[SupaModel]

I have a really close friend who's son has Autism and because of that I personally invested in it. Now I have a son that's 8 months old and I must admit I am scared. I was in my Improve class last night and I was talking to my teacher and she was telling me her son has autism and what they are dealing now. She asked if we vax and i said yes because I am not 100% sure that's the cause. She said if there is one thing I could do is space out the MMR shot. After talking to her I just started to worry period. She said her son didnt show signs until 18 months and I just think geez im still not out of the woods. I dunno I'm just a worried mom.

[Stormster]

Ugh I know. Plus E is getting his MMR (bundle) next week! He is also getting his second flu shot (this is his first year so there are two as you know).

Maybe I should have found a practice that spreads it out but I didn't.

SOMETHING is causing this rise in autism. I wish the researchers could/would figure it out!

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by Stormster

SOMETHING is causing this rise in autism. I wish the researchers could/would figure it out!

DH said the same thing. He says we really dont know what the cause is and we cant live being scared of something that could or could not happen. He says he doesn't want to not vax and DS gets sick from something else. I agree with that. I just also don't wanna do something that could hurt him.

[Fran27]

I really don't think vaccines are the main cause. First they were accusing the mercury in them, and now it's removed and they're still blaming the vaccines. If they have an influence, it's probably not more than everything else kids get in contact with nowadays. I had a talk with my pediatrician and his view is that one of the reasons of the rise is that more and more symptoms are classified as autism now, even though they're really not 'new'.

In the end though, it's really not surprising. Just look around. There are chemicals everywhere, pollution, and unless you live in a bubble I don't think you can really avoid the exposure, even if you can afford organic and green products. At this rate we'll all die of cancer in 50 years.

[Wisdom]

I think you have a valid reason to be concerned, but of course worrying isn't healthy. I, too, had the same concern and talked with my pediatrician about vaccines (even though there's no evidence that there's a link). I didn't want our DS not to be vaccinated, but I did want them spread out and my pediatrician has been doing that. His MMR comes up at 12 months and I want to have each one done separately (measles, mumps, rubella...each one separate rather than all combined in one serum) and over a longer period of time. It will put him behind a bit on the vaccine schedule but the doctor is fine with that.

If it will make you feel better talk with your son's doctor about it and get his/her feedback. Do some reading on autism websites and be proactive with the suggestions. I read a lot before DS came home but stopped because all the info was overwhelming and I didn't want to become consumed with worry. The truth is no one knows the cause. I just do what I can--have vaccines spread out and keep DS's mind active and stimulated by interacting with him a lot.

[nikkianni]

Originally Posted by Fran27

I had a talk with my pediatrician and his view is that one of the reasons of the rise is that more and more symptoms are classified as autism now, even though they're really not 'new'.

This is my personal feeling on the issue. That's not to say that vaccines might not contribute to the autism trigger. They could...or not.
It's scary but in the end we have to make the call as parents and cross fingers and toes that we're doing the right thing.
We did decide to do the bundled MMR with DD. It was a tough decision for me, not so much for DH. He takes the same approach your DH does Supa. He really thinks that it's more important to vaccinate as advised than to take a risk on a "maybe" as he calls it.

[Stormster]

Originally Posted by Fran27

At this rate we'll all die of cancer in 50 years.

I certainly hope not!

[sbaglio]

Can someone please explain the rationale behind "spreading out the vaccines"?

[Fran27]

It's to put less pressure on the body.

[loveajax]

I thought the purpose of spreading out the MMR was because it used to contain the preservative "thimerosol" when they were bundled. Now the MMR does not....nor do the individual vaccines, as I understand it. So I'm not sure why spreading out the vaccines would help vis a vis autism??

I do think the c.rappy environment MUST be playing some role in the rise of autism rates. I also saw a study linking it to "advanced paternal age." Hopefully, they will figure out what causes autism for certain and what can be done to prevent it.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by loveajax

I also saw a study linking it to "advanced paternal age."

I hadn't heard that in relation to autism, but I find that interesting. My Ob/Gyn is an older gentleman and he firmly believes that the rise in many diagnosises - not just autism - is related to women having children older (and presumably the father is older too) as well as women having babies who would not previously been able to get pregnant and/or carry to term. And babies born prematurely or with medical conditions that would not have survived 20-30 years ago are now surviving. And also like Fran said about children being diagnosed that wouldn't have been 20years ago. Either because of increased knowledge or broadening of the definition of 'symtoms.'

Not that I am in any way saying our medical advances in reproduction or being able to save infants who would previously not have survived are a bad thing. They are great advances in my opinion. Just that I do think that they may be one of many things effecting the big picture of the rising number of children diagnosed with many things including autism. For all the medical advances we have made in the past 20-30 years, it is also scary how little we really do know.

[KarynB]

Originally Posted by sbaglio

Can someone please explain the rationale behind "spreading out the vaccines"?

You probably know more about this than I do, but the research I did said that by seperating them you eliminate the need for the binding agent which is what is suspect in causing/triggering autism. Also, by literally spacing out the vaccines, you give the body time to heal and recover so immunity is back to a good level before "assulting" it with another virus/binding agent.

We have not done MMR - DS is 2.5 - but I will do it when he is 3 or so, or if we travel, or if he starts daycare/preschool. His body will be bigger and better able to handle the vaccines.

I have also heard to be sure your child is 100% healthy before taking them in (no colds, flu, etc) and a nurse also recommened a few weeks before giving them a schedule of immune boosting vitamins - which I will be doing. I can email anyone the schedule she recommended if you are interested.

I am not 100% convinced that vaccines are linked to autism, but what is more important for me is that I am not 100% convinced they are NOT. So, while I think the benefits eventually outweigh the risks, I am going to do it my way, even if just for peace of mind.

[oceanica]

I don't know of any research linking autism to older moms and moms that use invitro or other methods for infertility.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by oceanica

I don't know of any research linking autism to older moms and moms that use invitro or other methods for infertility.

I haven't either. I just personally found my doctor's opinion interesting. Particularly in relation to Loveajax's post about a study relating to avanced paternal age.

I had never heard that before either. Most research seems to focus on vaccinations, pollution, etc.

I have no idea if my doctor is right, wrong, or totally out in left field. I just found his to be another interesting take on the subject.

[aclee]

We spaced because Tyler reacts strongly to vaxs. High temp for over 4 days and G-R-O-U-C-H-Y...for at least a week.

I would like to hold off the MMR till he's a little older. He got his first flu shot on Tuesday and we are still dealing with the fall out. It stinks. The one and only time he had all his vaxes together (2 month appointment I think) he was miserable for a week. He does a little better when we space.

I don't understand why people point to vaccination as the cause to autism and not to the millions of other chemicals that are around us and in us everyday. I'd love to see the "march" on household chemicals come as far as the march against vaccinations. Auto immune diseases are all on the rise too...it's almost impossible to know what causes those.

I have searched and searched for a study on children who are not vaxed and their rates for illness vs children who are vaxed. More than just autism though...anyone know where I could find one?

Supa, you are right, it's all scarey. All you can do is the best you can.