Informed consent symptoms and conditions

My 9 year old daughter got her first shot in Dec. 2008 and her second in Feb. and the last in June. We have have been to the doctor a lot of times due to headaches with the doctor's opinion being that it's "allergies". She is now on allergy shots with still no relief from the headaches. I listened to her pediatrician and got her the shots. I feel so bad now after reading all the problems others are having with this vaccine. She also has had a change in her attitude aggression,moodiness,cries often, and she says she's depressed. If anybody has any suggestions for us please let me know. I love my little girl and know I'm worried.

As a fairly healthy 34 year old male, I went to my doctor for help getting over poison ivy mid-July 2008. I received the Kenalog 40 injection without being advised on any potential side effects. Within 36 hours I started having severe anxiety attacks with spikes in my blood pressure and vision problems (spotty, increased sensitivity to light). These attacks continued for 4-8 weeks during which time I underwent an MRI (head), stress test, and blood work to make sure nothing else was causing my symptoms.....conclusion: everything normal. My doctor prescribed me Xanax to help with the out of control anxiety. Started feeling more normal 60-90 days later. I started trying to run on my treadmill to get back in shape at the 90 day mark, and once again....symptoms returned. It's been a couple of weeks and I'm getting closer to being back to "normal", but I have no idea how long it will be before the Kenalog has completely metabolized out of my system, and I can get on with life. This has been a horrible experience and I would caution anyone from receiving this drug!

I am repeating one of my post regarding the Swedish study of the side effects of Singulair. When I read that parents have complained to their doctors about side effects and been dismissed, and told to continue the medication, I truly questions whether these doctors are giving their patients the right to INFORMED CONSENT.

I have been told by doctors before something like this "That is my professional opinion - I stand by it ." And I have said right back-- I understand that is your opinion. But if you don't have the time to tell me what I need to know then I am not giving you my informed consent. I get an entirely different attitude after that point. Because, that is how doctors get sued. Parents/patients didn't understand.

1. Have parents been told the complete reasons why it would be absolutely necessary, just necessary, or desirable to take Singulair and why?
2. Have parents been told what the alternative treatments are and the possible side effects of those treatments?
3. Have parents been given an option of another treatment when they complaint about the side effects of Singulair?
4. Do parents know that headache is a side effect that occurs in 18% of patients? These headache have indicated some serious events in European hospital reports. They are not just sinus headaches.
5. Do parents know that Singulair can cause serious events that require hospitalization as referenced in European hospital reports? These reports have described the event and provided laboratory test results that prove that Singulair was the cause.
6. Singulair in NOT an anti-histamine. Can your doctor fully explain to you how Singulair interacts with the receptors on the mast cell (cell part of the immune system)? Can your doctor fully explain how the mast cell will be changed by this? The mast cell has a number of receptors that interact with each other to tell the mast cell how to function normally; when it's time to die; when it's time to be replaced; and when to tell the bone marrow to send a replacement mast cell. Singular CHANGES the immune system---- good or bad???

So here is the report from Sweden to take to your doctors. Would your doctor give consent for his/her children after reading this? Maybe he/she would BUT at the very least that doctor would be looking for side effects that could mean trouble.

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Update: I have spent hours searching scientific data bases for articles on Singulair. So far this is the most direct reference to adverse drug reactions and Singular.

For anyone who wanted to print the article from the Swedish researchers that stated that their study suggested that montelukast (singulair) should be investigated for adverse psychiatric drug reactions, I was able to find a link with open access to the public. So far, this is the only article that I have found. I am still searching through databases. This link should work if you cut and past. I am sure that all doctors would appreciate the opportunity to read it for themselves to see what they think.

PRINT REPORT.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/8/1

Individual case safety reports in children in commonly used drug groups – signal detection Gertrud Brunlöf , Carina Tukukino and Susanna M Wallerstedt Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden author email corresponding author email BMC Clinical Pharmacology 2008, 8:1doi:10.1186/1472-6904-8-1 Conclusion In conclusion, the present study indicates that ADRs are reported for commonly used drugs in children. The number of ICSRs varies in different groups of drugs. A possible signal for montelukast and psychiatric adverse drug reactions was found, which should be further explored.

Please don't forget to PRINT the Tables which open on a separate page. Table 2 lists the specific side effects that they found which include anxiety, aggression, night mares, pain, and several others.

Epidural Cervical Injection in January. Immediately: Migraine headache, extreme excess salivation for many hours, BP 150/100, trouble breathing. Dr. told me I was having "stress" from the procedure. Bulls_ _ _! and lies. Menstrual irregularities for 4 months. Had to have uterine ultrasound and endometrial biopsy to rule out more severe conditions unrelated to Kenalog. PLEASE - EVERYBODY READ THE BURTON REPORT which relates to informed consent. I had nothing that even looked like INFORMED consent. I was told no side effects. Be careful for the fluoroscope patients: WHAT TYPE OF DYE WILL BE USED??? VERY IMPORTANT. MANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THAT AS WELL. I have more frequent migraines, food sensitivities, caffeine intolerance, etc., etc. These doctors suck. Funny thing: another "pain" doctor wants to shoot me full of Botox for the muscle spasms. Yeah, right. Let him shoot himself full of (himself) whatever! BE CAREFUL. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRUG AND THEY DON'T TELL US THAT!

I too received a Kenalog injection last Feb for back/PSIS pain. In a couple of months I noticed a golf ball size "crater" in the area lateral to the shot. I was not given informed consent about this potential side effect. I returned to that clinic because I didn't know what was happening. The MD wanted to send me to a plastic surgeon. Thank God his nurse said "send her to a dermatologist!" I have had 2 silicone injections with 75% recovery. They are $250 each and well worth it. It stimulates new collagen to form and restores fullness and color. I would advise anyone to do this if it is visible and bothersome! The clinic that did this to me actually paid for 2 of the repairs. The dermatologist said it would have most likely repaired itself in 2 years but here I am a year out with 2 injections and a little way to go. Good luck to all of you!

Why aren't doctors discussing the possible side effects of Kenalog injections with their patients? If a doctor did not obtain your "informed consent", and you would NOT have consented to the injection had you know of the side effects, and your injury is directly related to the Kenalog injection, then it may be possible to have a lawsuit against the doctor for lack of informed consent, pain & suffering. Document everything. Request your medical records from the doctor who injected you (you have a right to obtain copies of your medical records within 30 days of a written request). Contact an attorney for a consultation.

I know many of you are suffering from pain (physically and/or emotionally) due to the injury caused by receiving a Kenalog injection. Atrophy is a serious side effect, and all patients should be informed that it is a possible side effect before making a decision about whether or not it is worth taking the risk to receive the injection.

I feel for all of you who have been experienced serious side effects of a Kenalog injection(s). I have been seriously injured as well.