I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Maribelle7777 Posted: Aug 23, 2004 01:41 PM

I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

the results won't be in for a few days. However my dr. said that he is also going to test for mumps, reubella, and measles.
I said that I know I did get innoculated from those when I went to college b/c you need to give proof. But Dr. said that the innoculation for measles doens't last a whole lifetime.

Just wanted to let anyone know...it is good to find out if you need those shots before becoming pregnant.

And thank you again to Kathy116 - without her post I would have never known to find out if I had chicken pox anti-bodies or not!

AliKing Posted: Aug 23, 2004 03:16 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Good to hear that you went to have those tests... What happens next?

kptoys Posted: Aug 23, 2004 05:50 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

My daughter got her MMR shot when I was 8 weeks pregnant. Her ped said since I had my shot when I went to college which was 8 years ago and had no problems giving it to her.

Maribelle7777 Posted: Aug 24, 2004 10:05 AM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Posted by AliKing

Good to hear that you went to have those tests... What happens next?

If I do not have the anti-bodies for chicken pox or mmr, then I have to get the innoculations for them. I am almost certain I'm innoculated against MMR and I think it was recent but he wanted to check anyway. I'm more concerned with the chix pox since as far as I can remember I've never had them. Yet I've been exposed to them numerous times.

AliKing Posted: Aug 24, 2004 10:26 AM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Maybe since you've been exposed to them, your body has built an immunity against them!
How long do you have to wait to TTC if you have to get the vaccinations? And when will you find out??
Good Luck!!!

Niecey Posted: Aug 24, 2004 01:55 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Posted by Maribelle7777

Posted by AliKing

Good to hear that you went to have those tests... What happens next?
If I do not have the anti-bodies for chicken pox or mmr, then I have to get the innoculations for them. I am almost certain I'm innoculated against MMR and I think it was recent but he wanted to check anyway. I'm more concerned with the chix pox since as far as I can remember I've never had them. Yet I've been exposed to them numerous times.

I never had the chicken pox and was exposed to them many times. I had the test done not that long ago and to my surprise - it said I had them - or some kind of immunity. I was surprised and happy. My dr recommended a long time ago I get the shot since I never had them but my gbgyn suggested I get the blood test first - which I am glad I did! Hope you are as lucky!

Maribelle7777 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 11:30 AM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

I hope so too Nicey.

Ali - I think that a person needs to wait about 3 months from the time they get the shot until they can actively TTC.

Kathy116 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 11:44 AM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

It's actually three months from the last shot. As an adult, you are recommended getting this vaccine in a series of two shots...the you get the second shot 6-8 weeks AFTER THE FIRST SHOT...so in reality it's more like 5 months until you can TTC.
(I'm going through this waiting game still!!!)

The CDC says 1 month, but every MD I've spoken with advises three...I'd rather be cautious and follow the MDs advice.

The interesting thing is that I was sure I would be protected and have had an immunity to the chicken pox...I remember my cousins having them and my mother MAKING me kiss them goodbye because she didn't want me to have this problem as an adult...my two very best friends came down with it, and I spent all my time with them up until they got sick.

But I came back with ZERO immunity, not even a little bit! I must have just missed the contagious phase when I was with my cousins and friends.

Let us know the results!

Maribelle7777 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 12:54 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

TWO SHOTS?!?!?!?!

eek

Kathy116 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 12:58 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

I know...the shots don't hurt, honestly! Getting blood drawn is worse than the shots. It's a two second pinch...not even.

Maribelle7777 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 06:58 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Good - I always have problems when they draw blood. Monday was a good day - my dr. hit the motherload on the 2nd try.

mv1003 Posted: Aug 26, 2004 09:42 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

Niecey... yet another thing we have in common! I have the anti bodies... thank GOD b/c I'm an itchy 2 shoes! I can be a carrier,but I'll never get them. 4% of people have this, but it's more common (I think) than that.
Maribelle- hope you have them too!!! Good luck

MrsTC Posted: Aug 26, 2004 09:45 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

wait so you are supposed to get this done before TTC?

Kathy116 Posted: Aug 28, 2004 11:10 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

I don't know what supposed to be done, but when DH and I decided that we wanted to TTC, we made an appointment with my OB/GYN...we over family histories, genetics, etc...she ordered blood work to see I was up to date with everything...and surprise, no immunity to chicken pox...so my MD highly and strongly recommends getting this vaccine before you get pregnant.

Maribelle7777 Posted: Aug 29, 2004 12:16 PM

Re: I had blood taken to see if I have chicken pox anti-bodies...

And when Kathy116 posted about having to do this, I thought I should find out too since I knew I never got them yet I had been exposed so many times, so I wasn't sure if I ever got them so lightly I just didn't know. But I remember my mother saying how I never got them so I figured I should find out.

What with all the other things going against me (weight, borderline high BP, crohn's disease and age) I don't need something I can prevent to do something when I'm pregnant.

PS: I don't have the antibodies. I have to get the shots. Oh well!