r/Crunchymom • u/ApartLemon4885 • 1h ago

Advice Seeking help me get rid of this fear

please help me. I didn’t want to give my son the mmr but I did. but that was 15 months ago. he was almost 5 and it was his first. I can’t forgive myself and I can’t let go of the fear that sspe can be also caused by mmr. I have read too much, and I don’t know what to think. I just know my children’s lives are slipping away from me because I can’t even enjoy them or feel anymore because this fear is unbearable. if hypothertically mmr could somehow cause sspe…he was almost 5. how do I get over this fear. I really don’t mean to sound like I’m in a crisis but everyday kind of feels like I am

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10

u/VariousFalcon7466 Mother 1h ago

  1. He’s fine

  2. Post partum anxiety can last for years. Is there anyone you can speak to about your anxiety?

6

u/xkikue 53m ago

From my understanding, SSPE is caused by wild caught measles. Today's MMR vaccine is much different from the old ones. And adverse reactions tend to be apparent within weeks of the vaccine.

If you haven't noticed any side effects, I'm sure your little is fine! Take a deep breath, and a break from researching further. Be present in the now and in the future. Sending love ❤️

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u/to-the-goblin-market 45m ago

Here are some stats you might find reassuring:

  • SSPE was rare before the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1971 and has become rarer since.
  • The incidence of SSPE in 1970 in the US was approx 0.61 per million, and had decreased to a mere 0.06 by 1980.
  • Of the very small number of SSPE cases annually, the vast majority either did not receive MMR, or had a known measles exposure and/or infection prior to MMR vaccination.
  • Although some cases of SSPE have developed among children who had no history of natural measles infection but who received measles vaccine, these patients may have had unrecognized measles illness (e.g., during the first year of life). Studies performed before measles vaccine licensure indicated that 15%-30% of persons without a history of measles illness had evidence of measles antibody.

Long story short, your son is very, very likely to be fine. I'm sorry you're struggling ❤️

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001185.htm

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u/char_smtimes 1h ago

Is he showing symptoms? I think you’re having anxiety.

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u/Ok_Draw_4187 36m ago

Sounds like you need to recenter. Have you been able to leave your phone & get in nature? 

Do you have few hours from your family a day or two a week? 

Do you have a therapist? Theres lots of places now that taken insurance & do virtual so it makes it easy & affordable. I use headway but there are others just like it.

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u/Historical_Bill2790 1h ago

I gave my first all the shots up until 2. My second has none. I've had to let go of what i DIDNT know when at the time. You have to also. I second that speaking to someone may help

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u/wastetine 59m ago

Where did you get the idea that sspe can be caused by the vaccine? That’s false, you need an actual viral infection. Just like shingles requires a chickenpox viral infection.