posted
Hi, My 26 yr old daughter has had Lyme/co-infections with treatment for 4 years. Her systems aren't doing well even with multiple treatments. They say she's plateaued. She's got a difficult case. None of her known Lyme doctors can help. She'swaiting for a call back from Dr. H. They don't reply.
She got married in June, 14'. They used double birth control, as they didn't want a pregnancy. She got pregnant and made it through the 1st trimester. The new Lyme, Dr. J said he hasn't dealt with a case like this. His hands are tied with her having a fetus. He told her she has babesia, from an in-house lab and bartonella, from symptoms. He said the baby would have babesia. I was told she'd crash after the baby is born, etc. I'm very concerned.
Do you know of women that have had my condition? If so, how did they fare? How well do babesia babies survive?
dr2
Posts: 17 | From marrriottsville, md | Registered: Oct 2014
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surprise
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34987
posted
We of course cannot give medical advice, especially (I feel) where babies/ children are concerned.
I do have experience with congenital Lyme, and network with many mothers with this experience.
I want to point out some positives: the mother has had previous treatment for 4 years. I find this significant. Most congenital had no prior treatment/ knowledge.
This baby came through double birth control, in a marriage of love. It's meant to be here-- What a blessing! Find joy and excitement! It will be a wonderful thing---- I promise.
I would suggest having an Igenex test kit at birth, they can test umbilical cord blood- send it in. For peace of mind, knowledge.
Please read up on vaccination on possible immune compromised baby- Dr. Sears, etc.
Lyme has been scientifically proven to pass thru breast milk- make your decision here ahead of time.
The mother may indeed need more rest after birth- but sounds quite lucky to have a caring family, willing to help, I am sure.
Take this as the blessing it is- keep the mother resting, positive, no negativity, healthy-- God bless--
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
Yes, my son was born with Lyme and babesia; I was infected while 5 months pregnant.
We didn't know he was sick until he was almost 5 years old. He was reasonably ok before then. He had sensitivities to noise and textures, acid reflux very early on, horrible temper tantrums...but nothing that told us anything was seriously wrong.
Around 5 he went downhill quickly. We were fortunate enough to get him into treatment with Dr. J. It took close to 3 years to get him well, but he did get well, and still is (he's 12 1/2 now).
I breastfed him for 2 years, not knowing I was still infected. I've always thought the breastfeeding helped prop me up for that first year. After one year I did crash, which is when I began to figure out for myself that I still had Lyme.
If it helps...I have no regrets about having my precious son, even given what we both have gone went through. I also have no regrets about breastfeeding him. That's given us a closeness and a bond for life we wouldn't have otherwise had. I'm still ill. Disabled, actually, and there have been/are many times when all I can give him is a comforting embrace and cuddle that invariably brings us both peace.
Will keep you and your daughter in my thoughts.
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- In all respect to others' opinion, and homeopathy can have some good support elements -- just don't go it alone. By itself, homeopathy is not adequate to treat lyme or babesia.
I researched this this many years ago. The Certified Classical Homeopath I found knew ZERO about the science of lyme & coinfections - yet thought they knew all they needed to know - were so confident and said they knew all about lyme, etc. ---
and then blamed me for not WANTING to get better when their treatment of just homeopathic methods did not work. They said I choose to be sick. I was devastated. But I did not know then they were ignorant about lyme and TBD.
Homeopathy may help relieve some symptoms &/or imbalances, however. And some in the field are better than others. Links below will help you find the best.
And there are certain herbal formulas that may be of help in many ways. But herbs are not the same as homeopathy, in any way - although many NDs are trained in both areas and they can work together.
If an alternative path is desired, or support along the way, please find an ILADS-educated full lyme literate naturopathic doctor.
There is one post in the set before about the use of homeopathy, and a good book -- but, again, it was not used as the sole modality.
When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
BODY WORK methods / links (and why anyone who works on your spine MUST be LL to the degree they at least know to never suddenly twist neck or spine. Never. Ever. And that we should never be advised to do neck / head / shoulder stands.) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I hear you Keebler "In all respect to others' opinion, and homeopathy can have some good support elements -- just don't go it alone. By itself, homeopathy is not adequate to treat lyme or babesia."
That is why I wrote: "bringing a homeopath onto the team will bring more helpful options to the table."
Posts: 764 | From Northwest | Registered: Sep 2014
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posted
Thank you all for your supportive information. I'm a nurse, since 1976, haven't been practicing for a while. The point is, I know there
are potential complications. It could be with my daughter's pregancy, post- partum crashing, living 2.5 hrs away from me and
on it goes. It could be the baby with problems. The new LLMD said the baby will have my daughter's babesia. This child may likelyl
need blood transfusions. My husband can use his blood. It's a donor for all types. I have a lot to contend with and put in place.
So once again, I truly thank you all for your responses. It's meant a lot to my emotional and mental health. dry
Posts: 17 | From marrriottsville, md | Registered: Oct 2014
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
This old post has some good info regarding pregnancy with lyme and babesiosis:
posted
There is a pediatric LLMD in NY that takes insurance. Pm me if you would like her info. I was sick while pregnant with my son and didnt knkw it. Was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
I crashed hard right after I had him. I think it was because they gave me 1 bag of IV abx while in labor because i was strep B positive. I also breastfed for the 1st 8 months because I did t know what was wrong.
and the LLMD I took my son to said that was probably the best thing I could have done because he got all my antibodies. Hes never tested positive...yet. He is 4 now.
I think if your daughter takes the abx while pregnant the baby will be just fine, but I also think it would be a good idea to have the tests done on the baby when he or she is born to be on the safe side. Good luck to you and your daughter.
Posts: 908 | From Albany | Registered: Nov 2008
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
I can't imagine why a newborn would need blood transfusions for babesia or Lyme. Who is recommending that???
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Read the link I posted above--Dr. J's talk about a baby born with babs that needed numerous blood transfusions.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
TF...if Dr. J in your link is THE Dr. J, who treated my son,, also born with babs, then I accept his story of the one baby needing blood transfusions.
I don't believe that's at all typical, however, and I certainly wouldn't want a pregnant mom to think her newborn was necessarily or inevitably going to have to endure any such trauma.
The reality is young children with Lyme and confections generally have an excellent chance of beating these diseases, given appropriate care.
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
yes, dilly. That is a great comment.
dr2 is the one who brought up the possible need for a blood transfusion. She will have to tell you where she got that idea.
My notes are from THE Dr. J, world renown pediatric lyme specialist.
He described a terrible case of babs in a newborn and that baby needed a number of blood transfusions.
I agree this is likely a worst case scenario.
dr2 likely wants to be prepared for the worst so that the baby can be helped to the fullest extent possible.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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