Vaccines

[Dawn Meyers]

Hi I have celiac disease and the dermatitis herpetiformis rash Also other autommune diseases.  I have had bad side effects to all the vaccines I have had and now my Doctor wants me to have the pneumonia vaccine.  I am concerned because of some of the bad side effects I have had in the past example Hep B after shot couldn't  move arm for several months.  Flu shot and COVID was sick right after shot. Told not to get anymore. My lung is inflamed and have a cough I can't seem to get rid of. Very concerned 😟. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Dawn Meyers!

Are you currently on immunosuppressant medications for your various autoimmune disorders?

[Dawn Meyers]

I am on Otzela for my psoriasis an psoriasis arthritis.  They tried pretizon and I got sick on it. ( the doctor at urgent care). Need to see my doctor but he seems puzzled by me. My celiac disease is unresponsive and my numbers are off the chart.  ( 2nd testing went higher but Mayo said they might never go down because I have it so bad) Came back home considering going back to Mayo.

[trents]

Dawn, are you diligent with the gluten free diet? When were you diagnosed with celiac disease?

Edited February 12 by trents

[Dawn Meyers]

Yes no gluten in my diet. I get so sick that I have to go to the ER for fluids and medicine. I was diagnosed in 2017 but was told I probably have had it my whole life. (Went to Mayo in 2019 to confirm diagnoses and address all other autommune issues ect.) Also intolerance to sugar alcohols and chicory root. Try to eat clean and stay away from processes foods. 

[Scott Adams]

You did not mention your age, but depending on how old you are it makes a big difference on how important it is to get a flu vaccine. 

[trents]

Dawn, yes, once the genes that give the potential for the development of celiac disease are "turned on" so to speak, they will be on for the rest of your life. It is not something that is cured or comes and goes but something that must be managed. Eliminating major sources of gluten from one's diet is pretty straight forward but many don't realize the multitude of places and ways gluten is hidden in the food supply and sneaks its way into our eats. So, eating "lower gluten' is easy but attaining a consistently and truly gluten free state is much harder and requires diligence. I am linking this article that might be of help to you in that regard:

 

[Dawn Meyers]

I'm 63 

Thank you for the article. I have worked with Dietitian at Mayo and also had breath testing done. They felt I was following a strict gluten-free diet along with eliminating sugar alcohol and chicory root. Also don't eat a lot meat, eggs and peppers. Because I get so sick I use only gluten-free products for my skin food medicine my pet food is gluten-free and I live alone so all my cooking stuff is all brand new prior to being diagnosed.  I buy only organic certified gluten free products and if not sure  look up or just don't eat or use. The Dermatologist at Mayo gave me a list of gluten-free products that I can use. ( personal products,  laundry detergent, I use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning ) . I ask family and friends to not bring  anything  in to my home that has gluten in it. I have tried  everything and my numbers still off the charts.   So as for the pneumonia vaccine I question if it has anything in it that will react negative in me? 

[trents]

Since we don't know what you reacting to when you get vaccinated, we can't say whether or not the pneumonia vaccine will cause a reaction. Is there some common ingredient in these vaccines that is causing a reaction. I mean, with many vaccines the antigen is delivered via a solution containing albumin (chicken egg protein). Some people are allergic to chicken egg protein so they can't take those vaccines. That kind of thing.

When you say your "numbers are off the chart", what numbers do you refer to? Are you referring to celiac disease antibodies?

Edited February 12 by trents

[captaincrab55]

8 hours ago, Dawn Meyers said:

Hi I have celiac disease and the dermatitis herpetiformis rash Also other autommune diseases.  I have had bad side effects to all the vaccines I have had and now my Doctor wants me to have the pneumonia vaccine.  I am concerned because of some of the bad side effects I have had in the past example Hep B after shot couldn't  move arm for several months.  Flu shot and COVID was sick right after shot. Told not to get anymore. My lung is inflamed and have a cough I can't seem to get rid of. Very concerned 😟. 

Hi Dawn,   Back in the Fall of 2019 with Covid looming I considered getting a pneumonia vaccine.  I went as far as getting in line and reading the pamphlet and saw the warning about not getting it if you ever had a reaction to diphtheria.  I instantly recalled a tetanus booster shot in 1971 that caused a severe reaction.  Tetanus booster shots include diphtheria.  I haven't had a tetanus shot since, but recent lab results show that I have many timed the immunity required.  Good Luck.

 

[pdm1981]

I've been to the Mayo Clinic. Outstanding place. Did they test to see if you might have refractory celiac disease? This may explain why the symptoms persist but what numbers are off the charts? Are they antibodies, liver enzymes?

[trents]

pdm1981 asks what I was also thinking. That is, refractory celiac disease.

[Dawn Meyers]

 

Antibodies my number is in 500's. COVID hit and I was  layed off from my job so no insurance (was in Arizona) so couldn't complete all the other testing they wanted to do. Back home and contacted Minnesota Mayo and they take my new insurance so considering going back in spring. 

[pdm1981]

When I went to the Mayo Clinic back in 21' it was pretty amazing. The doctor sat and went over everything with me for a couple hours. I finally had to ask him if he had other patient to see. He said that not until he was done with me. I went back to my hotel room that day after some blood work and then got an itinerary of tests to be done over the next 5 days. It was unbelievable. I had what would've been 4 years of testing back home done in 5 days. I went home at the end of 5 days and got my results a week later on a zoom call. EPI and rapid gastric emptying syndrome. I do have celiac disease but that wasn't the cause of my continued symptoms. Those people up there are great. Wouldn't that be amazing if all medical care was like that? 

That's weird that the antibodies are that high. Hopefully it's not refractory celiac disease. Good luck.

[Dawn Meyers]

Mayo is great and yes I had the same experience.  They take you seriously and they check everything.  I to wish other Dr's cared that much. I sure hope it's not refractory celiac also.

 

[Scott Adams]

For individuals who have experienced negative reactions to the flu vaccine, there are alternative formulations that may reduce the risk of allergic responses. Traditional flu vaccines are typically produced using egg-based methods, which can pose issues for those with egg allergies. However, there are now several egg-free options available, such as cell-based and recombinant flu vaccines.

Recombinant Vaccines (e.g., Flublok Quadrivalent): These are produced without the use of eggs and are grown in insect cells, making them a suitable option for individuals with egg allergies.

Cell-Based Vaccines (e.g., Flucelvax Quadrivalent): These vaccines are also egg-free and are produced using mammalian cell cultures, which can be a safer alternative for those with egg allergies.

Other Considerations: If you have had a reaction to a specific component of the flu vaccine (e.g., gelatin, preservatives, or antibiotics), discussing your medical history with a healthcare provider is crucial. They can help identify vaccines that exclude these ingredients.

It's important to consult with an allergist or healthcare provider to determine the safest option based on your specific allergies and medical history. They can also provide guidance on pre-vaccination testing or desensitization protocols if necessary.

Also, at @trents mentioned, could you be getting hidden gluten in your diet? Do you eat in restaurants? If so, this could be why you still have high gluten antibodies.

[Dawn Meyers]

I did some research and found out that vaccines put preservatives, sugar alcohols and metals in them. Which I have a intolerance too.  I was supposed to do testing to find out metal's I was allergic to because I can't  wear jewelry of any kind. Mayo felt I had other allergies also.

[Scott Adams]

It’s true that some vaccines contain small amounts of preservatives, stabilizers, or adjuvants to ensure their safety and effectiveness. For example:

• Thimerosal: A preservative that contains ethylmercury (not to be confused with methylmercury, which is toxic). Most routine vaccines no longer contain thimerosal, except for some flu vaccines in multi-dose vials.
• Aluminum: Used in very small amounts as an adjuvant to boost the immune response. The amount is far below levels considered harmful, but if you suspect an aluminum allergy, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.
• Sugar alcohols: These are sometimes used as stabilizers, but they are generally well-tolerated. If you have a known intolerance, you can ask about specific ingredients in each vaccine.

Since you mentioned an intolerance to metals and jewelry, it’s a good idea to follow up with allergy testing, as you planned. This can help identify specific metals (e.g., nickel, aluminum) to avoid. Your doctor can then guide you on whether any vaccine ingredients might be a concern. Since the Mayo Clinic has already identified potential allergies, it might be helpful to consult an allergist or immunologist. They can review your medical history, perform tests, and provide personalized advice on vaccines and their ingredients. While it’s important to address your intolerances, it’s also worth considering the risks of not being vaccinated. Many vaccine-preventable diseases can have serious consequences, especially for those with underlying health conditions. 

[Beverage]

I feel for you. I've had an interesting history with some vaccine, especially t-DAP. One time after just getting it, I remember walking from the pharmacy to my car, reaching for the door handle of my car as my last memory, then waking up slumped into my car with the door wide open hours later. Nobody even knew I was there. I did get a bad cut from rotting rusty wood and probably animal droppings, and it had been 10 years, so I got a booster recently, but took someone with me. My doc back then did say he was concerned about my reactions to vaccines, but we never talked about what alternatives there might be.

What is your risk when you do get sick? For me, I almost always end up needing prednisone and antibiotics and have to crawl back to life for months after those are done, prednisone really messes me up, raises my blood pressure to stroke levels, and the antibiotics mess up my intestines really bad. I have to take mega doses of C and D and B's, especially flush niacin, and probiotics.  So preventing flu is critical for me since I always get a long term negative effect from the treatment.

I did a lot of research, traditional and alternative medicine, and they all say high vitamin D levels are crucial to so many kinds of illnesses, including flu, cancer, etc.  People with high D during covid had much better outcomes.  I always tested low in D even with high oral supplementation of D3 and K2.  So last year I saved up and bought a real vitamin D lamp, not one of those cheapie ones that you can get on Amazon that don't work, seriously, those are junk.

Wow what a difference with a real D Lamp. We haven't been sick all year, which is rare for me, even after being around several sick people or people that came down sick just after visiting. I use the lamp about every other day or if I've been in a group of people or around anyone sick.  I have not yet had my D levels retested since starting with it (will do that at annual check up later this year), but I have not gotten a cold or flu (knock on wood), feel better than usual for a cold wet winter in the NorthWest, and my hair is growing in like crazy, all signs of improved vitamin D levels.

It doesn't take long to use, just a few seconds and first and gradually build up. I now do it for a count of 200, which is about 3 minutes. I don't remember all the details on how the body creates its own vitamin D, but I do remember that the body makes a reaction on the skin and you don't want to wash that off for a few hours.  So I do the D Lamp right after my shower, not before.  There are 2 reputable ones that I found in my research:

Sperti Vitamin D Lamp uses florescent tubes, you stand and turn in front of it, be sure to get the VITAMIN D LAMP, not the tanning lamp:  https://www.sperti.com/product/sperti-vitamin-d-light-box/

Chroma Vitamin D Lamp is LED's, you can stand and turn in front of it or hold it in your hand and wave it over your body, always keeping it moving so you don't burn:  https://getchroma.co/products/d-light-vitamin-d-light-device-uvb-red-nir

AND YOU MUST WEAR SPECIFIC EYE PROTECTION WHEN USING, KEEP ALL PETS AND OTHERS AWAY, THE GLASSES ARE PROVIDED WITH THE D LAMP.

I got the Chroma D Lamp when they had a huge sale last year, it's a small start-up company in Seattle.  Sperti is a larger longer term well known, and you can sign up for a 10% discount on their web site.  If Chroma had not had the sale when I was going to buy one, the Sperti would have been fine. They both often have back orders on them, but they do deliver as promised.

I have read various articles on the effectiveness of the flu vaccine for example, not always highly effective every year.  Since your risk with vaccines is high, or if your risk of bad illness if you get sick is high, maybe consider how to mitigate both in another way, perhaps a D Lamp. 

[Scott Adams]

The flu vaccine is indeed not 100% effective every year, as its effectiveness varies depending on how well the vaccine strains match the circulating flu viruses. However, even in years when the match is less than perfect, the flu vaccine still provides significant benefits. Studies consistently show that vaccinated individuals who contract the flu often experience milder symptoms, a lower risk of complications, and a reduced likelihood of hospitalization or death compared to those who are unvaccinated. For high-risk groups, such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health conditions, the flu vaccine remains a critical tool for reducing severe outcomes.

Regarding the mention of risks associated with vaccines, it’s important to note that the flu vaccine is generally very safe for most people. Serious side effects are extremely rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks for the vast majority of individuals. If someone has specific concerns about vaccine safety due to medical conditions or allergies, they should consult their healthcare provider to discuss their options.

As for alternative measures like a D Lamp (ultraviolet light disinfection), while these can be useful for reducing pathogens in the environment, they are not a substitute for vaccination. The flu virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, and personal protection measures like hand hygiene, masking, and improving indoor ventilation can complement vaccination but cannot replace its targeted immune protection.

[knitty kitty]

On 2/12/2025 at 6:25 PM, Dawn Meyers said:

I did some research and found out that vaccines put preservatives, sugar alcohols and metals in them. Which I have a intolerance too.  I was supposed to do testing to find out metal's I was allergic to because I can't  wear jewelry of any kind. Mayo felt I had other allergies also.

If you have poor reactions to vaccines, preservatives, sugar alcohols and metals, you may be deficient in Thiamine Vitamin B1.  Thiamine is needed in the immune response and production of antibodies.  Thiamine can be depleted by vaccines if you are already low to begin with due to the Malabsorption of Celiac Disease.  Thiamine can be destroyed by sulfide preservatives in vaccines, which can result in the body's poor response to vaccines.  Thiamine also chelates metals which allows those metals to be removed in the feces.  Chelation removes thiamine from the body, resulting in a state of thiamine deficiency.  Sugar alcohols need to be processed through the liver using thiamine.  Again, if you're low in thiamine as many Celiac are because of the Malabsorption of celiac disease, vaccines can be a tipping point, resulting in a thiamine deficient state.

High doses of Thiamine required to correct thiamine deficiency states are safe and nontoxic.  Thiamine has no toxicity level.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins need to be taken together because they interact together to sustain health.  

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25542071/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8533683/

[Scott Adams]

I just want to mention again that IF thimerosal is used in a flu vaccine the amount of ethylmercury in a single vaccine dose would be extremely small, typically around 25 micrograms (µg) or less. For context, this is much lower than the levels of methylmercury found in some seafood. Ethylmercury is metabolized and excreted from the body much faster than methylmercury. Its half-life in the blood is about 7 days, compared to methylmercury, which can persist for months. The dose of ethylmercury in vaccines is far below the threshold known to cause toxicity so would not require chelation.

[GeoPeanut]

Hi, I'm new here. Sorry for your troubles.herenis a thought to mull over. I recently was diagnosed with celiac disease,  and hashimoto's and dermatitis herpetiformis after getting covid 19. I eat butter, and 1/2 cup of Nancy's yogurt daily. I stopped all other dairy and  dermatitis herpetiformis is gone! I also make grass fed beef bone broth to help with myopathy that has occurred. 

[trents]

@GeoPeanut, milk is one of the better sources of iodine. Iodine is known to exacerbate dermatitis herpetiformis. Many people find that a low iodine diet helps them avoid dermatitis herpetiformis outbreaks. So, maybe the fact that you have limited your dairy intake of late is helping with that.

[GeoPeanut]

I had no idea! Thank you.