When your illness affects your children

Literally.  Many of you might recall that I'm being treated for tb right now (latent tb, so I'm not contagious).  However, I asked my rheumy if I was contagious last summer when I had developed a wicked cough shortly after starting mtx (long story that ended up to my going to a pulmonologist, etc...).  He said he thought I had a strange version of bronchitis, that it wasn't active tb, but he couldn't be sure so I should call my girls' pediatrician.  I called the pediatrician yesterday, and they took it very seriously.  My husband had to bring the girls in immediately for both a PPD and a chest x-ray.  I did not want them to have to go through this, but I wanted to be sure they didn't have some horrible illness that I gave them.  In any case, they did great--no tears, fear, etc....  In fact, they were quite thrilled to have their "picture" taken.  and they got special band-aids for the PPDs.  We won't know the results until tomorrow (I think that's when they go in to be read); I expect they will both be negative for everything (I was).   I really hope they are.

It's good to know that my county takes tb very seriously and all of the doctors I've dealt with have been very prompt with answers to questions and action, when necessary.  But jeez, it really makes me feel like a freak.  I'm just a normal, middle-class, married female with children.  I don't live an exotic lifestyle, and I've never lived out of the country (except for Spain for about 8 months as a young child); in short, I don't fit the profile for someone who has contracted tb.  I'm not even a health care worker. 

Tb meds are getting better.  I still experience some nausea and gastritis sx, but they have subsided some.  Arthritis is getting worse, but as some of you pointed out before, you would much rather deal with arthritis than nausea. You are right!  Nausea is the worst.  Hopefully, the side effects from the meds will disappear entirely the longer I take them.

Thanks for all of your encouragement!

elcamino

((((Hugs)))). I hope all of the tests for your girls turn out negative. I can tell you first hand that it is terrible to worry if something you have will affect your children. I have been dealing with guilt ever since my son was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I know my guilt isn't justified because I never would have chosen to pass on a predisposition for AI diseases. A few months ago my daughter had knee pain and was fatigues, so, of course I was worried. Some blood tests were run and she was fine, so that was good. How much longer is your treatment going to last? It sounds pretty harsh and I give you credit for putting up with all of the side effects. Let us know how things turn our with your girls. Take care

Hey Friends,

It already has affected my youngest daughter. She has hashimoto's thyroiditis or autoimmunie thyroid disease. So she is on synthroid for an underactive thyroid. Once all my "stuff" was discovered, I told both of my daughters they had to have their thyroids checked annually. It has already paid off.

They have both had their first children so I have been on high alert after each pregnancy. My oldest daughter had a preemie (7 mos.); they both did and are doing exceptionally well. She did have some post-partume depression; went on some anti-depressant, saw her old therapist and did A-ok. I was on the look out for that as well!!!

The younger--we just have the two--had a full term, C=section. They managed her thyroid levels quite well during the pregnancy; post partum was a bit all over as to be expected. It is hard to really tell how she is doing as she is still breast feeding and sweet little Grace (who will be a year old on Friday) is still waking at night!!! (yes, a baby of MINE would be sleeping through the night--he he). So my daughter is always tired and often jokes that she is taking on my symptoms....Sometimes it chills me to the bones. I don't want to alarm her, but if this keeps up after the baby is weaned and sleeping, I'm going to suggest she have an auto immune panel run just on the basis that she already has the thyroid so she should be on top of things.

Nope, it's not a legacy we'd ever choose to pass on. But if it does come to pass, I guess we have to pass on what we learn about being our own advocates and helping them learn from our mistakes.

xoxo emmie