posted
Has anyone been pregnant with lyme and not been treated? Was your baby ok?
I was diagnosed with lyme 2 months ago but have had it for 12 years. I have 2 children, one almost 3 years old and a 3 month old.
I was having symptoms but had no idea it was lyme. I am terrified my kids have it now that I know what I have and it can be inherited. I plan to test them but I don’t meet with my llmd until December 13 and plan to talk to my doctor about it.
I guess I am just trying to find some hope that kids don’t always inherit lyme... thanks.
Posts: 12 | From Utah | Registered: Jun 2017
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If your kids are doing well now, that's a good thing. You don't say, though, so that's not clear.
If your kids are doing well now, yes, there is hope that they will remain well. If not, though, there is still hope ahead, too, though.
I've mentioned some symptoms here yet the links below will have more official kinds of symptoms lists.
Unless there is an acute medical matter for one of the kids now,
- or if you are BREASTFEEDING your infant -
I think at this point it should be fine to wait a couple weeks to discuss with your LLMD.
Call ahead and ask the office manager if you might need a little time scheduled if you have many questions.
If there are concerning symptoms, perhaps more time and ask if you should bring in the child at that time, just for a quick look as to how they "present" and then other appointment later, if the doctor thinks necessary.
A good LLMD can sometimes get a great deal of information in a few minutes just seeing how a person manages with normal interactions, situations, etc.
If any of your children have / have had in past any particular signs / symptoms / puzzles (so to speak) . . . make some lists to share.
Also note if you have any pets in the home - or if they've ever been bitten or scratched by a cat - or reptile / turtle . . . or - of course ever had any tick bites.
Still, yes, as you wonder, lyme can be passed from mother to fetus yet it does not always happen. Many variables.
When you give it thought, consider physical as well as neurlogical / ear / balance / tolerance to light, sounds, other stimuli . . . their ability to be with friends, etc.
If they are sound sensitive do not force sound that hurts on them as some audiologists might suggest who don't understand the kinds of hyperacusis that can go with lyme.
Same for startles. Just note and share with LLMD if either startles too easily and seems sick from that shock.
Their young ages may make it hard to determine but go with an assessment chart for their age for now.
Depression / sadness could also be a sign of lyme yet also for different infections involved (Bartonella, especially). Even in a toddler, though
I hope all will be well, no matter what. Being aware, asking questions - you are on the right track. And you'll know what to look for in times ahead -- and how to perhaps circumvent any problems.
Take care. -
[ 11-28-2017, 06:21 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- From my file notes:
A Pediatric LLMD who is held in the highest esteem as well:
TOUCHED BY LYME: Unraveling the Lyme-autism connection
By Dorothy Kupcha Leland - March 15, 2012 -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- For anyone who might possibly have lyme / other infections, this is important to always keep in mind: Steroids can make lyme blossom - or come out of hiding / remission.
Topic: what do STEROIDS actually do to those with lyme? Risks, long term damage discussed. Links -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Dr. J, premier pediatric lyme specialist, spoke on the statistics for transmission of lyme in the womb.
Here is the post where you can find my notes from his 2011 talk:
To answer your specific question, here is what he said:
Treating the pregnant mother: There is less than 1% transmission of the illness if the mother is treated with 2 antibiotics during the pregnancy; 25% rate of transmission if she is treated with just one antibiotic; and 50% rate of transmission if she is not given antibiotics at all.
It doesn't matter what trimester the mother becomes infected. These are the statistics.
[end of notes]
I can also tell you that the pediatric lyme specialists I recommend will NOT treat any child that does not have lyme symptoms.
They say to leave well enough alone; the immune system is handling it. So, if your 2 little ones are doing fine, no need to take them to any lyme doctor right now.
If, however, you read through my notes and you can say that they are describing your children, then it is time to find someone who specializes in treating the little ones.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Keebler and TF, thank you very much for your replies. The information you gave me is very helpful and I haven’t even got through all of it yet.
Both of my children appear fine. But I know what lyme can do and I am scared of them having it because I have had it so long they were exposed their entire existence.
I am happy to hear it’s a 50% chance. That’s better than 100% and it gives me hope.
I will read through all you sent me and speak with my llmd when I see her. THANK YOU!!
Posts: 12 | From Utah | Registered: Jun 2017
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had the bull's eye rash in 1996. I had slight flu symptoms, didn't know what the bull's eye rash meant, and blew it off as a weird bug bite (even though it was about 18 inches in diameter-- but I grew up on a farm and you didn't complain about bug bites!). So, I was untreated. I became pregnant in 2002. It activated my lyme. I was very sick and bedridden for the entire length of my pregnancy. I had a nightmare of a birthing experience-- my birth canal is too small to deliver, but no one knew, and neither of the epidurals took, so I felt everything and when they cut me- a lot- to get my son out, I lost a lot of blood. It took my ob/gyn 3 hours to sew me back together. Thankfully he put me under, so I didn't feel it. (Please note my story as 'worst case scenario' if you are considering at at-home birth. I considered one, but had I gone through with it, both me and my child would have died. He was 'born blue' and had to be resuscitated at birth.) So, take into consideration that I lost massive amounts of blood. My doctors blew me off, saying my body's red blood cells would recoup in 30 days. Babesia prevented this, but I didn't know it at the time. Thankfully a WIC visit alerted me to the fact that I needed a transfusion (which I opted to NOT get). I remained anemic for 2 years after that. My lyme only got a little better when I did the gluten free diet. However, I eventually got very sick from the Lyme and finally found good treatment.
My son was born infected. Because of his bad liver which prevents him from taking antibiotics, and how ineffectual the homeopathic treatments were, I moved cross-country from Pennsylvania to Colorado so he could take Cannabis oil. It put me into remission from being nearly dead from lyme, but he's just had small improvements.
In the past year and a half, I've had 3 miscarriages. They can't figure out why. I blame the Lyme.
Being a scientist, I can't imagine how Lyme isn't passed on at a 100% rate to children. The spiral shaped bacteria has the ability to bore into every organ, so why would it just pass by a new host-- a baby? It doesn't make sense.Lyme is everywhere in your body. Passing it on seems to be inevitable from that stand point.
I've heard of people believing they did not pass it on, but they took antibiotics during pregnancy. Search Facebook for pregnancy and Lyme groups. That's where I've seen people referred to for great help.
So, if I would get pregnant again, I'd assume there was a good chance I'd pass it on and see a great LLMD to put me on the antibiotics necessary to help prevent transmission.
...this is just my opinion. I hope it helps.
Posts: 29 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2013
| IP: Logged |
bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
In addition to what TF and Keebler has stated, here is an excellent link to a presentation which details all of the symptoms in kids at various ages.
The presentations are from the famous "Dr C" in PA who is one of the best in the USA and treated with Dr. J
There are two presentations that could be of interest. Specifically:
-The first presentation titled "Treatment Approaches to Vector Borne Diseases and Environmental Illness in the Pregnant and Breastfeeding Patient"
and
-The last presentation titled "Tick Borne Diseases In The Pediatric Patient"
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
| IP: Logged |
Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
Thatdarntick had a point.
Chances that kids got Bb through uterus are high, BUT, if they do not develop symptoms, it means their immune system is probably dealing with the bacteria on their own.
I would watch out for vaccines (like giving only the most important ones) and waiting until they are more than 2 to get the rest (in case you want them to have these vaccines).
Vaccines do mess with the immune system, specially of such young children.
I would not treat my child with drugs against lyme, specially if they aren't symptomatic.
I would see that they eat well, organic, and that their immune systems are left in good shape...
Maybe give them supplements, chlorella (I gave to mine, for years...), omega 3, propolis drops, maybe some herbs (like astragalus) on and off...
vaccines are so toxic that I would leave them off.
But that's me.
You got to decide on your own, of course.
If they can go on cannabis oil, I would do that on and off. My daughter is taking it now, she loves it!!!
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic