Welcome to the group, monkeyman! Sorry, I've been inactive in the group for a couple of days. I don't have much to add in the way of neuropathic symptoms post vaccine. I experience nerve pain in my hands every so often, and occasional lower back pain. I did have a hypnic jerk once since getting the vaccine series, but never since.

However, if you've read my past posts, you've probably noticed that I have been more concerned about distinguishing actual rabies from post vaccine symptoms and cold symptoms.

I feel like those irrational fears and anxiety have mostly settled. But if I ever have experience with some of the more detailed symptoms you've listed, I'll be sure to post.

Once again, welcome monkeyman!

Also, I hope you are doing well, Batbite!

Wow! four years is awful, I'm so sorry you went through that and now have further issues...do you think that the myoclonus has resurfaced in the same areas, or is it completely different this time?

I think that if it stems from a reaction to rabies shots, then it should be considered 'secondary myoclonus.' By that rationale, treating the root cause (with a steroid for example) should rectify the issue.

I'd love to know how bad ATXman's myoclonus was...

With the Cipro, the myoclonus ran along the left side of my body, originating in the left leg and running up the left flank of my torso, always as I was drifting off to sleep. As an interesting aside, it also occurred and was magnified during acupuncture treatments.TCM refers to it as "Running Piglet Qi." With the post rabies vaccination myoclonus, it occurs all over my body, feet, legs, snapping across my pelvis from left to right, across the upper shoulders and down the arms, up the back of the neck, again always as I'm falling asleep. Daytime muscle twitches only occurred for about a two week period and involved the muscles on the front of my neck. I have not had any acupuncture since the rabies vaccine. It's not covered by insurance, and just handling the bills from the M.D.'s was draining on our fixed income as retirees. Now that we're done paying that down, I plan to see my acupuncturist again.

Well, peacefulday, wherever you are, it seems to be my turn with "flu-like symptoms." Stiff neck, headache, body aches (like I was hit by a truck) fatigue, digestive upset, chills, and diarrhea. No fever. Even though my brother-in-law and nephew had pretty much the same thing two weeks ago, of course you know where my mind has gone with this...could it be...? I refuse to yet again review the symptoms of rabies. All I can tell myself is that if it is rabies, what's the difference? There's nothing to be done. The headache, stiff neck and body aches and chills are gone, but I'm still keeping close company with my "porcelain friend" and I have no appetite. This bat bite and rabies vaccine situation has made even common little challenges like flu or (salmonella?) so much worse to deal with. You just get tired of it all. Cheers!

I am so sorry to hear about that, Batbite! About a week or two ago I was in that same boat. Fortunately, my symptoms were more cold-like rather than flu-like. I only had a sore throat, runny nose, minor headaches and body aches. No fever, but I had what felt like mini-hot flashes.

You are completely on point in saying that rabies vaccine situation makes the experience of even being mildly sick so much worse. I spent way too much time researching flu/cold symptoms and rabies symptoms and trying to distinguish. All it did was bring back the panic and the unnecessary fear.

I used the one tool that I could always rely on to get me through it: logic. I called up my local health department, the state health department, and even the CDC. They listened to my situation and all said that I would be okay.

Otherwise, all I can say is power through it. That's probably the last thing you want to hear, but there isn't much else to do. My mind was running in circles trying to figure out how to save myself from some imaginary doom and gloom. Get another injection? Another test? The brain can't seem to realize that I've done everything and rabies is no longer an issue in my life.

I hope you feel better soon, Batbite, and be strong!

Thanks, Peacefulday! Each day is a battle, and I'm glad you're not suffering with these worrisome symptoms...I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

Batbite, is it still a nightly occurrence, or do you find that only certain things trigger it? For me it's nightly and some things will make it even worse, such as detox tea, bentonite, alcohol, or feeling exhausted.

Has anyone thought about suing? In my case, I wasn't warned about any side effects, and probably didn't even need to be given the very expensive HRIG.

ATX_Man, did you have bad hypnic jerks or myoclonus, if so, for how long please?

For between 4-5 months the myoclonus was every night, then it began to taper off in frequency and intensity. The siezures didn't begin until 5 months out...so strange. Now at 9 months out from the bites and 8 months out from completing the vaccine, I haven't had a siezure for almost 2 months. The myoclonus is all but gone, however physical over exhertion, and stress do bring on an episode. I'm over whatever "bug" I recently experienced, but during the illness the myoclonus returned pretty strong for two nights. It's interesting that you mention detox tea and bentonite. I've wondered if physical exercise might release neurotoxins of the vaccine from our tissues back into the bloodstream. With my multi chemical sensitivity, the only things I can use to help my liver out with toxic overload are dandelion root tea, or fresh lemon or lime juice. I've been having one cup of the tea every morning and juicing one or two limes every afternoon. ATX_Man mentioned vitamin D. For many years we have supplemented with vitamin D3, and our Doctor monitors our levels with regular blood tests. Since the vaccine reactions began, I've also begun taking a teaspoon of cod liver oil every morning, again, with our Doctor's approval. In composing this post I looked over my journal notes to get the time line correct....it's been a long and awful journey. No, we were not warned of side effects, just told the typical, "This vaccine is given to children too, and there's usually never a problem." I don't know how much success you'd have with a lawsuit, as there is very little (actually no) choice in the matter of treating rabies exposure, and I think the HRIG is part of why the treatment is so successful these days. I hope you begin to experience some serious improvement soon.

Its interesting what you mentioned about exercise releasing the neurotoxins into your bloodstream. I've started running around the neighborhood again (something I haven't done regularly since before the incident). Since then, I've noticed the nerve pain in my hands and fingers (particularly the finger that I got bit on) coming back. I'm also having headaches, but that could just be from the changing of the seasons. I also drink hot tea once or twice a day, but it isn't detox tea.

As for the suing, I would agree with Batbite that it's probably not worth your time. To be fair, it doesn't cause these awful side effects in the vast majority of people that receive it. We are a minority within an even smaller minority of people that had the rabies shots AND had major post-vaccine side effects.

Also, I'd like to say that even though this whole process has caused me and so many of us to suffer, I am so thankful that the vaccine and HRIG exist. Maybe the HRIG/vaccine isn't necessary for the majority of people with "potential" exposures. But I know for a fact that the cat that bit me was rabies positive. For me, there was no cost-benefit analysis. Like Batbite said, there is no alternative treatment.

Thank you for your insight, Batbite, that's quite the journey!

Mine hasn't really let up since the first month, unless I use RX. Without them it seems to be more or less acute depending on whether I'm stressed/exhausted from poor sleep the night before/had some herbal remedy trigger. However, I have been exercising (walking/jogging) because I heard it can mitigate it with serotonin.

Thanks, peacefulday. That makes total sense. I guess that's why I even brought it up, because it was more of a precaution in my case.

It was total luck to find this forum, but that doesn't mean this is a very rare issue. Check out the WHO site (who.int/rabies/human/complication/en/) on rabies reactions. 6% have an adverse reaction, but if all of us are having trouble getting a proper diagnosis to report, just imagine what the real % might be...

I'm not even from America, but I've lived here long enough to have my fill of those RX commercials spewing every possible side effect in case they get sued ('tell your doctor about our drug, even though you may get the sniffles or lose an arm'). Now just imagine if these rabies shots were widely used and there weren't any warnings...

I wonder why no doctor has suggested a steroid for anyone else's reactions? It was the first thing my neurologist said to me, though he does want to do this spinal tap to be sure, because of the potential side effects.