[ewmb]

#1069555

Haven’t heard of anything. My 15 year old had the series of vaccines last year and we’ve not seen anything. My gut would say it’s a coincidence since she probably had the Graves for a while and it just wasn’t noticed. I’ve been able to think back on my symptoms before I was diagnosed and I’m pretty sure that I had had Graves for a lot longer than I thought. In fact probably several more years.

Hope things are going better for your daughter today.

ewmb

[carla]

#1069556

Well this is the funny thing. She definitely did not have undiagnosed Graves. I know this for a fact because she was the pillar of good health, a straight A student, a talented dancer and singer as well as athlete, in fact, the perfect child. Come the 1 May 2009, all that changed and she went off to dancing and came home really unwell and now we are here with Graves, 12 weeks later. She basically got the symptoms of Glandular Fever and just was getting worse and worse until she had lost so much weight that we noticed a Goitre and other symptoms of Graves and she was then tested for Thyroid problems (this was after 16 other tests and scans). Her levels were so high that she was in a Thyroid Toxic State. Her levels are finally back to normal and now our biggest problem is her eyes as she has had an epidsode of Optic Nerve Compression as evident by loosing her colour vision. (corrected by 2 pulse IV steroid does over 2 days). Bearing all that in mind and then hearing of a possible link between Gardasil Vaccine and Graves, I am feeling like the worst mother in the world for insisting that my daughter have this vaccine, as you can imagine.

[carla]

#1019142

Hi everyone,
Has anyone experienced an association or heard of an association between having the Gardasil Vaccine and then developing Graves Disease? My 13 year old daughter developed Graves Disease 6 weeks post vaccination. It may just be cooincidence, but it has been suggested to me that there may be a link. Any comments?

[ewmb]

#1069557

Where did you get information on the vaccine and Graves? That might give you a clue as to it’s accuracy. Sounds like you are in Australia? I only say that because of the glandular fever reference. That’s what my aunt in NSW called her beginnings of thyroid problems.

The vaccine maker should have a web site that may report side effects. In the US I know there is a government agency that collects this information. Can’t get my memory to recall the name of it.

Sounds like she was really really stricken quickly. Glad you were able to figure it out even though it took a while.

I know what you feel about the guilt. I have a child with autism and have always wondered what I might have done when I am feeling guilty. When my academic side takes over I realize that I probably didn’t do anything and it was just chance that things happened the way they did. We love her just the same. This is also the way I have to deal with my Graves or the anxiety and pity start to take over me.

ewmb

[Jake_George]

#1069558

I was going to ask the same question as ewmb. I did a search on Gardasil and Graves’ disease. I found one layperson’s site that stated there was a possible connection. No information to back up the claim, nor any link to a credible source to do research on it.
I did find a link on the Centers for Disease control for links to a few of the other “supposed side effects” but they did not list Graves’ disease among them.
Anytime an illness comes on after a vaccination we may want to see a link to it, whether it is there or not. Considering the hundreds of thousands of women who have taken Gardasil there is bound to be one of the “1/4 of one percent of the population” that will develop Graves’ disease. Was it caused by the vaccination? Can’t say no for certainty, but the fact that I could not locate it under many different search engines, linked to a credible site, I would have to say no.
Don’t beat yourself up over this. It happens. She is young and will recover well, most certainly. Get her treatment. Watch the CDC or FDA site for any links that may pop up. If it does pop up in a search, the key to see if it may be credible is to see if they link to any proven and verified studies that have had a peer review. If not then realize that any person with a keyboard and who can type with two fingers is capable of building and maintaining a web site. They can put what they wish on it, often without impunity.
We are here for you and your daughter. Forever only one click away.

[James]

#1069559

Hello Carla,

Sorry to hear what you have been going through with your daughter. It’s difficult as parents to make choices for our kids when you only have their best interest at heart. As a parent myself I can understand that.

The topic of Vaccines in general and the role it plays concerning our immune system is of interest to me. Often times I have had to weigh the advantages over the disadvantages of a particular vaccine before making a decision, and even then; you often find conflicting evidence. In the end the parent is often left confused and unsure. You are not alone in that.

If you google search National Vaccine Information you will find a search engine to research any vaccine of interest. As previously mentioned in this thread, the CDC (center for disease control) gives great information on vaccines as well. Some vaccines do indeed have side effects, but they are extremely rare (that has to be taken into consideration). At the same time, those of us with pre-existing autoimmune disease especially have to weigh the benefits over any potential risks. I’m not speaking about Gardasil in particular, but just vaccines in general.

Like Jake said, try not to beat yourself up, just get as much information as you can in to treat assist your daughter in her treatment.

Best to you and your daughter,

James

[KristinJ]

#1069560

Hi Carla–I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s diagnosis; I hope she’s doing well now.

Just wanted to remind you to report her Grave’s disease to VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Although there may well not be a connection with the Gardasil vaccine, if there is one, no one will uncover it unless people report in.

The system is very imperfect as people both over-report and under-report–for instance, someone could report that they’d been in the ER after the vaccine even though they were actually hit by a car upon leaving the clinic. And then again, it’s estimated that maybe 10 percent of real adverse events are reported. For instance, when one young girl experienced rapid-onset motor neurone-type disease after Gardasil, there were no other cases in the VAERS database until her parents put out an appeal through a small personal blog for similar cases and found two.

All that we can do as parents is to make sure that potential problems are in every available database and let researchers follow up. The prevalence of auto-immune diseases is rising,so we have to ask these questions in an attempt to understand why.

[carla]

#1069561

Hi Kristen,
Yes, I have raised my concern with her paediatrician who basically said what you said, in that it should be reported even if just as a "nice to know" for them. The reason for this is if people keep having epidoses of things happen after the vaccine and they don’t report it, a database will never be formulated for possible connections. As I said before, I am not anti vaccinations, but I do think it suspicious that my daughter has become ill 6 weeks post vaccination. It could have been anything I know, but you know what it is like, we strive for answers and being only 13, there has to be more to this.

[CaringMom]

#1069562

Hello.
My daughter went through, and is still going through, challenging medical issues. Her auto-immune system has taken a nosedive in the past 2 years, which has led to endocrine, arthritis, ovarian, and various other problems. Of course, these medical issues spurred mental anxiety and depression, as a 17-year-old girl tried to understand why she was suddenly experiencing so many health problems. These medical conditions DO NOT run in my family.
As I continue to research in hopes of finding some answers, I am coming across some very disturbing data which seems to link her problems with her Gardasil shots she received 2 years ago. Interestingly, I had thought about this possibility when her symptoms began, but when I mentioned it to her doctor I was dismissed. My own research couldn’t uncover much evidence so I looked elsewhere.
Now at 19, she has received yet another diagnosis for a medical problem (4 in two years!), so I checked the possible link again and found more and more girls and women are speaking out about similar (and worse) effects, and the evidence is mounting. Studies also show many females that may have been affected don’t think to tie their sudden health issues with getting this vaccine so they don’t report it.
I tell everyone this not because I want to talk parents out of giving their daughters the shots, but to offer my family’s personal experience to help others make a more informed decision. I’m not a doctor or a nurse. I’m sure there are many girls/young women who have had no adverse reactions to the vaccine. GREAT!!
I can only tell you about my own daughter’s struggle that didn’t begin until AFTER her shots, and apparently hundreds (if not thousands) of young women are finding the same.

Could she have had all these issues lying dormant in her body and the shot just aggravated them? Unlikely, but it’s possible. But the more I research (I am an educator and research professional and understand the importance of reputable resources) the more I feel certain her issues are linked to Gardasil. It’s a fact that conditions such as Guillaume-Barre Syndrome are linked to childhood and flu vaccines. Why is it so hard to believe that this new, poorly researched vaccine has caused problems?

If folks aren’t sure how they feel, I urge them to do their own research before making any decisions. There was no data out there when I made the choice for my daughter. Now I wrestle with my conscience each day… is the CHANCE that my child is saved from some forms of ovarian cancer better than the REALITY she has been facing for the past 2 years and will likely face for the rest of her life?
I have to say no.

[MRHabetz]

#1069563

Now I don’t know whether to be scared about my daughter getting this or now. Since Grave’s can run in families and the possibility of this vaccine bringing it out……I would hate my daughter to go through this at 13. But then again, Grave’s is manageable as opposed to Cervical Cancer. My doctor had told me that HPV is close to 90% in sexually active people and barely anyone knows it. But the Cancer is scary………what to do, what to do?
Most girls her age have either had the vaccine or are getting it and my daughter is due for a well check up and I’m sure her doctor will bring it up.

Ladies, I hope your daughter’s are feeling well and am sorry they are here with us on this board. I was only diagnosed a few months ago and am still new.
Please let me know if you find any other links to these two as I would greatly appreciate it.

[carla]

#1069564

And you know what the worst thing is, we will never know. We can only surmise and wonder how our beautiful perfect daughters literally woke up one day and their lives were completely different, why why why at such young ages. This is not a disease for teenagers, so why our families. It is so unfair. Everyday my 13 year old looks at her bulging eyes in the mirror, her puffy face from all the steroids, her daily headaches and inability to dance and play sport anymore and says, my life just sucks, I hate my life, why did this have to happen to me, what have I every done to anyone. And you know what, you have to look at her and wonder all that yourself. I wish I had a reason why she has got this, more than anything, I wish I knew why.

[KristinJ]

#1069565

Michelle, I hope your doctor also told you that 95 percent of HPV infections clear themselves, leaving you with a natural immunity to further infection by the same strain? And that smoking, a poor diet and multiple sexual partners all dramatically increase the risk of getting persistent infections that can lead to cervical cancer–so conversely, if you don’t smoke, eat lots of fruits and veggies, and are moderate in your….adventurousness, you can further limit your already tiny chances of getting cervical cancer? (Incidentally, you can get HPV from only one lifetime partner and non-abused kids have been found to have it, too; it’s just an increased chance if you have a lot of partners.)

Also, even if you get the vaccine, you’re still not clear because there are so many strains of HPV and the shot only covers four. Replacement disease is a very real possibility, and at best Gardasil only covers the two strains that cause 67-70 percent of cervical cancer. Thus far, it’s proving 17-45 percent effective in preventing total pre-cancerous lesions. (You hear that it’s 98-100 percent effective, but that’s only against the strains it covers.)

I strongly believe that everyone should weigh the pros and cons of Gardasil for their own situation, but I have to admit that it INFURIATES me that doctors tend to present Gardasil as: if you don’t get it for your child, she will get cervical cancer. Our doctor was so clearly unable to answer real questions about it that I ended up starting a blog to educate myself before making the decision. Education is key, as is knowing that there aren’t any risk-free choices.

[mimimaw]

#1069566

Carla, my daughter is 16, had the vaccinations less than a year ago and we just found out she has Graves Disease. She was perfectly fine, no health problems and all of a sudden began experiencing symptoms which eventually led us to our PCP and then to an endocrinologist. Now I can’t help but to wonder if there is a direct correlation between her Graves Disease and the Gardasil vaccination??? I’m absolutely going to research and keep my eyes on this. I am so angry that this could have possibly caused her disease.

[lakeview]

#1069567

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter and what she is going through. I know that in getting this disease, I asked myself why me and why now.
My mother had graves disease so for me there is a genetic component. However, I wonder why now – I think for me there may have been a combination of factors – genetic,,, but I was also very stressed and had a very bad flu – thinking back though, whenI first had symptoms I had just had my hepitatis A shot – was travelling to Mexico so thought it would be a good idea. Like you, I have wanted answers as to why I got this and thought, I wish I had not had that shot – maybe that was it! I guess I will never have an answer – but I believe it was a combination of many things. And there is no looking back now… and in my case since my vision is so bad… there is no looking up or sideways either ” title=”Wink” />
Don’t blame yourself – just be there for her and in time she will get better.
All the best,
Lakeview

[Andros]

#1069568

carla wrote:Hi everyone,
Has anyone experienced an association or heard of an association between having the Gardasil Vaccine and then developing Graves Disease? My 13 year old daughter developed Graves Disease 6 weeks post vaccination. It may just be cooincidence, but it has been suggested to me that there may be a link. Any comments?

Hi! That is quite interesting, Carla. It could be that the Graves’ was lying dormant and was triggered by the rise in antibodies from the Gadasil Vaccine. It has long been known that those of us with autoimmune disease need to keep the antibodies quiet in order to feel better. Also, any "tramatic" event can trigger antibodies/autoantibodies lying dormant. Re the vaccine; that will probably be something we will never know unless others all of a sudden have a similar experience.

Tch. This is a shame for your daughter. How did the doctor arrive at a definitive diagnosis for Graves’?

Lu Anne

[Author]

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