Comments on: Vaccine Watch: Gardasil Side-Effects?

[colley1962]

I have so much concern for my 11-year-old granddaughter. My daughter and her ex-husband have JOINT custody of their two daughters. The ex-husband allowed HIS mother to take my oldest granddaughter (11 yrs.) to the Health Dept. to get her "booster shots" without the knowledge of my daughter. Among the inoculations that were given to my granddaugter, Emily, was the first Gardasil injection--WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER'S (her mother's) KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION! I am so angry and scared about what the results of this could be. My daughter does not seem to be as concerned as I am. But she had not heard or read about the VERY negative side-effects that are possible with this medication. That evening, Emily had diarrhea. I don't know if it had anything to do with the Gardasil injection or not. If I had the right, I would seek legal prosecution against Emily's father and grandmother--but I don't. And, like I said, my daughter doesn't seem to be as concerned as I am. I have since informed her about the possible consequences of the Gardisil injeciton. So I am hoping she will stand up to her ex-husband AND his mother and, hopefully, not allow Emily to have the other 2 remaining injections. In my opinion, safe sex practices (condoms and not jumping into bed with everyone you date) and getting a yearly PAP test and pelvic exam go a long way in preventing what Gardasil claims to prevent!

[katybelle2006]

I am 21 years old and I received the Gardasil Vaccination in 2007 at the age of 19.

Since then, I have had numerous problems, and until reading this article I never thought it was due to the vaccination I received...I feel as though I have had an epiphany.

In 2007 I was diagnosed with Iritis, a recurring eye condition easily controlled with steroid eye drops (Prednisone).
Within 2 weeks of this condition coming and going, I was diagnosed with Neuro Retinitis, a very sever swelling of my optic nerve. Even with more Prednisone, a 5 day IV treatment of cortizone and the best medical attention in Oregon, this condition left me blind in one eye.

Since then I have developed occular migranes, daily occurences where I see flashing lights and temporarily lose vision. I also had an allergic reaction to my contacts and have scarred my cornea.
I also am in the early stages of Glaucoma due to the steroid eye drops I've been put on for all of my eye related illnesses. My Glaucoma has formed in the only eye I can see out of.
Glaucoma is not supposed to form due to prednisone unless it is used for a very long period of time, such as years. I've used it for a total of 2 months in 2 years.

I am going to lose my sight in both eyes and I am not even out of college.

I have been to numerous eye doctors, surgeons and neuro-ophtamologists. I have had MRI's, CT scans, blood work, urine work, everything. I have even had hypnotherapy. I am desperate and starting to wonder if all of this is because of the vaccine I received...

My recommendation? Practice safe-sex precautions and research any medical procedure before having it done, even if it is a simple vaccination. I was young and just trying to keep myself from developing cancer. Cancer nowadays is almost inevitable anyway. I may have caused my own blindness.

[luccylouu]

My heart goes out to all of the children and their families. I cannot imagine what ya'll are going through. I googled Gardasil to see what some of the side effects are and I am shocked to what I was reading. My 14 yr old had to get her shots last week and now my 11 yr old does too. They asked me if I wanted to give her the Gardasil shot but I declined stating I wanted to do some more research on it first. I thank the Lord I hesitated. With this drug, the "real long term" side effects have not surfaced. There is no history of cancer in our family history, not saying my girls are not at risk but knowing the possible side effects and if my daughters develop any of these horrible side effects that I have read, I could not forgive myself. Thank you for taking the time to write your tragedies. Your stories may have just saved my daughter's life or her lifestyle. I will pray for you all. God Bless.

[upset_tx_mom]

I am very upset. In November of 2007, our local peditrician talked us into getting my daughter the HPV series of shots due to they thought I might have had the HPV back in 2000. So, I thought, heck yes, if this will help her - Why not? It could not hurt her, WRONG! We had nothing but problems since. It started in December 2007, first they said my child was "crazy" since she just all of sudden could not breathe, then she would pass out, had horrible headaches, sick at her sto,mch, nausea, it was so bad that she missed almost the whole month of December from school, was in the hospital in 3 different counties, was medi-vac to a hospital that is 2 hours away from us. They told her there she was crazy, ripped everything out and sent us home. By this time I was desperate to see what in the world was causing all of this. They then said - menigitis, but by the time they got the testing down - there were no traces. So were sent to Forth Worth to Cook's children's Hospital with Dr. Acosta. He ran every test in the world including the spinal lumbar, which showed no traces of the "menigitis", however he believed her about the headaches. So they tried "DHE35" for migraines, by IV, it failed as well.After staying 3 days in the hospital, he decided to put her on Depakote,pain pills (hydrocodone),Cymbalta, Maxalt, and Nexium. It worked until she had sever side effects from the Cymbalta and she was put into a hospital for children with problems. Her dreams had come true, she was a sophmore on Varsity cheerleading, was having a great start and everything went down the drain from grades to friends to concentrating. My daughter always smiles, joked around and now she cries alot! It's awful. Just think - 1 shot did this. I thought they had dones studies and I trusted my dr, needless to say we Dr Acosta in Ft Worth still, don't see the pediatrician any longer.They have finally came to the conclusion that it was the Gardasil that did all of this too her and she is not crazy. We are now on Effexor, Maxalt and will forever be on Depakote. She misses 1 does and she is deathly sick. it's sad and is now almost 17.

I would not recommend this to anyone. Stay away from this shot................................................

[Brockflock]

What is the real truth on this? The "Natural Herb" folks want to sell their products, Merck wants to sell it's product, and I don't see a single "clean" fact that tells me anything. Researchers are paid by one interest or another, and this report doesn't say whether it's sources were thoroughly checked for independence.

My daughter is concerned, but her schoolmates are all fundamentalists who would rather see their kids die from the result of "sin" rather than compromise their "family/religious values".

[momoney22]

I received my first two gardasil shots without incident, and upon receiving the third felt slightly nauseous and had a slight headache. I got the first two shots at 23 years of age and just finished up the third at 24 years. I noticed that a majority of the girls who were vaccinated that had terrible side effects are in their early-mid teens, and so I wonder if perhaps there is something going on in their bodies at that point (puberty?) that is causing the body to react in such violent ways. It would certainly be interesting to conduct a study to see the side effects and the ages at which such effects occur. After reading about such awful incidents, I am thankful that I was not afflicted in such a way. I hope that some sort of explanation is found for the families who are suffering.

[Barb051046]

Where can we go to get treatment for our granddaughter. She is showing many signs after having the Gardisal injection. The Drs. have stated she is bi-polar and depression. We are very worried about her and need to get help. Thanks, Grandma Barb

[pritzi102]

My daugher has had the first vaccine, and she had an appointment for the second this week. She told me that a friend of hers was not getting the vaccine because her mother had heard of adverse side effects. Searching for information brought me to this website, and after reading your comments, I cancelled the appointment. Thank you all for sharing. I'm sorry for what some of you are going through. May God bless.

[Texas_Mom_422]

I have to agree with rdbcoffee; the risks are going to vary from individual to individual. I read all the horror stories but I also know what cervical cancer can do to a woman. I made the decision to have my 13 year old innoculated. After her first shot she went to play in a softball game in 95 degree Texas heat where she's a catcher. She ended up spending 30 minutes at the end of the game throwing up! Next shot we made sure she didn't have anything on and she did better, just had pain at the injection site. Third shot not so good, nausea and headache. If I had another daughter would I do it again? Yes. I feel the benefits outweigh the risks. I know that for the moms going through the "risks" the benefits now mean nothing but we have to show a balance here. Parents need to make the decision that they feel is in the best interests of their child.

[marquis719]

I am a frustrated mother of a 17 year old daughter. Madison was a healthy teenager, with the normal occasional cold, seasonal allergies and occasional strep throat. Madison played year around soccer and was a very active teenager with school grades we never had to worry about.
Madison's first Gardasil vaccine was given to her in March of 2007. Fall of 2007, Madison past out in the hallway of the high school, and was luckily found by a teacher. She was blue with no air movement and was later diagnosed
with asthma. She now takes Advair on a daily bases and Albuterol (PRN). As of today, she has had two more of these episodes without ambulance rides due to her inhalers. In March of 2008, she received Garasil #2, as well as Depo-Provera (menses regulation). Migraines begin. The migraines leave her dysfunctional and so fatigue that she misses days of school. She is constantly sick. She catches every virus she comes in contact with. Madison's grades are now becoming a concern. She is home sick with migraines, lack of appetite, lightheadedness, and chronic fatigue so much; she is struggling to get passing grades. She is a junior this year and grades will affect her college?s acceptances.
July 2008, 3rd Gardasil is given. Madison misses at least one to two days of school every week. She quit all extra activities, including her after school job. She was put on Midrin for the migraines, along with Ibuprophen, which didn't seem to help much. Then she was diagnosised with Mononucleosis with very high fevers. She developed fever blisters all over her month and throat. Physicians prescribed Acyclovir for HSV(Herpes Simplex Virus). Madison then started having LUQ abdominal pain, x-rays negative. Chronic fatigue and abdominal pain continues until Feb.2009, Madison starts having syncope (dizziness with passing out). She passes out doing various things, simple as standing up. February 2009, Madison passes out taking a shower, hitting her head. At the physician?s office, she is unresponsive and begins to seize. At the hospital she has a migraine ranking a 10 pain rating, left side paralysis, left side muscle weakness, left side numbness, LUQ pain and nonstop left eye and hand twitching. Testing begins: EKG, MRI, CT, EEG, MRA, ultra sound, lumbar puncture and a variety of blood work. Everything was normal, except her CBC with showed a high count of lymphocytes (viral). Three days of seizure meds, pain meds, and specialist, diagnosed her with "Complicated Migraines with Orthostatic Hypotension". Neurologist put her on Depakote (seizure), and trials of Axert and Maxalt (migraine) medicines. Medicines are not helping. On March 2009, seized and collapsed at school. She stopped breathing as the ambulance was called. At the hospital, symptoms where the same as her month earlier visit. She was released same day with a Toradol injection given for pain.
I'm a healthcare professional and trust the Physicians I work with. After watching Madison suffers with the same kind of symptoms that many teenage girls are suffering with and even dying, I ask why? There has to be a cause. Gardasil may not work alone here. Maybe it?s a combination of medicines taken with Gardasil? Have or do anyone?s daughters take the following medications? Advair, Albuterol, Ibuprophen, Depo-Provera, Acyclovir and pseudoephedrine (allergy meds). Since I found out Gardasil has high levels of aluminum in it. Are these select young women allergic to aluminum? Was any aluminum lab tests done for toxicity?
If you can help with any of my questions. Please contact me by e-mail. Please help!
Mother from Iowa
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