Thinking about stopping vaccines

AOBtahoe · March 2014

Let me preface by saying I am not at all anti-vax and LO and her big sister are both up to date. But quick backstory- LO has asthma and was having an attack when we went in for one-year shots in Nov. Even though she was sick, Dr. pressured me into getting all her shots plus flu shot (which, in retrospect, I'm incredibly pissed about and still thinking of switching doctors). Anyway, after that, LO was just different for about a month- super clingy and whiny. Then went back to being my mellow little girl until a week and a half ago, when we went in for 15 month shots. She got dtap and tetanus, and has been acting clingy and whiny again since. I know it's not necessarily vaccines- she's teething and I realize toddlers go through stages, but I'm definitely debating giving up vaccines- I really don't know if, with the asthma, her immune system handles them normally.

If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear! Anyone give up on vaccines?

AOBtahoe · March 2014

RVASC811 said:

You need to find a dr you can trust to talk with about this. My kid has similar issues and is funky for a week or more after shots, but with her respiratory problems, I can't imagine giving up vaccines. An asthmatic with pertussis is no joke.

Do you still do all the recommended ones, or have you cut any out to see if that makes a difference?

wesleycrusher · March 2014

RVASC811 said:

You need to find a dr you can trust to talk with about this. My kid has similar issues and is funky for a week or more after shots, but with her respiratory problems, I can't imagine giving up vaccines. An asthmatic with pertussis is no joke.

I agree. I can't tell you whether it is better to get them, or space them, or not get them because I don't know your DD's health history. I'm also assuming that she behaves differently afterward the shots than your older DD did, but that could be perfectly normal since every kid is different. I think that doctors *should* press for vaccines BUT your doctor also needs to take you seriously, address your fears and allay them. If you feel your concerns about the asthma and vaccine reactions are not being addressed with this doctor, then you should switch because he's not listening to you and that is the big problem I see.

ETA: A good doctor wouldn't make you feel "pressured" into it because they should be able to address your concerns so that you feel like you made the decision together.

nealbl · March 2014

Nora is clingy after those appt too. My thoughts are I let a strange man stick weird instruments in her ear and mouth. She has to sit there in only a diaper cold and then she gets stuck with a shot that hurts really bad. I think she clings to me b/c those appts are a little traumatic for her.

AOBtahoe · March 2014

mbm1983 said:

Ditto to all previous posters. I want to add that the 12 and 15 month shots are the worst ones. My girl usually handles shots well but we had the same reactions with both of this. Plus yeah, molar teething is awful.

That's good to know! Dr. said we don't have to back until 24 months, so I've definitely got some time to see if she goes back to normal and if there's anything else in the meantime that sets her off.

navyandviolet · March 2014

I just can't respond with anything nice here.

stephcarter · March 2014

Please don't.

Bailey had pertussis when she was a month old. I can't even tell you how horrible it was.

AOBtahoe · March 2014

BeaF12 said:

Totally normal to have clinginess for a week or so. LO goes in spurts, clingy for a day or 3, then about a week or 2 later he gets very fussy for a day or 2, then he's ok. I would never give up on vaccines and asthmatics already have a weakened immune system making them more susseptible to illness. It is very common for kids w/ asthma and flu to develop pneumonia. I would switch doctors, you are responsible and your doc should have given you the option to wait a week.

This is part of my worry- I know kids with weakened immune systems from cancer, for example, shouldn't get vaccinated because their bodies can't handle it. So I'm not sure if her body processes vaccines differently or worse because of her immune system.

Like I said, I'm not at all anti-vax, and appreciate all the input. Think everyone's right though about my pedi... time to find a new one!

AOBtahoe · March 2014

stephcarter said:

Please don't. Bailey had pertussis when she was a month old. I can't even tell you how horrible it was.

I can't imagine! Yeah, I certainly wouldn't want to put her at risk for anything. Maybe even just breaking up shots would be a start for her.

AOBtahoe · March 2014

navy&violet said:

I just can't respond with anything nice here.

Respond with whatever you want.

I'm not anti-vax, like I said, but I am looking for advice as it worries me to have LO acting "off" for such a long time.

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