posted
Hi Everyone: Some of you know that I had a baby girl about 3 months ago. It was a difficult pregnancy but my Lyme Symptoms weren't too bad during the pregnancy. Last night I was sitting watching TV when all of a sudden my left side of my face started to droop. This has happened before so I went to lay down. The problem is that my whole face started to contort and my arms and legs were contracting inward and I had no control over any body parts. I couldn't talk or move my arms or legs. My husband called the Ambulance and they took me to the ER. Once there they gave me muscle relaxants that finally after two doses worked that I could get back home. All day today I am exhausted and my jaw and speech are really slurred. My balance is very off and it feels like I am going to fall. I talked to my family dr. and they said to take Ativan 1 mg 3 times a day as needed. This helps to calm the contractors when they start but they come right back about an hour or two later. I had the opportunity to see a Dr. C in Kennet Square PA but with just having the baby I put off the appt.I had called over two yrs ago for the appt and right after the baby was born they called to say I made it to the top of the list. Also b/c of the money needed. Now I don't know her phone number anymore. I am seriously thinking maybe I should see her now.
Has anyone else had these types of problems after having a baby? If so what did you do?
Thank you for your time
Lynne Posts: 215 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2003
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Dear Lynne,
I sure am no expert nor doctor here -- but from the sounds of it, you need to invest your money, as much as it costs, and get to a lyme literate doctor.
I had problems with my face, speech and balance when lyme was at its worst, and only abx helped to eliminate those effects. I have had great relief from lyme symptoms like these after just six months of abx.
I realize that seeing an llmd is very expensive, but your family needs a healthy mom and it is worth the investment! Take care and best wishes for your health. And yes, my lyme symptoms became worse (unbearable) after pregnancy.
[ 04. March 2007, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: Vermont_Lymie ]
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
It is my understanding that Lyme symptoms may abate during pregnancy because of the hormones, but could come back with a vengeance after the pregnancy. A LLMD can tell you more.
Posts: 115 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
Hi,
I didn't have those specific neuro symptoms, but my lyme symptoms were very bad shortly after giving birth. I believe it probably had to do with hormone changes and with sleep deprivation.
I should note that I wasn't being treated for lyme yet at that time.
I know how scarey it can feel, especially when you are trying to take care of a little one, and needing to enjoy being a mother. I hope you get some relief soon!
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
"Hi Everyone: Some of you know that I had a baby girl about 3 months ago. It was a difficult pregnancy but my Lyme Symptoms weren't too bad during the pregnancy.
Last night I was sitting watching TV when all of a sudden my left side of my face started to droop. This has happened before so I went to lay down. The problem is that my whole face started to contort and my arms and legs were contracting inward and I had no control over any body parts. I couldn't talk or move my arms or legs.
My husband called the Ambulance and they took me to the ER. Once there they gave me muscle relaxants that finally after two doses worked that I could get back home. All day today I am exhausted and my jaw and speech are really slurred. My balance is very off and it feels like I am going to fall.
I talked to my family dr. and they said to take Ativan 1 mg 3 times a day as needed. This helps to calm the contractors when they start but they come right back about an hour or two later. I had the opportunity to see a Dr. C in Kennet Square PA but with just having the baby I put off the appt.
I had called over two yrs ago for the appt and right after the baby was born they called to say I made it to the top of the list. Also b/c of the money needed. Now I don't know her phone number anymore. I am seriously thinking maybe I should see her now.
Has anyone else had these types of problems after having a baby? If so what did you do?
I didn't have the exact symptoms you decribe, but I was very sick after my son was born.
I had a lot of weakness in my left leg that would come and go, head/neck/jaw pain, vision problems, I dropped things all the time, had balance probelms, walked into door jams and speech problems too.
I hope you get to a LLMD soon and start to feel better, your baby needs you.
Hugsss to all.... Posts: 6638 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I had the same severe problems that you have experienced after my pregnancy. Bells Palsy on the right side of my face. Severe PMS, vertigo issues, lost in common places. The docs thought I had a stroke or MS. But had neither. Had lesions on my MRI.
I now know these are very common for lyme patients to experience. Especially in the first five years of the disease.
Get yourself to a good lyme facility. Get on the internet. It will be worth the sacrifice even though it will be a long haul for everyone. Mortgage your house if you need to. Your family will need you in the next 20plus years and it is worth spending the money and the next 2 years getting you as healthy as you can be.
We are all looking forward to updates. Prayers, Cathy
Posts: 88 | From Carnation | Registered: Feb 2007
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Talk about Drs passing the buck. My family dr said to call my neurologist. My neurolosgist said he is going out of town tomorrow so I need to stick with my family dr. Also the drs deal with two diff. hosp. and they both agree they want me admitted but my insur will only cover admittance to my local hosp. The last LLMD I was was over 2 yrs ago so I don't even know if I should call him. At this point I am laying on the couch and letting everyone else take care of my kids.
Wish it was easier for them to make a decision. Since I am so diff. no one wants to treat me.
lynne Posts: 215 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2003
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
Hang in there Lynne!
I've been there twice with both my kids, but with my own set of wacky symptoms. The bonus is that you know what this is! Its worth it to put the money and time into getting the help you need!
In my experience, a flare up doesn't go away on its own, expecially with the sleep deprivation that comes naturally with a young child.
Did you like your LLMD last time? Did you feel like he/she helped you? Probably good to go back to the same person so you won't have to go through the whole admission process again.
I'd also suggest the possibility that you have your LLMD talk with Dr. J, the peds guy about how to treat your little one, if he'd do that.
Let us know what you decide to do. Bejoy
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
One possibility: infections like Lyme polarize your immune system's T cells toward the Th1 side. Pregnancy pushes things toward the Th2 side, thereby creating a balance of sorts. After birth, things go back toward Th1 overexpression, and your symptoms return or new ones occur.
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
WOW! Lots of questions for you! Did you know you had Lyme when you got pregnant? Did you treat for Lyme during your pregnancy? Did you get your baby checked for Lyme at birth? Do you have a Lyme Literate Doctor(LLMD)? Are you breastfeeding?
It is very common for mothers to feel better during pregnancy, and then crash afterwards. You should get a full workup from a LLMD and also let us know more information.
When a mother knows she has Lyme disease, she is supposed to be treated the entire pregnancy and have the baby checked at birth(cord blood, placenta, urine, blood) Co-infections can also be a complication.
What you are describing sounds like Bell's Palsy, which can be a symptom of neurological Lyme disease. I suggest you get in touch with a LLMD ASAP. Email me if you wish help with this. congratulations on your baby! You have to take care of yourself so you can take care of the baby! Don't put off medical concerns, especially ones like this! Good luck!
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posted
I have Neuro Lyme Disease which includes shorterm memory loss so I had to cut and paste your questions.
WOW! Lots of questions for you! Did you know you had Lyme when you got pregnant? Did you treat for Lyme during your pregnancy? Did you get your baby checked for Lyme at birth? Do you have a Lyme Literate Doctor(LLMD)? Are you breastfeeding?
This preg. yes I knew I had Lyme Disease and was actually just started another round of anti when I found out. I got so sick from the anti and morning sickness ( was hosp ) I had to stop the anti. I wasn't able to treat duringpreg either b/c i delveloped two clots in my legs and one went to my lung so I was on heparin and other medication to make sure nothing happened to me or the baby b/c of the clots. I thought of having the baby tested but drs said that my antibodies would be present in her so she would test pos and most likely be neg so we did not. ( I also have two older dgtrs who are fine and they weren't tested b/c I didn't know I had LD when they were born.) I used to see a LLMD in Western PA but when he said he had done all he could for me and that I should try and see another specialist I went to another LLMD in New York. Thats who started the anti and then I found out I was preg so we stopped. I haven't talked to him since. The LLMD I used to see is an hour away and the one in NY is 10 hrs away. With the was I am now I don't think I could make the trip. I just put a call into the LLMD here in PA and am waiting for a return call. It has now been 4 days and my speech and balance are still no better. I have to get help from someone but I just don't know who.
Thanks again for listening. lynne
forgot the question about breast feeding... no i am not.. i take too many muscle relaxers and the pediatricians said no...
Posts: 215 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
have an appt with my LLMD in Western PA next Wednesday.
Hope He can help.
Lynne
Posts: 215 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2003
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Hi Lynne, Thank you for explaining it to us. Thank God you made it through the pregnancy alright, and again, congratulations. It is probably a good idea to see that LLMD. If you by chance do not get the help you are looking for, then by all means we can help refer you to another one. I know sometimes its a long drive to see the LLMD's but if they are the only ones who can help us, it's what we have to do! Wishing you the best!
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posted
maybe the llmd will consider phone consultations assuming he already saw you initially right?? Try asking ...worth it.
Posts: 160 | From california | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
Hi! I remember your post that you posted a few weeks ago and it really stuck in my mind because I had hoped you had made the right decision when you got the call about going to D.r C's office back then. She is very hard to get into and has up to year waits. So when pone get a call from her office they should not hesistate if they have symptoms.
Well, I certainly hope you are doing better, and right now you can't look back on what you should have done but concentrate on what you will do moving forward. Yes it may get expensive but beleive me as a mother of three, your children need you and you need to be int he best health possible.
I too had many horrible symptoms after pregnancy. I had Lyme long before I was diagnosed in 2002. Yet I gave brith to a 97 and 99 baby. My preganancies were ok- I didn't have many problems. It was the aftermath of hormones that killed me. I had thyroid issues, TMJ, carpel tunnel, pain all over etc. My girlfriend went through the same thing and was inthe hosiptial with Bells Plasey on her face and couldn't walk. Both of us ended up having Lyme and Babesia.
You have to realize when you are pregnant your immune system is as it's peak- working in overdrive. SO most likely the Lyme is held in check. After you deliver and hormones return to prepregnancy state your immune system changes. The Lyme changes drastically then and can come on fiercely!
I hope you can connect with your old doc and get on an antibiotic soon before you get any further damage. It looks like that doc didn't get your old Lyme in check so to speak so you may want to see someone else. I suggest writing Dr. C and telling her your story and asking again if she would see you imemdiately. Knowing you just gave birth and have kids (she would probably even test your baby) I'm sure she would help you. But she has a long waiting list so at this point you would probably have to write her a personal letter to get back in.
Once again I wish you good health and hope everything works out. You have to take this disease seriously and do all you can.
Posts: 238 | From Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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