My four children have measles.

[Spidermama]

I'm almost at the end of it now.

My 7 year old got it first and was ill throughout half term. The other three have just had the week off school with it and are still loafing around on the sofas at the tail end.

We've lived like vampires in darkened rooms.
During the worst days (probably about 2 days per child) I had to carry them upstairs to the toilet, hold bottled water to their mouths to get them to drink, and DS2 didn't eat anything for four whole days.

We're on the home stretch now and they just need fattening up. It has been a very bonding, intense experience and I'm really glad they have now got natural, lifelong immunity.

I hesitated before starting this thread. I have talked about my childrens measles on the vax thread but I wondered if I could have a measles thread which didn't turn into a vax debate. I also thought the subject deserves a thread of it's own because it's a really big deal for me.

None the less this is such a full on, eminal parenting moment for me, I would hate to let it pass without sharing it with MN. It would feel somehow wrong, like concealing stuff from my family almost.

So DS3 bounced back very quickly. He was flat out and barely able to whisper one day - the next je was out on the trampoline in full gold cape superhero gear. DD1 is also bouncing back nicely. DS2 and DS4 are a bit slower but showing improvement by the hour.

DH is away by the way so I'm here on my own.

So presumably you didn't vaccinate them?

How predictable.

It must have been a long exhausting few days for you, I'm glad they are all on the mend now.

Me and my brothers all had measles at the same time too - about 3 weeks before we were all due to be vaccinated! Don't remember it being a bonding experience but do remember the dark rooms!

You must be shattered if you have been managing all by yourself - I do remember being very pathetic and needing lots of mopping of brows, sips of water etc.

Good to hear that they are all doing fine and no complications.

Oh dear it must be a exhausting time for you, i read your other thread about your poor friend

How old are your dcs?

Let's hope they haven't come across any immuno-compromised children recently. Would be less of a 'bonding, intense experience' for their mothers, I imagine.

What happened Spider? Where did they get it?

What did you notice first?

Were they in agony?

I have had a very bad Chicken pox episode with one of mine and now have a bit of 'pox paranoia'.

I can't imagine them getting Measles too.

My Father lost his first son due to measles. Not so bonding for him either.

I am glad your kids are fine. I was also fine after measles, but my half-brother would still be here if he had been vaccinated.

Glad they are all on the mend and well done you for coping on your own. Betty gives Spiderr a round of applause.

So were they vaccinated or werent they? I am confused!

For me the dangers of measles and the suffering you and your kids have endured over the last few days are far worse than the vax - sorry but true

Glad to hear they are on the mend!
That must have been bloody hard work and worrying for you.

nickytwotimes

Ah.
My poor Dad.
He wouldn't ever talk about it. No wonder. He must have felt terrible.

Glad they are recovering. Hope they havent come off too badly from it.
Where did they get it, do you know? and have they passed it on to anyone else so far that you know of?
My sister caught it as a child and was very ill with it. She had to have all her teeth done as a teenager as the measles completely ruined them as they were growing at the time.

Do you mind me asking why you didnt vaccinate them?

Why spidermama, sorry if my question was predictable but it was just a curious question? I hadn't read any of your posts on any other threads so don't know the circumstances.

Obviously a sensitive subject for you. Ho Hum.

oh my goodness.

I am so glad you are all on the other side of it now.

I remember having measles when I was 2yrs old. very powerful memory of it too, as I remember very clearly having to be kept in the dark, just like you mention for yours.

Thanks for the support. It has been pretty tough.

largeginandtonic there has been an outbreak at the infants school my 7 year old goes to. He had it first, then the other three a week later.
They had a temperature, cough and were generally unwell for about five days before then came the rash which started round the ears and face and spread downwards.
They weren't in agony, but rather just totally and utterly washed out.

littleducks thanks. Yes the news about my friend came right in the middle of it all so it was and remains a really tough time.

Spidermama, I am glad to hear you are coming through this.

FWIW I had no thoughts on whether your kids have been vaccinated or not as that is irrelevant. Kids can get diseases even when vaccinated.

my DD2 had measles when she was 18mths, and she had been vaccinated. she doesn;t remember it, and it was not as bad for her, but still the darkened rooms.

I'm interested in whether your kids have been vacinated. Is it that they have had thier first but not their booster? I aks this as my ds had his 3 yr check and the hv mentioned that there was a measles outbreak locally. He should have his booster about now. Problem is, he had a fit after his MMR jab, whcih the doctos thought was due to the vax. So although I will have him vaccinated I will still be slightly concerned.

How does measles ruin the teeth? (interested emoticon) I had measles as a child and my mum says I was v poorly for a couple of weeks. Hope you get some rest soon OP - the whole process must have been exhausting.

Sorry overmydeadbody. I am indeed sensitive. I have been demonised on the school run and by the media recently.

I didn't want to have to defend my decision not to vaccinate on this thread because it would take up the whole thread but suffice it to say it's very well thought through and comes after exhaustive research on both sides of this polarised debate.

Psycho hi! I remember having it too. I remember so well lying on the orange habitat sofa feeling utterly wretched. My brother and sister had it at around the same time.

oxocube I'm also interested in the teeth issue. I was told that the reason my back molars grew without proper enamel may have been linked to me having measles at a specific time. I'm not sure why.