My 4 year old was infected by a tick last September. To be brief, after months of illness and symptoms such as a rash (not the typical bullseye, but a malar rash), persistent fevers, abnormal fatigue, and extreme thirst, she's finally getting some treatment. She had 2 Western Blot Lyme tests done, 1 in October showing 0 out of 10 antibodies present, and another just last week showing 2 - 1gG 18 and IgG 41. Because we had both tests, doctor was able to see that something has been developing in her system in last few months, likely Lyme. She agreed to treat with Doxyclyone for 2 weeks, with possibility to extend for another week. She thinks since my daughter doesn't meet the CDC definition of Lyme infection, that 2 weeks will probably be enough. I think she's also cautious about using the potent antibiotics for too long in a child so young. Does anyone have experience with Doxy in young kids? Is 2 weeks long enough for an infection that began in September? While I understand that she only shows 2 bands and those didn't show up her October test, I know it's been in her system since mid-September, when she was infected. I just want to try to eradicate it from her system before it becomes more serious. Thoughts? thanks.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
It will probably be not enough (2 weeks).
Add probiotics daily to antibiotics.
It's funny she gave your child doxy, I thought smaller children could not take doxy (due to teeth)?
My daughter was 2 when she got infected. She took only amoxy (that is much less indicated for lyme, as it doesn't target any coinfection).
2 weeks is short, but my daughter did not do good with antibiotic, anyway.
They damaged her gut flora, and weakened her further than the tick born infections.
If I have to do it again, I would not start with antibiotics. but that is because we both have experience with antibiotics and can tell you that.
But if I hadn't experience, 3 weeks doxy is what I would try first.
But NEVER ever I would stop treating at 3 weeks, if she's symptomatic.
I would, without doubt, continue giving my daughter Buhner's herbs, orthomolecular supplements, probiotics and homeopathics for much longer (about 2-6 months at least).
Most doctors believe that if early lyme is fast treated, it will be long gone (meaning, less chances for relapses).
But as she's been ill since september, she may fall already on the other category: of chronic lyme.
That is why I would treat her for longer, and for sure, provide her body with good fresh clean nutrition, avoid sugar, gluten, cow milk products, and give her binders.
Most kids can take chlorella, without much problem (adults are another story...).
I gave my daughter chlorella since her first tick bite infection, at age 2, and she did get better faster than myself. Chlorella is a toxin binder, and will help with die off from antibiotics or herbs.
Posted by Rolo18 (Member # 51282) on :
Thank you, Brussels, for your lengthy response. I've been looking into finding a naturopathic doctor at a Lyme-centered clinic to see about herbal remedies. I just booked an appt for next week.
Her Dr. said she's treating with Doxy because it is more effective than Amox and they are finding little evidence that it does actually affect teeth. Pretty recent shift though.
As you said, it may be chronic Lyme at this point, so I'm looking forward to seeing what another says. Good points to mention about diet. I think you're right in cutting back on foods that cause inflammation and can hinder her body's attention to fighting the Lyme. I will look into binders as well.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is good to hear from another parent who has dealt with this and has some solid advice. I hope your daughter is better.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
You're welcome!
I'm sure other parents have different opinions than mine. I'm just telling you our experience.
We've been bitten so many times by ticks. Acute lyme from a fresh bite is not new for us.
Nor chronic lyme, unfortunately.
I'm a fan of homeopathy, and I know that in homeopathy, giving a suppressive treatment - such as pain killers (suppresses pain), or antibiotics (suppresses pathogens) - is only one way to go.
The body may react by GOING CHRONIC instead of letting a full blown acute disease develop.
In other words, acute suppressive treatment may stop the problem at first UNTIL it changes to a chronic picture.
You can see what's going on in the young population today, by excessive vaccines: they are not dying much from those acute diseases vaccines prevent, but they are suffering from a host of chronic brain, concentration, behavioral, neuro, immune, gut, allergic, etc diseases...
Some people can live years without relapses (after a strong initial suppression with whatever treatment you choose), but many do relapse after weeks, months or years anyway.
If they don't relapse with lyme, it may be candida, fungi, viruses of all sorts, parasites, mold, or crazy immune diseases that are much harder to treat etc...
I'm a classic example, and so is my daughter. No more lyme for very long, but still fighting all sorts of other immune problems.
So in my opinion, anything that supports the body for LONGER time is MUCH better than any treatment that only supports the body for a short time, and let you without options other than life-long treatment (like antibiotics for life or drugs for life).
But that's just my opinion, of course. It's just my feeling that there is something wrong on the way we treat infectious diseases...
Adding probiotic foods are more effective than pills in my opinion, because you'll stop taking pills one day, or forget the pills but you won't stop eating.
Adding probiotic FOODS to your diet then is a good way to keep the gut flora in better health, avoiding other diseases - it's not only lyme, but many other immune diseases that are in 'fashion', so to say...
Immune diseases, allergies, gut diseases of all sorts, parasitism, candida etc.
You seem to be aware about how nutrition is important, so I hope you'll find your way with your family.
If you start young - avoiding processed foods, sugar, additives etc - it is MUCH easier for the kids.
Having said all that, I think if she never took many antibiotics, and her gut / digestion works well, I would still try the 2-3 weeks doxy just because IF it works, it is very convenient for everyone.
She goes back to school fast, parents have some peace for a while, at least.
I didn't know doctors are changing their mind about it.
But after that initial doxy, I would certainly try to figure out a way to improve her immune system, overall, just to avoid further relapses. And certainly go on Buhner's herbs on my own, unless I find a dr who treats with them.
It is VERY hard to rely on one practitioner, or even a couple of practitioners. A lot has to be done at home, by yourself.
I usually go see someone when I lack ideas, or to see his / her opinion.
But 95% of what I do for myself and my daughter comes out from my head, books, intuition.
They simply have no time to look deeper into food, electrosmog problem, allergy problem / intolerance, why is the immune system not kicking back, the whole problem with the gut microbiome, detox pathways etc.