I was diagnosed with lyme in October 2007, and was sick since at least Dec 2006. I used to go into a park and walk through a grassy area with my kids weekly, and I think that's where I got it though I don't remember a tick bite. Thus, they may have been exposed too. This is in Pittsburgh in the city bounds where lyme is considered fairly unusual.
My son was 3 when I started being sick (Dec) and that winter for the first time in his life he got ill with ear infections, and they wouldn't go away. Since then he's been sick fairly frequently. This also coincides with him going to school for the first time, so I've been told that while he's sick more than average, it's not unexpected.
Separately, he has complained of stomach ailments frequently, sometimes extreme cramping, without us being able to find a cause. My husband also had stomach pain as a child, so that's one possible explanation.
This spring he also developed fatigue, which went away when he finally recovered from his last ear infection with the help of my homeopath/naturopath.
The frequent colds/ear infections happened all winter 2006/2007, during summer 2007, and all winter 2007/2008. He's been much better this summer. The frequent stomach complaints happened winter/spring 2007/2008.
I insisted that they test him with a western blot in spring 2008 when the fatigue started. He came back with only one band positive -- the 41k on his IgM.
There are many possible explanations for his symptoms besides lyme. I don't know whether to pursue this or not.
He's smart, energetic, loving, mostly not only fine but wonderful.
Any thoughts?
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I can totally understand why you are concerned. If you have an LLMD, run it by them and see what they think.
I think it is fairly common for kids to have ear infections and colds when starting school.
You could always take him to be evaluated by Dr. J. if you decide to pursue it. It's possible a trial of abx would turn a negative WB to positive if he does have lyme.
Sorry I don't have better advice. Hopefully someone else will come by with something more useful.
Terry
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
Since he started getting sick around the time he started school, any chance there is a cell phone tower on school grounds or wi-fi at his school that could be triggering his symptoms?
It still think it could be Lyme, but I would look into the cell phone mast situation. I think they work together, as exposure disrupts the immune system.
i have no 1st hand experience here, but uping your post so it goes to top for more replies! best wishes.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I find this very strange -- but many, many people on here who have children tested on the Western Blot, only get 41 back positive. I am curious as to why this is!
I myself only had 41++ come back.
I think 41 is a lot more important than people give it credit for.
The most important thing is the symptoms. If there are symptoms, then there is something going on.
Posted by KS (Member # 12549) on :
My son is almost 3 and I suspect I had lyme prior to when he was born. For that reason, I also had him tested with a WB and he also had band 41 positive.
He too has had chronic ear infections, colds,'asthma-like' attacks, etc.
I had the same concerns you do. All I can tell you is that after much research and discussions with LLMDs, we did not treat. Meanwhile, my son seems to be 'outgrowing' these common child issues as my pediatrician had assured me.
The fact that your son has "fatigue" however is a little different.
Keep in mind that it is usually the kids that are very ill, whose parents/doctors don't even have lyme on their radar, that get very sick, etc.
If your child starts showing other symptoms that you gut starts raising a red flag about, you will be jumping....
Good luck! Kristin
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi Jen
when kids go to school they are going to catch everything that is going around-
My kids were not ever sick till they went to school -then Bam -
Ear infections are Very common in kids no Lyme needed
Kids got everything and the threw the years they built up immunity to most of them
I really dont think there is Safe place from lyme any more just a Little Safer - especially where you live-
My sister who lives close to Philly has had 4 bulls eyes over the last 6 yrs or so -
Personally I think if Any bands show Anything it means something-
The test are Very poor at best
The being Fatigued is the thing that would have me worried -
With ear ache fatigue would be OK -
but after the ear thing cleared up and he still is fatigued that not good -
Take care --Jay-
Posted by Nessa1815 (Member # 15697) on :
I also worry about this. My son and I would go outside to the park which was right across the street where we used to live when he was littler. He's 2 now. There were mosquitoes everywhere, to the point where we couldn't go there anymore. He would get ate up, along with myself.
I have CDC positive Lyme and I know I got bit by something different, different kind of bite, not a bull's eye rash though, but it was also covered by a tattoo.
I often look at my son and wonder. It makes me TERRIFIED. I want to cry. Maybe ignorance is bliss but I'm not testing him for anything unless I have a reason.
He is the smartest, best talker, most ACTIVE, healthy child, (never ever hardly sick) the only time he was sick was when my 6 year old started school and brought home germs - pre-bite for myself.
Now, I have that little seed of worry planted about EVERYTHING outside when I look at the little boy. I wouldn't want anything to hurt him or cause him pain.
The beauty of watching him once run barefoot in the grass, now makes me cringe. We live in the city now, in hot FL. away from the woody secluded area we did live in, but I still am scared.
And if mosquitoes are carriers, I consider myself lucky in have my whole huge yard screened in. No bugs like that can get in. I'm sure ticks can crawl underneath but mosquitoes and gnats can't get in.
I hate this. I hate Lyme. I hate having to worry. It's enough that a disease can do this to my life. But if it happened to my kids...I would sad, so sad, I almost couldn't take it. Ugh.