anyone here received the Gardasil vaccine?

vicecreamsundae

I was delighted to hear Gardasil, the vaccine for a number of HPV strains including those which cause cervical cancer, was being introduced to schools in ireland. But from what I read I was under the impression that it wouldn't be effective for women who had already had sexual contact with a few partners.
Then a while ago I read somewhere that some doctors believe it can be just as effective for women in their early-mid twenties, and I only just realised today that as well as helping prevent cancer, it's effective at preventing genital warts -which is something that's so common and i'd reallly hate to get.
On the FDA site, they say it was tested on girls aged 16-26, and I'm 25 so just wondering if anyone in the LL has gotten it or thought about getting it.
Also, does anyone know how much it would cost?*

*decided not to be lazy and just checked myself, it's estimated at 567 euros if you include a 50euro fee for the three doctors fees.

princess-lala

I would get it but my doctor informed me that it is *very* expensive

candy-gal1

Should be free for everyone tbh

lazygal

Hi OP:)
I am waiting on my third shot (it takes three) and I am getting it done in the Charter Medical Group in Smithfield in Dublin. I am not a virgin but have only had two partners. My GP administers it but it was €600 plus appts to administer it, she actually referred me to Charter as they do it for €400 all in.
I can't recommend them enough, I am SO glad I am getting it. I think its money well spent TBH as it protects against the strains of warts (1 benefit) that cause the cancer (2 benefits). I know it should be free by €400 is no money to me compared to peace of mind, I saved €50 a week for it so it can be done if people are willing to save the money or not spend on something else.
Would urge every woman to get it, they also offer it to men as it has protection against warts for them. Only thing my arm is sore for a WEEK :eek: after the last two so be aware of that!

BTW I am late 20s and the Charter people have had many my age in.

Nevyn

princess-lala wrote: »

I would get it but my doctor informed me that it is *very* expensive

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055499759

Have you not see this thread?
Cervical Cancer Vaccine for every woman for only 300 euros.

lazygal

Thaedydal wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055499759

Have you not see this thread?
Cervical Cancer Vaccine for every woman for only 300 euros.

I think that info might be out of date as I've been with Charter since April and will be getting final shot in August, its €400 altogether for vaccine plus administering it but they let you pay in three installments if your prefer.

SugarHigh

candy-gal1 wrote: »

Should be free for everyone tbh

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but resources aren't unlimited.

lazygal

SugarHigh wrote: »

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but resources aren't unlimited.

+1 I think €400 is worth it to prevent cancer for me anyway.
In years to come I think it will have paid for itself many times over.

smelltheglove

I was recommended it years ago, after my 2nd child. I had had a lletz after numerous smears and coloposcopy, I was only 23 when I had this done. I then had my second child at 25 so by the time it was recommended by the specialist I was 26. I gave it serious consideration and at my next app 3 months later I confirmed to the nurse I wanted to get it, it was €600 at the time. She informed me that there was no point for me getting it, that whatever damage it could prevent was done and I should be more focussed on repeat smears etc. I mentioned it to the specialist then and he agreed it probably wouldnt make any difference for me but to just ensure my girls get it when they are old enough.

For someone who is young enough to get it I couldnt recommend it enough, after 7 yrs of going back and forth to docs for coloposcopy I am finally free, (for now) but will keep a close eye anyway with regular smears. It's not the nicest of experiences going for the coloposcopy never mind the lletz, thankfully I started smears early at 22 despite the recommendation of starting at 25 so I was on top of any problems straight away.

I'm absolutely fuming that I was denied it on the basis of already having some mild abnormal changes. I'd only had one partner at that stage. I was pretty much told there was no point. My issues cleared up on their own but I went on to develop more serious changes when I got with my new boyfriend, so I presume I got a different strain of HPV which the vaccine could well have prevented. :mad: Perhaps the docs are right but I'd have been happy to pay for any chance at all of protection. They're going on as if I'm ancient, I'm only 25 now and was only 22 when the vaccine came out! I don't really get their reasoning. It's not like once you get HPV, it's too late. There are loads of strains of it.

lazygal

[quote=[Deleted User];66921125]I'm absolutely fuming that I was denied it on the basis of already having some mild abnormal changes. I'd only had one partner at that stage. I was pretty much told there was no point. My issues cleared up on their own but I went on to develop more serious changes when I got with my new boyfriend, so I presume I got a different strain of HPV which the vaccine could well have prevented. :mad: Perhaps the docs are right but I'd have been happy to pay for any chance at all of protection. They're going on as if I'm ancient, I'm only 25 now and was only 22 when the vaccine came out! I don't really get their reasoning. It's not like once you get HPV, it's too late. There are loads of strains of it.[/QUOTE]


Izzy, I would recommend going to Charter. They take a brief history but I was told no one will lose getting it and might even gain as it offers protection, albeit at a reduced level unless there has been no sexual contact. I had abnormalities on my last smear and got the vaccine no problem so you might be able to do the same.
HTH

eta-age is not a factor with them either, like I said I'm in my late 20s and I was told women and men older than me got it.

smelltheglove

lazygal wrote: »

Izzy, I would recommend going to Charter. They take a brief history but I was told no one will lose getting it and might even gain as it offers protection, albeit at a reduced level unless there has been no sexual contact. I had abnormalities on my last smear and got the vaccine no problem so you might be able to do the same.
HTH

eta-age is not a factor with them either, like I said I'm in my late 20s and I was told women and men older than me got it.

Come to think of it I think the fact that I was married was another reason for not getting it too, as I wasnt likely to have any further sexual partners.

I recall them talking about numerous strains of HPV and that they cant vaccinate for each one.

lazygal

I got this kind of comment too and I brushed it aside. I know my body and I want any possible prevention against cancer I can get. I would kick myself if I got cervical cancer in years to come and didn't fight to get the vaccine. I am lucky, my GP is open minded but another friend was talked out of it my these lines "Long term partner, baby, too old" all of which are bull, get the vaccine and don't listen to those talking you out of it.

lazygal

lazygal wrote: »

Izzy, I would recommend going to Charter. They take a brief history but I was told no one will lose getting it and might even gain as it offers protection, albeit at a reduced level unless there has been no sexual contact. I had abnormalities on my last smear and got the vaccine no problem so you might be able to do the same.
HTH

eta-age is not a factor with them either, like I said I'm in my late 20s and I was told women and men older than me got it.

Well, it looks like I might be heading for a LLETZ treatment now anyway. I gather that the biggest risk is changing sexual partner - once you're with the same person (and they don't cheat!), you're not going to be exposed to new strains? But yeah, I'd like to get it because you never know what's down the line.