Jimjams can you help?

[bluecow]

Jimjams – I’d be really grateful for your advice when you have a mo. DS one this month so obviously will need MMR/single jabs some time soonish. I understand the measles strain in MMR is often the same one as given singly. As it’s the measles virus that Andrew Wakefield has been finding in the gut etc of some autistic children could the same happen with a single measles jab? Or is it (and I guess this is the question that may have no answer!) finding its way there simply because it’s part of the MMR? Thanks so much – bluecow.

[bluecow]

OOh - all those numbers are interesting...dunno how they got there! Please read an apostrophe for them!!

[Jimjams]

The 6 million dollar question The MMR could in theory make it more likely that damage will occur as mumps alters the blood brain barrier (and therefore possibly the gut as well I guess), measles is immunopsuppresive and rubella in pregnancy can cause autism. So put the three together and you have a triple whammy.

There have been regressions documented following the monovalent measles vaccine, but nowehere near the number reported following the MMR.

Having said that ds1 did stop talking a month after receiveing the measles vaccine (although in his case if it was involved I think it was just the last straw following a series of other hits). Personally I would be quite interested to know whether he has measles virus sitting in any strange places. If he has it has come from the monovalent, but never had him tested so no idea.

[Dinny]

Hi, Jimjams, dd booked for her single measles next week (Breakspear) - I am so scared of a bad reaction. Read that book you recommended on another thread, Jimjams (thanks for that) - v good but has made me not want her to have it. DH thinks we should proceed. Any advice? Dinny

[Jimjams]

err no sorry. There isn't a guarantee either way. If she has the jab she'll probably be fine, if she caught measles she would probaby be fine. You just have to make the decision that you feel most comfortable with.

[Dinny]

I know - daft question. Still dithering about it. May I ask what your ds1's "other hits" prior to measles vaccine were? Thanks, D

[Jimjams]

BIggest hits were eczema herpeticum (eczema infected with the herpes virus- very nasty) acyclovir and stacks of antibiotics. He was almost certainly born with a genetic predisposition ot automimmune conditions as well- family history is rife with them,and the baby jabs won't have done anything to help that. Although he stopped speaking totally a month after the measles jab he was losing words already. He also didn't show any of the other reactions described of most MMR damaged children- basically what sounds like an encephalitis- and LOTS of screaming. Nor was the regression sudden or fast enough.

[bluecow]

Thanks, Jimjams - like you say, it's the 6 million dollar question. Interesting about your ds1 and the measles jab. Thanks again - and we're still dithering about what to do!

[Dinny]

Thanks, Jimjams - you have been so much help to me and, I'm sure, loads of other mums in the same position. It is much appreciated.

I did go ahead and have dd vaccinated with single measles jab on Tues. So far, she seems OK but I am watching her closely for a reaction.

Thanks again, Dinny

[Jimjams]

Hopefully she'll be fine dinny- I think they sometimes get a rash a few weeks after the jab. If you can get some extra vitamin A into her it will decrease the likelihood of a reaction. You need retinol, not carotenes which they don't sell as a supplement (because you can overdose on it). You can provide it by giving some sort of fish liver oil (not the fish oils like eyeQ, efalex etc). Vitamin A is a very effective treatment for measles so I'm sure it would help her deal with the vaccine. Giving it short term won't do any harm (if she'll take it- try mixing with honey or chocolate spread something nice), but don't take it for too long- if she seems well I'd stick to a couple of doses- give more if she has a reaction. Alternatively feed her liver- that has even more- one meal a week wold probably be plenty! If you want to hold off the fish oils/liver unless she reacts then butter is a common food that has a decent amount of vitamin A in (loads less than either liver or fish livers - but more than most other foods).

[aloha]

Jimjams did you see the bit in this issue of Private Eye about the parents getting spinal taps on their kids for the court case which got nixed due to withdrawal of legal aid funding? If accurate, it is sinister.

[Jimjams]

I did aloha. My first though would have been that it couldn't possibly true except for the fact that I had listened to the radio show in this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=11513&stamp=030930145145

The scientists being interveiwed there are perfectly respectable and anti thimerosil (they actually advise getting the MMR) and they recounted a very strange story to do with Andy Wakefield and attempts to remove from him spinal fluid that had been collected from autistic children for analysis. They said that the british govt are terrified of andy wakefield. Within the thread I gave the time at which this conversation was going on (the radio show is a whole 2 hours so you might want to ski bits).

[Dinny]

Thanks for the advice, Jimjams. She is OK (so far) - have been trying to give her butter on toast etc. Not keen though. May try liver tomorrow.

The whole legal aid thing stinks, doesn't it? Reckon the gov will introduce singles soon? the uptake of MMR has fallen so much, do they have a choice?

[Jimjams]

But that would involve this govt backing down. Personally it think the proverbial pigs wil fly first.