What would you do? - ...do NOT want to start a debate.....

punkeemunkee'smom wrote: I do not want to start a debate with this question...I know this is a HOT topic on both sides-I have read all the info on both sides, I have been to doctors with both mind sets and they have both scared the #%^& out of me either way now I just want to hear some MOMMY'S opinions! Tay had a terrifing reaction to one of her immunizations when she was brand new-she seized and we could not wake her up-spent the night at the ER. She was given a medical contraindication to immunazations until the age of 5,at this time she should be allergy tested try and determine what she reacted to. She has since been found to be allergic to certain antibiotics that are found in almost immunizations.We have an amazing immunoligist that has seen her from the first reaction and the other day told me that if she was his child he WOULD NOT vaccinate her. Her pediatrition on the other hand has told me if I don't that I am a horrible mother. I have read ALL THE INFO I can find and I am very much leaning towards her immunoligist's suggestion. I have a perfectly healthy child they say the second reaction is usually worse than the first and the first was VERY BAD! I understand the down side of this too-I am not saying NEVER I am just saying maybe when she is older and her system is more able to deal with processing the shots-some people outgrow allergies. But I am not willing to put her in danger that much I do know for sure. If it was YOUR child-WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

larchmontdi replied: First I will start off by saying that as I am new here, I don't know much about you and your kid(s), but am sorry that she had such a reaction. Secondly, I am in no way qualified to offer much help medically.

Perhaps more research would help you...things like (i) at what age would she be exposed to the diseases the vaccines were for and can you wait until closer to that time to make the decision (hoping that medicinal advances take place)? (ii) what are the chances that the disease will reappear (think small pox here)? (iii) are there alternatives to the common vaccines?

Sometimes it's the other ingredients that cause reactions (like the antibiotics) or the combination of the diseases- can the immunologiest suggest sort of "truer" vaccines- ones without other additives or without multiple disease fighting properties?

This is one tough problem and whatever you decide you will probably feel anguish either way but we can only do what we think is best so that's all you need to do to be a good mommy.

Good luck!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Personally, I believe in vaccinations. But in your case, I would tend to agree with the immunologist. Second reactions are usually worse than the first. My ferret had an anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine once, if I lived any farther from the vet office she wouldn't be here. I don't think you're a bad mother and obviously a specialist has more training with allergic reactions than a pediatrician does. Follow your gut.

julesmom replied: I vaccinated all my kids and I believe in it.

But, with your dd, I definitely would follow the immunologists advice and NOT vaccinate. Too many kids have problems that they believe are from the vaccines. It is too scary to take a chance.

5littleladies replied: I also firmly believe in vaccinations, but in your case I would follow the advice of the immunologist. If your daughter has already shown a reaction to them then I would not put her in harm's way again. And I think that is terrible that your ped suggested you would be a bad mother if you don't immunize. Do what you think is right.

sunshine girls replied: If I were in your situation I would not get her vacinated. If she's allergic to the antibiotics their's a greater chance she may get seriously ill or die from the immunisation, not the disease it's meant to prevent.
Also today the majority of people are immunised against disease's, so because they're immunised the chance's of getting a disease is lowered. It can't be passed on to your daughter from an immunised person. The majority of immunised people out weighs the majority that arn't.

Also, if you go with the advice of immunologist, you should perhaps read about the disease's and illnesses immunisations prevent. That way in the rare chance your daughter catches one you'll be able to recognise the symptoms and get her medical attention, thus improving her chances of making a full recovery.

Your not a horrible mother if you choose not to immunise, do what you think is best for your daughter and everything will be okay.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Like I said I have read everything I can get my hands on-reading on book right now that explains alot of the microbiology involved and many of the problems associated with reactions that have been recognised in other countries for years that are just now making it on the radar in our medical system here. It is VERY scary to think what could happen and I would NEVER be able to forgive myself if I gave in to pressure and went against my gut and what I feel is sound medical advice and something hapened to Tay! Dh has read everything also and he is deadset against it. Our immunoligist used to be a pedi and now runs one of the largest allergy clinics in the southwestern U.S. So I trust his knowledge. I guess I am just scared because of what her pedi said and that people will think I am not looking out for the best interest of our daughter! Alot of our extended family(mil,fil,and other family used to make this huge deal about it) Of course we don't talk to them right now so I can't hear even if they are
b&^%#ing! Thank you for your input you have made me feel alot better about doing what I know is right for now!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I agree with everyone here. I've also heard that if your child has a bad reaction you should NOT give them a second dose. Go with what you feel is best.

Maybe it's time to find a different ped.

TeagansMom609 replied: If she was my child and after an immunization she had a horrible reaction and ended up in the hospital like that, I would be terrified to ever vaccinate her again. So, I agree with your immunologist, and I would get a new Ped. I definitly dont think your a horrible mother.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: If she was my child, I would not vaccinate her. My children are vaccinated and I do believe in that, but MOST kids are vaccinated therefore I think your daughter would be fine without having the vaccines. I really don't think she would be high risk for those diseases. Not unless you live close to the border or take her out of the country.

elvisfan replied: I vaccinate my children as well but if one of them had had a severe reaction I would not vaccinate that child. I would go with your immunologist. To me he would seem more qualified than your pediatrician since he specializes in that type of thing.

mummy2girls replied: If it was my child i would not vaccinate expecially because she did have a nasty reaction already:( get a new ped!

A&A'smommy replied: I'm am ALL for getting immunizations but to tell you the truth I wouldn't immunize her either!!

julesmom replied: I agree. You should definitely get a new ped. Can your immunologist recommend one?

DansMom replied: I would most certainly NOT vaccinate in your situation. I'm not anti-VAX at all. I've been concerned about them, but still chose to go ahead with them for Daniel. If your child has a known allergy to the contents, I think your pediatrician is being extremely irresponsible. Definitely heed the advice of a specialist over general practitioners, and consider finding a new pediatrician who understands and supports what the specialist believes.

ammommy replied: Everyone else. I am as pro vaccine as they get, but I probably wouldn't in this case. The only thing I might do, is talk to the immunologist about the vaccines for the diseases that we are seeing popping back up, such as small pox, and see if she should be vaccinated in the office with perhaps a 24 hour watch. I would definately take the advice of the specialist in this case.

mammag replied: I agree with everyone else as well.....go with your gut!

luvbug00 replied: I also am VERY addimate about immunizations but If My child has such a bad reaction I wouldn't do it agin and I'd get a new doctor!

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Thank You!!! I feel much better hearing from what I consider some wonderful moms!!!

jordan_martin replied: I'm new here and I am glad to see that someone brought this up. I was raised in a house where we didn't get our shots. I do believe in them, but I also think they can be very harmful. My six year was behind on her shots due to a disease she was diagnosed with at the age of three months. When I went to get her cought up. I was told I was a bad mom for not having her shot up to date. I was treated like a child. Madison had a severe allergic reaction to her dtap shot. She stopped breathing, her arm was swollen from the tips of her fingures up into her neck. Then while she was recovering from all that about a week later we find out the site where she got the shot was infected. Now the school is screaming for me to finish updating her shots, the health department wants me to, and my in laws. I refuse to put my daughter at risk again. I don't ever want to see her like that again. If it makes us bad moms in some people's eyes then so what. I know in my heart that I am a wonderful mom and I am doing what is best for my child. Stand by what you feel is right! Your child is more precious(spelling?) then anyone's opinions.

gr33n3y3z replied:
thats what I was going to say

Good Luck

CCTandME replied: I'm w/ everybody else on this one. Definitely find a more open ped, too. They don't have to agree w/ you 100%, but shouldn't put you down either.

kimberley replied: i haven't read the other replies but i would definitely find another ped. in these situations, you need all the help and support you can get.. not someone barking at you and putting you down . in your case, i really don't think i would vaccinate at all. the risks outweigh the benefits from the sounds of it. but i would take every precaution and if my kid even had the sniffles, i wouldn't send her to school. good luck with everything and keep us posted.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I am not completely against vaccinations...I just space them out. I have chosen to wait until Wil is older for some. My ped completely supports me on my decision. I believe your ped should too...find a new one. You as a parent have choices! No ped should ever critisize you for those choices.

jcc64 replied: I agree with everyone else here.
Find a new ped.

b&bsmom replied: I agree with everyone else. My son had a reaction to the hepitis shot it was just on his skin he screamed for an hour or so and the spot was swollen and red. I was scared about the next dose so I can't imagine how you feel. I would find a new ped and always go with your gut. Good luck.