February 10, 2010 My 4 year old son has 5 immunization shots between 1pm and 2pm. Later that day we were watching tv in my room. My son was sitting on the computer chair in the room, when suddenly he jumped out of the chair and said: mom there is something wrong with me! I said: what is it baby? whats wrong? He smiled and said: I'm just kidding mom there isnt anything wrong. Then seconds later he said: Mommy please mommy there is something wrong with me, i need to go to the hospital, my head is hurting, my stomach hurts, im going to throw up. I asked him to show me where it hurt and he kept grabbing his throat. His little heart was racing so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. We all tryed to calm him, but he kept cryng more and more and pleading for the hospital. We took him to the emergency room where he had a chest x-ray and blood work done, Everything came back normal. Two days later February 12, 2010 he has 4 more episodes. The first: he was playing in the room with his brother and uncle, Suddenly he comes out into my room scared and in panic....mommy im sick again mommy, please help me, there is something wrong with me mommy! I asked what he was feeling and he can never fully explain?? Again he pleaded for the hospital. I tryed to calm him, put his shoes on, and took him for a short walk. It didnt help. When we got back from our walk, my mother-in-law and I talked with him and did some breathing exercises with him, I also read a book to him and it seemed to make it go away. About a few minutes later my husband arrived with some childrens benadryl (my husband took benadryl for his anxiety attacks when he used to get them) and i gave him half of a tablet, he was calm again. Later that evening he started again, so dad thought it would be a good idea to let him take a bath with him to calm him down, and it did. At around 7:30 pm that night we sat at the dinner table eating when the 3rd episode occured again. He got really emotional, pleaded for the hospital, heart racing very fast, said there was something seriously wrong, didnt want to let go of me, not even to put his shoes on, it almost seemed like he was so afraid he was fighting for his life, So once again i took him to the emergency room. They checked his blood sugar and it was normal. The doctor suggested that i take him to his regular doctor and have her reffer him to a mental health department. Right before being released he had the 4th episode in front of the doctor, same reactions as before, pleading with the doctor to please give him a shot and make it go away, he would burry his face on my chest and say: mommy please mommy please help me, what is wrong with me mommy? Please mommy make it go away, i dont feel good mommy, i am going to throw up! Doctor recommended that i let them give him an adivan shot to calm him down, but that there was nothing else she could do for him. The shot seemed to work for the night. I feel like cryng when he gets these things because i feel so helpless, not knowing how to make it go away, and making him feel better. I have been doing my best to keep calm and tryng to help him out, but there are times where it almost seems like he is losing his mind and i just dont know what to do. Is he really having anxiety attacks this early on? or is there something else wrong with my child?
Thank you so much to all the moms that responded to my post and all your help and especially PRAYERS. The anxiety attacks have stopped. Brian hasnt had anymore attcks in almost 1 month. I think now that it was deffinately caused by the vaccines he received. Thanks again to everyone who prayed for my son and I.... it means a great deal too us!!! : )
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Please INSIST that your pediatrician report this as an adverse vaccine reaction (to VAERS - the govt database).
Also - if you go to the CDC web site you can look up the possible side effects for every vaccine he received. You may also want to check other web sites for reported adverse reactions too.
If this were my child I would not allow any further vaccines until this situation is figured out. And I would never allow (knowing what I know now) that many vaccines at one sitting. Of course this is my non-medical opinion and you should always check with your doctor and do your own research to discern what is best for your particular child.
Good luck to your little guy.
Oh, I am sorry to read what is happening.
It sounds like your son is having panic attacks. They can happen at a young age. They are often hereditary, so it is no surprise your husband has them.
I have seen panic attacks, and have had one myself -- you feel like you are dying, literally, the anxiety is that strong. They are very scary and are associated with real physical symptoms like heart racing and flushing, and even sweating. When you are going through them, it is hard to say to yourself "OK, this is a panic attack, I am NOT dying..." You just feel like you are dying! I am describing my experience as an adult - so I can just imagine the terror a child must feel.
I suggest that you find a therapist -- because panic attacks carry a hereditary predilection, they are likely not going to go away for a while. In adult psychiatry, medications and group therapy are what is generally used, with the therapy aimed at identifying triggers for attacks and exercises to "guide"oneself through the attack when it happens. Talk to your doctor about finding someone who works well with kids and is someone you are comfortable with - also, think of combining different forms of therapy, like single therapy and group or play therapy, to deal with his overall anxiety. I think that will help a great deal.
One more thing, I should add that, if he hasn't already, a visit to the cardiologist or your pediatrician should be in order too -- your kid's palpitations may be coming from a heart condition (which in turn may be making him anxious) - so that must be ruled out before considering panic attacks.
And another thing -- I doubt that this is a vaccine related issue. Often, the 4-6 year shots are the first set of shot a child remembers -- many children develop a lot of anxiety over getting shots. The way I am reading your story is that the shots triggered an underlying disorder of panic attacks (assuming a heart condition is ruled out). Panic attacks, if the tendency to have them already exists (your husband has them, and he is the kid's bio dad, right?) ultimately get triggered by an anxiety-provoking experience. It could be shots, or a scary roller-coaster ride, or a scary life experience, like being in a car crash. So, you can also consider vaccines, but I do not think this is the answer. My opinion only!
OK, and one last thing (I promise! You must have entered your "So What Happened?" post while I was editing my response) I have seen dozens, if not hundreds, of children get 5 vaccines and more! Where I trained, the pediatric clinic ran a pediatric care program for adopted children, and we often got kids who never had a vaccine at 6-7 years old. We would get them "up-to-date" all at once! It sounds brutal, but it was how it was done...and I never saw any ill consequence, ever. I have seen children with anxiety around vaccines. This part is normal. To still have anxiety after the vaccines is not normal. But still, if you think this was from vaccines -- how do you explain that his father also has anxiety attacks? There were much fewer vaccines when he was a kid. I would not attribute this to shots.
I'm not so sure this is anxiety. It certainly could be related to the vaccine. Doctors are skeptical of this, but I do believe my son was affected. I am not saying I would have chosen not to vaccinate, but sometimes side affects to occur. You may need to try some other doctors. Possibly a neurologist. Step away from the pediatrician. Do a little research and try a specialist or two if you can.
That's aweful and so scarry!! I can't imagine how I would have felt if my 4 year old went through that... However, I have been fortunate enough to meet some incredible healthcare professionals on my personal wellness journey (in addition to recovering my 4.5 year old son from symptoms associated with his ADHD and PDD - this is a life journey for sure, but we're doing GREAT).
I realize you aren't local to Southern California, but I strongly recommend you contact Tim Healy, M.S., RPT, Infant & Child Development Specialist
in Mission Viejo, CA. He has been a pioneer working with children and anxiety/stress issues, ADD/ADHD, autism and other spectrum disorders, but the link to all of these issues is STRESS. He has developed a touch technique that is used worldwide to calm children (many who seemed beyond calming). A truly amazing guy. You can reach him at ###-###-####. If you'd like more information about all-natural and safe stress reduction techniques, you can email me at ____@____.com, I'd be happy to share my son's story with you and tell you more about what worked for us. Best wishes, -P.
I agree with "YoMama". I also suffered from panic attacks as a child and still as an adult. My mother also suffered from panic attacks for many years. It is something that you can inherit from your parents. I think too many people are quick to blame immunizations. You should look into a child psychologist, they might be able to help him with what he is feeling and show you ways to help him relax when he is having an attack. Good luck.
Dear V.,
I agree with the other moms that he was most likely experiencing a vaccine reaction. In Japan and a few other "enlightened" countries, kids don't get ANY vaccinations until age 3, and then only one at a time so the developing immune system doesn't get overwhelmed.
If he continues to have panic attacks in the future, consider having him treated by a classically trained homeopath. They work wonders! You are in Arizona, which is one of the most enlightened states when it comes to homeopathy (I graduated from the a very fine homeopathic medical school there in Phoenix!) Let me know if you need a referral and I can help you find someone.
What about the fact that there is thimerisol and aluminum in these shots which are extremely neurotoxic, damaging to the brain. What if he was feeling effects to the brain and it was scary to him. I would not do another vaccine for him if he were my child and know that you do NOT need shots to get into a public school. There are waivers that you sign stating (here in CA, don't know what they are in AZ but should be similar): medical, philosophical, and religious.
You should look into taking your son to a DAN doctor who deal with this all the time, every day. A list of these doctors is at www.autism.com and one that I know of that has a practice, Dr. Radner, and he is wonderful with kids.
There are certain things that you can do now to help to minimize the effects of vaccines if you are required to take them for work. Go to www.russellblaylockmd.com and read up on the H1N1 Flu shot.
Take this seriously. Next on the list could be seizures or learning problems. There are a couple of books that I highly recommend to moms:
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders, by Dr. Kenneth Bock
The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations, by Dr. Stephanie Cave
Evidence of Harm, by David Kirby
You were only doing what your trusted doctor told you to do. You were not told of any of the side effects, only to sign here and initial here. For websites to go to for more information on vaccines:
www.909shot.com
www.tacanow.org
www.nvic.org
sounds like he was affected by the shots...hopefully this will all stop within the next 2 weeks..is he wearing tight clothes? i would have him in loose clothing to make him more comfortable..i used to have anxiety attacks if i slept with a bra on..so loose clothing is good...also i think i would exercise him..take him out for a good hard hike..get him tired..make his body work..if i'm feeling anxious i run 3 miles or do some cardio and i feel so much better..i can get manic w/out some cardio..i always break up my son's shots..u may want to consider no more vacs for him.
hope he feels better soon..u also may try kid's calm u can get it at Wholefoods
D.
Sounds like he was experiencing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) when he received his shots at the physical.
Mother of 3, Occupation: Home Health Aid
will pray for ur son take im to cardiologist and psyche let them help him he needs it. I 've been going through this for 9 months now and it's scary every time . I'm seeing a cardiologist and I didn't pass my stress test so something is not right I always have my palpulations just start up for no reason and since they put it in my head it was anxiety that's all I believed but really my heart tells me it's something else and I was Right.They have me on a heart monitor for a month.I pray for him god will get him through this you have to have faith and listen to everything he tells you and believe him
Do you watch " Dr." shows. Like "House" , "Greys Anatomy" and others while your son is watching with you? Altho young, if he is very smart, he may be acting out, he gets attention. Or he just has a fleeting moment in imagination world.
Good luck.
Get your son to a doctor he may need a psyciatrisjdo it now A. formernurse A. good luck no hills
I would file an adverse reaction form with the vaccine company. The Dr. is suppose to but they usually don't they always say its just a coininsidence google vaccine reactions it will tell you how to file. Also I would do a lot of reasearch before you give him any more shots it just doesn't seem right. I feel for you & your little guy no mommy wants to go through that. And just so you know he doesn't HAVE to have the shots for school they just say that to scare you. Good luck and I hope its over and never happens again. God Bless you both
Ok - this is pretty serious! I am a social worker and recovering from anxiety Disorder (onset @ 10yo)...
I can see Adivan (a benzodiazepine class of drugs) to assist with the acute episodes, but benadryl would not be the best choice for long-term use (hypnotic class of drugs!!!!). I am NOT a doctor, but helping people like this AND feeling like this...you tend to learn a LOT...
I can tell you about what has absolutely STOPPED my anxiety and Panic Attacks since novenber 09. I am literally off all my meds since then...
I can't mention any products (against the rules)...so e-mail me if you are interested...
PLUS it's organic and i give it to my whole family...
from what you are describing, he is having a somatic response to a (possible) physical ailment....THEN the anxiety compounds the more you feel it and the more you think about it...PLUS a child does not understand why we can't automatically fix it, so they get worse...
I'm actually getting anxious thinking about it...but only 1% of what I was 3 months ago...
I can sense your frustration, let me know if I can help.
M.
Good to hear that he is getting back to normal. Follow your instinct. If the docs continue to tell you that they don't know what's going on and that it's probably just psyc don't settle for that. Probably isn't a diagnosis and you will be right back where you started if the episodes continue.
Did he ever have any of these 'episodes' prior to him 5 immunizations in an hour's time frame?
Hi, I just read your story and it is heartbreaking. I have dealt with anxiety problems for years and now that I understand the episodes, I believe I also had them as a child. I was put on anti-depressants as an adult although I have to be honest, I really don't think they helped too much. My latest theory is food allergies as I have noticed that sometimes shortly after eating or drinking my heart beats out of my chest and I feel terrible. Maybe you should get him tested for food allergies?? Just a thought. I will prayer for your son and your family. Hang in there :)
I might add because of the anxiety make sure he breathes through his nose. There are so many effects of vaccines. I would research before having anymore. Also, you might think about making some nutrient dense foods that are fermented and good to the intestines which will get rid of these toxins from the shots. Look up Weston A Price Foundation for articles and might get the Nourishing Traditions cookbook for much more info. M. NTP, Buteyko Breathing Prac.
I am truly sorry your going through this. My heart goes out to you. It must be really hard. I am not an expert but I want to tell you not to give up. Try taking your child to another doctor and if you don't like the answer try again. Someone should give you and answer on what your child has and give you a cure or help on how to deal with this.
