Are adult immunizations a risk-factor for arthritis?

[tcpike]

Hi,  I've never been immunized and I'm a 47 year-old male.  We are adopting a girl and will be traveling to Vietnam soon.  I'm considering getting the MMR and DPT immunizations., Hep B and maybe others.  My sister was never vaccinated as a child either and  as an adult she got vaccinated and claims that she had terrible arthritis symptoms after the vaccinations.  Although these symptoms have decreased, she still is prone to joint pain.  What sorts of risk factors do I face by getting vaccinated as an adult?

Thanks, Tom

[ChitChatNine]

I am just a poster here w/o medical knowledge but from what I understand the live vaccines sometimes pose more of a risk than those that are not.  My daughter who is now 17 and 15 both had the varicella vaccine at ages 2.5 and 4 .. and it was 6 weeks after the vaccine one developed a toxic joint reaction in her hip and the other one had developed significant alopecia.  We'll never know .. the rheumatologist said maybe yes maybe no but to stay away from all live elective vaccines if possible and wait until the oldest possible time to admin. those that were state-mandated.  So Fast FWD: My dd's are now 17 and 15 and time for Varicella booster shot.  no choice.  must have it.  My 17yr old had it w/o a problem and I am scrared and keep putting it off for my 15yr old as she is the one who got the toxic joint problem so many yrs ago and as of today gets reactive severe arthritis from bee stings.  the last time took 6mos to heal with loss of range of motion and mega meds.  She is fine now.

Hope this experience helps ...... but by no means do I bring it up to start a debate on vaccines .. it is merely my experience and what we've been told having had similar concerns esp. now that my girls are adults (teens) vs. toddlers wtih the boosters being necessary by law.

Cheryl

[ChitChatNine]

Two of my other chidren had the varicella vaccine at ages 6 and 7 and were 100% just fine with it.  The MMR can have a titre done to see if a final shot is requ'd and many pass the bloodtest and avoid the last in the series as my sons did.  But you have to ask for the blood test .. most just push the shot.  My dr suggested it for my son bcz he had a huge local, red reaction to the DpT shot (not sure of the exact name) and took 3 days to settle down with use of Benadryl . Deep in the muscle it was swollen so they said no to the Pertussis shot with next booster .. it was a good 9" long and 5" wide but deemed local red reaction by the CDC in the States.

C~

[myproblem]

What you really have to ask yourself is how much risk do you have of contracting a terrible disease in a foreign country at what should be one of the most joyful times of your life. If you feel that your risk of getting any of these diseases is high then you should get the vaccines. The risk of getting arthritis or any other devastating side effect from vaccines is very low. You can look at the studies for each individual vaccine, and see which ones may be most important. You must also allow enough time for your immunity to build up before travelling. Also, if you have time, you could spread out your vaccinations over a few weeks instead of getting them all at once. This may make you more comfortable than feeling like you are overtaxing your immune system by bombarding it all at once. All this said, if it were me, I would definately be vaccinated before traveling to a less developed country. Congratulations on your impending adoption, and I hope that parenthood is better than you ever dreamed it would be.