Hepatitis B Vaccine ~side effects~

Diseases & Conditions Hepatitis
1
Im looking for anyone who has come to have an auto immune disorder, AFTER having the Hepatitis B Vaccine. I began the vaccine in Nov. 2002. I am a Nurse in a Psychiatric Hospital, where we have a large number of patients with various forms of active Hepatitis. This vaccine was never ordered by a MD for me to take but suggested by the employee health Nurse, during my orientation. I read the information she provided to me ( I still have this) and NO WHERE on this information does it state, possible side effects could possibly lead to Systemic Lupus, chronic active Hepatitis or drug induced Systemic Lupus, which is possibly what I have. The ONLY thing listed for side effects are as follows "only 2 percent of those who have taken this vaccine have had an association with Guillain Barre Syndrome and some arthralgias".
 
I was perfectly healthy BEFORE this vaccine, never having taken any routine medication nor had any medical problems. This vaccine is the ONLY recent medication I have had. In the last 4 months (since having the 2nd vaccine in the series of 3), I have suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome; joint pain and swelling in ALL major joints (arthritis),shooting pain in my feet; pitting edema in feet; hypertension; headaches; dizziness; increased blurred vision; periods of confusion; tremors in extremities; numbness and tingling in hands and feet; restless leg syndrome; excessively dry skin and itching; increasing muscle weakness and problems with coordination, and insomnia.
 
I recently (about 8 weeks ago) began seeking medical attention for these complaints. the first MD, diagnosed me as having arthritis and gave me some medication without ANY diagnostic tests. The 2nd one, listened to me at least, and ordered some tests which revealed a Positive ANA; Homogenous type; Positive DNS-ds & ss as well as Histone Factor, 1:360 & CRP level of 7.2 which is HIGH. From the research I have done this is indicitive of having Systemic Lupus, chronic active Hepatitis OR drug induced Lupus. The 2nd MD sent me to a Rheumatologist that I saw today, and why it prompted me to seek help on the internet. The Rheumatologist does not believe I have any auto immune disease despite my history prior to this vaccine and despite my abnormal blood work, despite all the symptoms Ive listed above Ive had for the last 4 months. THIS Rheumatologist feels, if I "just loose some weight, most of these symptoms will disipate", since when does being overweight cause hair loss, tremors, numbness, blurred vision? ALL this blood work was re drawn TODAY ( he feels it is in error) and I HOPE he ordered additional testing. If he stills feels "nothing" is wrong with me after this, I will seek a MD until I find one who will listen to me.
 
In researching the symptoms of those who have been diagnosed with above illnesses, as well as MS,& Fibromyalgia. The "common link" to those who were perfectly healthy before to those who were diagnosed, were ALL after recieving the Hep. B Vaccine. The numbers are literally in the thousands, and Im sure even more as most of these cases were in 97, 98 & 99 with very few documented for 2000, 2001, 2002 that I can find online. In 95% of those cases, the MD refused to believe this Hep B vaccine "caused" these auto immune disorders too.
 
I would like to hear from others who have gone through this AFTER recieving this Hep. B Vaccine and having these similar symptoms, wheter you have been diagnosed with anything yet or not. If others have gone through the same thing, then maybe I wont feel as the medical community does... that THIS is just in my head....
 
NurseR.
2
As stated in my reply to one of your other posts, I also have had problems after having my Hep B vaccine. i was sure ill after having my first vaccine and then agoin after my second, the doc said he could not understand why i had such a reaction. I was dx with fibromyalgia soon after. and suffer more and more. some of my symptons are:
 
Irritable bowel
Unstable bladder
RLS
Headaches/migraines.
Muscle  weakness
spasms
Back/neck/wrist/hand pain
pain in fingers and kness
chronic widespread pain
Depression
Frozen shouler
 
And i had NONE of these symptons, before. Could there be a link to the vaccine, this is something i am interested in pursuing. Please drop me a line, i would be interested in keeping in touch. perhaps we could research this together. ?  jan
3

I would like to hear from some of you who have had reactions to the hepatitis b shot.  I would like to know if any of you have ever gotten any better.  I, also was perfectly healthy until my 2nd hep. b shot.  3 days later my leg started giving out, and 6 wks. later I started having pain, knotted up muscles in both legs all the way up into my glutes, insomnia, migraines, and now my right leg is numb from the knee down, my right hand is numb, my left eye won't stop twitching, my knees are very painful, and both legs' muscles are very weak, to the point that it is difficult to walk.  I have been to 7 doctors and had to be off work for a month.  The doctor at the I.U. Med Center finally said that it was for sure caused by the shot; he's seen it before.  But still I have no definite diagnosis or prognosis.  I'm afraid that it is M.S.  Has anyone had these symptoms, and did they EVER go away?  Please help!  You can directly e-mail me at blkline@msn.com.

Thank you!

4
I have not heard of these side effects before,but I am sure there is some risk of side effects from any vaccination,,,,,,though I wish my husband would have had the vaccine as his life would have been extended greatly had he not contracted hep b, and I would not have suffered such a serious case of acute hep b in which I almost died. Im not sure they can pinpoint the hep b vaccine as the cause of these effects, when they havent yet diagnosed what it is you have. it could be a coinicidence or, it could be a rare reaction the vaccine,,,,,but in my opinion,the slight risk of the vaccine is far outweighed by the danger of active hep b,,,,,,,which has no cure. good luck in getting a diagnosis and let us know what the outcome is.

trish 
Moderator for Hepatitis Forum 
 
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body,but rather to skid in sideways,chocolate in one hand,wine in the other,body used up ,totally worn out and screaming"WOOOOHOO WHAT A RIDE!!!" 

5

I would be interested in how anyone here has found help from the side effects of this vaccine particularly as I received it in 94 being involved with working with Hep-B patients, I have experienced similiar symptoms to those above.

No doubt this Vaccine has been a life saver for some, but perhaps as in my case the risk was low of contracting it, we need to think again as this chronic fatigue and aching joints are not pleasant over the many years that remain.

 But perhaps someone can suggest a cure, or something they have found helpful. I may add I only received one injection before I left the job in 94 shortly after the first treatment, due to feeling depressed and fatigued which was mosy unusual for me. I had no idea the vaccination may have caused it at the time and you cannot change the past, let us find a cure.

6

Russo, you picked up on some very old posts.  The original posters haven't posted again.  As far as I know, we have nobody here (or in recent memory) with side effects from hep B vaccination.  This is basically a forum for those who have been diagnosed with liver disease and for their caregivers.

Connie

hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis
 
"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
7
Very old thread... But interesting!!!!
My take on this is: wouldn't it be nice if hep b could be eradicated simply by vaccinating all babies world wide. Other than that, I just trust my doc!!!!
Have a great day
8
It is my understanding hepatitis is due to sharing needles or having unprotected sex with strangers. Maybe it is best not to share drug needles are have unprotected sex with strangers. Babies are not at risk for this behavior. Babies have undeveloped immune systems and are most at risk for vaccines. If you choose any drug or vaccine they all have side effects. If you choose to do it make sure you understand the side effects because you not the doctor may have to live with the problem for the rest of your life.

http://www.rxlist.com/recombivax-side-effects-drug-center.htm
9
hi eat to be well,
there are many types of hepatitis. viral hep is the only form that can be caught by needles and sex. hep b is viral, but can also be spread by mucous, and saliva from from carriers who do not have certain antibodies(hbeab). it can also be spread from mother to baby. these cases are the ones that most often become chronic cases, that are incurable at this time. adult onset is passed spontaneously by up to 95% of infections.

the argument about whether to vaccinate children is not my main concern. we had a post(RANT) about vaccinating kids, that I respondedto, but maybe should have notified moderators. it was removed..

I did do a search, as to whether babies should receive hep b vaccines.. most sites still recommend the injections. a few don't.

hepatitis A is also viral, but infections are generally from fecal / oral contamination.

yes they do have side effects. I had 4 hep b injections 4 years ago before treating my hep c. its highly recommended for patients with liver disease. I have MS, a auto immune disorder. the injections rev up the immune system and I had trouble getting out of bed for a few days..i have the same problem with flu and prevnar injections.
10
Have you tried herbs or healthy food to restore the liver. Milk thistle has shown to be beneficial in rebuilding the liver.

https://www.homemademedicine.com/home-remedies-hepatitis.html

http://www.drwhitaker.com/hope-for-hepatitis-c/
11
I used milk thistle before treatments for hep c, became successful.. because of cirrhosis, I changed my eating habits to a very healthy diet. the liver does repair itself, and food choices are a big part of the process..

I stay away from herbs, because I also have heart disease, and MS. diet and exercise, with minimal meds seems to keep me right. I do use b-vitamins, d-3, and omegas. they do support my heart and CNS.
have a great day