Did anybody here become autistic after vaccinations?

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I totally agree (as will every geneticist out there), that it definitely isn't 100% genetic because if it were the monozygotic concordance rate would be 100% and it's not. For identical twins to receive the same diagnosis, the concordance rate ranges, but at its lowest is about 60%-- which for genetics, is a high concordance rate btw. For a concordance of ASC and a Broader Autistic Phenotype-- meaning that both twins show at least some autistic traits-- the concordance is around 90% (according to Bailey et al.-- can't remember year at the moment). And even though that means these are HIGHLY genetic conditions, anything below a 100% concordance rate means the environment does play some part in the development of ASC and the degree to which traits develop. There is a % difference between the genotype (actual genes) and the phenotype (gene expression).

My post was just a vent, nothing to be taken that seriously. I said that many (apparently NT) mothers of autistic kids are very vocal about how having an autistic child has affected their own lives, dreams, marriages, etc. Yes, their being able to express their frustrations freely is a good thing. Yes, raising an autistic child must often be terribly frustrating. I never criticized potentially-ASD parents for showing a lack of empathy for their children. I was referring to NT-appearing mothers in the media who (yes, just IMO) seem to have more sympathy for themselves than empathy for their autistic children. That's all I meant, just a "generalization," like you said.

The CDC has recently softened their statement of "NO LINK TO MMR VACCINE". Their new statement says we are just not sure.

It is true the original study linking vaccine to autism was flawed but that does not mean there is no link.
It makes sense to me that if you are predisposed to autism by genetics and your diet makes you more vulnerable to autism, if you combine these things with the vaccine it could be enough to push someone into autism. I think when we hear so many mothers say they saw a change in their child after the MMR vaccine we need to pay attention.

We have to have an open mind that there is likely many different contributing factors, so limiting those factors (gluten, casein, vaccine) is wise. At least have the common sense not to stack all these factors on top of each other.

We have 2 young sons and we like to travel outside the US but we are very concerned about vaccinations. I am AS and my wife is NT. We are not going to vaccinate until my boys have been completely gluten and casein free for 6 months. I think this gives them the best chance to NOT have a problem from the MMR shot.

There is no conclusive proof as of now so it makes all the sense in the world to limit the dangers however you can, especially if autism runs in the family. ie an aspie parent.

Have there been any possible issues with vaccines since the mercury was removed though?

Found of FDA website.

"Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial). Since the 1930s, it has been widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life threatening contamination with harmful microbes. Over the past several years, because of an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels of organomercurials and because of the increased number of thimerosal containing vaccines that had been added to the infant immunization schedule, concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised. Indeed, because of these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has worked with, and continues to work with, vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines.

Thimerosal has been removed from or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine (see Table 1). A preservative-free version of the inactivated influenza vaccine (contains trace amounts of thimerosal) is available in limited supply at this time for use in infants, children and pregnant women. Some vaccines such as Td, which is indicated for older children (≥ 7 years of age) and adults, are also now available in formulations that are free of thimerosal or contain only trace amounts. Vaccines with trace amounts of thimerosal contain 1 microgram or less of mercury per dose."

YOU MUST REQUEST VACCINES WITH LOWER THIMEROSAL. Most Dr. give the higher thimerosal shots because they are less expensive. Ask for the mercury free shot, do not accept the regular shots. It will cost you a few dollars more but it is worth it. If the Dr. doesn't have the lower mercury shot ask him to order one and you will have to go back to the Dr. the day it arrives. If they refuse to do that go to a different Dr.

The FDA and Dr. say there is an "acceptable level of mercury." Do not be fooled THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF MERCURY. Do not accept shots containing mercury. DO NOT GET AMALGAM DENTAL FILLINGS, they contain mercury that leaches into you central nervous system. If you need a filling get ceramic.

Mercury poisoning (also known as mercurialism or hydrargyria, or acrodynia when affecting children) is a disease caused by exposure to mercury or its toxic compounds. Mercury is a cumulative heavy metal poison which occurs in its elemental form, inorganically as salts, or organically as organomercury compounds; the three groups vary in effects due to differences in their absorption and metabolism, among other factors.[1] However, with sufficient exposure all mercury-based toxins damage the central nervous system and other organs or organ systems such as the liver or gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms typically include sensory impairment (vision, hearing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. The type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend up on the individual toxin, the dose, and the method and duration of exposure.

Due to its toxicity, there have been campaigns in many countries to ban mercury altogether.

THIMERISOL IN VACCINES IS 50% MERCURY.

And for God's sake, don't eat fish! It has mercury. And meat! And don't breathe! The air has mercury in it because of coal fired power plants! Argh!

There's a payoff in everything you do. It would be great to have no exposure to mercury at all, but in tiny amounts, it won't do you any harm. Tuna's a wonderful source of Omega-3 fatty acids, extremely beneficial to the brain, but also contains mercury. It's a payoff. I like tuna, I just try not to eat too much of it.

Thermisol was always banned in the Scandanavian countries, but they've seen the same increase in autism rates the rest of us have, and IIRC they're cutting it out of vaccines in most EU countries, including the UK. As inclusion has dropped, there seems to have been no effect on rates of autism. The whole thing was a great big scare based on nothing. While overall it can't hurt to take the thermisol out, especially as environmental exposure to mercury primarily through fish is increasing (thank Bush for eviscerating the mercury emission limitations in the US upon coming into office), this isn't something I can imagine ever becoming concerned about. I'd far rather deal with environmental emissions if I'm going to worry about mercury at all.

Frankly, if there is a vulnerability in some autistic people within the methylation pathway (the pathway which flushes various oxidative agents, of which mercury is included, from the body) then it is likely not simply relegated to just mercury alone. It is very possible there would be numerous agents which could affect the CNS.

Looking at mercury alone is like looking at someone in a vacuum and just adding a single variable. That isn't how life develops.

Smaller amounts of mercury are going to have different effects than larger more toxic amounts (which the classic "mercury poisoning" symptoms are based on) so attempting to compare classic mercury poisoning with superficial traits of autism is ridiculous.

The methylation pathway is intricately intertwined with the immune system, the immune system is intertwined with the endocrine system (for those who find evidence of the endocrine system playing a role in ASC develop such as Baron-Cohen's EMB), the endocrine system is intertwined with the CNS, the CNS with the immune system, and the methylation pathways. These alone are four systems, not counting the remainder of the physiologic systems, which are in a constant feedback loop with one another. And each of these systems interact with the outside or invading environments.

At the same time, what with further research into theories on intra- and inter-cortical connectivity, there is good evidence to suggest that there are more numerous pyramidal cell columns (minicolumns) in the neocortex, denser columns, with less neuropil space in between in autism. There is greater intracortical white matter to accomodate these more numerous columns. HOWEVER, in order for this to have occurred during development, the progenitors of these cells columns, which would have decided not the number of cells per columns but the total number of columns, differentiation (or in other words, autism) would've had to occur within the first 10 weeks of gestational life.

This is not to say that environment only plays a role postnatally, because the placenta is a world unto itself but not always impermeable. But it suggests that either this is the development of autism regardless of environment, or environmental factors such as mentioned above play a very early role.

The only problem is to not think of these developments as pathological, as one is prone to do when speaking of "differences" or "abnormalities" in any given bodily system. Evolution is a good enough teacher to show us that no traits which affect reproductive success will pervade a large number within a species if there weren't some natural benefit wreaped from them.

Example: We as autistics may be more prone, as a population, to allergies. This is certainly a downside and could be considered "abnormal". However, it is entirely possible that this trait may be closely linked with a BENEFIT in survival and hence reproductive success. Perhaps our immune systems are particularly adapted to avoiding or surviving illnesses which would have killed most people off, such as the plague or tuberculosis. On WP, in an earlier thread, it's already been anecdotally suggested that, despite our allergies, we as a whole tend to be less prone to more common illnesses.

I think there is some benefit to ridding one's perspective of "normal versus pathological" because Evolution knows no pathology. Either each new creature is more or less able to reproduce successfully. And if successful, their genes have a greater chance of continuing to be passed on. There are no mistakes in Evolution; only success or failure.

I don't believe vaccinations cause autism.

Childhood illness such as measles, however, can result in high fevers and encephalitis, with tragic results. Many of these children wind up with severe brain damage. If a pregnant woman gets rubella, the baby can wind up blind, deaf or mentally handicapped, with serious deformities.

I simply believe I was different from the time I was born, but the greater manifestations of AS didn't surface until I was around five years old.

I think that my nerve cells are different, the part of the nerve that the electric stimulus signal goes to the part of the brain that translates social interaction is severed or missing. I saw a picture of the nerve cell on the internet somewhere with the part missing. As a result, the message goes straight up the nerve without having to translate what it means socially. We think faster and respond to stimuli faster, hence the hyper-sensitivity on our senses. We use memories of social situations to understand what is needed socially. This makes us tired in social situations, because we have to use memory to understand what to do. I think this caused my brain to re-wire itself at birth when introduced to stimuli. I have two boys who have this also, so I think it is genetic. I think my brothers and sisters have it also.

Coffee - an important stimulant needed for operator alertness in the morning.

mojo123

I've written about this elsewhere on WP-- there seems to be a much higher prevalence of Rh- blood among autistics and schizophrenics. Perhaps the current rise in autism is not due to the ingredients of Rhogam but rather due to the fact that Rhogam has allowed Rh- women to contribute to the genepool at a rate unprecedented in human history. As before Rhogam, nature had a cruel if effective way of curtailing Rh- mothers' genetic contribution (infant hemolytic disease). This all changed in 1968. If Rh- women are more likely to carry autistic genes, then the current rise of autism in the developed world could be directly attributed to their increased reproductive abilities. It would only take a generation or two to dramatically alter the genepool.

That's very true. As a species, we seem to be breeding more and more successfully, particularly due to medical intervention.

I for one would not likely have made it out of the womb. Rh- as one factor, but it is recognized that as a subpopulation, we auties tend to have more prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal complications, many which can be deadly without intervention. And then many of us go on to have our own autistic kids. So like you said, more autistic genes.

I had a bad reaction to the MMR vaccine: convulsions, rash, myoclonic jerks, fever, etcetera.

However, I had this vaccine at 36 months; I had signs of autism within the first 12 months of my life.

I had a milder version of some of those symptoms to flu shots as a child and young teenager.

My mother has gotten the flu (coincidentally they say) more times following flu shots then she has without them, hehe.

I don't know if any vaccinations came me this s**t, but I definately wasn't born with it. I learned to sit up at 6 months, I crawled by 9 months, and I walked by 11 months. I can't remember when I said my first word, but it was the average age. And I was a typical toddler. I was a happy toddler, but I did cry like the average toddler - I wasn't placid at all. I used to whine like a normal toddler. I was no different to what my NT cousin was when she was a toddler. The preschool assistants didn't notice anything different about me at all, and I didn't delay any social development either.

But it all seemed to start the day I started school, after 4 years of no AS symptoms signals at all. I was frightened apparently, my social development decreased, I suddenly lacked in intelligence with maths, I was an awkward student at school, I had to get assessed and
statemented. . . And then I was all of a sudden diagnosed with this AS s**t - which now I feel confused about because I seem to show more Dyspraxia symptoms. (Along with high anxiety, but my mum suffers from that bad too, and she's an NT). So I do not know what triggered off this AS over night. I was an NT on Sunday 4 September 1994, and converted into an Aspie on Monday 5 September 1994 onwards to this very day (2010).

Was this a horrible act from god?