May
Is it still safe? On my visit to the OBGYNE last week, I was given a shot of Gardasil quadrivalent. I’m aware that there is an anti cervical cancer drug being administered by OB/doctors only. My mistake is that I did not check the drug first before getting injected, thinking there will be no serious side effects. When I check the web yesterday, I read a lot of serious side effects and even death cases related to Gardasil. Do I still need to get the two other shots if im beyond the prescribed age? I was also thinking of printing the articles and discuss it with the OB? She did not reiterated to me that’s should be for girls under 26. Relatively scared now. Help.
Answer:
Here's the thing:
Gardasil has had a big amount of reports of heart attack, often causing death. It's not a safe thing right now to be taking, but if you do decide to do it, here's some info for you.
Some women don't know that when you go for your yearly checkup and get a PAP smear it's for the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV (hence the term PAP, short for Papilloma). Many times this test won’t find any abnormal results, but you’ll still be infected with HPV. If you’ve warts anywhere, such as your fingers or toes, you most likely already are infected with HPV, although your PAP smear won't come back with any abnormal results.
The reason they put an age limit on the shot is because by a certain age, you have already nearly certainly been exposed and/or infected with HPV. Most women contract it in high school, either through sex or other activites (you can get it from sharing drinks, etc in some cases). The shot isn't any less effective after the age limit, you just are assumed to have contracted it by then and therefore the shot is of tiny use to you. If you don't think you’ve been infected, then it is your choice whether or not to get the other shots.
The best advice I can give you is to be well informed and follow your instincts. If you are so concerned about the side effects that you are seriously questioning completing the shot regimen, then I personally wouldn't. But if you think it's a good idea after learning the side effects, then get the shots, and keep a close eye on your health. At this first sign of anything wrong (look up the symptoms of the side effects they have listed for the shot, you can look them up on WebMD and read articles including symptoms) get yourself to the doctor right away.
Like all new drugs, there are going to be some snags and issues once it gets out into the public. The reason is, they test these on their groups using relatively healthy people. It doesn't give them enough of a variance in the test subjects to see an abnormal response, like heart attack. I personally will never use a drug unless it has been on the market for a minimum of 3 years, because almost all side effects and problems have been discovered and fixed by then.
Just take care of yourself, and be well informed. Then make your decision. If you want my opinion, I would answer your question with a “no”, but it's your body and you must decide for yourself. I think it is a good idea to print the articles and have a good, long, and thorough discussion with your physician, because she should treat your worries as if they were her own and discuss them all fully with you. If she doesn't find a different physician, because you need one that’ll truly listen to your worries and issues and be willing to go in depth on these things with you. After all, it's your life, and you’ve to live with the after effects of these things, so make sure you're getting the attention you deserve. Hope that helps you some.
Answer:
Yes, it is still safe. Don't worry. It is a vaccine, not a drug. There’s a lot of vaccine misinformation on the internet. All vaccines, drugs and herbs have side effects, most are very rare. You give enough people a peanut butter sandwich, some will develop an allergic reaction and die.
The reason they don't give it to adult women is it is usually pointless. Most women contract the virus gardasil protects you from from sex, and the vaccine is useless once you are already infected.
Answer:
Krista , you’re wrong. PAP is short for papanicolau test which is a test to check if you’ve cervical cancer. If you wanna be tested for HPV you can get tested during your PAP test too if you request.
I was also told by my dr to get the Gardasil but I decided not to after I saw a documentary, where they showed girls being severly sick. Those are rare cases, but still I didnt wanted to take a chance. I think Pharma companies come up with vaccines for money and not so much bec we need them. Maybe if you’re worried you shouldnt continue the shots. U should speak to your dr first.
Answer:
Ok lets sort out myth from fact.
First… Gardasil is *NOT* an anti cervical cancer drug. Its a vaccine against the 4 strains of the human papiloma virus that have been linked to cervical cancer. It doesnt prevent cancer, it vaccinates you from those strains of HPV just the same way the mmr vaccinates against measles, mumps and reubella.
Next, yes, some people have had serious reactions, including a handful of deaths. They are a result of allergic reaction or interactions with other drugs. Someone somewhere has had a negative and serious reaction to *every* medicine available, including the tylonal or aspirin you have in your house.
Yes, you still need to take the other two shots. They’re a series of shots, just like several other vaccines. You get the first shot, the other two are boosters.
Next, you are beyond the perscribing age not because its unsafe for your age. Rather, because they assume someone your age would likely already have hpv. Its a virus that nearly everyone has. So right now, they are focusing on vaccinating younger poeple who likely haven’t been exposed to it yet. Since hpv is an std, they’re targeting girls who likely have not had sex yet. Chances are if you’ve ever had unprotected sex as most people your age have, you’ve been exposed and may already have it.
You’ve no reason to be scared. You should feel free to print and discuss with your doc, but you have no reason to be scared.
Answer:
I think it is perfectly safe for you to take it and you shouldn't worry. The vaccine is made for girls between the ages of 9 and 26, so it is designed for you.
in my thought i think you’ll be fine and should follow through with the next two doses.
the website says it is okay to have the shot once you’re sexually active, and it is your choice to even get the injection. Because there are cases of people dying from bad side effects and allergic reactions, i would still take precautions.
check in with your physician and see what his or her view is on the matter and go from there.