I was hit by the episode of TM in October 2005 and my Neurologist has not allowed me to have the regular flu shot since. My TM was labelled ideopathic so, not knowing what the cause was, I believe they are erring on the side of caution in case the reaction of my immune system to the vaccine may cause another episode.
I recently called my Neurologist to ask if I should take the H1N1 flu vaccine when it comes out. The secretary called back to say the doctor said no because it is too new and the possible side-effects are unknown. She doesn't want to take the chance of me ending up back in hospital. I'm in Canada where they are going to add an adjuvant to the vaccine. According to what I've read, "adjuvants are chemical boosters used to elicit an early, high and long-lasting immune response". It appears they do not feel the non-adjuvant vaccine has been working well enough in tests. I can see why my Neuro doesn't want to take the chance of upsetting my immune system too much. I gather a rush to get a vaccine out happened in the 90s because of a flu epidemic that started in the U.S. military. They were hurrying to get people vaccinated and there many became ill (died?) and some were paralyzed by the vaccine. The man in charge lost his job over this debacle. Sorry I don't have the exact figures, names, etc. I heard the man in question being interviewed a few months ago but didn't document the facts. Anyway, it comes down to the fact we each have to do what is comfortable for ourselves but I think everyone should look into the situation very carefully before deciding. Regards. Louise ----- Original Message ----- From: Regina Rummel To: tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 10:30 AM Subject: [TMIC] Swine flu vaccine Good morning everybody, There was a lot of discussion in our group regarding vaccines a couple of years ago. It had been suggested that among other things, TM could be caused by the flu, a virus, whatever. Some of us were convinced of that and refused to take the vaccine. I haven't had one in four years. Others felt having checked with their doctors that we should have it and continued to get it. Question: What's going to happen now with the flu vaccine? Will some of us still be ambivalent? R
