of the newsletters I receive).