Topic: I'm breastfeeding...have rash...and on doxycycline
hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Hello again,
More questions: My 31 month old child is not ready to wean. I try to ignore nursing requests by distracting, but it's just not working. I feel like the meanest mom in the world.
I have read & heard Lyme could already be in my milk (& in my child)because I have the rash. Dr. Thomas Hale's "Medications & Mothers Milk" says short term doses of doxycycline are compatible with breastfeeding. But, it didn't say anything about the dose I'm taking. I've read about possible teeth discoloration & abnormal bone growth in the nursing child.
I do not want to give this disease to my baby (probably my last child). Can I just give baby amoxicillin?
Nancy
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
I think you need to see a LLMD ASAP. Breast feeding is good unless you have Lyme. Your little one may have to be told no and stick with it. My drug book says not to give it to breast feeding mothers because it can cause damage to developing teeth in children younger than 8. You are not a bad mother. You are trying to do what is best for your child. Ann
-------------------- Ann Posts: 66 | From Bourbonnais, IL, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
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tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
Nancy,
You're not a mean mommy. You have a special bond with your little one and you want it to last. But you also need correct info to make an intelligent decision.
I agree with the others that you need to see an LLMD. Have you posted over in "Seeking a Doctor" section?
In the meantime, maybe your pharmacist could give some info regarding safety of meds being passed in breast milk? Maybe some other moms here would know?
But, in my opinion, always best to seek these kinds of answers from a lyme literate physician.
posted
I'm sorry don't offer don't refuse isn't working for your nursling.
Dr Hale is right and is the expert. A very brilliant man when it comes to Lactational Pharmacology.
So this is an acute case, right?
How long did the Dr give you doxy for and at what dose? How many days ago were you bitten? Be sure to take photos of your rash. Everyday, date them, and use a ruler or something in the picture to show size.
The problem is that the dose and duration for an acute case is usually not long enough to protect you. And in this case your child against suffering the effects from Lyme Disease.
Which puts you past the "short term" treatment window.
While many mothers find it works well to treat both mother and baby with Zith and Amox you need to be a little more conservative when it comes to doxy. But by no means is it contraindicated.
Did you discuss giving the baby 40/mg/kg day Amox along with probenecid 25mg/kg/day divided into 3 doses for 21 days? with the Dr that is treating you or the baby's Dr? Did you have your book with you? I assume you have looked at the lyme disease page as well as the doxy page?
While I am not saying this is enough. I would err on the side of caution and take more abx than less. (Maybe do the doxy round and then go to zith/amox) To ensure the Bb is erracticated before it gets a foot hold on you or your baby's system.
Since your child is older and not using you for complete nutrition it is not as much of a concern with taking meds. Also if it was an ear infection or anything like that the Ped wouldn't bat an eye at Rxing antibiotics for your child. So the resistant bacteria line is BS.
I would get the baby treated immediately. The Dr should have done that when they treated you.
I would get both of you on probiotics immediately to protect the good bacteria that the abx are going to be wiping out.
Then I would pursue an appt with a llmd and/or llpediatrician for you and the baby right away not when your rx's are running out.
You will need to learn about coinfections that you could have gotten from the tick as well. Babesia, Bartonella, just to name a few.
Remember if you take birth control pills the doxy can effect efficacy.
You are not a mean mommy. You have given your baby the best gift that can be given. It is a difficult situation because you planned on child led weaning along with the thoughts of this being your last baby. And now having the added pressure of learning how serious a tick bite can be. Is really overwhelming to you now.
Sorry you are dealing with this, lyme x 9
Posts: 399 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Okay just went thru your previous posts so I have more info.
It's 3am do I know where my brain is?
Have you heard from Dr M?
He is the only Dr I know of near you.
He does see kids that young. I was nursing my baby last year when I went by his office.
Sounds like you already did the biopsy?
All I can say is OUCH!
Your rash sounds like a bulls eye for sure. I hope you keep taking pictures. It will be your proof. That is it. That is all you need.
As for Dermatologists they are useless and so is a doctor that would only give you 7 days of doxy. Did he read your book about treating the baby? Dr Hale is very accessible and the Dr could have called him. Or called Dr J for that matter. I will PM you the info. Or have you called him already.
That Pharmacist was correct but still conservative in my book.
I would probably ask for 6 weeks if I got bit and didn't have a bulls eye.
I would go to every Dr and show them your rash and get more abx. Till you can see a llmd.
keep us posted, lyme x 9
Posts: 399 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
I would get off doxy use a abx thats kid safe doxy can effect children.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
char
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8315
posted
Welcome.
Let me start out asking you to excuse my candor here. I am coming from the perspective of a mom whose children who have been through hell because they were infected with lyme.
Have you considered getting some "back up" to help you wean your baby?
Like a relative to babysit during feeding times?He or she is eating solids, right. Baby will get hungry and eat.
My experience as a Mom with two is that even at a very young, our children know how to pull at our heartstrings and manipulate.
Even though it is very hard, the simplest way to protect your baby would in my opinion to stop nursing as soon as possible.
You have given your baby a lot for a healthy start, but please consider that you don't want to put baby in danger of a debilitating condition.
Some young ones develop autistic symptoms from lyme. It is a very bad disease and hard to get rid off.
One of the hardest and most difficult aspects of parenting is saying no and enforcing boundaries.
You can do it Also read and learn as much as you can here. Newbie links: Dr. Burrasco's paper.
I wouldn't consider weaning at this point unless you are ready. A forced weaning can be extremely stressful on a child. As well as yourself. It needs to be discussed with the llmd you choose.
You are also talking about 4 bites in a month. (you twice, baby once, older child once with rash)
Since the baby has been bitten as well. There would be no reason to interrupt breastfeeding. (Maybe if it was a tiny baby I would say pump and dump)
But doxy is not contraindicated in an almost 3 year old thru breastmilk transfer.
Refer to the experts like Hale, Briggs, Freeman, Jaffe, etc.
Not the PDR - Pretty Dumb Reference when it comes to lactation.
(Many woman take doxy for acne while breastfeeding.)
Seeking the advice of a llmd is a must. You will be able to get yourself on a better combo for both you, your older,child and the baby.
So did the other child see your rash and say "I had that last month?"
Let us know how you are doing, lyme x 9
Posts: 399 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2005
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