I just got labwork that revealed Igg negative, IgM positive for bands 23 and 41. I had Lyme about 3 years ago, got treated with Doxycycline, and felt better. Over the past two weeks I had such a stiff neck and fevers off an on. We had killed some ticks in the house, so my PCP prescribed Amoxicillin 500mg TID for 3 weeks. I am also newly pregnant and am freaking out. Is this a new infection? Is it old? Has the pregnancy activated the Lyme? Will the baby be ok?
What do the lab results mean? My PCP knows nothing about Lyme!
I scheduled an appointment in RI, but the earliest they could see me is July. I'm on the wait list...but I am so worried about the baby!! What do I do??
Thanks!
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
Take Amoxicillin.
Search here on Lymenet for "pregnant".
CaliforniaLyme took Amoxicillin during her pregnancy. See her posts for the dose.
I think it's much higher than 500 mg, more like several thousands. They say it doesn't hurt the baby.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Dr. J, the world's foremost pediatric lyme specialist, spoke at the recent Lyme Conference in Toronto.
I took notes on his talk dated 10/28/11. Here are parts that answer your questions:
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.
Some medications he suggests for the pregnant mother include 1,000 mg amoxicillin every 8 hours for months, also mentioned IM (intramuscular injections), ceftriaxone (? not sure of this--something that started with �ceft� but not ceftin), etc.
The mother can only breast feed the child if she is on antibiotics. Then, yes, it is fine to breastfeed.
If lyme is transmitted, you will see severe hypotonia (floppy baby), child will be irritable, tire easily, sensitive to light, noise, skin. The hypotonia will cause trouble sucking due to the lips being floppy. This can improve as time goes on. 30% of these children will have developmental delays.
Tissue PCR biopsy is more likely to be positive rather than a test of bodily fluids (blood, urine, spinal fluid, etc.). Test placenta and foreskin remnant.
Some of these children are classified as autism spectrum early on due to their failure to progress. These children do NOT experience regression as is often seen in autistic children. If antibiotics help them, it points to lyme as the true diagnosis.
Antineuronal antibodies can be found in infected children. If they are found, treat the child with antibiotics. The child can have strep antibodies also. He uses various meds including IV Gamma globulin, if needed.
[end of notes]
So, get on 2 antibiotics, and have the placenta and foreskin remnant of the baby tested at birth to find out if lyme was transmitted.
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Dr. J., the best Lyme-literate pediatrician, has put together a protocol for pregnant women with Lyme which can be followed with your own physician. Women have gone on to have healthy babies.
PM sent with Dr. J's contact information.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Tickchick -
Does your LLMD in Rhode Island KNOW you are PREGNANT? If not, please be sure to notify their office! Sometimes they get cancellations and can call you to move up your appointment.
BTW, congratulations on your happy news!
And try to relax. As long as you follow up on the great advice you find on these threads, everything should be just fine.