Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
I cant even believe this. I already have 3 kids and we were definately NOT TRYING to have a 4th!!!! Im devastated. Im scared too. I have had such a bad flare up of symptoms lately too and now we know why.
I need to know what to do next. I had my last child while having Lyme but I didn't even know that i had it then and my symptoms were in remission too. Im scared. Im scared for the baby too. Has anyone else here dealt with pregnancy with Lyme? How did it go? I just so want things to go well and for everyone to stay healthy ya know? I just don't know how to feel.
I have an appt with my LMD on Thursday. We'll see what he says.
Nancy
(scared and worried)
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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I have had 5 children while infected with lyme (but not yet diagnosed)
I kept saying that I have this strange relapsing mono.
I already had heart rhythm issues (totally benign, assured the cardio, but annoying) by the time I gave birth to my second. This was later dx as POTS, probabaly brought on by lyme.
I managed to carry 5 babies to term (ok, 4 to term and one to 35 weeks)--strange unexplained premature contractions with all. I was on bedrest much of the preganancies.
Recently dx with lyme. All my kids show antibodies, and are symptomatic on one level or another. They are starting treatment for the first time now.
But they are definitely the biggest blessing in my life.
My advice would be to seek out the best LLMD money can buy, and be under his care for the duration of the pregnancy. I've read that giving abx during pregnancy can reduce complications.
Not all abx are appropriate for pregnancy, so please speak with you doc asap.
wishing you the best of luck and much joy from your newest addition-to-be. He/she will bring you much blessing.
Posts: 169 | From former Philadelphian | Registered: Jun 2006
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
Oh my, Nancy - this isn't exactly what you had planned right now. I'm sorry it has taken you by surprise...
Hey, wait a minute.... 5 days ago I thought you mentioned in another post that it was that time of the month.... maybe I misunderstood.
Sounds like maybe taking hubby to the vet for "neutering" is way overdue?
Let us know what your LLMD says. In the meantime, try not to worry too much. You just have to take things one day at a time right now.
Best regards,
Tracy
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Nancy, Congratulations and my best wishes to you and your family --
I know this must be scary to have lyme and be pregnant, but it should be manageable and safe for you and the baby with good medical care and abx like amoxicillin.
Definitely, get the best llmd possible and get good care during your pregnancy. I know women with lyme who have had completely healthy babies.
I found this new abstract of a new review article on this subject, maybe your doctor can access the full text:
Author Walsh, Colin A. MB *; Mayer, Elizabeth W. MD +; Baxi, Laxmi V. MD ++
Institution *Resident and ++Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York; and +Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
Title
Lyme Disease in Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of the Literature.[Review]
Source Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 62(1):41-50, January 2007.
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. A number of other spirochetal diseases, if contracted in pregnancy, have been shown to cause fetal harm and there is concern over a similar effect with gestational borreliosis.
Previously published individual case reports have suggested a possible association between gestational borreliosis and adverse pregnancy outcome; however, no specific pattern of teratogenicity has been shown, and a causal relationship has never been proven.
In addition, larger epidemiological and serological series have consistently failed to demonstrate an increased risk to pregnant women who develop Lyme disease if they receive appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
We describe a favorable outcome in a 42-year-old woman who developed Lyme disease in the third trimester and was treated with a full course of oral amoxicillin.
In addition, we offer a review of the relevant literature regarding Lyme disease and pregnancy. The appropriate investigation and management of a woman with gestational borreliosis are discussed.
Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians
Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that Lyme disease is not an uncommon disease during pregnancy and can occur in states outside of the Northeast, explain that the diagnosis is made clinically and may be confirmed by laboratory tests, state that treatment is recommended during pregnancy, and summarize that there is no consistent data of adverse fetal effects even though the placenta is infected.
(C) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. References
2. Burgdorfer W. Discovery of the Lyme disease spirochete and its relation to tick vectors. Yale J Biol Med 1984;57:515-520.
3. Steere AC. Lyme disease. N Engl J Med 2001;345:115-125.
4. Mhalu FS, Matre R. Serological evidence of Lyme borreliosis in Africa: results from studies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. East Afr Med J 1996;73:583-585.
5. Steere AC. Lyme disease [review]. N Engl J Med 1989;321:586-596.
6. Schutzer SE, Janniger CK, Schwartz RA. Lyme disease during pregnancy. Cutis 1991;47:267-268.
7. Smith LG Jr, Pearlman M, Smith LG, et al. Lyme disease: a review with emphasis on the pregnant woman. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1991;46:125-130.
8. Sigal LH. Diagnosis of Lyme disease. September 2005. Available at http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed June 2006.
9. Schmitz JL, Powell CS, Folds JD. Comparison of seven commercial kits for detection of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1993;12:419-424.
10. Shirts SR, Brown MS, Bobitt JR. Listeriosis and borreliosis as causes of antepartum fever. Obstet Gynecol 1983;62:256-261.
11. Schlesinger PA, Duray PH, Burke BA, et al. Maternal-fetal transmission of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Ann Intern Med 1985;103:67-68.
12. MacDonald AB, Benach JL, Burgdorfer W. Stillbirth following maternal Lyme disease. NY State J Med 1987;87:615-616.
13. MacDonald AB. Gestational Lyme borreliosis. Implications for the fetus. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1989;15:657-677.
14. Weber K, Bratzke HJ, Neubert U, et al. Borrelia burgdorferi in a newborn despite oral penicillin for Lyme borreliosis during pregnancy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1988;7:286-289.
15. Mikkelsen AL, Palle C. Lyme disease during pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1987;66:477-478.
17. Markowitz LE, Steere AC, Benach JL, et al. Lyme disease during pregnancy. JAMA 1986;255:3394-3396.
18. Nadal D, Hunziker UA, Bucher HU, et al. Infants born to mothers with antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi at delivery. Eur J Pediatr 1989;148:426-427.
19. Strobino B, Abid S, Gewitz M. Maternal Lyme disease and congenital heart disease: a case-control study in an endemic area. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180(3 Pt 1):711-716.
20. Maraspin V, Cimperman J, Lotric-Furlan S, et al. Treatment of erythema migrans in pregnancy. Clin Infect Dis 1996;22:788-93.
21. Maraspin V, Cimperman J, Lotric-Furlan S, et al. Erythema migrans in pregnancy. Wien Klin Wochenschr 1999;111:933-940.
22. Strobino BA, Williams CL, Abid S, et al. Lyme disease and pregnancy outcome: a prospective study of two thousand prenatal patients Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;169(2 Pt 1):367-374.
23. Williams CL, Strobino B, Weinstein A, et al. Maternal Lyme disease and congenital malformations: a cord blood serosurvey in endemic and control areas. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 1995;9:320-30.
24. Dlesk A, Broste SK, Harkins PG, et al. Lyme seropositivity and pregnancy outcome in the absence of symptoms of Lyme disease. Arthritis Rheum 1989;32(Suppl):S46.
25. Clark JR, Carlson RD, Sasaki CT, et al. Facial paralysis in Lyme disease. Laryngoscope 1985;95:1341-1345.
26. Smouha EE, Coyle PK, Shukri S. Facial nerve palsy in Lyme disease: evaluation of clinical diagnostic criteria. Am J Otol 1997;18:257-261.
27. Schaumann R, Fingerle V, Buchholz K, et al. Facial palsy caused by Borrelia infection in a twin pregnancy in an area of nonendemicity. Clin Infect Dis 1999;29:955-956.
28. Grandsaerd MJ, Meulenbroeks AA. Lyme borreliosis as a cause of facial palsy during pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2000;91:99-101.
29. Trevisan G, Stinco G, Cinco M. Neonatal skin lesions due to a spirochetal infection: a case of congenital Lyme borreliosis? Int J Dermatol 1997;36:677-680.
30. Gerber MA, Zalneraitis EL. Childhood neurologic disorders and Lyme disease during pregnancy. Pediatr Neurol 1994;11:41-43.
31. Wormser GP, Nadelman RB, Dattwyler RJ, et al. Practice guidelines for the treatment of Lyme disease. The Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 2000;31(Suppl 1):1-14.
32. Agger WA, Callister SM, Jobe DA. In vitro susceptibilities of Borrelia burgdorferi to five oral cephalosporins and ceftriaxone. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1992;36:1788-1790.
33. Silver HM. Lyme disease during pregnancy. Infect Dis Clin North Am 1997;11:93-97.
34. Lyme disease during pregnancy. ACOG Committee opinion-Committee on Obstetrics: maternal and fetal medicine. Number 99-November 1991. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1992;39:59-60.
35. Sigal LH. Prevention of Lyme disease. February 2005. Available at http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed June 2006.
36. McGready R, Hamilton KA, Simpson JA, et al. Safety of the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-M-toluamide (DEET) in pregnancy. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2001;65:285-289.
37. Koren G, Matsui D, Bailey B. DEET-based insect repellents: safety implications for children and pregnant and lactating women. CMAJ 2003;169:209-212. Erratum in 2003;169:283.
38. Costello CM, Steere AC, Pinkerton RE, et al. A prospective study of tick bites in an endemic area for Lyme disease. J Infect Dis 1989;159:136-139.
39. Shapiro ED, Gerber MA, Holabird NB, et al. A controlled trial of antimicrobial prophylaxis for Lyme disease after deer-tick bites. N Engl J Med 1992;327:1769-1773.
40. Agre F, Schwartz R. The value of early treatment of deer tick bites for the prevention of Lyme disease. Am J Dis Child 1993;147:945-947.
41. Moro MH, Bjornsson J, Marietta EV, et al. Gestational attenuation of Lyme arthritis is mediated by progesterone and IL-4. J Immunol 2001;166:7404-7409.
42. Sigal LH. Pregnancy complicated by Lyme disease. June 2005. Available at http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed June 2006.
I became pregnant with my 4th child during the sickest time of my lyme.
My Lyme Doc had me see a high risk Gyno - due to the Lyme.
I saw him and things were not good, not that I couldn't be treated for Lyme while pregnant, but I was cramping really bad which did lead me to lose the baby, and they did suspect that Lyme was the cause of that.
I did pior to carry 2 other baby's while having Lyme and not knowing it, both were born early and my daughter was one month early and at 1 month old in the ICU for unknown reasons with a very high fever, yrs later they suspected it was due to Lyme back then.
He and she are fine and have been since - he 19 and she 18 now....they suspect that because of normal childhood illness and the meds that they had to take - knocked it out of them.
I have read material stating that being pregnant while having Lyme - the outcome can be good as long as the Mother is treated during the pregnancy.
Posts: 374 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2006
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
I have no words.
only heartfelt sadness.
and hopes that things will turn out okay for you and your family.
you are in my thoughts.
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Thanks for the support guys. Actually now that things have started to sink in Im doing better with it. After all i have to realize that a pregnancy is not a bad thing-its a blessing. Im sure God had a good reason for all of this.
Im avoiding the scarey stories-i hope you all understand that. I have my appt with my LMD tomorrow afternoon (phone appt) so hoping things will go well with that. Im not on any harsh meds-amoxycillin and nexium so at least that's good.
I have to remember that I had my beautiful 3 year old while having Lyme and the pregnancy went just fine and she is very, very healthy. Ill hold on to that and go from there.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
HOt off the press- from the future no less*)! ********************************************* Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2007 Jan;62(1):41-50.Lyme Disease in Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Walsh CA, Mayer EW, Baxi LV. *Resident and Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York; and daggerAssistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. A number of other spirochetal diseases, if contracted in pregnancy, have been shown to cause fetal harm and there is concern over a similar effect with gestational borreliosis. Previously published individual case reports have suggested a possible association between gestational borreliosis and adverse pregnancy outcome; however, no specific pattern of teratogenicity has been shown, and a causal relationship has never been proven. In addition, larger epidemiological and serological series have consistently failed to demonstrate an increased risk to pregnant women who develop Lyme disease if they receive appropriate antimicrobial therapy. We describe a favorable outcome in a 42-year-old woman who developed Lyme disease in the third trimester and was treated with a full course of oral amoxicillin. In addition, we offer a review of the relevant literature regarding Lyme disease and pregnancy. The appropriate investigation and management of a woman with gestational borreliosis are discussed. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that Lyme disease is not an uncommon disease during pregnancy and can occur in states outside of the Northeast, explain that the diagnosis is made clinically and may be confirmed by laboratory tests, state that treatment is recommended during pregnancy, and summarize that there is no consistent data of adverse fetal effects even though the placenta is infected.
PMID: 17176487 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Well because of the blizzard we had here in CO my phone appt with my dr has been postponed. However they called me this morning and assured me that they would schedule me a time to talk to him on the phone tomorrow! They know I am concerned and Dr M doesn 't want me to go to far into the pregnancy without us talking and setting up a plan. So, we'll see what he has to say tomorrow.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Nancy,
I'm pretty sure that the great Dr. B has a protocol he followed with pregnant Lymies. You may want to mention it to your LLMD, who might be able to talk to Dr. B about it.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Nancy,
I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be to find out you are pregnant and sick with Lyme at the same time.
I know my second baby was quite the suprise as I found out I was pregnant when my daughter was only 9 months old.
I sobbed for two hours. I was initially devestated.
Then I realized I had this miricle inside me and no matter how unprepared I was for this, God wanted it for me at that time.
I was high risk for both pregnancies due to my age and history of miscarriage.
Even though my son gave me pancreatitis at 36 weeks, he was beautiful and most welcomed.
Congratulations!! Try to sit and savor the miracle of life.
It is incredible how despite physical odds of illnesses and such, life does prevail.
I really have a hard time with just two. I really admire anybody with more.
Sending you all of my positive thoughts and prayers.
Merry Christmas. Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
Dr B gave me this information when I was thinking about having a baby. I hope this helps.
It is well known that B burgdorferi, the agent of lyme can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. In addition, breast milk from infected mothers has been shown to harbor spirochetes that can be detected by PCR and grown in culture.
The Lyme Disease Foundation in Hartford, CT had kept a pregnancy registry since the late 1980's . They found that if patients were maintained on adequate doses of antibiotic therapy during gestation, then no babies were born with Lyme. My own experience over the last ten years agrees with this.
The options for treating mother include oral, intramuscular and intravenous therapy.
Oral regimens include amoxicillin, 1000mg every 6 hours, and cefuoxime axetil(ceftin), 1000 mg every 12 hours with food. We always document peak and through serum levels at the start of gestation and at least once more during treatment. We like to see a peak level above 10, with a trough at least 3. These levels apply for either medication.
For patients who are very ill, or in those who cannot tolerate oral medications or achieve adequate levels, then parenteral therapy is given. Choices include benzathine penicillin (bicillin LA) 1.2 million units IM three times per week. Intravenous can include ceftriaxone, 2g IV daily or cefotaxime, 6g daily either as a continous infusion or as 2g IV q8h.
During pregnancy, symptoms generally are mild as the hormonal changes seem to mask many symptoms. However, post-partum, mothers have a rough time witha a sudden return of all their lyme symptoms including profound fatigue. We advise against breast feeding for obvious reasons as mentioned abouve, and we always advise help in the home for at least the first month, so adequate rest and time for needed treatments are assured.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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I hope that you are feeling well today. Just take one day at a time.
I know you get really overwhelmed with the kids. I think your husband travels like mine? (Brain dead since I started Rocephin). But they will be so excited to have a new sibling. This baby will be such a blessing to you.
I hope your appt went well with your LLMD. If he doesn't feel comfortable you may want to consider consulting with Dr Jones on your pregnancy.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas.
Love Lyme x 9
Posts: 399 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2005
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