HPV vaccine side effects

HPV Vaccine Healing: A Story of Hope

Published on
3994 views
Healing after the HPV Vaccine

On 24 June 2019, eight months after her HPV vaccination, my 13 year old niece Rebecca was diagnosed with moderate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).  This followed months of illness that had resulted in her being unable to attend school. Her symptoms at this time included crushing fatigue made worse by activity such as sitting up, talking or walking. Her fatigue was not relieved by rest. Indeed rest was impossible. She couldn’t sleep, and when she did, she woke frequently despite spending most of the time lying in bed in the dark. She was in pain, her muscles aching constantly and her abdomen tender and cramping. She felt sick and dizzy, had ‘brain fog’, headaches, word finding difficulties, a chronic cough, and chest pain. She  was extremely emotional and in constant need of comfort. She did not want to eat, sometimes going days with only mouthfuls of food and craved only simple carbs such as pasta. She contracted shingles and was so ill that an ambulance was called.

Fortunately, by the time of her diagnosis, my sister (her mum) and I had begun to treat her with a nutrient cocktail that included high doses of thiamine and she was already showing signs of a positive response. We had started down this path after I had come across an article by Chandler Marrs on Hormones Matter back in April 2019, I ordered Drs. Lonsdale and Marrs’, Thiamine Deficiency Disease, Dysautonomia, and High Calorie Malnutrition and read it from cover to cover in a matter of days. I am not a medic. I read with Google by my side, gradually learning what words such as syncope and pseudohypoxia meant. The more I read, the more convinced I became that thiamine deficiency and dysautonomia described perfectly what was happening with Rebecca. I noted that alongside the many symptoms described that matched Rebecca’s, HPV vaccination was thought to be a factor in precipitating full blow thiamine deficiency. Indeed, as I read, it became clear that this CFS had not come out of the blue.

Childhood History of Unrecognized Thiamine Insufficiency

Rebecca had a history of weird and seemingly unconnected symptoms throughout her childhood. As a young child, she had episodes when her lips went blue, though no heart problems. She was a sweaty sleeper. She had always had word finding difficulties, and regular mild tummy aches. She had been ‘sensitive’ to stimulus such as noise, strong tastes and smells and even as a toddler would frequently withdraw to her bedroom for downtime. She had a diagnosis of childhood migraine at age 9 and a brain scan done at 10 years old revealed lots of ‘white matter lesions’, though the doctor was unable to interpret what this might mean other than they were common in migraineurs. She had never been the most energetic child despite coming from a sporty family and needed frequent rests and naps after school and at the weekend to manage the demands of her life. When she contracted viruses, she would take longer than her peers to recover from the same virus. Aged 10, she had episodes of blurred vision, unexplained by visits to the opticians or specialist doctors. Alongside all of these symptoms, she had also been diagnosed with vitiligo and had light therapy for 6 months at age 9 years old.

Enter the HPV Vaccine

Our current understanding is that this situation of low level puzzling symptoms may have continued, however in October 2018 she had her first and only dose of the HPV vaccine. This, we think, given an existing thiamine insufficiency, may have been enough of an insult to her system to precipitate the debilitating symptoms that medicine has labelled CFS. Only weeks after the HPV vaccine, she was struggling to attend school with all the symptoms described above. Frequent visits to the doctors as the symptoms progressed led to various prescriptions for antibiotics, anti-nausea drugs, pain killers, a triptan for migraine, and on diagnosis of the CFS, Rebecca was offered anti-depressants. The antibiotics made her tummy pain and discomfort worse. The anti-nausea drugs had no effect at all. The triptan made her nausea worse. Three days of full doses of nurofen, paracetamol and codeine did not work to take the pain away either. We chose not to take the consultant up on the idea of taking anti-depressants. Instead we did our research, found, what we believe was the root cause, and began thiamine therapy. Rebecca’s recovery began soon after.

Time Course of Recovery

  • On 7 May 2019, Rebecca took her first 50mg dose of thiamine and we gradually increased the dose. Her symptoms did get worse initially, exactly like the refeeding syndrome or paradox described by Lonsdale and Marrs.
  • On 16 May, my sister had a consultation with the naturopath Elliot Overton who suggested adjustments to the type and dose of thiamine.
  • On 28 May, Rebecca started 150mg of allithiamine in three separate doses each day.
  • On 29 May, one hour after her first 50mg dose of allithiamine, for the day Rebecca got out of bed briefly and ate. Over the next few weeks we noticed her mood and activity levels went up and down with the thiamine doses.
  • On 28 June, we noted that Rebecca was more emotionally stable. She was more socially interested and her appetite and sleeping were improving.
  • On 10 July, the thiamine dose now increased to 400mg across the day.
  • By 18 July, we felt that Rebecca was turning a corner, she was waking more easily in the morning, joining in with family activities and had even been observed running in the garden with the dog. The time to recover from activity decreased and at times she became more animated and talkative than ever.

Where We Are Now

It’s now September and the start of a new school year. Rebecca is taking 900mg of allithiamine a day. In August she managed to participate gently in two family breaks, including some beach time and short walks. A couple of weeks ago she spent some time playing energetically with her family in their pool, interspersed with rests. Her mum and I are so cheered to watch her have fun and laugh again. Rebecca reports that she no longer craves pasta and her mum notices that she sleeps earlier and wakes less frequently during the night. Rebecca still needs to rest and pace herself, and sometimes she will overdo it and need a day or two for recovery, but we are confident in that recovery now. Rebecca has this week returned to school part time.

We Need Your Help

More people than ever are reading Hormones Matter, a testament to the need for independent voices in health and medicine. We are not funded and accept limited advertising. Unlike many health sites, we don’t force you to purchase a subscription. We believe health information should be open to all. If you read Hormones Matter, like it, please help support it. Contribute now.

Yes, I would like to support Hormones Matter.

Photo by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash.

Related posts:

Untangling Nutrient DeficienciesUntangling Lifelong Nutrient Deficiencies high carbohydrate diets and thiamineThiamine Insufficiency Relative to Carbohydrate Consumption ondine's curseOndine’s Curse: When Breathing Is No Longer Automatic Modern thiamine deficiency - foot dropGenetic Thiamine Deficiency Ravaged My Family

You might be interested in

Recovering from the Gardasil Vaccine: A Long and Complicated Process

Published on
55008 views
Garasil Recovery

My daughter Sara was almost 13 when she became ill after two inoculations of the Gardasil HPV vaccine. Read her story: The Gardasil Experience in Denmark. Much has happened since then in Denmark as well globally concerning the HPV vaccine issue. Sara turned 15 when over two years of severe illness had passed. She has slowly achieved some recovery from more than 30 symptoms including a walking disability and severe brain fog.

This is an update on the continuing struggle toward Sara’s recovery. Like many families, we have had to navigate in areas of medicine, where there were no experts to guide us. Thanks to networking, it has been possible to find highly skilled doctors, using a variety of methods from both orthodox and complementary medicine, to help treat Sara.

As families of Gardasil-injured girls we have had fights with our respective governments to recognize the illnesses that were born from this vaccine. In Denmark and Japan, the battles we fought have begun to bear some success. Researchers are uncovering new connections, and medical institutions are beginning to recognize the post Gardasil health issues. We are making progress, but there is still much to do.

Gaining Recognition for Gardasil Injuries: Denmark and Japan

For thousands of patients and families, in over 50 countries, recovering from post Gardasil illnesses has been an ongoing struggle. It has been difficult for the patients and their families to get the medical care needed. There is still very little research on post-Gardasil injuries. There are no tests available to diagnose the illnesses and injuries that develop post vaccine, and there are no recognized treatments for these patients within established health care systems. In fact, for the most part, these symptoms are all-but-ignored by most practitioners.

However, the activism and networking of many families has led to some positive outcomes in recognition. For example, a Japanese TV company made contact and visited our home in December 2014. Soon after a documentary about the Danish HPV situation aired in Japan 12th January 2015. Sara was the main case. Danish doctors met with the Japanese Prof. Kusuki Nishioka, MD, PhD, director of Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, who specializes in rheumatic diseases and fibromyalgia. Dr. Nishioka has been a leading voice in Japan against the HPV vaccine. The meeting (featured at 9:50) concluded with a recognition of clear similarities between the symptoms of Japanese and Danish patients.

In Denmark, over the last two years, there has been a growing public wake up with stories in the newspapers, on TV and social media. The interest among politicians, authorities and doctors increased. This has probably been a contributing factor in the growing number of patients reporting side effects. According to the latest update (September 2015) from a database of the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, of the over 500,000 young girls and women who received the vaccine, there have been:

  • 1806 reports of adverse reactions (each person could have up to over 30 symptoms)
  • 374 reports (out of 1386) per News on Side effects per have been classified ‘severe’ from 2006 and up through April 2015.

I should note that the Danish Board of Health failed to report an additional 81 adverse reactions that occurred prior to the vaccine’s introduction into children’s vaccine program in 2009; 11 of these 81 cases were classified serious. The latest update of the database can be viewed here: Danish reports of Gardasil adverse reactions.

In Denmark, the reporting of adverse reactions has increased by about 100 new cases every month since April. Still more families realize how their daughter’s symptoms look similar to obvious patterns presented. A thread is running through all these cases stories of severe side effects, as a Danish leading hospital doctor and researcher stated on TV (1:30).

Gardasil, POTS and CRP: New Research on the HPV-Vaccine Induced Neurological Damage

A research team of doctors and medical staff at Coordinating research Centre/Syncope Unit, Frederiksberg Hospital, published three studies of patient groups with severe neurological symptoms including pain following shortly after HPV-vaccination.

  • Suspected side effects to the quadrivalent human papilloma vaccine.
  • Another study describes 21 cases with the diagnose POTS: Orthostatic intolerance and postural tachycardia syndrome as suspected adverse effects of vaccination against human papilloma virus.
  • The Danish findings have made EMA (European Medicines Agency) investigate into the HPV-vaccine, security and side effects by focusing on POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). The EMA report is expected to be finished by May 2016.
    Danish and Japanese health authorities are keeping contact as well. Danish Health and Medicines Authorities with the help of a pediatrician are reviewing all adverse drug reports in Denmark focusing patterns of symptoms rather than diagnoses.
  • A Danish TV documentary in March this year presented three case stories. Over fifty young girls participated anonymously in the report simply by silent presence, all making a great impact. The report presented interviews by Danish and British physicians. A Danish professor of molecular medicine comments about the remarkable test results of a young patient after intravenous infusions of phosphoplipids, performed in England (21:20).

Increased Media Coverage, Increased Side Effect Recognition

After the Danish TV report aired, a veritable telephone storm began the very next morning with post Gardasil patients wanting referrals to Frederiksberg Hospital. Until then, the Syncope Unit had examined about 80-90 patients with HPV-vaccine side effects. After the TV documentary, the number of patients grew to 350, increased to 525 referrals by August, and now there is a huge waiting list.

At the same time, Health Care Council of Danish Regions announced the establishment of five centers (one for each Region in Denmark), opening June 1, of this year. These centers were established to treat patients with suspected side effects from the HPV-vaccine. Frederiksberg Hospital Syncope Unit, situated in Copenhagen, as a research Center for natural reasons remained center of the Capital Region. Over 1100 patients are referred to the five Regions by now.

The problem is, in spite of waiting lists, the four other centers have no experience and no present research to help clarify these symptoms in patients without a diagnosis. The knowledge and qualifications of staff behind these doors remain lacking because of the paucity of research on Gardasil side effects. Unfortunately, still some patients are met by an attitude of arrogance. Most physicians have no idea what to look for in these HPV injuries.

At the Frederiksberg Syncope Unit the research team doctors have some ideas, though. While continuing to work with new patients, the unit’s physicians are diagnosing many cases of POTS (by tilt bearing test). By September this year, 62 reported cases have been diagnosed POTS after the Gardasil, HPV vaccination in Denmark. Symptoms are mainly neurological and sometimes resemble or include those of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Several of the patients after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine examined at Frederiksberg Hospital could be diagnosed ME, according to the research team´s third study this year: Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis a Relevant Diagnosis in Patients with Suspected Side Effects to Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine?

POTS, ME and Mitochondria

POTS is a well known comorbidity to ME according to the research. It is also connected to mitochondrial dysfunction. An emerging theory is that Gardasil damages nerve cells and induces mitochondrial degeneration. This then leads to conditions of energy loss with neurological symptoms. An increasing number of international studies on Gardasil and Cervarix have been published over the last few years. Case studies such as CNS demyelination following HPV vaccination have been described. Research teams and doctors in Denmark, Israel and Japan etc. are looking into correlation by studying autoimmunity and possible markers. When analyzing symptoms a pattern emerges between this vaccine and many severe injuries. Strong connections have been presented in Death after Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination: Causal or Coincidental?

More recently, six cases of POTS were described and published. Another case study presents a 14 year old girl with POTS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after the Gardasil vaccine. Last year a Japanese study included 40 cases, the main part with symptoms identical to CRPS, and four cases were even diagnosed POTS. Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld and his team recently published a study on Safety of Human Papilloma Virus-Blockers and the Risk of Triggering Autoimmune Diseases. The authors conclude, after a review of U.S. VAERS reports, though the vaccine is stated as safe, there are many mechanisms by which autoimmunity is triggered by Gardasil vaccine adjuvants and viral proteins. They suggest that recombinant proteins from Gardasil are leading to an increased association with autoimmunity.

My daughter Sara experience the symptoms concordant with the major criteria of ASIA syndrome proposed by Prof. Shoenfeld. Her case was sent to the international ASIA registry last year. By now other Danish patient cases are being registered.

The Japanese doctor Kusuki Nishioka presented his work at an international congress of bio-rheumatology in Moscow July 2014. Nishioka’s work points to another post Gardasil Syndrome called HANS or Human Papillomavirus Associated Neuroimmunopathic Syndrome.

Sara’s Recovery from Gardasil Injury

Our daughter’s health history is an example of a likely temporal correlation between the Gardasil vaccine and a host of complicated post vaccine symptoms. Sara fainted two days after her second vaccination with Gardasil, March 2013. Right after this, all her neurological symptoms appeared, one after another. Children’s hospital performed several analyses including CT and MRI scans. The only blood test that came out positive was a very low vitamin D test (at 25). The only suggestion for treatment by children’s ward, was a powder medication for non-existing constipation that was postulated due to her abdominal pains. This medication was given despite the fact that her primary symptoms were neurological like tingling, burning and pain of legs and arms, dizziness, fatigue and a constant headache. A neurological examination seemed out of question and was rejected.

We realized that there was no treatment in Denmark for Sara and went to the Swiss clinic Paracelsus, Lustmühle. Back in Denmark, Sara was diagnosed POTS at Frederiksberg Hospital shortly after; although a doctor of social medicine at children’s hospital had claimed Sara could not suffer from any physical diseases and implied it was only some kind of bio-psycho-social disorder.

With the help of our Swiss doctor, Sara had several tests performed by foreign laboratories (German, Swiss, Belgium and British). Clear markers were found proving a dysfunction of her mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of the cells. Among signs of severe oxidative stress were low levels of coenzyme Q10, a key element in the energy production of the cells.

Severe toxic reaction to the vaccination with Gardasil, initiating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) with acquired mitochondriopathy, was the Swiss diagnosis. Sara’s muscle pains were correlating classic trigger points of FMS.
Similar symptoms and diagnoses have been proposed in two patients after post HPV vaccine, by Dr. Manuel Martínez-Lavín.

Sara’s treatment was planned from test results, by her Swiss doctor’s experience in pediatrics and diseases of energy loss like Fibromyalgia Syndrome. The doctors there had great competence and knowledge from other vaccine injuries. On several occasions, the doctor hit the nail on the head with tests which would guide treatment details. Sara slowly began to improve.

Abdominal pains recovered within the first few months. At our local children’s ward doctors did not manage to perform a test of Celiac disease, whilst the Swiss clinic found pathological bacteria like Klebsiella Pneumo and other problems of the gut, which needed treatment.

After the Gardasil vaccine, her skin and muscles were sensitive to any touch, she could hardly use a wash cloth for her face. Today a careful massage and deeper pressure of muscles can even be tolerated.

More common metabolic tests were later managed within the Danish system (by our GP), and several linked hormones were affected. Sara had TSH and T4/T3 measured at the very low/ under border. According to the Swiss doctor there is a clear cut connection. He theorizes, recombinant proteins from Gardasil lead to damage of the brain nerve cells, especially affecting the hypothalamus and hypophysis, running the production of hormones in the thyroid gland, the adrenals and the ovaries. Via the TSH-control the thyroid gland normally should produce sufficient levels of T4/T3. But TSH is low as the releasing hormone (TRH) from the damaged hypothalamus is low. TRH has a direct effect on the mitochondria, as a permanent “crosstalk” is going on.

Hormones Matter has published a number of articles on post-medication and vaccine thyroid injury.

Last winter Sara had a solution of homeopathic injections of her skin (sub cutane, D5 Hypophysis and Hypothalamus) four times a week, performed at home by her very brave dad, monitored by the Swiss doctor. New Danish test results are showing TSH and T4 increased to normal levels.

Her HPV related symptoms were worsened with menstrual related pains, increasing to unbearable levels. Though still quite painful today, they are closer to normal for her age.

Her temperature regulation problems have almost gone. Before she would freeze and need a woolen blanket when everybody else felt warm in front of the wood-burning stove, or she would feel too hot in chilly surroundings. Night sweats are history.

Along with the mentioned treatment Sara has been taking a huge number of additional natural supplements and medication. Her diet has been strictly controlled too, with only healthy, nutritional foods allowed per our wonderful Swiss nutritionist at the Paracelsus Clinic.

More than once, Glutathione was measured by test to be at the very low border, and it has been complicated so far to raise this to normal levels.

No doubt phospholipids (NT Factor ATP lipids powder) made a difference of mitochondrial function since the ATP, the energy for every cell, has increased markedly. Nevertheless, lab tests have proven there is still an inability to produce sufficient amounts of ATP, which explains her rapid fatigue and problems in concentrating over longer periods of time. We expect future tests to show even better results based on the very good improvements we have seen so far.

Correcting the Post Gardasil Thiamine Deficiency

Probably the most effective supplement lately has been Sara’s treatment for thiamine deficiency, advised by Dr. Lonsdale. Thiamine is Vitamin B1. This article, in particular, was very helpful: Thiamine and magnesium deficiencies: keys to disease.

We found a German laboratory, Ganz Immun Diagnostics, performing the test for Transketolase in red cells, and the TPP-effect which was 27,5% (normal range < 20%.). To Dr. Lonsdale, there was no doubt, Sara would need Allithiamine (TTFD, a bioavailable form of fat soluble Vitamin B1), plus magnesium potassium aspartate.

Sara went through a tough time over some weeks by a so called “vitamin therapy paradox“. Side effects occurred, she had to go down to half the dose to continue and simply cope with some unpleasant symptoms for a few weeks before going back on full dose. Sara came out better than she had been for a long time, with more energy, and slowly a clearer mind. So far, most of her previous main pains still remain to some degree, but the paradox-related side effects have gone.

Best of all her brain fog began to lift with the thiamine treatment. Learning has even become possible along with concentration and memory improving. She manages a limited number of lessons at home, and she remembers much better than earlier. Her new level of energy allows her slowly to participate in the activities she had not been able to do in the years since the vaccine injury. Still seeing friends takes her energy, and social life is limited. If she overdoes her activity, the bill arrives sometimes days later by exhaustion and deterioration.

Another important treatment has been to increase the level of SAM. S-Adenosyl Methionine (also SAMe) is an important compound of the body and plays a role in many important processes of the immune system including maintains cell membranes. Last summer Sara could only walk up to 300 meters in a very slow speed at pains, with burning feet and exhaustion. We used a wheel chair once to get her to an open air musical area. This really felt like a step in the wrong direction.

She was diagnosed toxic neuropathy (after Gardasil) by a Danish retired doctor. The Swiss doctor made sure we had SAM measured by a German laboratory. Within the first four weeks of treatment by Methyl Guard (Thorne, US, Veggie caps), Sara could walk much better. We even enjoyed her amazing first careful dancing steps for the first time within months.

Sara’s Health Today

Today Sara can walk distances at good days about 1.5 kilometers at a normal speed with small pauses; and she can bike even longer. Twitching legs and cramps have almost disappeared and very rarely occur after too much exertion.

Sara started horse riding therapy, which she simply loves. After some weeks her muscle power improved clearly, and she can now carry a horse saddle. Months ago she could hardly lift a glass of water. She is more independent in activities of daily living, though she still needs help to some degree. She can do things like baking pan cakes again.

While still improving, our hope is to find a way for Sara to recover from resisting pains and to achieve more energy over time. Remaining are still some sensory disturbances (tingling and the more rare burning sensations) and sensitivity to light. Her constant headache lasting over two years, muscle pains of legs/and partly of arms are still present, though once in a while less heavy and variations appear during day time. Still remains severe fatigue and often a delayed exhaustion, which are all typical ME-symptoms. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is another diagnosis Sara probably will have to cope with.

Sara lost two important years of teenage life. She’ll have lots to catch up with in the future. She faces a great challenge with her education, as two school years have been lost so far. She will hopefully go back to some kind of school life in the future. Sara enjoys music and her classical song lessons. She has kept her hopes and dreams alive, and she can even benefit from her very hard experiences by Gardasil injury. The damage it did to her made her mature and wise beyond her age.

The Toll Gardasil Recovery Takes on the Family

As a family this has been a challenge; sometimes feeling like a never ending nightmare. We realized early, there was no established treatment for this condition, and perhaps luckily, we went abroad in time.

As a mom, I have to stay on top of everything and keep up my energy for activism, networking, and first of all for the care taking. Organizing blood samples is another job, plus catching up on results and writing regular status reports of symptoms and improvement. Ordering supplements is a task for her dad. Sara’s treatment has been counting over 25 different capsules, tablets, plus liquid remedies and drops, powders and injections.

No Danish physician has been able to take charge of Sara’s treatment. The Swiss doctor has been the main physician during the last two years. Our GP kindly assists in blood taking for German labs etc., something not many GPs would do.

The Swiss treatment was welcomed by three or four physicians here, who all have been supportive in Sara’s care. Foreign practitioners shared with us their knowledge and experience as well. For sure, the more consensus, the safer we feel.

Added to treatment, there are exhausting meetings with officials in accordance of planning Sara’s teaching and making sure her lessons are always adjusted to her present resources. We have clear laws on teaching ill pupils at home by local school.

As these post vaccine injury conditions are still not very well known, authorities do not always understand and respect patient’s decreased resources and special needs. Many young girls are trapped by now in the grey area, not able to cope with education or full time work, neither do we have social legislation to cover them appropriately.

There are no guarantees of a full recovery, though we still have our hopes and spirits. The pleasure and great relief of seeing Sara progress will never replace the tremendous pain and losses she has suffered, neither the price we payed as a family; not to mention financial costs.

Regarding connection the remaining dots of vaccine damages, rebuilding mitochondrial function is of great importance. By taking supplements of certain vitamins, minerals, phospholipids, fatty acids (omega-3 and -6 oils), antioxidants and amino acids, it is possible to facilitate a regeneration and maintenance of mitochondrial structure and cell metabolism. These supplements ease the symptoms for Sara and other post HPV-vaccine injured patients.

Final Thoughts

Well skilled naturopaths and physicians from Japan, across Europe and the U.S. are putting great effort in trying different protocols with varied positive effects. An example of co-work is Japanese, Danish and British protocols, as described in Orthomolecular treatment by Atsuo Yanagisawa. There is no quick cure fitting everybody. It is an individual and very long process to find the appropriate treatment. There exists great consensus on certain issues. Namely, that we need more testing and research. The more we know about post Gardasil damage at the molecular level, the better a treatment could be adjusted precisely for each patient. Along with more research and improved testing, we need to understand the relationship between this vaccine and the range of side-effects that develop. This will uncover causal connections to the vaccine injuries. Most importantly, we need to share experiences and research. This will help those who need to recover, and hopefully, prevent future victims.

Related posts:

No related posts.

You might be interested in

Between Fear and Hope: Another Japanese Girl Injured After the HPV Vaccine

Published on
3523 views
HPV Vaccine Injury in Japan

Yuka was 13 years old when she received the first dose of Gardasil, the HPV vaccine. Prior to the vaccine she was healthy. Her mother describes her as slim, pale, and of average physical strength. She had dry skin and was sensitive to smell but no other ailments. She had never had influenza even when another family member had it. Yuka enjoys drawing pictures, playing music and spends most of her time indoors. She had all infant vaccinations under Japanese government program, but never had optional vaccines such as influenza. She had her first Gardasil shot in August 2012 on her left shoulder, the second shot October 2012 on her right shoulder, and the third shot February 2013 on her left shoulder again.

HPV Vaccine Symptom Chronology

August 2012: Yuka often complained shoulder stiffness. We laughed that she was playing the guitar too much, and I gave shoulder massage to her. She started to take a nap during day, but I thought that it was due to heat in summer.

December 2012: a large number of viral warts occurred on extremities. They were treated by a dermatologist with liquid nitrogen treatment and soon completely cured.

February 2013: Yuka had frostbite on the feet for the first time in her life. The winter was not particularly cold. It was completely cured in three weeks with an ointment and by keeping warm.

May 2013: Yuka had an accident and inured the right eye. She was a member of a Japanese archery club in school, and one day when she was walking with an arrow in her hand, the arrow accidentally hit a wall and it reacted toward her face. She could have stopped the arrow moving toward the face if she had enough grip strength, but unfortunately the arrow slipped through her gripped hand and hit her eye. She had stitches on the bulbar conjunctiva, and the injury was completely cured in one month. I later began to suspect that the injury might be caused by muscle weakness in her hand.

First Hospital Visit Post HPV Vaccine

Sometime in July, I noticed Yuka’s lymph node swelling on the left neck and trapezius muscle swelling on both shoulders, with the left side more swollen than the right. Yuka complained that the shoulders were a little aching. There were no redness or fever. We decided to seek a diagnosis and took her to the hospital.

July 2013: First visit to hospital for the swollen lymph node and shoulders. Her alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test came back very high at 446 IU/L.  Since she was growing and so the doctors did not pay much attention to this value. This value has been high throughout. Other lab tests included:  Ferritin (Fe) – 52.8 ng/mL, white blood cell count (WBC) – 4670 (she has never been measured for this value before, but her mother has a low value of about 4000), platelet count (PLC_ – 160,000 mcL, blood sugar – 70 mg/dL (about 3 hours after meal), C Reactive Protein (CRP) – 0, hemoglobin 14.5 g/dL, differential leukocyte count normal.

An MRI of her shoulder and neck with contrast agent was completed. The results showed that there was one swollen lymph node with a diameter of about 1.8 cm on the left neck, close to shoulder blade, and there were a large number of swollen lymph nodes with a diameter of about 5 mm on the neck. The trapezius muscle did not appear inflamed on the MRI so the cause of her shoulder pain remained unrecognized.

Second Visit to Hospital Post HPV Vaccine: Additional Tests

Echo test for the neck to the shoulder was negative, like the MRI. A second set of blood tests revealed:

  • WBC 3410
  • Fe 93
  • Blood sugar (2 hours after meal) 85
  • CPK 39
  • IgG 1658
  • Antinuclear antibody was normal.

She was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Yuka was prescribed Myonal and Neurotropin and told to come back in one month. The swollen lymph nodes disappeared, but when we came back from a holiday, swelling in both shoulders increased, and symptoms such as fatigue, headache, double vision, light sensitivity, hip joint pain, knee pain, difficulty moving her hands, and muscle weakness in lower extremities occurred. Although she was diagnosed as fibromyalgia and since she did not have fever but had swollen lymph nodes, we suspected that she was reacting to a foreign body. Then we suspected that it might be due to the HPV vaccine.

Third Visit to Hospital Post HPV Vaccine 

September 2013: This visit was follow-up to the previous visit and further tests. Yuka had a head MRI and EEG. Both tests were normal. The additional blood tests showed continued low white blood cell counts, WBC 3700. She was tested for amylase, a marker of pancreatic function. The results were high at 146 U/L. Her blood sugar was 86 mg/dL (2 hours after meal). Her creatine kinase (CK) was 42 U/L and creatinine 0.40 mg/dL, low. Other values were normal.

A doctor suspected peripheral neuropathy due to the HPV vaccine. The doctor said that since there was no inflammation, the acute phase had passed, continuing daily activities would help rehabilitation, and she would recover.

Fourth Hospital Visit Post HPV Vaccine: Cerebellar Ataxia

September to October 2013. This visit was also follow-up to the previous visit and further tests.  By this point, Yuka had gained weight. She wanted to eat something sweet and salty. Her appetite increased. She also had fatigue and headaches, was experiencing difficulty walking. She could not maintain balance while standing with her feet together. I noticed that Yuka had ataxia. She also had swelling on her face.

She was diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia, but was told that she would recover since there was no inflammation and the acute phase has passed. She was also told that since the functional disorder was mild she would almost completely recover. However, I felt that the symptoms were gradually worsening.

Test results: There was no abnormality in electromyogram.  In the blood test, the values of WBC, CK, and creatinine decreased slightly, pyruvic acid was normal, metabolism of sugar, fat and protein was normal. She started fursultiamine supplement together with other vitamin Bs and magnesium. (These supplements were started after reading Dr. Lonsdale’s articles.)

Fifth Hospital Visit Post HPV Vaccine

October to November 2013. We went to the neurological department, Kagoshima University Hospital. This visit was due to her symptoms worsening. She needed to see a specialist of immunology and encephalitis.

We suspected immune-mediated encephalitis, and visited this hospital, which has a research institute. Around this time, this hospital was designated as one of hospitals for the treatment of HPV vaccine injured.

There were no abnormality in blood test and thyroid function (tested only FT4 and TSH), catecholamine 3F normal, vitamins normal (probably due to supplements), the values of WBC, CK and creatinine were still low, amylase 166, CMV-IgG 41, Head MRI normal, CBF (SPECT) normal.

The doctor was convinced by seeing swollen shoulders that the cause was HPV vaccine; although there was no significant decrease in blood flow in SPECT. Since there were reports about symptoms like a collagen disease due to an immunostimulation reaction caused by HPV vaccines, we were told that Yuka would have a steroid pulse therapy. She also had clear symptoms of cerebellar ataxia.

After one course of the steroid pulse treatment, symptoms due to cerebellar ataxia and headache disappeared, but there was no change in the shoulder. Immediately after the pulse treatment, she complained pain in the whole body and strong headache.

December 2013: Fatigue and swelling in the shoulders almost disappeared. Her WBC decreased to 2200. There was one onset of hyperventilation and visited ER in Kagoshima University Hospital and subjected to arterial blood gas test. The blood test results at the time of hyperventilation showed there were decreases in phosphorous (P), postassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and ferritin( Fe).

She also had some blood tests and the results were as follows: monocyte 11.8 H, neutrophil 41.8 L, and WBC – leukocyte 2870L. This was one month after the steroid pulse.

January 2014: Yuka began taking an iron supplement, (Fe 20, Ferritin 44). Her iron levels increased to (Fe 65, Ferritin 21.1) after taking the supplement. There was recovery for WBC to 4900 and her platelet count increased to 192,000. She continued to take fursultiamine (Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Verix, neo).

April 2014:  Her period stopped.

May 2014: As the symptoms seemed to subside, she stopped taking supplements.

June 2014: She became mentally unstable and irritable.  Her character has changed.  We wonder if her brain is affected to some extent.

September 2014: Yuka has started to have fatigue, and visited the hospital. There was decrease in WBC 3200 and PLT 130,000, and with the results of Fe 36 and Ferritin 48.9, she has started to take an iron supplement again. Thyroid function was normal (FT 41.1, TSH 1.6, TSH receptor antibody normal). She is also taking Chlorella, zinc, magnesium, and fursultiamine.

Since the beginning of August, Yuka is taking Kamishoyosan-based Chinese medicine called, whose efficacy includes premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, menopausal syndrome, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis(early stage), chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety disorder, insomnia, hand and finger dermatitis, etc.

Around July 2014, her nails started to show white raised vertical lines.  We worried that she might be lack of zinc, and she started to east oysters a lot, but from August Yuka asked to have zinc supplements instead of eating oysters.  We thought the loss of period might be due to zinc deficiency and Yuka was also worrying about hair loss possibility.  We wonder, which is better for zinc deficiency eating oysters or taking supplements?

Most Recent Blood Work Post HPV Vaccine

September 2014:
  • TSH receptor antibody （－） binding inhibition rate 3.8%, 
  • Thyroid test　(Thyroglobulin antibody by passive agglutination) LT100
  • Microsomal test (Anti thyroid microsomal antibody) LT100
  • Anti-TG antibody LT 10.0
  • TPOAB LT5.0
  • Thyroid globulin 6.7
  • TSH 1.6
  • FT4 1.1

One Year Post HPV Vaccine

Last summer when Yuka first became ill, she was suspected to have the Kikuchi disease.  After most of her symptoms had disappeared around early this year, her health started to deteriorate again this spring, and this time the symptoms like those of the Kikuchi disease seemed to reappear.

There have been two cases of the Kikuchi disease after HPV vaccine in Japan, and one of which has been reported in the literature.

Yuka has a sister (15 years old), who also had Gardasil at the same time.  She also had swelling and hypesthesia on the right face around the same time as Yuka had. Yuka’s sister loves sports and plays tennis outdoor, and is suntanned through the year. She had a severe acne, and was taking an antibiotics (several of two week courses) and Vitamin Bs when she had Gardasil. Yuka’s sister did not have any further symptoms due to Gardasil.  We wonder if the antibiotics helped or Vitamin Bs helped Yuka’s sister or maybe even the Vitamin D formed by being outdoors. Both of the girls still have swelling on their faces, but no hypesthesia (diminished capacity for sensation).

Postscript: This article was written originally in Japanese by Yuka’s mom and translated to English by Madoka Hazuki.

Participate in Research

Hormones MatterTM is conducting research on the side effects and adverse events associated with Gardasil and its counterpart Cervarix. If you or your daughter has had either HPV vaccine, please take this important survey. The Gardasil Cervarix HPV Vaccine Survey.

Hormones MatterTM conducts other crowdsourced surveys on medication reactions. To take one of our other surveys, click here.

To sign up for our newsletter and receive weekly updates on the latest research news, click here.

What Else Can I Do To Help?

Hormones MatterTM is completely unfunded at this juncture and we rely entirely on crowdsourcing and volunteers to conduct the research and produce quality health education materials for the public. If you’d like help us improve healthcare with better data, get involved. Become an advocate, spread the word about our site, our research and our mission. Suggest a study. Share a study. Join our team. Write for us. Partner with us. Help us grow. For more information contact us at: info@hormonesmatter.com.

To support Hormones Matter and our research projects – Crowdfund Us.

Related posts:

orexin hypocretin neurons brain energyMedication and Vaccine Adverse Reactions and the Orexin – Hypocretin Neurons

You might be interested in

Pap Smears Saved my Life: Cervical Cancer After Gardasil

Published on
5702 views
pap smears saved my life

I went to the doctor in early January 2008 and during the consultation was asked if I’d had my Gardasil shot. There was no discussion about possible side effects and I was urged to have it while it was still free. So I had the first shot then, just before my 26th birthday. I had the second shot at the end of February.

I was healthy, fit and enjoying life.  I was working in retail and there was talk of promotion and management training.  My long term plans included a career change so I was training at the gym regularly to get my fitness level up. I passed a thorough preliminary medical examination in early May.

A Delayed Reaction to Gardasil?

In mid-May, I broke out in a rash. Originally I thought it might have been bed bugs or a reaction to laundry powder but it persisted and the doctor thought it was an allergy of some sort. I was put on antihistamines but the rash continued. One day my eyelid was swollen. Another day my lip swelled up. It seemed random and puzzling.

In June, I had my third Gardasil shot and then things really started to rev up with the symptoms escalating in frequency and severity.

It was then, that I started keeping a health diary to track what I was eating, what medication I was on, and what symptoms I was experiencing. After a few weeks I realised that it was not related to what I was eating, so just recorded medication and symptoms being experienced.

By July, the rash was all over my torso, legs, and arms and my face. It would sometimes come up in great welts. One night my thighs were blood red and so itchy I thought I’d go mad. One day I woke up and my entire face was so swollen, I looked like I’d been beaten up and I could barely recognise myself. My hands and feet would swell up and be so painful I could barely walk. My wrists and ankles ached and I had trouble sleeping because every time I moved I was in pain. I had strange bald patches on my tongue.

A Post Gardasil Inflammatory Condition

I had so many blood tests I felt like a pin cushion. In early July the doctor rang back to say my recent blood tests showed elevated CRP levels (an inflammatory indicator). I went back for weekly blood test, and the CRP levels continued to be elevated and rising higher each week. Up until then I had been seeing different doctors at different clinics so my mum suggested I see her doctor, Dr R, so there was some overview perspective.

By this stage I had taken so much time off work that I ran out of sick leave and went onto sickness benefits.

Dr R tried to get me an appointment with an Allergist but the waiting time was 10-12 weeks, and I was put on the cancellation list. In the mean time I went gluten-free and cut down on processed foods. Nothing worked.

Idiopathic Urticaria and Angioedema

On the 24th July my tongue started to swell. My mum drove me to the Emergency Department of The Alfred Hospital. I thought it will be just like on ‘House’ or ‘All Saints’ and the doctors will solve the riddle, provide a diagnosis and cure me. But no such luck.  I was told I had “idiopathic urticaria / angioedema”.  They couldn’t say what caused it and all they could do was try to control the symptoms. After spending hours there I was eventually sent home with a script for high dosage antihistamines – I was on 2 x 24 hr strength tablets twice a day.  One thing I learnt was that I was meant to be taking 2 different types of antihistamine, R1 and R2, for the urticaria.

The doctors assured me this would control my symptoms. It didn’t.

Connective Tissue Involvement

I managed to get an appointment at short notice – there had been a cancellation- to see Dr S, a Specialist Physician (specialising in diagnosis), on 25th July. He took thorough notes of my history and symptoms. He said clinically it looked like connective tissue involvement suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis or a lupus-type condition. He ordered more blood tests, including a specific one for lupus. He also said not to worry too much as clinicians had recently being seeing patients presenting with what they were calling ‘pseudo lupus syndrome’.  Could these pseudo lupus syndromes be related to the Gardasil vaccine or other medication reactions? I wonder.

Swollen Tongue

On 14th August, exactly three weeks after my previous visit, I was back at the Alfred Hospital Emergency Department. Three weeks of the treatment had not controlled the symptoms, but had left me physically weaker – I was nauseous, tired from lack of sleep and in pain. I went to the Emergency Department at 10.15 pm as the back of my tongue was swollen and there was a strange feeling in my throat. I felt like I had a large bubble in my throat and it was difficult to swallow. The Alfred Hospital staff were spectacularly unhelpful – I was told to report back to the desk if unable to breathe. Over the next hours the swelling seemed to stabilise in that it wasn’t getting worse. I left The Alfred at 12.30am having not been seen and I got home at 2.30am.  At about 6.30am the swelling suddenly started to increase and I had difficulty in swallowing. My mum came and collected me and we went straight to see Dr R. She said in over 30 years of practice she had never seen or heard of anything like it. I was put back onto cortisone.

On 20th August I had my revisit with Dr S. The blood test for Lupus was negative, so I was one of the ‘pseudo lupus syndrome’ patients. He recommended I see a Rheumatologist rather than an Allergist or Dermatologist. He said that, in Melbourne, Immunologists tended to be research rather than clinical, and that Rheumatologists were the autoimmune specialists. So, onto another waiting list to see a yet another specialist – an appointment was made with Dr A for 9th September.

On the 2nd September I finally got to see an Allergist. He recommended a very restricted “elimination diet” which, by that stage, I didn’t have the energy or inclination to follow.  I had worked out weeks earlier that the swellings were not related to what I was eating. However, I did buy some allergy free soap, toothpaste and shampoo. And he provided a list of foods/drinks to avoid because of preservatives.

A Heart Murmur

On the 9th September I saw the Rheumatologist Dr A. Like Dr S she took a comprehensive history. She ordered an extensive battery of blood tests – for HIV, Barmah forest virus, Ross river virus etc. On examining me she detected a heart murmur and ordered a chest CT scan and echo cardiogram. One thing I was sure about was that I had no heart murmur when I passed the comprehensive medical back in May.

Still No Answers

It was the same old story: Dr. A as a Rheumatologist was a connective tissue specialist, not an autoimmune specialist. She suggested seeing a clinical Immunologist, Professor H, and appointment was arranged for 13th October.

So I spent months on high-dose antihistamines and intermittent short courses of cortisone. The cortisone initially controlled the rash, but as soon as I stopped the treatment the rash came back. Eventually the rash appeared even when I was on cortisone. So the recommended treatment didn’t work.  What was worse was that the doctors seemed mystified and perplexed by my multitude of symptoms.

By this stage, based on my diary, I was seeing some emerging patterns: The symptoms appeared more severe around the time I got my period; and also after exercise, if I went to the gym or personal training.  I also had the feeling that the antihistamines may have been actually exacerbating the symptoms, particularly the swellings. The most striking instance occurred on the evening of 14th August within 15 minutes of taking the histamines, my lip suddenly started swelling up and then the swelling progressed to my tongue and throat.

Unstable Mast Cells

A breakthrough of sorts came when a colleague gave Dr R an information sheet about Ketotifen – a mast cell stabiliser – that seemed to explain and (hopefully) treat my symptoms.

Apparently people with chronic urticaria and angioedema do not suffer from specific allergies, but rather an unstable mast cell system. According to the fact sheet, the unstable mast cells leak histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which result in other associated symptoms, such as headaches, tiredness, lethargy, irritability and difficulty in concentration. It can also affect the gastrointestinal tract causing cramping, bloating, indigestion, regurgitation, flatulence, intermittent diarrhoea and constipation. Many patients suffer from joint pains and muscle pain. These symptoms are due to the inflammatory properties of leaked histamines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. I was unable to see the doctor who wrote the information sheet, as he only saw asthma patients.

Also, Ketotifen was not available in tablet form in Australia and we had to send to New Zealand for it. Ketotifen is only available in Australia as eye drops. A friend sent me an advertising leaflet for Zaditen “the only triple action, anti-allergy eye drops for symptomatic short term treatment of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis available over the counter without prescription.”  Strangely, it was titled Zoe’s Dilemma and featured a cartoon of teary-eyed Zoe “I’ve got minutes to pull myself together!” being ZAPPED with Zaditen by a handsome young white-coated healthcare professional, saying “Only I can give you a quick solution”.

By the time we sent to New Zealand, received the tablets and found a doctor willing to oversee it, I didn’t start the Ketotifen until September. Gradually the swellings became less frequent. The rash remained but became more “normal”.

Back to Urticaria

When I saw the Clinical Immunologist, Professor H, on 13th  October he was the first health professional I’d seen that wasn’t mystified by my many and varied symptoms. He diagnosed severe chronic urticaria and, when shown my photos, said they were classic of severe urticaria. In terms of severity, my condition was in the top 5% he had seen.

He went on to explain that an unstable mast cell system was the basis of all autoimmune conditions. Researchers were just starting to unravel how the immune system works, particularly autoimmunity. He said that researchers had recently discovered that unstable mast cells leaked many chemicals, much more than previously thought (i.e. many more than mentioned in the Ketotifen information sheet). He was currently supervising a PhD student researching this topic.

I queried how it was strange I should, within a two month period, be so badly affected -particularly as I had been so fit before. Professor H said that, for some reason, the fittest people were often the most severely affected by autoimmune disease. It was as if their immune systems were also super fit, and turned in on the body with extra zeal. He also said that there was evidence in support of my intuitions – that symptoms were often worse after exercise; and, for women, worse around the time of menstruation.

The only recommended treatment was a long-term course of high dose cortisone. He explained that long-term cortisone use had some nasty side effects. Although he couldn’t guarantee it, he was confident  that the treatment would get rid of the rash. He couldn’t say how long I would have to stay on cortisone. I was to think about the pros and cons of this, and decide whether to start the cortisone when I came to my next appointment in December.

Alternative Therapies

On 28th November I consulted a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, Dr Z. He was the first health practitioner I had seen who was confident that the rash could be treated successfully. He said there were acupuncture and Chinese herbs specifically for it. I had the treatment and the rash disappeared.

I don’t know whether it was the acupuncture or a combination of acupuncture and the Ketotifen, but something finally worked. I was still having intermittent swellings, but at least the rash was gone.

When I revisited Professor H on 2nd December, the rash was gone. I decided to stick with the Ketotifen for another 4 months as recommended on the information sheet.

I did remain rash free taking just the Ketotifen, and then remained rash free when I stopped it in March 2009.

The whole experience left me exhausted, I felt as if my life had been put on hold for months. I had to take time off work and could only work part time after that. Not only did it cost me a lot financially in terms of being off work, I had to spend a fortune on antihistamines, Ketotifen, painkillers, indigestion tablets, and assorted other drugs.

In March 2009, just after finishing the Ketotifen and possibly as a result of all I’d been through, I experience for the first time ever an episode of acute anxiety and panic attacks for which I had treatment and counseling.

And Now Cervical Cancer

The biggest shock occurred in March 2011 when I went for my regular pap smear and was diagnosed and treated for cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). This was 17 months after my previously normal Pap smear, and three years after the first Gardasil shot. All of my previous pap smears had been clean.

I went for my regular pap smear with Dr P. early March 2011. A week later he rang me to say the report was showing glandular-cell abnormalities and I was to come in the following Tuesday for an assessment. [There are two main types of cervical cancer: the more common squamous-cell abnormalities and cancer (squamous carcinoma); and the rare but more aggressive glandular-cell abnormalities and cancer (adenocarcinoma)].

The following Friday I was in surgery and had a cold knife cone biopsy. The results came through the following Wednesday that the margins of the cone biopsy were clear.

I am very aware that I was fortunate – having my screening with a specialist colposcopist and having the surgical procedure within 10 days of the results being received. As a result of this, the cancer was detected early, at the in situ stage.

I have to have a follow-up screening every 6 months to make sure the cancer doesn’t return, and so far so good. I’m reassured that I’m having reliable and expert follow-up

So not only did I experience severe adverse reactions to the vaccine, it is obvious that Gardasil does not even protect against the serious cervical cancer: glandular cell cervical cancer. As AIS is thought to be caused by HPV 16 and 18, the exact viruses the Gardasil vaccine is supposed to protect against. Since I didn’t have the either HPV or cancer a mere 17 months prior to my vaccination, I have to wonder whether the Gardasil vaccine introduced the virus and the cancer into my system.

Recurrence of Urticaria and Angioedema

In June 2011, maybe as a result of stress, I had a recurrence of the urticaria/angioedema, including swelling of my tongue and throat. This time I was touring around Cornwell, UK so it was a little scary not knowing where to locate the local doctor or hospital.

When I saw Professor H a couple of months later, he said researchers in Australia had now developed a new version of the mast-cell stabiliser. It was being trialled with impressive results and they were trying to get the government to approve its use in Australia.  He suggested that, as the Ketotifen had worked for me before, I go back onto it. When I eventually got the capsules for New Zealand and started taking them, the symptoms gradually subsided.

When I was telling Professor H. about being in Cornwell at the time of the recurrence, he said “Just as well your tongue didn’t start to swell.” On hearing that I’d had episodes of my tongue and throat swelling both recently and in 2008, he immediately wrote out a script for an epi-pen and told me to carry it at all times. As my mum later commented, it would have been helpful to know this three years earlier in 2008.

Six Years Post Gardasil

So how am I, six years on? I am still struggling with the aftermaths of Gardasil.

Although the urticaria / angioedema haven’t reoccurred for 3 years, I am struggling with an “invisible” legacy of insomnia and fatigue.

My sleep pattern is extremely disrupted. I have had a problem with insomnia since a teenager but, post-Gardasil, this became much more severe. I have been experiencing the strange situation of having no energy, being extremely fatigued, and yet I can’t get to sleep.

In 2010, I made the decision to return to study and relocated to Geelong (about an hour away from Melbourne) to attend Deakin University.  Distance, work and university commitments made it impossible to have consistent follow-up treatment with Dr Z.  TCM seems the best prospect to help with my sleep/energy problems, but unfortunately wasn’t an option for me at the time. I didn’t have the energy to go another round of finding local doctors, explaining symptoms, having more blood test, etc. So I battled on as best I could – herbal tea, Valerian, prescription sleeping tablets – nothing worked.

After the 2011, recurrence of symptoms my sleep patterns were even more disrupted. Early in 2012, I saw Dr M., a sleep specialist, and did a sleep test. I was awake all night and was officially diagnosed with sleep narcolepsy – falling asleep during the day due to exhaustion from insomnia.

A more visible legacy of Gardasil has been with my skin. Post-Gardasil my skin has been shocking with acne much worse than I’ve ever experienced, even when I was a teenager.

On reading Gabriella’s story I realise that maybe I can finally find some answers to regaining my health… it’s just a matter of knowing where to start and who to see.

However, the main message I want to get out to other Gardasil women – and all young women – is the need for annual pap smears. Dr P, who diagnosed and treated me for cervical adenocarcinoma, says there has been an increase in the number of young women developing this type of cancer, and that annual Pap smears are essential to monitor for it. Again, I have to wonder if the Gardasil vaccine and the increase in cervical cancers in young women are connected.

Pap smears saved my life, not bloody Gardasil.

We Need Your Help

More people than ever are reading Hormones Matter, a testament to the need for independent voices in health and medicine. We are not funded and accept limited advertising. Unlike many health sites, we don’t force you to purchase a subscription. We believe health information should be open to all. If you read Hormones Matter, like it, please help support it. Contribute now.

Yes, I would like to support Hormones Matter.

Image by manseok Kim from Pixabay

Related posts:

My Decade of 24/7 Depression Metronidazole toxicity and doctor denialMetronidazole Toxicity and Doctor Denial hormones gut bacteriaHormones, Gut Bacteria, and Autoimmune Disease

You might be interested in

The Gardasil Experience in Denmark: One Family’s Story

Published on
7240 views
Sara and Charlotte Nielson

In Denmark, the childhood immunization program has included the HPV-vaccination since 2009. The first injection is given with the third and last “MFR”, (Measles, mumps, rubella). Gardasil is offered for free for girls aged 12. As a “follow up”, young girls have been offered the vaccination for free as well. The plan in Denmark is to expand the standard program by including girls aged 15-18. Many Danish women and even some young boys have received the vaccination by co-payment.

According to Danish health care authorities they received 468 reports about 1022 possible side effects to Gardasil during the period 2009-2012. At that point, 53 cases were classified as “serious” out of which 24 were classified “possible” and 29 “less possible”.

From the period of January 1, 2009 through August 1, 2013, 1,392,101 vaccine doses of Gardasil were sold in Denmark. Since Gardasil comes in a three dose schedule, approximately 460,000 young Danish girls in Denmark may have had the HPV vaccine. During this period was reported 41 suspected serious adverse effects considered as “possible” due to Gardasil.

The latest report from September 26. 2013 describes an increasing number of reported side effects – 281 reports including 1528 side effects, 80 classified “serious”, 17 “possible”, 29 “less possible” and the last 34 not possible to assess primarily due to missing a diagnosis or too little information.

Most reported side effects were syncope or dizziness, headache and general malaise eventually accompanied by “unspecific symptoms”.

The diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) has been seen in 4 cases (plus one former case). POTS is suspected to be a new possible side effect to Gardasil by the Danish health authorities, and therefore, the 5 cases were reported to EMA – European Medicine Agency – for further investigation. Unofficially, we have at least 10 cases of POTS as side effect to Gardasil in Denmark now. The next official Gardasil side effect-report will be released to the public late January 2014.

Our Story of Gardasil Injury

Denmark has a population of 5.5 million people. We live in a democracy – our present government consists of three parties ranging from the socialist party, the social democrats to the social liberal party. In Denmark we pay high taxes (normally about 42-50%, top taxes 70%). We have a free health care service to help in any case – or at least we believed so…

About a year ago life changed in our family. Our youngest daughter Sara got her first vaccination by Gardasil in late January 2013.

A few days later she began feeling ill continuously for weeks and after four weeks she had a very high fever and pain in her throat.  A few days after that, small red spots appeared on her body. No specific infection could be proved by blood test. She was generally unwell for weeks with a low fever and was on and off school.

Sara had her second vaccination by Gardasil late March 2013. Two days after she fainted in the bathroom. During the following days she felt she could faint again and was feeling very dizzy, she had strong pains in her leg muscles and arms, along with sensory disturbances such as tingling/burning sensations under the feet and in the hands. She was exhausted (could hardly go for a very short walk). Abdominal pains appeared often after a meal. A strong and constant headache developed. She had problems with regulation of temperature. Night sweats. She felt too warm or too cold during the daytime. More symptoms appeared later on.

Sara went to school a few days a week and only a few lessons.

During the last four months she has been at home socially isolated, extremely limited in her daily activities and just recently begun home teaching, two lessons a week. (The law permits 8 lessons at home in the case of long term illness).

Sara has been through an incredible and almost unbearable number of symptoms and exacerbations in recent months.

Before Gardasil, Sara was a healthy 12-year-old girl singing in a choir at the local church, playing the piano and dancing standard-Latin twice a week. Now, in addition to constant headache and muscle pain, dizziness and nausea she has:

  • Low appetite, difficulties in feeling hunger or satiety, suddenly put on weight during a few weeks and then losing weight.
  • Muscle power decreased in general. Can only walk 1.3 km slowly and in pain.
  • Abdominal pains, temperature regulation out of balance (too hot//too cold/night sweats). Sensory disturbances: Tingling, burning, numbness and sleeping limbs. Arms burning/cool inside.
  • Symptoms from skin, teeth and joints.
  • Fatigue and very low energy. Even a shower is exhausting.
  • Problems falling asleep because of pains.
  • Concentration difficulties, memory problems. Problems finding the words, hard to read (eyes are easily getting tired).

Many of Sara´s symptoms have improved over time, but still most of these side effects are to some degree present.

Diagnosing Post Gardasil Illness

At the beginning we had Sara´s ears and eyes examined by specialists but neither sinusitis or any visual problems or anything else to explain the constant headache were found. Sara was examined at children’s ward at a University Hospital with no results at all. All lab tests, CT and MR-scans were normal. Only “positive result” was low D-vitamin (a relatively normal condition in Denmark). By a general practitioner Sara had tests (via the Danish Serum Institute) for synaptic encephalitis, cerebral vasculitis and neuropathy – all negative.  A chiropractic neurologist found her symptoms based in the autonomic nervous system. His exercises (functional therapy) could not change the headache or take away the dizziness – his conclusion was therefore it must be a toxic reaction due to Gardasil.

The children´s ward did not pay much interest in such results.  We were met by arrogance and a skeptical attitude both within hospital and general health care system just as many other patients described similar experience on their way through the health system.

In August 2013 we went to a Swiss outpatient clinic that we had heard about accidentally. We stayed two weeks at Paracelsus (www.Paracelsus.ch), Lustmühle, Switzerland. A holistic treatment in a bio-medical Clinic situated in the Swiss Alps.

All treatment is natural if possible, but patients have to prescribe and accept traditional medication, if necessary. Sara got all sorts of treatments at the clinic and back at home supplements, homeopathic medication, nutritive diet; plus sub cutaneous injections of Mistletoe. The diagnosis from Paracelsus is:

Severe toxic reaction after 2nd Gardasil immunization March 26th 2013 initiating fibromyalgia syndrome with acquired mitochondropathy.

In addition, our daughter was diagnosed by a physician at a Danish hospital, (not at children’s ward) as having POTS. POTS was reported to health care authorities as a possible side effect to Gardasil. To help the symptoms of POTS we got some advice from the hospital. Chemical medication is an option but only a treatment of symptoms. The basic damage is treated by Paracelsus, Switzerland which provides the best chances to succeed in a cure of the underlying conditions and injuries.

Working with Researchers and Physicians for Post Gardasil Illness

Unfortunately, it is up to every single family/and patient to decide what treatment to choose (and to pay for). We went to Switzerland and we are seeing a slow but promising recovery and progress. We also stay in contact with researchers abroad. We received the advice indirectly from professor Yehuda Shoenfeld, Israel, to use the treatment Lipid Replacement Therapy recommended by Professor Garth Nicolson, USA. We have given our daughter the “NTFactor ATP” powder for about 4 1/2 months now. The Swiss doctor welcomed this dietary supplement.

Yehuda Shoenfeld, Israel, is a professor and head of Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to Tel-Aviv University) researching in ASIA, Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome induced by adjuvants in vaccines. Working together with Lucija Tomljenovic.Tomljenovic and Shoenfeld have described several cases of adverse side effects connected to Gardasil. Sin Hang Lee told from his research that Gardasil is consisting remains of genetic modified DNA from HPV-virus bound to the adjuvant. He investigated 16 samples of HPV-vaccine doses from 9 different countries.

Shaw and Tomljenovic proved a connection Gardasil/autoimmune vasculitis by post mortem investigating brain tissue specimens of two young girls who suffered a sudden death for no clear reasons – except vaccination by Gardasil. The research showed that the blood-brain barrier was penetrated by HPV-16-L1 antigen from Gardasil. This leading to encephalitic conditions might have caused the death of the two young girls and likely in more cases as well.

Gary Null, PhD and Nancy Ashley VMD wrote “Gardasil – A Deadly Vaccine” mentioning several cases of serious illness and death.

They all have found indices showing a clear connection between Gardasil and serious adverse side effects – even leading to deaths.

The more researchers find out about these connections and causals – the closer medical science might get to find a cure.

This has already partly happened – in Germany two physicians have invented a “nosode” medication (small tablets), to antagonize some of the damage that Gardasil is causing. Until now there have been promising results – but this work has of course not been accepted or respected by health authorities either in Germany or Denmark yet.

Understanding the Side-Effects of Gardasil and Parent Activism in Denmark

When our daughter became ill, I began to research using Google to find out about HPV-vaccination and side effects. In Denmark we had very little knowledge in April 2013.

In Denmark we have one organization dealing with questions referring to vaccinations giving advice to support a free choice based on relevant information. The organization named “www.VaccinationsForum.dk” knew at that time only a few Danish young girls with side effects after the HPV vaccination. Together we found more information and researchers around the world.

A family stepped forward with their 14-year old daughter in the Danish newspaper Politiken, April 2013. Other newspapers made articles as well.

We accepted together with our daughter a short TV interview in September 2013 – and more followed.

A series of articles in Danish newspapers were published over the summer 2013 as well as radio, TV news (we have one national TV station “DR” and one private “TV2”, TV2 has local stations as well) – we saw a veritable media and public “wake up” in Denmark.

The number of victims showing up grew as focus was finally on HPV-vaccination and its side effects. Thirty new cases of severe side effects appeared within two months, then it was 50…Patients and their families simply did not know about the possibility of side effects until then.

We participated as a family at a meeting in September 2013 arranged by patients. We let the media cover the meeting.  Everyone reported the long and exhausting process of seeking treatment post – Gardasil injury, often with no diagnosis or relevant treatment offered. Almost all of the Gardasil injured experienced deterioration over time.  Several “HPV” groups appeared over summer and fall 2013 in Danish at Facebook – by now there are over 250 cases known in Denmark with adverse side effects. One Facebook group is found by the text: “Til kamp for retfærdig oplysning om HPV” (Fighting for a fair information about HPV-vaccine).

The health authorities do not gladly accept the reported cases as causal to Gardasil. But as mentioned in the introduction we have seen a bigger number of reported side effects since August 2013, probably according to the public interest aroused by parents, patients and the media.

Legislative Hearings on Post Gardasil Injury – A Victory for Parent Activism

Since August 2013, Danish politicians were informed by parents and patients and little by little are getting involved.

On November 7, 2013 there was a political “open hearing” within Danish Government´s Health Committee to discuss the HPV-vaccination and its side effects. More than 70 individuals and families sent their case stories to the politicians. It made a strong impression. Many of us even received answers – some very short and warm, some long and cool.

The Minister of Health Care chose to forward the problem to the “Regions” (Denmark is divided into 5 regions). The main tasks of the regions are: hospital services, mental health and health insurance including private practitioners and specialists.

Many case stories were once again sent – this time to the politicians of the Regions – and finally it seems that the side effect problems post Gardasil are being taken seriously.

The heart-breaking thing is that we might get a “council of experts” in Denmark. There has been a political set up “closed hearing” including five-six professors and physicians from Danish hospitals and one general practitioner. We worry that the “experts” will not have any idea what went wrong with Gardasil and the post Gardasil side-effects.  They will not know how to find a cure for or treat the serious illnesses that follow the HPV vaccine. Unless health care authorities and “experts” by a small amount of humility are willing to take a look at researchers around the world and open up their traditional medical minds to all kinds of treatments.

The Danish Society for the prevention of Cancer (Kræftens Bekæmpelse) and Danish health authorities have sort of misunderstood the “discussion” making it a question of pro or contra cervical cancer. Added to that, many people have misunderstood what the HPV-vaccination really is – they are convinced it´s a vaccination against cancer – a laudable hope for humanity but not exactly what Gardasil and Cervarix are. Citizens in Denmark are not informed properly. No warnings about serious side effects have been forwarded from health authorities to practitioners to patient and parents.  The media have unveiled physicians in double roles cultivating convenient connections qua their “side jobs” as consultants at medical companies producing and selling Gardasil. These physicians are, for example, employed by the Danish health authorities and there lay our concern regarding the ‘expert’ panels.

More Signs of Progress from Parent Activism against Gardasil

We have succeeded as parents and as a vaccination organization in Denmark to wake up the media, the public and politicians who are now slightly showing some interest in all the side effects caused by Gardasil, the HPV-vaccine. A small amount of money ($46,000 dollars in 2014) has been politically dedicated to investigate HPV-vaccine side effects, inform patients and health care staff and to find out how to examine the patients properly and identify the relevant diagnoses and treatments for post Gardasil injuries.

The first two young girls have now received official insurance according to their serious and disabling side effects after Gardasil, even though these illnesses were not accepted by Health authorities to be more than “possibly” due to side effects. More cases of patient insurance are following in Denmark. Danish health insurance is not depending on the health authorities.

We must keep on the good work and networking which cannot be controlled by powerful authorities or financial interests.  We can even exchange information worldwide. Thanks to everyone who is taking part in this backlash against side effects due to HPV-vaccination.

We matter as parents. Researchers all over the world are participating.  The medical industry is, of course, soon coming up with new vaccines trying to cover more HPV-types without using the emergency break. Future victims will come without doubt. We must never hesitate to do whatever we can to prevent this disaster to go on.

Charlotte Nielsen, Denmark

Retired occupational therapist and the mother of three.

Update

As of November 30, 2013 Health Authorities have recognized 16 cases of POTS. The number continues to grow.

Participate in Research

Hormones MatterTM is conducting research on the side effects and adverse events associated with Gardasil and its counterpart Cervarix. If you or your daughter has had either HPV vaccine, please take this important survey. The Gardasil Cervarix HPV Vaccine Survey.

Hormones MatterTM conducts other crowdsourced surveys on medication reactions. To take one of our other surveys, click here.

To sign up for our newsletter and receive weekly updates on the latest research news, click here.

What Else Can I Do To Help?

Hormones MatterTM is completely unfunded at this juncture and we rely entirely on crowdsourcing and volunteers to conduct the research and produce quality health education materials for the public. If you’d like help us improve healthcare with better data, get involved. Become an advocate, spread the word about our site, our research and our mission. Suggest a study. Share a study. Join our team. Write for us. Partner with us. Help us grow. For more information contact us at: info@hormonesmatter.com.

To support Hormones Matter and our research projects – Crowdfund Us.

 

Related posts:

thiamine limbic systemHow Can Something As Simple as Thiamine Cause So Many Problems? orexin hypocretin neurons brain energyMedication and Vaccine Adverse Reactions and the Orexin – Hypocretin Neurons beriberi great imitatorBeriberi: The Great Imitator thiamine chronic illnessThiamine for Fibromyalgia, CFS/ME, Chronic Lyme, and SIBO-C

You might be interested in

Cerebellar Ataxia and the HPV Vaccine – Connection and Treatment

Published on
6249 views

Anecdotal evidence points to a connection between Gardasil and Cervarix, the HPV vaccines, and cerebellar injury. Here, from the journal Neuropediatrics comes the first published report linking the HPV vaccine to cerebellar ataxia: Association of Acute Cerebellar Ataxia and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine: A Case Study.

I should note, from our research we’re also seeing cases of cerebellar ataxia post fluoroquinolone reaction and related to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The cerebellum appears to be particularly sensitive to insult from environmental toxins – to functional mitochondrial injuries, perhaps because it collects the millions of peripheral nerves coming from the body that control sensation and movement, as they pass to higher brain centers. As such, the cerebellum demands high levels of oxygen and nutrients.

For those of our readers new to neuroanatomy, the cerebellum is the cauliflower looking section at the base of the brain that controls motor coordination – the ability to perform coordinated tasks such as walking, focusing on a visual stimuli and reaching for objects in space. The walking and balance disturbances associated with cerebellar damage or degeneration have a very distinct look, a wide gait, with an inability to walk heal to toe – very much like a drunken sailor. Videos of cerebellar ataxia can be seen here.

The Case Details: Acute Cerebellar Ataxia Post HPV Vaccine

Approximately, two weeks after receiving the HPV vacccine, Cervarix, a previously healthy 12.5 year old girl developed nausea and dizziness with severe cerebellar ataxia, tremors and nystagmus. Initial tests came back normal and she was hospitalized on day 20 post HPV vaccine. Though she could sit on her own, she could not stand or walk unaided and the nystagmus prevented her from focusing on TV, reading or other activities. She had no fever. Heel-knee-shin and finger-nose tests indicated ataxia with terminal intention tremor and dysmetria (see videos: horizontal nystagmus or here for multiple types of nystagmus, heel-knee-shin test, finger-nose test).

All blood tests, cerebral spinal fluid tests and imaging tests were normal, with the exception of testing positive for IgG and varicella zoster virus – chicken pox and shingles – indicating earlier exposure. Tumors, paraneoplastic disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic conditions and labyrinthitis (inner ear disturbance) were all ruled out. Her symptoms did not remit as was expected with acute cerebellar ataxia.

Treatment Options for Acute Cerebellar Ataxia

Beginning on day 25 post HPV vaccine, pulsed IV methylprednisone (1000mg/d) was administered for three days. Her symptoms persisted. On day 44 post HPV vaccine, IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) at 400mg/kg was initiated and run for 5 days. Her symptoms persisted.

At day 65 post vaccine, with no indication of improvement, immunoadsorption plasmapharesis was begun at a rate of seven times per month. The physicians report a gradual improvement of the nystagmus after two treatments with a full resolution of symptoms after 19 courses of treatment (day 134 post HPV vaccine). The improvement was short-lived, however, and beginning at day 220 post HPV vaccine, the symptoms began to return, gradually at first with nystagmus, and then completely. Immunoadsorption plasmapharesis was begun anew on day 332 post HPV vaccine. After five courses of treatment, the patient’s symptoms again remitted.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Cerebellar Ataxia Symptoms

Of interest, symptom severity corresponded to IgG levels. Her initial IgG levels were not reported, but after 19 treatments, when symptoms disappeared completely for the first time, her IgG levels were 354 mg/dL (day 134). When the symptoms appeared again (day 332) her IgG levels were elevated at 899 mg/dL. Upon treatment, her IgG levels dropped to 503 mg/dL as the nystagmus abated and then to 354 mg/dL upon complete remission, for the second time, at day 332 post HPV vaccine.

HPV16L and Post HPV Vaccine Reactions and Death

The researchers from this study, speculate a connection between the IgG response, and an as of yet, undetermined antibody. Testing for a variety of known antibodies were negative. Since the HPV16L is molecularly  similar to certain cell adhesion molecules, enzymes, transcription factors and neural antigens, it is possible that the HPV16L particles triggered the response.

In separate studies, autopsies of girls who died suddenly post HPV vaccine have found non-degrading HPV16L particles linked to the deaths. In the first case, researchers performed secondary postmortem immunochemistry of two girls who died suddenly after receiving Gardasil. They found evidence of cerebral vasculitis linked to the HPV16L particles throughout the cerebral vasculature.

Similarly, a postmortem exam of another girl who died from the HPV vaccine, found HPV16L DNA particles in the blood and spleen.  The researcher reported that the DNA fragments were found in the macrophages, and protected from degradation because of the tight binding of the HPV16L gene fragments to the aluminum adjuvant. The fragments underwent a conformational change rendering them more ‘stable’ and resistant to degredation, perhaps explaining their presence in the blood and spleen six months post vaccine. This has been contended.

Methods in both of the above studies have been controversial and questioned and should be interpreted with caution. However, researchers from Italy compared HPV16 proteome in the vaccine to the human to proteome and found 84 identical proteins involved in cell differentiation and neurosensory regulation. According to these researchers, the homology between the vaccine and the human proteome, bound to aluminum adjuvant

“make the occurrence of side autoimmune cross-reactions in the human host following HPV16-based vaccination almost unavoidable”.

Whatever the exact culprit, in this case the cerebellar ataxia was acute and temporally related to the HPV vaccine. The favorable response to immunoadsorption and consequent reduction in IgG levels, indicates an auto-immune response.

Mitochondrial Injury, Thyroid, Thiamine and Cerebellar Ataxia

With a more slowly developing cerebellar ataxia and related symptoms, it is possible a medication induced mitochondrial injury, related to a depletion of thiamine is present. Thiamine is critical for mitochondrial function. Similarly, patients have reported cerebellar ataxias related to Hashimoto’s. Generally, when testing for both thiamine deficiency and Hashimoto’s is undertaken, both are confirmed.

Final Thoughts

This report represents one of the first clear linkages between the HPV vaccine and acute cerebellar ataxia. More importantly, it suggests a treatment opportunity when caught early. With so little data available, it is not clear whether immunoadsorption would work for more chronic cases. However, there is evidence of its success in Guillian Barre, Myasthenia Gravis and other autoimmune conditions. When combined with the early data pointing to Hashimoto’s and thiamine deficiency, paths forward post injury are emerging.

Participate in Research

Hormones MatterTM is conducting research on the side effects and adverse events associated with Gardasil and its counterpart Cervarix. If you or your daughter has had either HPV vaccine, please take this important survey. The Gardasil Cervarix HPV Vaccine Survey.

We are also conducting research adverse reactions associated with the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, Cipro, Levaquin and Avelox: The Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Side Effects Study.

To take one of our other surveys, click here.

To sign up for our newsletter and receive weekly updates on the latest research news, click here.

What Else Can I Do To Help?

Hormones MatterTM is completely unfunded at this juncture and we rely entirely on crowdsourcing and volunteers to conduct the research and produce quality health education materials for the public. If you’d like help us improve healthcare with better data, get involved. Become an advocate, spread the word about our site, our research and our mission. Suggest a study. Share a study. Join our team. Write for us. Partner with us. Help us grow. For more information contact us at: info@hormonesmatter.com.

To support Hormones Matter and our research projects – Crowdfund Us.

 

 

 

Related posts:

serotonin syndrome thiamineSerotonin Syndrome and Thiamine: Is There a Connection? thiamine dependencyThiamine Deficiency and Dependency Syndromes: Case Reports

You might be interested in

My Son’s Gardasil Story and Thiamine Deficiency

Published on
4809 views

On June 16th 2012 my son complained of ear pain, so I took him to his doctor thinking he had an ear infection. He had no infection but his doctor suggested doing a physical exam since he had not been in for a couple of years. My son had just turned 18 years old three weeks prior and just graduated from high school. He was happy, healthy, and active. After the exam I was called into the room. His doctor said he was in good health and observed no problems, but since he would be going off to college in the fall, he recommended that he should receive the meningococcal vaccine along with the Gardasil vaccine. In his words, “HPV is rampant in colleges and he should have this vaccine.” This had been my son’s physician since birth, and having no prior knowledge of the Gardasil vaccine controversy, I trusted him and agreed to these two vaccines that day.

There was absolutely no discussion of possible harmful side effects.

My son did not have any immediate reactions that I can remember, but on July 30th 2012 that all changed. We were out to lunch and when his food arrived he looked at me with a very strange look on his face and said that he just didn’t feel right, something was wrong. He could not eat that day even though he was hungry just prior. He would complain of severe stomach pain that came and went over the next few weeks.

On August 7th 2012 he received the second dose of Gardasil. His stomach pain increased in severity, but we still did not make the Gardasil connection. Who would think that a vaccine for HPV would cause stomach aches?

Just nine days after that second injection, he felt he needed to go in and see his doctor. The pain was becoming unbearable. The doctor prescribed antacids but this only made his problem worse, so he then suggested an endoscopy. The endoscopy came back completely normal. At this point his doctor felt that his stomach pain was due to stress and anxiety because he was going off to college. The doctor suggested that he should “go talk to someone.” I knew for a fact that the pain was not in his head or simply due to stress. It was real. Now, almost a year later, and with the knowledge of the possible side effects of the Gardasil vaccine, I am very angry that his doctor did not recognize “severe stomach aches” as being one of the Gardasil side effects. How did he not connect those dots, especially given the fact that my son was in his office just nine days after receiving the second dose complaining of that very thing? This recognition would have prevented him from getting that dreadful final dose.

My son left for college and soon after began developing other symptoms, mainly extreme fatigue and brain fog. He made it through the quarter and came home for Winter break. On December 27th he received the 3rd and final dose of Gardasil. The very next evening he became extremely sick. All the symptoms he had been experiencing along with many others became instantly worse. I was finally able to make the Gardasil connection. Since then he has had more symptoms than I can list, sinus headaches, pain at the base of his skull, fever, chills, hair loss, vision changes, gallbladder pain/gallstones, sleep disturbances, tingling, numbness, no appetite, weight loss, anxiety, excessive thirst, salt cravings, kidney issues, liver issues, heart palpitations, slow heartbeat, fast heartbeat, dizzy, rashes, mouth sores, yeast issues, low stomach acid… the list goes on. To this day he still suffers from many of these symptoms.

What has followed are many doctors and  many, many tests; most of which have come back normal with the exception of his most recent test. After reading Dr. Lonsdale’s article on thiamine deficiency and his recommendation for Gardasil injured to have a red cell transketolase blood test,  I immediately requested one for my son. I researched the symptoms of thiamine deficiency and he pretty much had every single one. The test came back strongly positive. He was severely thiamine deficient.

This is where we are today. We started immediate supplementation with oral alliathiamine and we are looking into possible IV supplementation, for perhaps, a quicker, more thorough improvement. I sincerely hope that this discovery might be the key to my son finally being well again and that this devastating nightmare may finally come to an end.

Participate in Research

Hormones MatterTM is conducting research on the side effects and adverse events associated with Gardasil and its counterpart Cervarix. If you or your daughter has had either HPV vaccine (we hope to launch the male version soon), please take this important survey. The Gardasil Cervarix HPV Vaccine Survey.

To take one of our other Real Women. Real Data.TM surveys, click here.

To sign up for our newsletter and receive weekly updates on the latest research news and research participation opportunities click here.

To share your health story with our community, click here.

If you think what we do at Hormones Matter is worthwhile, contribute to our research programs and our continued health research reporting. Hormones Matter is totally unfunded and can use your help to continue operations. Crowdfund Hormones Matter – Buy an Unsubscription.

 

Related posts:

diet brain diseaseChildhood Trauma, Diet, and Behavior It all comes down to energyIt All Comes Down to Energy thiamine deficiency - dry beriberi legsDiet and Medication Induced Thiamine Deficiency – Dry Beriberi thiamine limbic systemHow Can Something As Simple as Thiamine Cause So Many Problems?

You might be interested in

Five Years After Gardasil

Published on
16087 views
Ashley Adair

My name is Ashley Adair and I am suffering the side effects of something I thought would help me.  I received the Gardasil vaccine because the people and doctors all around me kept telling me “OH! This vaccine is the best thing to happen to the medical industry!” Of course my mom and I fell for it like many girls have. I want to let people know about the dark side of the Gardasil vaccine.

My Life Before Gardasil

Before the HPV Vaccine, I was the most energetic child. I went to school for 8 hours, then went to 3 hours of gymnastics practice, finishing with homework at night. My weekends were filled with gymnastics meets. After gymnastics I went straight into competition cheerleading, which were the same hours. I basically lived in the gym and loved every second of it. I was blessed. Overall I was a healthy child.

After the First Gardasil Injection

I received my first injection in April, 2008. My injection did hurt more than a normal injection. I had mild soreness and redness after. At the time, I didn’t recognize the symptoms I was having. I had slight fatigue, and I would occasionally have a very sore throat. I could not stick my tongue out and I just threw it off as an allergic reaction to chlorine because I was swimming a lot.

After the Second Gardasil Injection

The nightmare began in June, 2008. I received the second shot and I noticed it hurt a bit more than the first. I almost cried a bit, which is very much unlike me. I got a little lightheaded at the checkout line. After 30 minutes, I was fine. The very next night I told my mom I was very sick. I was crying in pain with my pelvis and legs absolutely killing me. I was running a fever and I was very nauseous. So like any parent would, she took me to the emergency room. Of course, the doctors only listen to one symptom and told me I had a stomach virus and that they couldn’t do anything for me. They sent me home.

The next day I was so exhausted and slept till about 3 o’clock. My mom came home from work.  I went outside and noticed I had some kind of rash all over my body. It looked like someone took a fine point purple permanent marker and dotted it all over me. My mom immediately took me to my regular pediatrician and he could not figure out what was on me. He ran a lot of blood work and we went home until we could receive the blood work news. My mom received a phone call around 9 o’clock; one of the scariest phone calls she has ever received. My doctor told her I needed to get back to the ER ASAP. He told her that my blood work was CRITICAL, and the rash on me was called a petechial rash.

Petechiae rashMy red blood cells and white blood cells were completely wiped out. They told me if I were to do a handstand my gums would start bleeding and I would bleed to death. If I caught a common cold my body would not be able to fight it off and I would die. Over the next six weeks I went through so many different rashes, EXTREME fatigue, joint pains, leg pains, shoulder pains, dizziness, and low blood pressure. I finally went to an infectious disease specialist and he told me not to get the third shot or I wouldn’t be here.

I finally started getting better. At the age of 15 I still had not received my menstrual cycle. I went to an OBGYN and he put me on birth control to start my period. That should have been a sign then but we didn’t think about it. I never gained my energy back. My senior year things started acting up again. I got a hemangioma on my lip.

This was very strange because it is mostly babies that will get a hemangioma, not adults. After that happened, I started getting very sick. I missed weeks of school at a time. I kept getting severe bronchitis and I just couldn’t shake it off. I also had to go to the doctor because I was very depressed. I was then put on Zoloft. Luckily my teachers worked with me and I graduated with A’s and B’s.

Ashley Adair Hemangioma post Gardasil
The hemangioma that developed on my lip.

Five Years Post Gardasil

Over the five years after I received the shot I always slept, never had energy, and kept getting what I thought was growing pains. In June of 2012 my growing pains were getting worse in my knees/legs. So my mom took me to the doctor and they couldn’t really figure out what was wrong. They put me in a knee brace and gave me medicine and sent me off. I also just did not feel good at all and my doctor ran some more blood work on me. We then found out I had hypothyroidism, I am now on medicine for that.

From June 2012 until now (August 2013), I face every day with severe pain. My pain is in my lower back, pelvic, hips, back of leg, and knee. I had eight epidurals for the pain. Nothing worked. My legs will also turn a dark purple almost black and it will travel all the way down to my feet.  No one seems to know what causes this.

Ashley Adair post Gardasil blood pooling
My leg turning purple.

I had an MRI for my back and found out that I am missing an ovary and have a mass on my uterus. Of course, when I went to the OBGYN for it, he did a sonogram and could find neither the mass nor my ovary. He threw me off like it was no big deal. I am now lost on whether I have an ovary or a mass.

I have discovered in this situation that doctors really will not try to help you. They just don’t believe you or throw you off to another doctor if they can’t figure it out. I also have lost family members because of this problem. Not everyone will believe you or know what you are going through, but I am here to get my word out so no girl or boy will have to go through the misery that I am going through. I want to create something good out of something terrible.

Participate in Research

Hormones MatterTM is conducting research on the side effects and adverse events associated with Gardasil and its counterpart Cervarix. If you or your daughter has had either HPV vaccine, please take this important survey. The Gardasil Cervarix HPV Vaccine Survey.

To take one of our other Real Women. Real Data.TM surveys, click here.

To sign up for our newsletter and receive weekly updates on the latest research news, click here.

 

Related posts:

lupron precocious pubertyShort and Long Term Consequences of Lupron for Precocious Puberty

You might be interested in

1 2