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.

O-ho! Don't know where you're originally from, Monkeyman, but indeed, welcome to America where medical care is all about $$$$$$$ for the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies...where doctors who truly want to practice medicine for the benefit of their patients have their hands tied by government regulation (in lock step with insurance and pharmacy)...where those who dare to question the status quo and practice integrative alternative medicine are persecuted unmercifully, where for the sake of control and profit the government wants to take away your right to choose what happens to your body. Boy-oh-boy! Did I ever want to sue after what Cipro did to me!!! Look into and do some research on the damage quinolone antibiotics have done to people's lives...it's beyond nightmarish, but Johnson & Johnson et. al. have their collective butts covered by little black boxes, which you better darn well read and make an independent decision no matter what the doctor told you. I don't think there's a country in the world with ideal health care, but it would be so wonderful if all would "first do no harm" and put a decent moral conscience before dirty greedy profiteering. AMEN!

Off topic
 

I know my rant in response to Monkeyman is off topic from rabies. Apologies if necessary. The damage done by quinolones is also largely neurological, so not entirely off topic. I'll also repeat again, I'm grateful for rabies vaccine and HRIG. With rabies there's no other choice. But Cipro for a UTI? Talk about targeting a gnat with a cannon!

monkeyman, what happened with the monkey anyway? You said you were scratched. Was the monkey in the wild? In an animal park? Was there no way to confine and watch or necropsy and test the monkey for rabies so that you might have been spared the vaccine? In my case, I was definitely bitten by a bat. The bat may or may not have been rabid, we'll never know because we never caught it. I was VERY unwilling to bet on the health or lack thereof of my bat. As we all know, with rabies there's no "wait and see if symptoms present." Just curious as to what happened to you and the monkey.

That's right, Batbite. It's all about the money!

I was at the monkey temple in Katmandu, Nepal. There was no signs/warnings around about the monkeys. But as I approached the temple, I noticed they were stalking me because I had a banana. They were so aggressive that one pounced to grab the banana and within seconds I noticed some bleeding. Shocked and in a panic, I ran down to ask a policewoman about the monkeys and she told me they had rabies. Though there was some dispute about this at one of the local hospitals I went to, whereas doctors at the other said that they not only had rabies, but other deadly viruses too...they also had 2000($) reasons to convince me to get the HRIG.

The monkey looked healthy...I'm not a simian expert by any means, but by contrast to the small and cute ones I encountered in South America, the monkeys in South Asia are much larger and more hostile.

That's quite an adventure story! Reminds me of my globe trotting adventurous middle child...scuba diving blue holes in the Carribbean, feeding wolf eels in the Pacific Northwest, traveling Europe...South America...gives me gray hair and wrinkles, but then I have to remind myself that that is how I raised the kids...to grab opportunities and go for it.

I too wonder why I wasn't offered steroids as an option to the myoclonus, but now that it seems to be tapering off on its own, that's kind of a moot point. Hope your spinal tap is uneventful, but productive of useful information.

Update
 

After a relatively uneventful two months and 10 days, I've had problems again. Seems I pushed myself too hard with the housework, and last night I had a bout of insomnia and a siezure. Couldn't sleep so around 1:30 A.M. I went downstairs and ate a little protein and a small amount of pomegranate juice. Fell asleep around 1:45 A.M. Woke up at 2:20 A.M. with my whole body vibrating strongly and a tight feeling in my throat. Waited for the siezure to stop, gave in and reluctantly took a sleep aid and fell asleep. Had some myoclonus as I awoke this morning. So odd...if I have an incident, the timeline is always pretty much identical. O.K. this morning, just feeling tired and washed out. We always host Thanksgiving for the family. I've thought of backing out this year, but hubby really loves the holiday. I just told him I'll need a LOT more help this year. This setback is discouraging, but I don't feel as defeated and shaken up as with past incidents. As always, you wonder how long these problems are going to persist.

I'm sorry to hear that, Batbite! I think it's important to try to get back to being active and keeping yourself busy. But it's even more important to look after yourself and your own health. If you want to continue doing things like hosting the family for Thanksgiving, then no one is stopping you. Just be prepared for the possible consequences. Is your husband concerned about your issues as well? Make sure you communicate with him if you aren't up for it.

I've been dealing with a few issues myself. In the past 2 weeks, I've been dealing with tingling sensations in my neck and throat. Of course, I'm also still experiencing occasional nerve pain/tingling in my lucky index finger (site of bite/shots). It's more annnoying than anything else. It doesn't throw me into panic attacks like it used to.

Anyway, I hope you and monkeyman are doing well otherwise!

Sorry to hear that batbite! When you say seizures, do you mean hypnic jerks (a sudden jolt/muscle jerk as you're falling asleep) or is it more like an epileptic fit?

I had a bad reoccurrence of hypnic jerks after taking diphenhydramine (nyquil type sleep aid). Definitely extremely sensitive to even OTC/herbal remedies. What type of sleep aids do you take? Klonopin is the only sure way I've found to stop this type of myoclonus, but taking it on a regular basis is a slipperly slope...the alternative has been months of insomnia. My neurologist reckons all these fasciculations/hypnic jerks are perfectly normal and harmless...I think he forgot to add; 'except if you're a healthy human being.'

I opted out of the spinal tap, after he mentioned that there might only be a 5-20% (lower than the chance of side effects) of finding the inflammation he was looking for, in order to justify the steroid treatment.

Monkeyman, the siezures are more like epileptic fits, very different than the hypnic jerks or myoclonus that occur as I'm entering or leaving a state of sleep. I have a prescription of Atarax for my allergies which I only take as needed, but it is also anti anxiety and does help me fall asleep. I haven't noticed any benefit from it preventing the muscle jerks. Because of my MTHFR gene variant, a little goes a long way when it comes to medications of any kind. I have to be very careful and all dosages are very small as my body does not process and eliminate toxins well. I think you came to a wise risk/benefit decision on the spinal tap. Most times everything goes well, but if the puncture does not re-seal well the results are devastating. My neurologist also did not seem at all concerned about the myoclonus and nocturnal siezures, but as you said, these events are far from normal in a healthy human being. Since my last post I've been fine again. I can ride the stationary bike 2-3 miles every day and do a few tasks, but if I tackle cleaning the whole house thoroughly and into all the corners all in one day, I have problems. Very frustrating. Gives a whole new perspective to, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

Sorry for the late reply, and sorry to hear it's that bad. I'm surprised they haven't prescribed anti seizure meds.

Do you know anyone that's had a spinal tap gone wrong? I'm pretty much stuck between getting that test with possible discovery/treatment, or living with these challenging symptoms indefinitely. It's interesting how some of us (you and I, Albertakewl etc.) seem to have similar symptoms and haven't gotten better...

Thank you for the response, monkeyman. My recovery such as it is seems to be following an up and down course with very slow forward progress. The siezures and myoclonus are all but gone. There was one stressful event (storm water damage to a rental property of mine) that caused a return of the hypnic jerks for a night or two. The nerve pain in my left leg comes and goes, but when I have it, it's pretty severe. The biggest quality of life issue I have now is lack of energy...that is an every day thing...not enough energy to really do the things I want to.

As for the spinal tap information, no, I do not personally know anyone with a spinal tap gone wrong. There was recently an article in the health section of our newspaper about a young mother whose spinal puncture did not seal, and it has ruined her life. She is basically bed bound, in constant pain, can only sit up or stand for very brief periods before having to lie down again, the family has had to hire child care, housekeeping and cooking help, and she can't go out to do anything. Several members of her family are physicians and even with resources like that they have not been able to find any solutions for her.

Well;
 

Here it is, November 17, and until today the Thanksgiving preparations had been moving along just fine. Cleaning one room a day, guest beds are all fresh and ready. Today we brought the dog to the groomer, and I shopped three grocery stores gathering in all the holiday favorite foods. Hubby did all the driving and heavy lifting. Did one load of laundry, prepared dinner, ate, loaded the dishwasher. 7:00 P.M. after dinner, I'm tired and lay down in the recliner with hot water bottles on my low back and the screaming nerve in my left leg.....just drifting off into a nice deep sleep, 7:30 P.M. and the right leg tenses up and the right foot then takes off twitching and fluttering like a butterfly. That hasn't happened since about 10 months ago. 8:00 P.M. and every muscle in my body is tensed and vibrating and twitching...fortunately for only about 10 minutes. Seems to hold true for me as for several others on this forum...physical exhertion = relapses of the neurological problems. And again the self talk telling myself this will pass, it's been worse before, and I'll be fine. I remind myself that ATX_Man said he had a relapse at 16 months out, and I'm just approaching the one year mark.

Survived a very busy Thanksgiving with no further neurological issues. Had a lot more help than usual from hubby, and daughter and son-in-law came into town a day early to help. It was still a lot of work and I had to push myself, and remind myself to sit down for 20-30 minutes every so often, but it all got done and I was able to enjoy everything with no issues. Very thankful indeed!

Hello,

Just a little a little update to you all. I am still fight with this reaction, but I can say I am a bit better then when this first happened 4 years ago( I am on my 4th year of this now.) most of my symptoms are gone except for a few. Some come and some go. When my anxiety gets high, I try and focus on something else. It has been a very hard 4 years, let me tel you. I don’t take no medication no more . Because I noticed that was making me feel like in a fog. It’s been a tough journey . :hug::grouphug:

Thanks for checking back in, Alberta! It's important for the rest of us to hear the truths (and triumphs!) of those who are longer term past vaccination. Sorry to hear that this situation continues to be a struggle. As thankful as I am for how much better things have become in the last year, the realities of lack of energy and my legs still not "being right" are slowly sinking in. ...haven't given up hope of more improvement, I'm a fighter, but I'm also beginning to wonder how much of this will be permanent. Again, thank you for checking in and updating us, it's very much appreciated.

Gratefulness
 

It's Christmas Eve and today marks exactly one year since I was bitten by a bat and required the rabies vaccine series. I'm sitting in my dining room watching a lovely gentle snowfall, and my husband is out walking the dog (sadly, I still can't join them.) I can ride a stationary bike, but long walks and spending any extended amount of time standing....the legs still aren't right, and low energy and fatigue are still a problem. Housework that used to be done in a day or two has now become a constant effort broken down into smaller daily task lists. But I'm still here, the siezures have stopped, the brain fog has abated, no more auditory hallucinations, only rarely hypnic jerks as I fall asleep after an unusually taxing day, and I didn't die of rabies. Last week I was strong enough to stay by my daughter's side and be her avocate through a serious medical crisis. Today I will enjoy the company of three generations of family, of which I am the "Grand Old Matriarch." Life is not perfect, but I'm very grateful.

Sad news out of Florida
 

Just read of a little 6 year old boy in Florida who died of rabies after being scratched (bitten?) by a bat. He had no post exposure prophylaxis, and when he got sick (within weeks) the doctors tried the Milwaukee protocol, but it failed. Prayers go out for the family. How do you ever come to terms with something like that? The article went on to state that 35,000-40,000 people in the United States receive the post exposure prophylaxis each year. Even though rabies deaths have become rare, I think there still needs to be way more public health education regarding rabies. These parents obviously had no idea how serious the risk.

Once again
 

So thankful once again for this forum. I'm 14 months out from completing the vaccine, was really beginning to feel great, energy levels way up and life normalizing very nicely, and then the insomnia, myoclonus and sensation of a tight throat returned. So far not as bad as originally, but bummer, bummer, bummer! If not for ATX_Man reporting his relapse at 16 months out and Alberta reporting some relapsing at 4 years out, I'd have been in a panic again last night. No panic, just acceptance and dogged determination thanks to all my fellow posters and this forum. We'll see how this all plays out.

Tingling Sensation after 3rd Shot
 

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I just finished my 3rd rabies vaccine shot 5 days ago. Ever since, I've been feeling tingling sensations on my left hand and because of it, I've had a lot of anxiety and am feeling pretty stressed out about it. Finding this forum was a huge relief for me and I'm hoping that it'll continue to help me find peace of mind!

For those of you who have experienced these tingling sensations, how would you describe them? And would you say that the location of your shot (i.e. whether you had it on your left or right arm) impacts the place at which the tingling sensations start? I had my last Imovax shot on my left arm. However, the sensations seem to have started close to where the bite was (in my palms, close to the base of my left thumb), but now I can feel them every now and then, along the edges of my palms and close to the base of my fingers. I do have tingling sensations occasionally on my right hand and both of my feet, but it is not as frequent.

Also, for those of you who have done titers, how far along in your treatment did you get your blood test? My doctor initially recommended against doing a titer for antibodies, saying that if it comes back negative, then it could simply mean that my body is taking longer than average to created the IgG and that it would be a source of severe stress for me. However, after seeing how anxious I was about this whole ordeal, he said that we should probably do it 3 weeks after my last shot. Is that in line with what you've experienced?

Just a bit of background, I was bit by a stray cat (it was not unprovoked, as a few of my classmates and I were petting it). The cat seemed pretty affectionate, as it was rubbing its body against our legs, but it may have been overstimulated by all the attention when it bit me on my left hand. Although there was no puncture wound, there were 2 pink lines (which disappeared the next day). I was still freaked out about it, so I started PEP immediately (within 3 hours of the incident) with rabies vaccine injections (along with HRIG), another on Day 3, 7 and I will have my last one in 2 days.

Welcome Hope21
 

Glad you found this community, and welcome to a small, exclusive group you never wanted to join. Take a deep breath, hope for the best, and realize that each person's experience may be a bit different. The great majority of us have come through and are much better. Improvement takes a long time, and sometimes things get worse before real improvement sets in. My bat bites were in the back and palm of my right hand, the tingling and burning began in the palms of both hands, and eventually the feet, it all has to do with the nerves being affected not so much by the bite as by the vaccine. I can't address your titer questions as I never had a titer done. Hopefully other veteran posters are still checking in and will contribute. The anxiety can be horrendous, and I think some of it is a natural response to a truly frightening situation, and some of it is neurological caused by the vaccine. Hope it doesn't get too bad for you. For me it was like riding out a hurricane in a rowboat, but that storm has passed. I'm now 15 months out and doing well. At this point I'd call it tiny setbacks and large improvements. I'm much stronger, less fatigued, and have only tiny little reminders of this whole experience when I really push myself very, very hard physically. Hang in there, and hopefully the course this runs with you will be mild. We're here for you.

Back Again 😭
 

Well, after MANY MONTHS (8 exactly) of being symptom free and enjoying life, I have had a bad flare again

Muscle spasms, tingling, numbness in arms and tongue. All the old fears are coming back (MS, ALS) so rushing to neuro as fast as I can.

Two things I noticed- flare came back after I stopped working out for two weeks AND after I flew on an airplane. Not sure if this is a coincidence!

I will keep my head up and take care of business. Getting another MRI and also exam from my neuro

I was bitten exactly a year ago March 31 2017, a terrible year.

The one good thing that has come from all of this is it gave me the strength to get out of my abusive relationship I was in and make some good life changes

Bat bite, I’m thinking of you.

Thanks for the welcome!
 

Thanks for the welcome, Batbite! I've been doing better and am glad to hear that you're doing well. I saw a doctor who specializes in Infectious Diseases yesterday and he reminded me again of the effectiveness of the vaccines, which seemed to calm me down a lot more. He did say that the tingling sensations could be a result of anxiety. While I know most of us probably hate the idea that "it's all in our head", he did say something to the degree of - how you feel when you're stressed can cause the spinal cord to send signals down to your hands and fingers, resulting in the tingling.

Thanks again for the support and I'm hoping we all get through this!

trippin2, please let us know how you're doing. Hope the relapse/flare is mild and brief!

16 months...
 

I seem to be on the same schedule as ATX_man...exactly 16 months out and I'm in agony from a flare up. Legs...So. Much. Pain. in the legs and they just don't want to move. Did 20 gentle minutes on the stationary bike, crying all the way, literally. So frustrated. I'm determined to get better or die trying. Thank goodness and the Good Lord it's only the legs and not the siezures et al. Thank goodness for all who have posted here.

Better
 

The flare lasted about 10 days. Much better again and working back to a higher activity level.

This is a fascinating thread. It proves that chemical poisoning (for whatever reasoning) can affect many people in a multitude of ways. I have always suspected that the allergy shots and prescription/over the counter drugs for over 40 years have contributed to my PN. But I know there will never be a way to prove it so it is what it is.

Batbite, your contribution here is essential and informative. Hang in there, keep fighting and get out an do as much physical activity as you can stand. So far that seems to really help me and my minor symptoms.:)

Oh no!
 

It's 1:45 A.M. 7/6/2018 as I write this. Neurological symptoms are back. Anxiety, insomnia, tight muscles all through body, shaking, feeling like I could be having a mild siezure again. Hope to post again later with some better news. Three days ago I took my first walk outside in 15 months, all the way around one block, with no problems with the legs. Not much, but for me...huge. Now this. It's so scary. I'm trying to be logical and reason this out...very hot weather, more physical exhertion, maybe I've released more neurotoxin from the vaccine from my tissues into my bloodstream and system. And of course, there's the nagging thought of vaccine failure and the virus finally reaching your brain. You begin to wonder if you will ever truly be rid of the lurking fears.

Sorry for "micro-posting" but
 

I'm an anxious mess again. I do tend to become anxious easily. Today I walked around the block again...made it, but the left leg was slightly problematic, not really bad. Tried to take a nap this afternoon, but the myoclonus is back too, and jerked me awake every time I began to drift off. Doing something I promised myself I wouldn't and looking up sites on rabies, rabies case studies, rabies incubation times.....on and on and on driving myself crazy. I keep coming back to the same conclusion; unless I develop a raging fever and encephalitis/meningitis symptoms, just keep plowing forward. If anything bad happens at this point, there's nothing to be done anyway...what a comforting thought that is! But at least it sets my psyche into "the only way is forward, don't let this paralyze you psychologically again" mode. This experience surely brings home the point of what a precious gift each day is. Today's date; 7/7/18. Again, so thankful for this forum.

Hang In There!
 

@BatBite24, I sometimes get similar thoughts around long incubation periods, but I always think back to my doctor's words. He said the vaccines are 100% effective and they're conducted fairly often (with vets and people who've been bitten by confirmed rabid animals, getting them regularly and not developing rabies), so it's unlikely it was not effective. He also said that the vaccine prevents the virus from incubating, so it's not possible for the virus to be "dormant" and suddenly awaken after the vaccine titer levels in your blood go down. He specializes and has over 20 years of experience in Infectious Diseases and works at the UChicago Hospital, specifically in their Travel Clinic too, so he's a credible source! Hopefully this helps. If there's anything that takes your mind off of things, like reading or even watching a tv show, maybe that'll help calm you down during your anxious moments too! Will be praying and hoping the best for you! :hug:

Thank you!
 

7/12/18 Hope21, thank you so very much for a compassionate and intelligent post. Saw my GP for my annual wellness check up on Monday, and received reassurances as well. I'm finding that, as many here have posted, exercise brings on flares of the symptoms. I've decided, however, not to slow it down with the exercise. I'm just beyond grateful and excited to have my leg function back. I can walk without pain or the odd partial paralysis gait. Yesterday I doubled my exercise time, and sure enough, 2:00 AM, and the old auditory hallucination type siezure woke me...heard the cell phone ringing again, and it wasn't. Didn't go into panic mode, just acknowledged that it was a flare incident and went back to sleep. Still some myoclonus occasionally as I fall asleep, nothing extreme. Thank you especially for your prayers. I too, pray for everyone everywhere whose lives have been touched by rabies or rabies vaccine reactions. This is one scourge that would be nice if it were eradicated from the face of the earth!