Topic: Newly pregnant, have a fever, thinking of taking Amox NOW...good call?
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I will keep this fairly brief because I'm not feeling too great today.
Sometimes at night, even before the pregnancy began, I will get hot to the touch from what I think is herxing from my meds. My face, neck, and sometimes even my chest, back, etc. will feel hot to the touch in a way that feels like I have a fever.
We don't have a thermometer, and I was putting it off because of the cost of the nice ones (up to $50), but hubby finally went to go get one now, though I'm guessing it'll be one of the cheaper digital ones, like $10.
Anyways, whether or not my temp will be elevated, who knows, but tonight and even earlier today I have been more feverish than usual, which freaks me out since I'm pregnant and I don't know if the drugs I am on now are helping the baby or not. (usually the hotness on the skin doesn't start till evening...today it was there way earlier)
I am only on Malarone and Biaxin right now.
I have Amoxicillin here though that is a left-over from when I used to take it (it was one of the drugs that helped me in the past so I am familiar with how I feel on it).
So since I have been pregnant from anywhere from 1 week to 3 weeks, and tonight I'm so hotter than usual, should I just take 1,000 mg of Amox now? I don't want to wait until tomorrow. Who knows what time it will be when I can talk to an LLMD.
And I'm guessing they might put me on Amox, but they also might use Ceftin or Omnicef (and they will probably put it with a macrolide).
So if they put me on Ceftin tomorrow, would it be okay I took Amox tonight?
Sorry, just confused...it's a weekend and you know how that goes....I just don't want to give the baby Lyme tonight. (as weird as that sounds).
Would like a little input if possible. Thank you.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
PS--the reason I want to take Amox is that I'm worried the Biaxin isn't helping protect that baby from Lyme....I am not sure the science behind if it crosses the placenta or what. I am not sure if Dr. J usually gives Zithromax more to keep the Mom's infection under control, or if it is for the baby's benefit too.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Ocean
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Member # 3496
posted
Hi hon,
I am not a doctor, so I cannot tell you what to take, however, Biaxin is a catergory C pregnancy drug meaning there may be some studies in animals that it could affect the fetus or there isn't enough info to know if it can harm a fetus.
Amoxi is a pregnancy B category which is why they give it to pregnancy women, it's much safer, no known effects.
I can't remember if you said you are calling your LLMD tomorrow (Lyme brain, sorry!), but try to get ahold of him/her so that they can switch your meds to accomodate the pregnancy.
Here is some info on the classes of drugs, I'm a nurse but had to look this up, as I couldn't remember what category Biaxin is in =)
posted
Hoos, I'd just give the LLMD a call tomorrow. You could skip the Biaxin/Malarone till then if it makes you feel better. One day is not going to make a difference either way.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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CD57
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Member # 11749
posted
I think you should call the LLMDs cell phone. This constitutes somewhat of an emergency.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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pamoisondelune
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Member # 11846
posted
Amoxy is the safe drug, i THINK. I think i remember reading that Californialyme took Amoxicillin for 3 years through pregnancy and nursing. You shouldn't be taking any drug that affects a fetus.
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Hoosies - I got a fever when I was implanting. It went up to 101 - I did not know I was pregnant at the time. I took tylenol to reduce it. Tylenol is the only safe anti-inflammatory while pregnant.
I would not switch meds until you talk with your doc bc I don't want you triggering any more herxes than necessary right now. Chances are they will keep you on the biaxin and malarone but let's see. Talk to your doc asap.
I will write more in a PM later - at work right now and in a rush!
But implanation fevers are common. Just don't let it get too high, ok?
more later!
Posts: 588 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Amox used to be the drug of choice, and they still use it a lot, but there is more movement towards zithromax and ceftin or omnicef, sometimes adding mepron if babs.
I would hate to see you trigger a herx if not necessary since you are already pretty much on one of the protocols - you might just need to add a cephalosporin and switch or drop the malarone.
This is where Dr J comes in. He will probably want you to treat the babs with biaxin or zith and maybe mepron - but I do not know how he will feel about the malarone. He will want to add a cephalosporin most likely.
I only say this bc I have been in close contact with him throughout my pregnancy, and my sis just had a baby and recently had a long consult with him. (She has Lyme too)
Posts: 588 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Thanks for all the replies.
Luvs,
Thanks so much. I didn't know fever is a common implantation symptom. That is a relief. Thinking back on when I might have gotten pregnant, it was either a week ago or like 3 weeks ago.
I had what was probably implantation bleeding and cramping on Thursday-Saturday. SO, it would make sense that this could be an implantation fever, since the fevers started Sunday.
The weird thing about the fevers is that one morning I woke up with them, which is unusual for my TBD fevers that usually come at night.
Even today I have them, and they started very early in the day.
I was soooo worried it was babesia flaring. Could be still, but now maybe not if it's implantation.
I called my LLMD and Dr. J today. Spoke with LLMD's PA. They wanted me on Zithromax with either Amoxicillin or Omnicef. Their first suggestion was Omnicef, but when I told her I usually respond favorably to Amoxicillin (I feel better on it), she said, okay we can do that too.
But now I am wondering if Omnicef is better?
She said there was a low chance of transmission of Lyme when I'm on proper treatment.
But, she said there was nothing they could do to prevent transmitting babesia.
I told her I have heard of Dr. J using Mepron in pregnancy, and she said, "oh, you will have to ask him about that then."
I am thinking I might still keep taking the Malarone until I hear from his office (they are supposed to call me). But I can't decide. I haven't taken my morning dose yet for today.
I have seen studies of Malarone used at least short term in pregnancy (from you luvs), so I am thinking maybe protecting the baby until I hear from Dr. J outweighs the risk of the drug.
I'm hoping I hear from his office soon.
I am taking extra folic acid since apparently that is necessary with Malarone (maybe Mepron too?)...can't remember who told me that.
Hmm that's all I can think of that I was going to say for now. I do have more questions, but I might call you tonight Luvs, and/or post them here.
I am still feverish and tired so I should probably rest.
Thanks again!!!!!! Love you guys!
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
You need to take the folic acid regardless with pregnancy - about 800 ius daily. I am glad that you are taking it - I meant to ask you about that!
It sounds like you have the bases covered... Amoxicillin should not be too different from omnicef or ceftin I would think. If it makes you feel good then I would stick with that.
I hope you get to speak with Dr J soon! Keep us posted and stay calm That is the MOST important thing I have found (says I who landed in the ER last Friday lol!)
Posts: 588 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470
posted
Amoxy or ceftin/omnicef and zith.
I just had a baby and got a lot of info from the yahoo preg lyme message board.
Now, Dr J will give amoxy if you can't take the other two but he has been known to have a preferance for those.
My baby has had a rough first few months but he had colic and milk protein allergy which is very common in healthy babies. We don't know if lyme and co play a role or if the abx caused a problem with his GI tract. But, he did test negative at birth for lyme. I took omnicef/zith.
Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008
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SForsgren
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Member # 7686
posted
Amoxicillin during pregnancy has about a 50/50 chance of still having the baby get Lyme from what I understand. Omnicef + Zithromax I believe is a better combination from what I have heard - far better.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Thanks luvs and blinkie.
blinkie,
So does Omnicef/Zith seem to have a higher success rate than the Amox/Zith?
And blinkie, did you have babesia too?
I do have babesia but I would love to not take Mepron during the pregnancy, or take it in really small doses, since i feel so horrible when I take it (I think it makes me toxic or something).
But I will do what is best for the baby.
Thanks all!
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Scott, we must have been posting at the same time. Wow....thank you for letting me know that.
I had no idea there might be that much difference between the two.
Maybe I will call my LLMD tomorrow and ask them to put me on Omnicef instead.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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