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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be very worried about DD having the HPV vaccine?

67 replies

JillBYeats · 22/09/2015 21:55

Recent reports have been frightening regarding the adverse side effects. I have a very sporty DD who would be devastated if her sporting activities were to be curtailed by effects such as "headaches, excessive fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, gastrointestinal discomfort, nerve-related pain, sleep disruption and light sensitivity."

I read extensively about the MMR 12 years ago and was happy to go ahead with it for DD so am not given to automatically following a panicked crowd. But I am quite worried about this - what experiences have MNers had???

OP posts:
OhBigHairyBollocks · 22/09/2015 22:07

My arm hurt for a week but that was pretty much it. Mr, all my friends and sister, and her friends have had no adverse side effects. I've not read any recent reports, do you have a link?

Junosmum · 22/09/2015 22:11

No experience of the vaccine but I have had hpv and 'borderline' smear results. As I had the 2 together I automatically got a biopsy and blazer eblasion of my cervix. That was scary. It impacts on my ability to carry a child to term, have a natural birth and increases my risk of cervical cancer. Apart from my 2 long term partners I've never had unprotected sex, and we got tested prior to doing it in both those relationships.

I understand your concerns with the possible side effects of the vaccine but I just wanted you to know the impact of the possible side effects of not having it.

I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant with my first child and cervix, touch wood, is holding well. Still at risk of preterm labor though.

LumelaMme · 22/09/2015 22:13

I have a houseful of DDs and I have honestly lost track of who has had it and who has not - that's how much of an impact it has had. One of them did moan that her arm was sore for about 24 hours (though that might have been from another jab) but other than that... nope, nothing.

Really, it's not worth worrying about. Every vaccination carries a risk, but the risk is tiny.

tigermoll · 22/09/2015 22:13

I'd swap those side effects for my current hpv positive status and the regular colposcopies and biopsies I require

Original poster
JillBYeats · 22/09/2015 22:16

A whole support group for it: here

OP posts:
MrsPatrickDempsey · 22/09/2015 22:16

Yabu - sorry.

ManicPixieDream · 22/09/2015 22:21

I work as a health professional in school, I don't physically give the vaccine but I do deal with the side effects IYSWIM.

In my 7 years in this role side effects have been minimal, generally dizziness and localised swelling. Not enough to impede sporting participation.

If I had a DD, I would encourage her to have the jab.

Seriouslyffs · 22/09/2015 22:21

YABVVVU

PacificDogwod · 22/09/2015 22:23

YABU.

I wish there'd been a vaccine when I was young enough to have benefitted from one.

You are aware that all the potential side effects you listed are transient?

MedSchoolRat · 22/09/2015 22:25

This is the better of the 3 scientific studies (I know of) about possible risks.

I keep forgetting to access it at work where I can see full text.

The other Brinth et al article (in DMJ) was .... not the highest standard (British understatement). I say that as someone who makes a living by looking at the quality of medical evidence. I watched that Danish documentary and wanted to throw things at the screen, they seem to say they are sitting on much better data that they didn't share; why not??

What I will warn OP about is the hysteria when the girls have it. Not about permanent life changing affects but the emotional meal they can make out of a pinprick jab. They cry real tears as the queue up for it. And DD said the bugger did hurt for a few days afterwards. So high drama all around.

Most of us never had this jab & yet are at low risk of Cervical cancer / hpv problems. So it really is an optional in my mind, but that said, I was happy for DD to get it.

I've got to get a combined hepatitis-A-typhoid jab this week. Oh Joy. Wish me luck!

kali110 · 22/09/2015 22:30

I wish it had been around when i was at school!
So your daughter MAY miss doing some of her sports isnt worth it for reducing her risk of getting a form of cancer??
I've lost most of my family to cancer on both sides.
I suffer All those symptoms in your op every single day and i'd still take them if i knew it could reduce my chance of getting cancer.

godsavethequeeeen · 22/09/2015 22:31

Yabu. If she goes on to have LLETZ and a hysterectomy her sporting activities really will be cut short.

Like junosmum I was very low risk but still had 5 yrs of appointments and treatment culminating in a preventative hysterectomy after dc's and yet another bad result. 3 months off the gym for that.

Patapouf · 22/09/2015 22:34

I had it and I was and am fine, if anything having to have three jabs helped me get over my terrible needle phobia!

MedSchoolRat · 22/09/2015 22:37

To be fair to OP (something is wrong with me that I'm explaining it), the hypothesis is that HPV jab causes an autoimmune disorder in susceptible girls which is sometimes diagnosed as POTS or other symptoms (as OP has listed). Especially susceptible girls (so the theory goes) are those who are very sporty (because heavy exercise can affect immune system).

The scientific evidence in favour of that hypothesis is weak (to say the least).

It would be a very intriguing set of mechanisms if the theory could be proven.

Or it could be that CFS-POTS just tend to come on at about the same age in the same type of young people (high achievers who drive selves hard). Rather like regressive autism tends to come on about the same age as MMR jab is given.

The Japanese study on the possible link says stuff like "Ame had the jab in Mach and September of 2013. In May of 2014 she began to have symptoms..." I stopped reading at that point.

MedSchoolRat · 22/09/2015 22:37

*March...

Original poster
JillBYeats · 22/09/2015 22:38

No no it is not that she will "miss some of her sports" !!! The effects reported were lasting for years and having a debilitating effect on the girls lives. I am usually pro whatever medicine works and the reason I am in a quandary is that I want her to be protected (obviously) but - and maybe this is particularly in Ireland - there has been a lot of negative reporting about the vaccine of late.

3 months off the gym for that is facetious.

OP posts:
Samcro · 22/09/2015 22:40

My dd And her class hd it
Considering they are all very disabeld and some hve severe helth conditions.
None had any problems.
So i hardly think your super fit dd will end up missing out on her sport

RockinHippy · 22/09/2015 22:41

YANBU to look at your DD as an individual, with her own specific medical history, sensitivities & family medical history, whether diagnose or not, if she's sporty, is she hypermobile for example.

& then doing your research thoroughly & making an informed decision based on the facts relevant to here.

I doubt as far as the masses are concerned it won't be too much of a risk. That said my own DD won't be having it as she would very likely be a high risk of side effects, she is for everything & she already has PoTs

ilovemydoggy · 22/09/2015 22:45

Believe me if I had that option when I was at school I would've grabbed it. I had cancer 6 years ago and my health has deteriorated so much cause of that. I rarely go 2 months without a day off work due to constant tried ness, sickness, low white blood cells means I pick up every illness going and having to go through the menopause at 29. I wouldn't be worried about it.

GreenMouse · 22/09/2015 22:46

My DD had the first jab without problems but after the second one she suffered noticeable and worrying side effects: she was extremely tired and slept almost solidly for 3 days, which is very unlike her, and complained of severe headaches when not sleeping.

After reading many studies and consulting several health professionals including our GP and an immunologist, I decided not to go ahead with the third jab. She should still get significant protection from the 2 jabs she's had.

It's the first time she hasn't had the full complement of jabs as I am resolutely pro-vaccination, but in this case the signs were not good. I wish she could have had all three jabs though.

So my advice to you would be, let her have it, but if you notice side effects after the first or second jab, then get further information and review your decision.

HTH

Autumnnights1 · 22/09/2015 22:50

I do think you are being a bit over zealous, the vaccine guards against cancer of the womb. your choice though. I just wished it was around in my sisters time.

Mistigri · 22/09/2015 23:03

The risk of serious side effects is low, but no medical intervention carries zero risk.

FWIW, my dd - who typically has no side effects at all from vaccinations - developed a tender lump at the vaccine site which caused sporadic arm pain with some associated muscle weakness that persisted for several weeks after the first two jabs (the third not so much). It was mildly concerning given that she is a musician and I nearly refused the third jab.

Northernlurker · 22/09/2015 23:14

My older two dds have had it without any side effects. My youngest will have it when she is old enough.

I think you need to think about what it will protect her against. If you'd come across what I have in the course of my work, you'd be first in the queue for this jab. Don't muck around OP.

balletgirlmum · 22/09/2015 23:18

As you can tell by my username Dd dances & goes to vocational dance school. Everyone in her class had the jab. Dd informed me that she was capable of deciding for herself to have the vaccine.

Her arm was a bit sore & aches for a couple of days which meant holding her arms in position with the correct strength & energy was difficult. But it was fine after a few days.

Mrsjayy · 22/09/2015 23:20

No side effects for either of my dds a sore arm dd2 had a slight temp like she got as a baby paracetamol and an early night. There is always a chance of side effects the side effects you are on about are no worse than any other side effect warning.its up to you though i dont really read scare stories my eldest dd was a bit older she decided for herself if she wanted it.

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