Do you believe vaccinations caused
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Do you believe vaccinations caused
| Tue, 09-20-2005 - 11:06am |
the autism? I'm so confused, read so much on both sides, my dd is almost one and about to go for her 12 month shots, the MMR one. I'm scared to death to have her get it. I don't know what to believe. If your child was diagnosed with autism, can you answer a few questions for me?
At what age did you get concerned?
What were some signs you saw?
Do you think vaccines caused the autism?
I don't think my daughter has any signs, but all this controversy circling vaccines has made me question whether to give them to her...
Any advice, insight, etc. would be great. I'm not trying to start a hot topic, just want opinions from those that have been ther...
Thank you

The issue with thr MMR was Thimerasol (I think I spelled it right) which was removed fromt he MMR in 2000 or 2002 (you can look it up online). Google it.
Make sure the batch they give your DD is a recent one that contains no thimerasol (vaccines have a long shelf life -but most of the bad ones were shipped off to the third world anyway -no kidding)
Better still, get the MMR broken up into three single shots, the Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines are all available in single shot form, but you have to make multiple trips to the Dr to get them all in.
To answer your questions:
I think the MMR *contributed* to my son's (b 1998) autism. NOT caused it -it's genetic. My uncles have it, and they wew born in Ireland in the 40s and definitely didn't receive the MMR. However I think the shot made my son worse than he would have been without it.
My DD was born in 2000, had the modified shot (no thimerasol), and although she is probably on the Spectrum too, her issues are not as intense as my son's are.
Good luck
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
I think the research goes both ways.
delete
Edited 2/19/2008 9:20 pm ET by littleroses
My ped. and I were discussing the whole vaccine thing. As she pointed out, thimerisol was removed from vaccines in 2001. But the MMR shot -- the culprit according to many people -- NEVER had thimerisol in it.
I don't believe that the vaccines caused my DS's issues. He was born in 2001 but didn't regress until he was 2 (one year after the MMR shot).
If you are concerned, you can insist that your ped. spread the shots out into three separate ones. (I have a younger DD and she just got the whole shebang, after a long talk w/ my pediatrician.)
Good luck to you.
Cathy
I don't mean to contradict, but the problem still exists with MMR because alot of the concern revolves around the measles getting into the gut and causing lesions along with other problems. See info on Dr. Andrew Wakefield if interested.
I feel that kids are predisposed to autism and it just takes the right environmental factor to turn it on. I feel that the thimerosal in the flu shot contributed to my older sons autism. He had issues prior, but it really became worse after the flu shot that was given along with multiple other vaccines that day--so he had a huge dose of mercury.
I would not give it as the MMR. Personally, I would wait until the age of 3 or 4 and then give it in divided doses, the M, the M, and then the R on separate visits well spaced. Avoid flu shots altogether. I am avoiding the chicken pox vaccine as long as I can.
Currently, thimerosal does still exist in certain vaccines. It's hidden very carefully. It may not be on the vial the doctor looks at, but it can be on the box the vial came in--which means the doctor can tell you "See, it's not on the vial", but is still a problem.
Thimerosal is found in certain diaper ointments, I believe the brand was called butt paste. It's also in some eye drops.
Sorry, didn't mean to get on a soap box. In short, I don't think it is completely responsible. But Robert Kennedy even pointed out that Autism rarely existed until the 1930s when thimerosal began being used.
~V
Only cause I gotta. I will be the slight voice of decent. DH recently brought to light some new studies for me. I am not convinced one way or the other one the matter yet.
What IS known is that there is a significant genetic component to autism then some sort of environmental catalyst sets the wheels in full motion. Going back and reading many posts here it seems that many of us who may have noticed an increase of autism with the shots did notice some signs before.
Thing is I am not sure what the catalyst is. I think it is prudent to be wary of how many shots you give your child at once as well as making sure that you don't give those with thermerisol, but I think we need to look further than shots as well. Into the foods we eat, the chemicals we use in our homes, etc. There have been many changes in our culture and such over the last 50-100 years it could be many things or all these things. Different causes for different kids.
Also, now this might cause a slight war, but just so you know it is out there. A epidemologist (I think I spelled that right, studies epidemics) did a study on autism and it's increase and doesn't feel there is an epidemic. At least in California. This is noted due to changes in all areas of disability. for instance in the Regional Centers reports those classified with mental retardation has basically declined with the same rate that autism rose.
I am not saying there isn't more. i am just saying what this guys research said. Heck, I know that personally I know many many people with autism now and I had never met a person with autism during my childhood. I met my first autistic as an adult before the kids were born. There is one girl that was likely AS in my class. Who knows now. AS wasn't diagnosed until 1994. Right there includes at least a decent portion of the rise in autism. Most of those people before either struggled undiagnosed or were labelled with mental health issues.
Renee