Injurytalk.com - Brought to you by Parker Waichman Alonso Mark, LLP

Hello.... This is a hard question to answer... I have been a nurse since
1988, and I have never had to take the Hep B vaccine, UNTIL I began a new job, in a state run psychiaric facility. The number of patients, in this psychiatric facility with active Hepatitis is HIGH, so in order to protect myself, I thought it *might* be wise to take the series of vaccines. I started taking the vaccine for Hep. B in November 2002... I an NOW, having medical problems which may indicate they *could be* a side effect of the Hep. B vaccine itself.

Some of the side effects I am having are: arthritis pain that is now spreading to other joints and worsening (espicially my feet...almost unbearable at times...I *thought* this might be Gout, but my uric acid level is normal); numbness and tingling in hands and feet; "restless leg syndrome"; hypertension ( 140/100 consistantly in this range for over a month now...NEVER had high BP in my life and I am 44 yr old); "possible" DVT in my right leg; pitting edema in both feet, right worse than left; blurred vision also worsening despite prescription glasses; dizziness; hair loss; periods of confusion; and a positive ANA. Mine is homogenous (smooth); reading of positive 1:360,( normal positive is 1:80) which SUGGESTS SLE (systemic lupus) OR chronic active hepatitis. From all Ive read on SLE and chronic active hepatitis, it could also be DRUG INDUCED SLE...IF mine is drug induced SLE, it can ONLY be from the vaccine itself, as I have never been on any routine medication in my life, until 6 weeks ago, when I was placed on Mobic for the increasing arthritis pain, and THIS vaccine for Hep. B is the ONLY medication I have taken...I go see a Rheumatologist tomarrow so once I have a definite diagnosis, I will know more BUT my suggestion is, IF you do take the vaccine, FIRST have your MD draw a ANA profile, and see if yours is normal to start with, so that IF you do take the vaccine, and months later start having problems like I am, at least THEN you may know for sure IF the vaccine itself, caused it or not...

Edited to add the absolute WORST "new" symptom since I recieved the vaccine  is CHRONIC FATIGUE  SYNDROME... I have days where I liteterally have to force myself, to get out of bed, and go to work, do my job the best I can, and can only do minimal household work and usually just on my days off, a little at a time ....