Cate, a writer at Eco Child's Play, posted a story I think that everyone, regardless of whether or not they are thinking of getting themselves or a loved one the Gardasil vaccine, but especially if they are, should read.
Recently, Gardasil researcher Dr. Diane Harper spoke out against the vaccine, warning parents to decide whether the risks are worth it. For many families, the adverse effects of this shot have changed their lives.
This is the start of a series sharing the stories of these brave families.
Here is the story of Brittney Fiste, as told by her mother Roxie.
“Everyone deserves to know the whole truth before blindly rushing out to take an unproven vaccine.”
Brittney was a strong, healthy, intelligent young woman only beginning to start her life when her doctor pressured her into the Gardasil vaccine. Just days after the first injection, she started having serious symptoms including absence seizures and syncope, and within less than 2 weeks, severe leg pain started. More serious symptoms started after the second injection, including Brittney ending up in a wheelchair and losing a dangerous amount of weight, and full blown seizures occurring. She experiences severe head pressure, and fluid built up at the base of her skull, as well as blurred vision to this day. She did not receive the third injection.
After many doctor's visits and sleepless nights, Britney is no longer having seizures and can walk for small amounts of time with cuff crutches. A diet that has helped others that had the Gardasil injections has helped Brittney gain the weight back, but head and neck pressure are still a problem, her eyes are still blurry, and her legs are numb from the knees down.
This vaccine has a very short research period and there is no proof that it really is effective against cervical cancer as the pharmaceutical company advertises it to be. Further, we have been in contact with many other Gardasil victims with many of the same symptoms as Britt. I’ve consulted with several doctors and vaccine research scientists who do not believe that Gardasil is safe or effective. Too many girls have not only been injured, but have died after receiving this vaccine.
Never let anyone, not even your doctor, pressure you into a treatment you are unsure about. Do your research, and do A LOT of it.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Great post. I got the shot, in a hasty manner because I thought "hey, it can't be bad for me". Turns out I was wrong and it could have made me seriously sick. Although there are benefits for some women, I believe that through false advertising this shot has become much to widely used without further research being done.
September 15th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
This is very interesting that the Gaurdasil vaccine may not be safe, this is actually the first place I have heard this.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Wow this crazy how bad these side effects are! I am so glad to see someone's story told in hopes of saving others from the same type of serious health issues. The public should be MORE aware of the risks associated with these new drugs!
September 16th, 2009 at 3:36 am
This kind of thing makes me really angry, why do some doctors not make it clear was risks are associated with certain types of vaccines.
Hopefully a full recovery will ensue for this poor woman, but what if it doesn´t? It does not bear thinking about.
September 16th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I think it might be a little irresponsible to post an anecdote like this without some context. According to the CDC, 25 million does of Gardasil were distributed, and in only .05 percent of those were serious illnesses reported, and even these had "no common medical pattern" between them. Consider what percentage of the population gets seriously ill each day, with no vaccine to blame. Now consider that "more than 17,300 HPV-associated cancers occur yearly in women." So, statistically, you're much better off getting the vaccine than not. I'm glad I got it.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:49 am
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September 18th, 2009 at 1:27 am
I was shocked to read this news, Stefanie. I felt sorry for Brittney. Hopefully, she's able to recover very soon...
September 19th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for sharing this story. I have two girls, ages 4 and 7, and have been watching the Gardasil controversy closely. My little ones will NOT be getting this particular vaccination!