posted
I am 14 weeks pregnant and have a clinical diagnosis of Lyme and possibly Bart.
I was doing much better after being in treatment for 7 months but after an unexpected pregnancy I was switched to originally 3000 of amox. When I told my doctor I had either been herxing or relapsing he lowered my dose to 1500.
I have burning pain throughout my entire body especially my back and neck I also have air hunger, muscle twitching, extreme fatigue, anxiety.
I am scared and looking for any support or advise
Posts: 199 | From Niagara Falls | Registered: Dec 2009
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julielynne4
Unregistered
posted
My pregnancies were all filled with extreme fatigue, anxiety, and other things I did not know were related to lyme at the time. I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that the air hunger tends to be (or is?) a babesia symptom.
I have babesia (as well as bart and ehrlichiosis) and have had on and off air hunger over the years.
I assume your doc is an LLMD?
I don't know if it is a herx or not, but it certainly could be. For me, when I was pregnant I was sooooo miserable, hardly making it through each day, the pain was soooo bad. The fatigue was truly crushing.
I believe that the pregnancy can increase the lyme symptoms (and co-infection symptoms) and also it can bring out symptoms that you may not have had previously.
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I got pregnant unexpectedly during treatment earlier this year, and I was very worried for the health of the baby, because I was in the midst of treatment for chronic Lyme, and was not healthy yet.
My doctor reassured me that if the mother treats during pregnancy, it is not likely that the baby will be born with Lyme.
He said whether or not the baby will get Lyme is more dependent upon whether or not the mother takes antibiotics throughout the pregnancy, than how the mother feels.
That made me feel better, because I was experiencing extreme fatigue from Lyme, both before the pregnancy, and somewhat during.
Pregnancy can increase symptoms, but if you are treating, that is the best thing you can be doing for the baby.
Also, my doctor added Zithromax during the pregnancy....250 mg X 2 daily. Zithromax will hit Bart and babesia, so if I were you, I would ask your doctor to start prescribing it. Both my LLMD, and also a famous Lyme pediatrician, are using Zithromax now in at least some pregnant women (not sure if in most pregnant women...since I don't talk to many), along with either Ceftin, Omnicef, or Amoxicillin.
Are you taking the Amoxicillin three times a day, 8 hours apart each time? Personally, that is how I would take it, to give the best protection around the clock (as opposed to twice a day). It comes in 500 mg capsules, so you could do 500 mg X 3 daily.
A really good resource for you would be this special-edition of Lyme Times magazine:
There is at least one study in there, showing that mothers who treated throughout pregnancy had no cases of Lyme in the infants. Of course it does happen, but in that study, none of them were born with Lyme if the mother treated during the pregnancy.
The body can do amazing things to protect the baby, so just know that all your strength is probably going to keeping the baby protected and nurtured, even if YOU don't feel good.
Keep thinking positive thoughts like that...and try not to miss a single dose of your medicine, and look into adding the Zithromax to the Amoxicillin.
Oh, also...if you think the Amoxicillin is making you herx too much, you could switch to Ceftin or Omnicef instead.
If you have never been on them, you may not want to though, because it would probably make you herx even more. But if you have been on one of those, and find it's a better drug, that could be an option.
Hope that helps. Good luck!
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Thank you for you reply's. I am not from the United States so am not sure what qualifies a doctor as an LLMD but he is one of the very few doctors in Canada who treat Lyme disease and is a very qualified doctor. Most of all he is compassionate and is doing his best to help people who otherwise would have nowhere to turn. That said he has not treated a lot of pregnant women so I would not mind a second opinion.
When I tell him of my symptoms he nods and listens. Keep in mind I have only seen him once since I found out I was pregnant so I am not sure what he thinks of the return of my symptoms.
I am comforted to know my baby will most likely be protected during my pregnancy. I guess there are so many uncertainty's that come along with both lyme and pregnancy never mind both at the same time. I am feeling overwhelmed and I really appreciate all your advice.
If you don't mind me asking did you have healthy babies carried to term etc?
Thanks so much for the advice about medications I will mention it to him next visit. I did wonder if Bart was not being covered by the amoxicillin and that was why I had these symptoms returning so strongly.
I live near New York State so any suggestions of doctors that specialize in lyme and pregnancy would be great I would definitely be willing to travel.
Thanks again.
Posts: 199 | From Niagara Falls | Registered: Dec 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Hoosiers that information is invaluable. Thanks.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Oh, after I wrote all that below, I just noticed that you said you are in Canada. I'm sure they have some naturopathic physicians there, too, but they may have a different title or educational degree.
But, most important that I see in your last note is that you don't really have a LLMD. If at all possible, I would see someone who specializes in lyme during pregnancy.
-------
You are lucky in that your doctor treated you for 7 months so he clearly know more than most doctors do about lyme. And he knows it's vital to receive treatment through pregnancy.
Many run-of-the-mill doctors go by the IDSA treatment guidelines (Infectious Disease Society of America) which are lacking in so many ways.
But, there is another group, ILADS, who really has taken on research in this area.
A LLMD is generally a "Lyme Literate" doctor who has read most of the research at ILADS and attends ILADS seminars, etc.
A LLMD would know about ALL other tick-borne infections, too.
Obviously, there are doctors who fall at various places in their education and willingness to treat. Some doctors are pressured by the medical boards or insurance companies NOT to treat.
At least you have a doctor who seems a cut above. Finding one who is an expert would be best and I'd hope your doctor might appreciate being part of the team, learning more.
Good luck to you. I hear that many women have done well with the right care. I hope you can feel better soon.
==========
As I'm sure you know, when the lyme spirochete is attacked, it give off even more toxins than usual. Not knowing what kind of integrated treatment you may have received for 7 months, just in case, here are some things to consider.
* LIVER SUPPORT
You might ask about liver support supplements to protect your liver from the toxic infections as well as from the medicine's effect on your liver. You have to address the lyme, of course, and liver support can make that easier to tolerate the medicines.
* MAGNESIUM
also helps in many ways with all this. I know that it can help decrease toxicity with pre-eclampsia and it's usually a very important part of lyme treatment.
MAGNESIUM can help decrease anxiety and muscle twitching, calm pain, support liver function to help decrease toxins and also help to increase energy.
* Protection for you EARS, too.
I'm sure there are many good and safe supplements for use during pregnancy. Especially, if you add zithromax, you will NEED liver protection in order to also help protect your ears from the toxicity and potential damage that zith without liver protection can do.
Even with good liver protection, some people cannot take zith due to it's effects on the ears in various ways. I don't know what effect zith can have on the auditory and inner ear / balance development of fetus, but it's important to research that first since it can have profound effects on adults.
Protection suggested by some ear specialists for those on minocycline or azithromycin is NAC and B-6. NAC is N-Acetyl-Cysteine.
* ADRENAL SUPPORT
such as ashwagandha, Siberian Ginseng . . B-5.
* Other ways to move out the toxins ?
In addition to liver/adrenal support . . . can you get some massage or take warm baths to help your body get the toxins out? Lymph massage or gently bouncing on a PT ball if your doctor says that is okay? The lymph does not have its own circulation system.
Toxins stuck in lymph tissue can only be moved out by exercise or massage. Even very lightly bouncing on a mini-tramp or sitting and gently bouncing on PT / Yoga Ball can help lymph fluid circulate and help your body eliminate toxic build-up.
And that should help lessen fatigue and pain.
* Consult a LL ND ?
Can your LL MD recommend a LL ND (naturpathic physician) who can work as a team member with you? A good ND knows of thousands of herbs and the safe use. You would need the ND to be LL (lyme literate), of course, too.
There are many safe supplements that might help lessen the fatigue and keep you stronger. Again, I'd only do this under the guidance of a LLMD or LL ND. A ND will also know the purest brands and the best formulas.
In addition to herbs, homeopathic treatments or ACUPUNCTURE can also be very helpful to decrease anxiety and lessen twitching. Some NDs are also certified in Acupuncture just as some acupuncturists are also certified in herbal/supplement consultation.
Those in your local support groups may also have some suggestions for an ND or L.Ac (licensed acupuncturist) to consult but I hope your doctor already has a good working relationship with at least one.
There are also some DCs (chiropractors) and DOs (osteopathic) who are wise considering nutritional supplements but mostly of the vitamin and mineral nature. For herbals, the NDs have four years of study in that area. L.Ac's have somewhat less but much depends on the individual's education and experience.
Good luck.
==============
While this may not focus on tx in pregnancy, you might take a look at this and even contact the author for suggestions on articles or her experience and knowledge of tx during pregnancy.
Chronic Lyme Disease and Co-infections: Clinical Overview
by Rebecca Snow, MS, Rh (AHG), CNS, LDN
The author is an ILADS-member and also expert in complementary medicine. -
[ 12-28-2009, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
My friend also took Mepron throughout her pregnancy and Omnicef and delivered a beautiful, healthy boy who tested negative through cord blood and placenta.
She is luvdogs on here; you might send her a pm, though her baby keeps her busy at six months old!
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Thank you so to everybody who replied. I am very eager to go see my doctor in the middle of Jan. When my symptoms abate some I do feel like I can handle the next 5 months but there are times the pain seems to be too much and I have very few options for pain.
I do take a lot of the supplements mentioned above. I also walk everyday, even through the pain, I had such dramatic weight loss in the first year of my illness along with terrible wasting of my muscles. I am still pretty week but try to do a lot of stretching and 30 min of walking most days. If I over do anything I am done for several days after. It's quite a balancing act.
I always went for a message regularly before I became sick but the few times I have gone seems to really make me sore afterward. And I have tried every kind of therapy you can think of since then...nothing helped so I quit wasting my money. I do find epson baths help some, even just to relax me I'm not sure.
Thank you so much I will try to find luvdog, just working on navigating the site to find her.
Everybody is so helpful and I appreciate it. My son is wanting to play and distracting me so I'm sorry if this is not all clear.
Posts: 199 | From Niagara Falls | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
p.s I do not do anything to support my adrenals, it is something I do not know much about and will have to research more about because it does sound very important
Posts: 199 | From Niagara Falls | Registered: Dec 2009
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