September 9th
2009
11:14 PM
My daughter is now 20 years old. she received her 1st gardasil shot in 3/08 and the second in 8/08. She didn't get the last one and will not be getting it. From the day she got the first shot we should have known something. She nearly fainted immediately after both shots and complained of weakness and flu like symptoms. Started feeling poorly in the days and weeks to come. It was the end of her senior year the doctor tested her for mono. and it was negative but she had an extremely heavy schedule at high school. He chalked it up to the stress of that. Between the two shots she started having numbness and pains in her hands,elbows and arms. She continued to feel poorly and terribly irritable in the upcoming months. We saw a orthopedic doctor for her pains in her arms. He referred us to a neurologist. She was beginning her first year of pharmacy school and we put off the neurologist because she didn't have much time until spring break. During her 1st year of school after her 2nd shot. Her personality changed completely. Became insecure, moody, very anxious , constantly complaining of flu symptoms, bladder infections and had a hard time urinating. When my daughter returned home from her first year away at college I knew immediately that she had changed. She had been a very bright, intelligent, independent daughter and came home the daughter from hell. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She was miserable, disliked pretty much everything. I had been talking with the doctor and friends over the course of the year and they all said that she was in a very stressful field (pharmacy) and college life takes some time to adjust. Then just a few weeks home from college she was complaining of dizziness, light headedness, headaches and saying she was having an episode. I thought maybe low blood sugars.....until I witnessed one. She was having Myoclonic seizures. She could feel them coming on but couldn't move or react. By the time I witness one of them she hadn't slept in 3 days. She was diagnosed within a week seeing a neurologist and having 50 to 60 a day. It took 4-5 weeks to get them under control in and out of the hospital . She has been on many seizure medicines it seemed like if it worked to stop the seizures she had crazy side effects. She was diagnosed with Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. No one in our family has ever had seizures. I asked about the shot right away everyone said no and it was dropped. Since last July 08 we have been trying to help our daughter get her life back and it has been the worst year of our lives. She was unable to return to pharmacy school. The first fall 08 she was completely disabled. It looked as if she had had a stroke. They were saying it was the meds or maybe she had a breakdown of some kind. I am learning that it was side effects of this horrible shot. This is why I am posting this lengthy message because I wanted to let other people know that you and your daughter are not crazy!! We just started 2 weeks ago investigating the possibility of the gardisil shot being the reason for this madness. We have learned many things and are very sure that it was the shot that change our daughter.. I was contacted by a friend of a friend about a similar girl having the same pains in her arms and the focal seizures. I am learning more and more everyday about similar situations.. If this information can help one person it was well worth the time to jot it down. I will be praying for all of your families out there dealing with side effects from this vaccination.. I will let you know what we hear when we visit the neurologist at the end of the month. Any comments or information that may help us help our daughter can be sent to ******
-- By tdrich | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
August 19th
2009
7:48 AM
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.
-- By hlo30 | Reply | (9) replies | Private Message me
August 14th
2009
9:31 PM
My 17 year old daughter received her second vaccination on Mar 10 2009. Four days later she began having headaches and fatigue.Within 2 weeks she was having non-epileptic seizures,tremors,numbness and pain in all her extremities.She has been hospitalized twice with still no answers.She was a healthy energetic cheerleader before Gardasil now she can barely get out of the bed.Her hair is falling out in clumps and she has lost 40 lbs.This has been a nightmare.I was just trying to protect my daughter.Her senior year is now spent hospital home bound.
-- By debco904 | Reply | Private Message me
June 18th
2009
8:31 PM
I'm 25 years old and approx 5 weeks after my second Gardasil injection started feeling sick. It has been 6 months now and still no relief. I have been to the doctor 13 times in the past 6 months, before this vaccine that was how much I was there in 13 years. This experience has been a nightmare and everyday I wake up wishing it was. I have had numerous blood tests, a CT scan, an esophagram, seen multiple doctors and it is so frustrating having them not believe you. I used to be happy, healthy and a social butterfly. Went on a job interview today and felt like I was out-of-body not really knowing what was going on. It is absolutely horrible to know that no one can help and be completely unsure of how long this will last. I just graduated from college and I'm supposed to be starting my life and now it's not knowing if this nightmare will ever end. I have had dizzy spells, chronic sore throat, unbelievable headaches with no relief from any OTC drugs or prescription migraine meds, extreme fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, dry/itchy/watery eyes, ear pain, side pain, jaw pain. I pray for everyone who is going through this nightmare. ALL I want is to be healthy, feeling like my old self. I would give up everything to just be healthy again, pre-Gardasil.
-- By rdh08 | Reply | Private Message me
May 27th
2009
6:19 AM
my daughter received her first shot in August of 08. Within 2 weeks she had a terrible bout of thyroiditis which translates into hypothyroidism;very tired and fatigued. A few months after that severe dizzy spells, racing heart and seeing stars in the middle of the night. Then migraine like headaches. Now chronic nausea and tingling and pain in her chest, shoulder and arm. Recently diagnosed with Parsonage-Turner syndrome which produces neurological impairment from "viral infection". The impairment is supposed to improve over time. She has had a hellish year. How is it that a 19 y0 girl who was healthy and a runner has turned into what doctors now think is a hypochondriac?
-- By dmr | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 7th
2009
10:33 PM
I received my 2nd shot on 3/27/09. On 3/31/09 i began having headaches, diarrhea, chest pains, back pains, and abdominal, pelvic pains. They have not ceased since. I have tried taking headache medication but the headache returns the next day. Including the terrible abdominal pains. My mother overheard about a 5th grader taking these shots and ending up dying from them. Her doctors could not find the source of her problems and convinced her family there was nothing wrong...her death was the result.
-- By erickaelisa | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 25th
2009
9:36 PM
My daughter got the gardasil shot ten months ago. She was a normal healthy beautiful active teen before the shot.She had been running about ten miles a day and within none DAYS of getting the shot ( the reaction started sooner) she was in ICU fighting for her life! She has chest pains, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, stomach pains, insomnia, hairloss, voice changes, personality changes, auto immune issues, rashes, strange swelling, leg tremors, hand weakness, fatigue general malaise and I could go on and on. This was supposed to be her senior year, but she is so weak and missed so much school, she had to drop out. This has got to stop!
-- By truthaboutgardasil | Reply | Private Message me
March 19th
2009
9:49 PM
My daughter received her first shot on 6/20/2007 when she was 14 years old and second shot on 12/27/2007. During this time frame she complained of having headaches daily. On 1/8/2008 my daughter had a seizure. She had been a healthy, dancer and scholastic student. Since her shot she has had a total of 12 seizures and has been in and out of hospitals numerous times. She was diagnosed with epilepsy in March of 2008. She has been on Topamax, Keppra, Lamictal and Zonegran and continues to have seizures. The side effects from the medications that my daughter has suffered with along with depression has been tremendous.
We thought we were protecting our daughter and found that we have only hurt her. The doctors need to stop pushing the shot and it needs to be taken off the market. Because of this shot she has to be dependent on more drugs. She has missed so much school, which were important years (freshman & sophmore) that she will never get back. How many more girls need to suffer!
March 8th
2009
12:07 PM
My 13yr old niece has always been a healthy, active and straight A student. Then on 11/5/08 during a routine physical, she received her 1st dose of Gardasil. On 11/28/08 she started to complain that she felt weak and had a headache. Since it was 2 days after Thanksgiving we thought that she was tired from all the holiday activities. On 11/29/08 she had a headache and stayed in bed all day. She got up that afternoon & had 2 seizures. She was rushed to the ER.
As of today, March 8, 2009 she is still in the hospital in Intensive Care Unit. She has been in critical condition since. Within 2 days after her seizure, she lost the ability to eat,speak,walk and communicate in anyway. She is completely unresponsive. She is on the ventilator, she is basically in a coma. We do know she has an viral infection with a shadow on the left side of her brain. All of the testing that has been done all show negative for any illness or diseases.
We are still unsure if she will come out of this. This has been completely devastating to our family.
We have no answers from doctors. Even though we know in our hearts that this was a side effects from Gardasil. I don't know if they will ever fully admit it.
We are left to watch and wait. That is what the doctors tell us daily..
February 23th
2009
12:53 PM
My 12 yr. old daughter had her first gardasil shot last summer and her 3rd in January. She has been complaining of headaches, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, confusion, as she put it 'she felt like an alien'. I just figured it was preteen/body change/that time of the month stuff and thought it would pass. She only complained of headaches a few times after the first shot, didn't even think of them being from the shot but then more after the 2nd shot, still didn't make a connection, and now it's an every day thing. This morning again the headache/nausea/stomach pain, crying from the pain and Tylenol isn't helping. I got her to go to school but after 2 hours had to go pick her up. She said it was worse. We will be back at the doctors for the 3rd time in 2 weeks. With the possibility of this being from the gardasil, I wish I had never gotten the shots. The not knowing, is this from the gardasil? will it pass? get worse? and what she is going through. No it's not worth it
-- By debbiel | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 21th
2009
9:32 AM
headaches, nausea, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, tiredness and insomnia.
-- By rene2141 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 15th
2009
11:29 AM
My then 11 year old daughter received her first vaccine in June 2007, and third in December 2007. In January 2008, she began complaining of backaches and headaches. During the spring/summer 2008, she began having tremors, tingling and numbness in her legs and arms. She is always tired and never feels good. We have seen a neurologist and 2 neurosurgeons, had CT scans and MRIs. But no answers. She is on medication that has helped slightly, but she still suffers from a constant headache that she never ranks less that 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. Typically she rates it as a 7 or 8, and we have had a couple of 12s.
-- By riggsk | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 9th
2009
7:35 PM
My 19 year old daughter received the first shot in March 2008. She immediately had a severe back pain. She had her first seizure in April. She got the second shot in May and had more seizures, fatigue, headaches, severe stabbing stomach pains, body aches and pains, tremor, hair loss, vision problems, 2 UTI's, mono like symptoms - swollen glands, bruising and bleeding gums are the most recent symptom. She had daily seizures throughout the summer and they are now about every 5-6 weeks. She is fighting to recover from this horrible nightmare called Gardasil. Thank goodness we figured this out and she did not get the third shot. If you want to sign the petition to get this vaccine in front of Congress go to: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/14/investigate-gardasil-vaccine-risks-now
-- By angrymom | Reply | Private Message me
February 3th
2009
7:43 PM
My Daughter was twelve when she got her first and second Gardasil shot. The first shot went well other than the normal irritation after the injection. The second shot hurt a bit worse and for longer after, but we thought nothing of it. Slowly, she started to get very down and very tired, it was around the holiday season so we thought maybe she was just stressed out. Then, she started bleeding vaginally. There were no "warning signs" that she was starting her period, so we treated it as a Urinary Tract infection, and that's what the doctor's told us it was, until a month later, she got it again and we found that it was her period. She also started having MAJOR stomach issues, having two colon scopes, and many other tests (as well as tests for Urinary Issues as well). All have so far come back negative, but all this started occurring exactly ONE MONTH after her second shot. Needless to say, please read her about her other symptoms, and the other posts on this site and others. Gardasil, does not seem to be as safe as they say.
-- By sweetpea14 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 21th
2009
3:25 PM
I am 20 years old and my sister is 17 years old. My sister received her first shot about a month and a half before I received mine. Her arm was sore for a few weeks. After a few weeks have passed she began to itch all over her body, and began to have blotches all over (the worst spot was her ankles and feet-they looked swollen). She went to the doctor and he said that he did not think it was from the gardasil shot, but could be irritated and dry skin. So, not thinking it would happen to me as well, I received my shot. Everything seemed fine, no pain at all. But then About a month later ( a week ago ) I woke up to itching ALL over(extremely bad on my stomach & arms). I tried using an anti-itch lotion and took medicine to attempt the itching and redness to go away and keep washing myself , but it did not really do anything. When I woke up the next day, it was mostly gone and the doctor said he did not think it was from the shot either. I just found it to be quite a coincidence that my sister AND i both received itchy-blotchiness around the same time period after the shot. But, after my sister received her second shot she was perfectly fine, with the exception of a soar arm where the shot was taken place. I did not go for my second one yet, but I hope everything turns out okay! If anyone else received any type of blotches or itchiness please let me know, we are very curious to see if its happened to anyone else too.
-- By julz311 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 3th
2009
10:49 AM
I am 14 and received one shot in November 2007. I was very, very ill with throwing up and severe abdominal pain, kidney issues, high blood pressure, a strange rash, headaches, low grade fever and a few other symptoms. i was in and out of the hospital for about 3 or 4 months until i saw a nutritionist in California named M. F. Him and his wife (a chiropractor) have helped me get pretty much back to normal. If need any advice or help you can email me at ****** or my mom at ******. Please contact me with any questions. This shot has been horrible on my health and overall life but i might be able to help.
-- By lyrics4christ | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
December 18th
2008
10:35 AM
Like many of the other stories my daughter was a happy healthy 14 year old high school freshman prior to receiving the Gardasil vaccine. Now she is chronically ill suffering from pancreatitis, gastrointestinal disorders including extreme nausea,vomiting,and diarrhea,headaches,blurred vision,pain,fatigue,hypersensitivity to light and sound,and has had pneumonia twice.We have recently spent 8 weeks in two different hospitals to return home with still no answers as to how to end this nightmare. She has a central line so that we can give her IV nutrition TPN and Lipids, is on 5 nausea medicines and 1 pain medicine every 6 hours round the clock just to keep her comfortable. We are going to take her to Mayo's with the hope they can help us, I refuse to accept the fact that this is what her life has become and that our only option is to treat the symptoms. The doctors so far are completely clueless without it being in black and white on a piece of paper from a test result they seem to dismiss you with out any compassion at all, I wonder if they would have that same additude if this was their daughter. If anyone out there has found any kind of help please let me know. I can't believe Merck is still being allowed to poison our young girls while the FDA looks the other way!
-- By summers | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
December 11th
2008
12:18 AM
My first Gardasil shot was at the same time as a flu shot and meningitis shot. I almost passed out right after the Gardasil. It was painful. I was fine after about a half an hour and was just sore for a few days. I felt fine and normal after that. I just had my second shot a few days ago and it wasn't as painful, It hurt at first but I was fine after about 10 minutes. I have experienced some sharp headaches that come and go all day. I have fatigue and feel weak. I don't know if it is the Gardasil, but seems to be. My arm is still very sore. I can't hold it up or in one position for too long. They made it seem like such a great thing to get this vaccine, but I'm not so sure anymore. Good Luck!
-- By debbie09200 | Reply | Private Message me
December 4th
2008
9:45 AM
My daughter is 15 she has always been healthy. After her 3rd Gardasil shot on 10/14/2008 she began having headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness tingleing in her hands and fingers (this happened in the next few days after the shot), tiredness, chest pain, stomach pain, face rash, eye itchiness and hot/cold flashes. I am really upset that I allowed my daughter to get this shot. The doctor says she doesn't feel this is from the shot but there is no other explanation since she had none of these problems before! As a mother I feel terribly guilty for letting her get the shot. I haven't seen anything about how long people are having these side effects. Do the side effects go away in time?
-- By cmt5 | Reply | Private Message me
December 1th
2008
6:38 PM
I'm 18 and a freshman in college. I received my second Gardisil shot a month ago. Within the past three weeks I have been experiencing awful headaches every night, extreme tiredness and diarrhea. I have also been extremely emotional lately.
My sister who is 15 in high school has also received the Gardisil shot. However, after passing out upon receiving the shot and due to difficulty breathing, my Mom did not allow her to get the second shot. My sister has been in and out of the doctors office and emergency room several times due to what doctors believe was a pulled muscle or inflamed chest cavity.
However, after reading the similar side effects that other girls have been experiencing, I am sure that both of our side effects are due to the Gardisil shot.
-- By lindsaydanielle | Reply | Private Message me
October 20th
2008
11:30 AM
This drug nearly killed my 17 year old daughter! She began with injection site soreness followed by headaches and back pain. Then began having seizures after her second injection along with disorientation, and memory loss. Who is Merick, the FDA and CDEC trying to fool? We are seeking legal representation and I would recommend anyone who has had their child mailed by this drug do the same. Our children are not test subjects for pharmaceutical companies!
-- By cooksp | Reply | Private Message me
September 24th
2008
10:33 AM
I wish I would have read this first, also. I feel so guilty for the pain my daughter is going through right now after I decided to have her get her first Gardasil shot on at her 12 yr old checkup. She has NEVER had more than a cold before in her life - and now she complains of constant abdominal pain, diarrhea, urine with a strong odor (even after drinking plenty of water), headaches, body aches, tiredness and more. I followed up with her doctor and his reply was these symptoms were "absolutely not a side affect of the vaccine." She also had 3 other typical vaccines at that same visit, so although they say "studies show" the Gardasil vaccine does not cause major problems, I guarantee they did NOT study it when it was given with other vaccines. She will NOT have the final 2 shots in the series. All I can pray now is that her pain will go away. PLEASE do NOT take the chance of putting your daughter, and YOURSELF, through all the pain that may arise from taking this vaccine. It is NOT worth it!!!!!
-- By karik | Reply | Private Message me
September 23th
2008
12:44 PM
I received my first shot about a month ago and ever since i have been having severe cramping in my pelvic area! this has never been a issue before and now it happens at least once a day. I do believe that this shot has also caused my period to be several days late so far. I also have been recently getting sudden pounding headaches that will last for hours on end. SERIOUSLY consider your options before you go get the gardisil shot!
-- By arorro | Reply | Private Message me
September 16th
2008
1:25 PM
I am 20 years old and I had no fear about the Gardasil shot until I received my second shot. I had my first shot July 7, 2008 after my sister-in-law convinced me to have to. She swore by it. After I received the shot I immediately noticed that I was having headaches and nausea. I figured it was just a small side effect so I put it out of my mind. I was known for having migraines also. This was on my mother's birthday, I couldn't enjoy it with her. Later in the week I started becoming very ill and I thought it was due to stress and lack of sleep. I was working a night time job as a manager so the stress was normal for me. On Sunday, July 20, 2008 I went over to a friends house because I was depressed and needed to be with some on when I noticed the I had been getting dizzy. My friends boyfriend was giving me a ride home while he was smoking a cigarette and the smell made me feel very nauseated. I thought I was pregnant because my boyfriend and I had recently broken up not even a month before. After I got home all hell broke loose. I started vomiting. For the next 2 weeks I had been vomiting and I was not able to hold anything down. I couldn't eat and I couldn't drink anything. I was working full time while being sick. I had no energy at all. Finally, July 31, 2008 I was admitted into the hospital. I was complaining of stomach pains and a late period along with the nausea, severe heartburn, and exhaustion. After doing x-rays, blood work, and urine tests they came back and said I was not pregnant, but I was dehidrated. I was on a drip for 4 hours making me late to work. I finally was released from the hospital after lying to them telling them that I was feeling better. I felt worse than before. I went to work that night completely out of my mind because my boss refused to work for me. In weeks to come I started feeling better. I got my second shot September 12, 2008. Once again I immediately noticed a headache and nausea and this time I knew it was from the shot. I still didn't think much of it even after I heard about what the shot was doing to people. I noticed a red mark where the injection site was but I figured it was normal. I went through my weekend without a care in the world when I noticed on Sunday that I wasn't feeling well at all and I was starting to get another headache. This was on my brother's 23rd birthday so I put on a brave face and went through the night. I went to bed early. Last night I was sitting on the couch watching my favoraite show when I noticed I was getting another headache. I didn't want to say anything to my parents because there was nothing they could do about it. Later in the night I noticed my headache was getting worse with a sudden sore throat with no cold symptoms. I once again went to bed early. I woke up this morning with the same sore throat and headache only they were both worse following nausea. I was supposed to take a college placement test, but I had to cancel it for the second time due to being sick from the Gardasil shot. After I did that I came online and looked at possible side effects vs. side effects people are really having. Panicing I called a line called "My Nurse" and spoke with a nurse at my local hospital. She told me that since I am on birth control to try to regulate my period that it might have something to do with my headache. I told her about the times before when I was not on birth control and my hospitalization with the dehydration and headaches and she told me that I was the second person today calling and complaining about a headache after receiving the second shot. She informed me to try to take ibuprofin and if my headache was not gone within the next hour or two to go see my family doctor and ask him about the Gardasil and if I should receive my 3rd shot in January. So far it's been an hour and every time I swallow I feel like I'm going to vomit and my headaches only gotten worse since taking something for it. I will not be receiving my 3rd shot and I suggest to anyone who is getting the Gardasil to carefully consider it before getting it. I was perfectly healthy before receiving the shot and now I'm a mess.
-- By stargirl | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 15th
2008
4:36 AM
I am a mother of a beautiful 11 year old girl, who was a healthy 10 year old little girl until she got her second Gardasil shot! She received her shot on 1-28-08, and started having nausea shortly after (within a few days). She didn't mention it. Within a few months she started having abdominal pain. She was hospitalized on 4-20-08 with pancreatitis. She got out of the hospital four days later. She was on Morphine while in the hospital and went home with Vicodine. She still had residual abdominal pain for the next few weeks, but the doctor said it was normal. She went to school 2 weeks later and started having severe abdominal pain again. We went to the doctor's office where they found out that her enzymes were elevated again. We then were referred to a gastroenterologist. She has had countless blood test..... negative. She has had an endoscopy, a colonoscopy, many CT scans, fecal tests, and now she will be going in for another endoscopy, but this time she has to take the capsule cam. She was so normal before the shots she was boring, but now she has to miss school on a regular basis ( before she was an honor roll student) and has to miss out on some of the most fun school activities. All the doctors act like she is making it up and they think I'm just some crazy mom that wants to drug my kid. They keep wanting to label her with IBS, but she has no signs of IBS other then the abdominal pain. She now has been on several meds. with no help. She now has joint pain headaches, blurred vision, and she says that she feels weird, with no other way to describe it. I feel like everyone wants to turn the other way rather then to accept that this drug is hurting these girls and focus on treating them.
I know this is tough, tough on the girls and young women that are effected, tough on the parents, and tough on everyone who loves them. Please, just remember that you are not alone! I will fight till I die to try and find out what is wrong with these girls. Just remember that you have options, if you do not want to get your child vaccinated, you can visit ****** and there you can find out what legal rights you have to not vaccinate your children if you don't want to. They have the forms that you need and you can download them there.
I am so sorry for all of you that have been effected by this drug! You will all be in my thoughts and prayers, as always. Just please, spread the word, the more we talk, the more that don't have to be hurt like this. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories! They help more then you know!!!!!!
-- By hougasfam5 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 12th
2008
12:19 PM
if i would have known the side effects of the shot i would have never got it,i still need 1 dose but im not sure whether or not to get it,
I get: nausea, severe pelvic and abdomen pain, my arms and legs tingle at times, i get a lot of headaches all of this began after my 1st dose, my period has changed dramatically!!!
GIRLS PLEASE KNOW THE RISKS AND DECIDE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE RISKS!!!!!!!!!!!
September 3th
2008
4:21 PM
Let me start by giving you some history.
My sister is a 22 year old girl who worked full time and was never seriously ill until this summer.
During the last full week of June my sister started having headaches. She told me that these headaches were like none she had ever had before. Days later she started complaining that her legs and wrists hurt. She said that her legs were so tired and achy she could barely walk up the stairs. At that time I dismissed what she was saying. My sister constantly wears heels and I chalked up the complaint to a pair of shoes that were not yet broken in.
By July 4th, the headaches were so intense that she went to urgent care. The physician she saw in urgent care gave her an antibiotic and sent her on her way. By July 7th, she was having difficulty standing up and walking was almost impossible. My sister started complaining about severe joint pain. Her ankles began to swell and her stomach appeared distended.
On July 8th, my sister went to her primary care physician. I believe he sent her for an x-ray and said that she had a cyst on her sinus cavity which was causing her to have severe headaches. He then gave her another antibiotic and referred her to a rheumatologist never even thinking that these two symptoms may be related.
On July 10th, my sister saw the rheumatoid arthritis doctor her pcp referred her to. He dismissed her complaints saying that she probably has some form of arthritis, but that there are over 800 forms and it would takes months to pin point exactly which one she has. He then gave her a prescription for Celebrex and sent her on her way. She spent the entire week in bed because her joints were so swollen and achy that she could not move. She actually crawled to go to the bathroom.
By the middle of the following week, my sister's stomach began to burn. She contributed it to being a side effect of the Celebrex and stopped taking it on July 21st. We had no idea that the pain was so bad. My sister's last normal meal was on July 22. By the 23 she had no appetite and could not go to the bathroom. On July 24, the stomach pain was so bad that she could not work, or sit, or function. All she did was cry. She went back to her primary care physician who then prescribed her prevacid to help with the so called indigestion. He told her if the pain continues she could call him. On July 25th the pain became unbearable. My sister called her PCP as directed and he told her to go to the ER. Never once did he say he would meet her there! I brought my sister to the ER where they did an x-ray and cat scan of her stomach. They found nothing. At that time my sister had not gone to the bathroom or had anything to eat since the 22nd. The physician in the ER said that she was literally "full of shit" and needed to go home and take a liquid laxative. My sister is only 22 and my parents were away on vacation. We were stupid and didn't know any better and were so happy that they didn't find anything that we accepted his findings and got out of there.
My sister took the liquid laxative prescribed by the ER physician as soon as we got home. We waited anxiously for it to relieve her stomach pain. After many hours the laxative did not work and my sister ended up back in the ER. This time she was screaming in pain. One of the doctors there told her that if she couldn't calm down she needed to leave her ER. My sister did just that. At this point my parents (back from vacation) took my sister home and called Digestive Disease. A doctor there told my mom to give my sister 2 Enemas. He said that should relieve her pain. My mother followed the doctor's orders, but the pain did not stop. Sunday, July 27th my sister was right back in the ER - this time at another hospital. This time my sister was admitted to the hospital for severe stomach pain. After 5 days and numerous tests my sister was discharged. The doctors found nothing in her cat scans, x-rays or ultra sounds. The pain was more manageable (she was on morphine every 2 hours) and they said she was ok to go home.
August 1st my sister had a great day. She was sitting up in bed and seemed to be in good spirits. The following day she couldn't get out of bed. This time it was neck pain. My sister said the pain in the back of her neck was so severe that she could not lift her head up or move it side to side. By August 4th she was admitted to the hospital again. This time we brought her to University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. We were sure to get some answers there...or so we thought. As soon as my sister arrived in the ER they started treating her with antibiotics. They were certain she had an infection. They then told us they would have to do a lumbar puncture to check her spinal fluid for infection. We thought we would finally have an answer to what was wrong with my sister, so we agreed. The spinal fluid came back fine - no infection. At that time they admitted her to the hospital. While at University Hospital my sister was treated by a team of doctors. They tested my sister for lyme disease, west nile, lupus, leukemia etc. They performed a spinal tap, cat scans, x-rays, ultra sounds, blood smears, etc. All of these tests came back negative. The doctors could find nothing abnormal except for an elevated white blood count -22,000 (it was also very high during her last hospitalization), an elevated C reactor and a very high SED rate. After 4 days of numerous tests and pain killers (first morphine, then Dilaudid, then Dilaudid with a fentanol pain patch) they discharged my sister. The head doctor told her that he believed she had viral meningitis and that it would eventually work its way out of her system. By this point my mother and I were skeptical. We did the research and viral meningitis should only last approximately 10 days. Mig had been sick since the last week in June. No one was putting all these symptoms together. On the day of her discharge my sister started getting her stomach pain back. The pain was mostly on the left side of her lower stomach - under her belly button. Again she was told the pain was due to constipation and she should buy some Miralax when she got home.
My sister was home for a mere 2 days before she would be hospitalized again...for the 4th time. Her stomach pain was back and worse then before. My family could not believe this was happening. My sisters spirits were down and the excruciating pain was making her mentally unstable. This time the ER physician recommended a hematologist come in to see my sister. We just wanted answers so we agreed. This hematologist, Dr. R stated that she believed my sister had drug induced lupus. We were shocked as my sister was tested for lupus twice before and both times the test came back negative. Dr. R explained that she believed my sister got drug induced lupus from the Gardasil shot. My entire family was shocked. We had never heard of any severe side effects like this from the Gardasil shot. Dr. R asked my sister for her permission to test her again. My sister agreed and a week later my sister learned that she was positive for drug induced lupus. My entire family was so happy that my sister finally had a diagnosis and could begin treatment. We were told that after a 6 week steroid treatment (Prednisone) my sister would be back to her old self. We were ecstatic!
My sister was home from the hospital and on the steriod treatment for 10 days when things started to go wrong again. The doctors were very concerned with the dosage of Prednisone that my sister was taking (80mg. I'm not sure how many times a day). They cut the dosage down in half over the course of a few days to prevent kidney damage and other side effects. Once the Prednisone was decreased, my sister started getting sick immediately. Her forearms were very weak - she could not put any pressure on them. Her shoulders would tingle and she would get shooting pains down her right arm. One of her doctors believed she was developing fibromyalgia and prescribed her lyrica. Shortly after my sister began taking lyrica she started seeing stars. She had double vision and a migraine that would not go away. My mother called her doctor and told him about this. His answer was for my sister to stop taking the Lyrica. She did immediately.
On August 29th, my sister still had a migraine. This was day 3 without a break. She woke up early Saturday morning and began vomiting every 30 minutes. After a few hours of non stop vomiting my mother called her doctor. His nurse practitioner was on call and she told my mother to take my sister to the ER immediately. My mother went back into my sister's room to tell her they had to go back to the hospital and she found my sister having a seizure. My sister has no history of seizures. My mother called 911 and the ambulance came to bring my sister back to the ER...her 5th hospitalization.
Shortly after arriving at the ER, my sister had another seizure. Immediately after the seizure the ER doctor ordered my sister to have an MRI. My sister had one during her last hospitalization only 2 weeks before. That MRI was normal. This one was not. There are lesions all over my sister's brain. The neurologist told us that he cannot believe she does not have permanent damage. According to him there is no oxygen going to her brain.The neurologist also explained to us that her brain looks as though she has been poisoned. He said that her MRI is very similar to an MRI of a patient who has been poisoned with antifreeze. Later I learned that Gardasil has both aluminum and sodium borate (which is in both rat poison and cockroach killer). However, according to the doctor once your brain looks like my sister's all the poison is out of your body. My sister's team of doctors started debating as to whether this could all still be from the Gardasil shot...my sister's last shot was on 02/22/08. Some believe that the side effects started off as mild, but since they were left untreated for so long they've turned into a serious neurological problem. They told my family the only way to truly know what is going on is to do a brain biopsy.
Yesterday, my sister was transferred to Mass General in Boston. We were hoping for a bigger hospital, better technology, more seasoned doctors. So far my sister has been treated badly. When my mother told the doctors' about the Gardasil shot and the devastating effects it has had on my sister they dismissed it. When my mom asked the doctors to test my sister for heavy metal toxicity they completely ignored her. I fear that she will never get the proper care.
July 8th
2008
4:43 PM
Im a Spanish 22 year old girl who just had my first dose today. I had side effects such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting and sweating.
Can I still take the second dose??Will I have side effects again?Will they be worse?
-- By pajuelo | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 8th
2008
10:15 AM
After my daughter (13 years old) received her 2nd shot 2 months ago, she complained of the injection site muscle feeling "mushy". She also has complained of headaches which may or may not be associated with the vaccine, but she was not a headache sufferer before. She continues with slight muscle deterioration in that arm today.
-- By tdkp | Reply | Private Message me
May 15th
2008
11:34 AM
Hi. I am so sorry to read your story. My 17 year old daughter’s story is similar. She had her second Gardasil vaccination during the end of January 2008. During the month of February and March, she had abdominal problems. Beginning on March 30th, she had seizures. She had a CT of the head, MRI of the brain, EEG, 24 hour EEG and as I type this note, she are in the epilepsy center at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia and the doctor just came in to tell me that every test is coming back normal and that my daughter is having “stress” seizures. My daughter has no more stress than any other 17 year old girl does.
I related to the doctor my thoughts pertaining to Gardasil and I feel as though he has dismissed my idea.
I have found some many stories similar to yours and my daughter’s but I believe because Gardasil is so new, nothing is coming out yet about it.
If anyone has any other information, please advise!! We are desperate here in Philadelphia.
Jodi
***
March 13th
2008
12:02 AM
My daughter started the 1st Gardasil shot in mid July. By the beginning of August she had a lot of health problems. She had a rash all over her face, neck and chest. Her face was so swollen that she couldnt hold her eyes open. She had protein in her urine that couldnt be explained. Shes constantly complaining of a head ache, stomach ache, joint pain and fatigue. She has finished the shots. I didnt make the connnection until I loooked back at my calendar and saw the dates for the shots. I wish I had never consented for her to have them now.
-- By kamily828 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
October 19th
2009
12:24 PM
My 16 yr old daughter had her series on Gardasil shots completed in March 09. I don't recall any major side effects right away. In the past three months, she has been throwing up after taking a few bites of food. She drinks a lot of Pepsi and has a lot of stress, so I thought she was developing an ulcer, so I told her to stop drinking pop for awhile to see if that helps. The symptoms have subsided, but now that I am reading this website, I am worried. Before the shots she had headaches or migraines, they run in our family, but I have noticed that she has them more often now. Another thing is her hair is everywhere. I thought she was damaging her hair with the straight iron, but geeze, now I don't know. All these problems might be tied to the Gardasil shot.
-- By cosmic1009 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me