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Total Body Surface Numbness after Rabies Vaccine
by rfandy, Dec 13, 2006 12:00AM
On November 7th, I started post-exposure prophylaxis for possible (but unlikely) rabies exposure. I had Human Rabies Immune Globulin in the buttocks and RabAvert vaccine in left deltoid. I had another vaccine shot 3 days later in right deltoid. Within days of initial shots, I started to experience numbness in legs and feet. Also developed cold/flu like symptoms within one week. Within two weeks, numbness had encompessed entire body to include lower extremities, groin, trunk, arms, face, scalp. Getting minor fasciculations in abdomen, burning sensations on skin surfaces, intermittent Lhermitte's Sign when flexing neck. Some fatigue and muscle weakness. I had MRI of brain & C-spine with contrast - OK. EMG/NCS OK. Waiting on blood work looking at antibodies and other things. It's been over 5 weeks since initial shots and no improvement. Some autonomic (gastro) symptoms like diarrhea, then constipation. Also "sexual" dysfunctions. I am consulting with Neurologist and should have posted there but no room. However, I believe strongly that this is an autoimmune reaction to the rabies vaccine. I just hope my condition is not permamnent. Any thoughts? Does the immune system calm down after initial attack and let the body heal or does it keep going? I should mention that I was also on Lipitor. Thanks in advance and best regards.
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How bizaare ! It sounds like they ruled out Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I believe the nerve study would have picked that up, as well as if your symptoms were caused by rabies. From what I understand, rabies is a viral disease and it affects the central nervous system.
I remember getting sick from a flu shot once. It took me a week before I started feeling better. I hope your symptoms are also temporary. If your physicians' figure out what the cause is, let me know.
Good Luck !