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Pregnant and unsure what to do

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Posted 3/10/2018 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I just learned that I am pregnant. I’m sooooo confused on what I should do? LLMD has said when I get pregnant that I would have to go on a pregnancy safe antibiotic for entirety of pregnancy. I was certain that this is what I was going to do. But now faced with having to go on antibiotic while a developing baby grows inside me for 9 months doesn’t see right or healthy. Especially because there is no 100% certainty that the baby would contract Lyme anyway. All my research has led me to a dead end in helping me decide the best option. I think if I blast my immune system and the baby with antibiotics that a host of other issues infections could occur. I would be wrecking havoc on our microbiome/guy. I might kill good antibodies that I and the baby have and need. Also, all my research has said that antibiotics do not kill or rid the body of the bacteria because due to its biofilm. Especially the pregnancy safe antibiotics. Another question couldn’t I test the cord blood after birth and if positive treat then? I am so lost oon what I should do and would love some thoughts or insight.

Thank you-
Posted 3/10/2018 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you could test the cord after the birth...but that's like closing the barn door after the horse gets out.

You really don't want your baby to be born with lyme disease.

If it were me, I'd go on the antibiotic that the LLMD has recommended.
From what I have read it is effective (although not 100%)


I believe it's the best chance for your newborn not to be born with lyme disease.

Here is an article that LLMD MR wrote:


"Fortunately it appears that transmission is stopped when a pregnant women with Lyme takes antibiotics. In her presentation to the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society meeting in 2010 Sara Chissell MD notes pediatrician Charles Ray Jones MD followed 160 pregnant women with Lyme in his practice and 5% of children had laboratory evidence of Lyme transmission. Joseph Burascanno MD in his treatment guidelines reports a pregnancy registry was maintained for 11 years beginning in the late 80s by the Lyme Disease Foundation in Connecticut. It showed no transmission of Lyme when pregnant women with the illness took antibiotics during pregnancy.

Based on the above, I advise my female patients with active Lyme that pregnancy is safe with a nearly 0% risk of transmission as long as antibiotics are taken throughout the pregnancy. The oral antibiotics I suggest are amoxicillin, cefuroxime, cefdinir or azithromycin as single agents. If there is risk of bartonella transmission during the pregnancy I suggest azithromycin taken alone or in combination with one of the other three antibiotics. Doses I recommend are amoxicillin 500mg 2 pills 3 times a day, cefuroxime 500mg 1 pill 2 times a day, cefidinir 300mg 2 times a day, and azithromycin 500mg 1 time a day. In my opinion and experience these antibiotics are safe for the developing baby and the mother as well."

I have a subscription, to the Treatlyme book...but I can't post the link here.

Here's what Dr. Rawls says:

"For a pregnancy complicated by Lyme disease, the mother should undergo antibiotic treatment, especially for acute Lyme disease — but always under a doctor’s supervision. Tetracyclines, including doxycycline, should be avoided during pregnancy. Herbal therapy can be a good option if antibiotics are not tolerated."



/rawlsmd.com/health-articles/can-lyme-be-sexually-transmitted

I'm sure you are struggling with this....not an easy decision.
Posted 3/10/2018 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Lymess,

First - Congratulations!! A child is a wonderful blessing.

I'm responding as a middle aged adult who believes they were born with Lyme and coinfections, including bartonella. I can tell you bartonella is a Beast. I believe bartonella, more so than Lyme, caused most of the problems I had in infancy and childhood that were dismissed or otherwise accepted until I started having all the wild neuro symptoms at age 39.

The lifelong symptoms include: ear infections, fluid in the ears, nerve conductive hearing loss in both ears, sensitivity in most senses (light, sound, smell, touch), frequent headaches, frequent leg aches in the night that made me cry, tender bones in my feet, unsightly stretch marks that appeared on my thighs and buttocks around age 10 and remain to this day, painful PMS symptoms, sinus infections 1-2 x year starting in the 10th grade until my 30's when they became less frequent, chronic stuffy nose and mucus from teens until 2 years ago, trouble going to sleep and staying asleep from birth until age 27, frequent urination from childhood until chronic symptoms started at age 39, bouts of feeling depressed, and introverted behavior. I'm probably leaving something out, but that's quite a list and those are only the symptoms I had prior to the time I considered as the beginning of my illness.

IMO Girlie has provided some excellent information. I would recommend taking antibiotics that would protect your child against both Lyme and bartonella regardless of whether or not you have a positive bartonella test. Testing is too inconclusive, and like I said, bartonella is a Beast. It can also cause infertility. If you have a daughter born with bartonella, that's a possibility for her future. Something to think (and maybe pray) about.
Posted 3/10/2018 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for your response Girlie and walking by Failth. I picked up the prescription and am soooo scared of taking it after reading all things possible this drug can cause. Very scary stuff! My husband believes I should not take it so many more risks and unknowns to deal with. He goes off the fact that my first two pregnancies were amazing and both kids were born heathy (thank you God) Yes, unsure if they have Lyme because I didn’t know at that time and never had cord blood tested. I continue praying that they are spared from this ugly disease. He also feels that my symptoms are mild (thank you God) compared to the extreme. Of course my Pediatrician doesn’t believe Lyme can be transferred in uterine or breast feeding. He looks at me like I’m crazy and brushes me off, hence why I looking for a new one. I read the info you forwarded Girlie - Thank you so much. But again all the info research about Lyme and pregnancy that I find is if you get bit when pregnant not old chronic Lyme.

So I guess my question is would you take the antibiotics with all the scary potential risks (lots of them) even though you had two healthy pregnancies and births prior and the Lyme being on the mild symptomatic side. And knowing that there is no absolutes about transmission if taken anyway?

At this very moment I’m feeling like I should trust my body and God and the 50/50 chance that transmission may occur.

Such a tough decision that’s causing me anxiety and sleepless nights.

Thank you for your thoughts
Posted 3/10/2018 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I know I don't post here much, but hopefully I can add some to this conversation.

I too am a middle aged woman, who has had two fairly healthy kids (never tested positive for any of these infections) - but I wouldn't risk having another child (even if I could) without some kind of treatment during the pregnancy. I consider myself extremely lucky in that I had two kids while infected, and they are not infected.

I may be at an advantage here, as my two kids that I had early on in life (before any diagnosis), and although as far as anyone can tell, my kids were healthy (No Lyme and company), I have worried about them for their entire lives (they are now in their 30's).

Although I don't believe I was infected invitro, I was infected at an early age (7 yrs) and am in my 50's now, and wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. The things I've had to suffer through, suffer with and find my own way through would have been impossible had I known before hand what I was going to go through. I've had nearly every single symptom on the "Master List of Lyme symptoms" that can be found in the "New to Lyme" thread - plus most of the symptoms of Bartonella, RMSF, Babesia, mycoplasma and more. Too many infections/issues to list here individually. This is not a way to live, and I woulnd't want anyone to have to suffer through this.

Is it worth it to "risk" treating while a woman is pregnant? Yes. No doubt about it. I don't intend to scare anyone, this is just a plea with an open heart to not allow any more children have to grow up with these infections. We know about these infections now, why wouldn't we do all we can to protect our children from it?

I do realize it's still a very personal choice, but please, look at the reality of what you could be subjecting that precious child to if they do end up with Lyme and company.
Posted 3/10/2018 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

Lymess said...
I read the info you forwarded Girlie - Thank you so much. But again all the info research about Lyme and pregnancy that I find is if you get bit when pregnant not old chronic Lyme.

The information doesn't say it's if you get when pregnant and not old chronic lyme.


lymepregnancy.blogspot.ca/2011/09/symptoms-of-lyme-disease-in-babies.html


You have active infection, right? You're not in remission.
Posted 3/10/2018 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Lymess,

I just want to clarify something about my situation. I believe I was born with the infections, but I do not know that for sure. Neither of my parents have been tested and neither has had indications of full blown chronic infections, although they both have had a few symptoms over the years that could have been.

The reason I believe this about myself is due to the odd things I've had since infancy - namely the ear problems, hearing loss, and sleep issues. Obviously I don't remember being an infant, but I am aware of those things in my medical history. The other things came about in early childhood and progressed from there.

Also, in spite of having various pains and not feeling great a lot of the time, I still consider my symptoms up until age 39 to be mild and had no clue I had Lyme disease or any other serious illness.

Whatever decision you make, you have a support system here.
Posted 3/11/2018 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Are you on facebook? Dr. Steven Phillips & Dana Parish are co-writing a book on lyme and they have a facebook page called 'Dr. Steven Phillips & Dana Parish'. They post videos a couple of times a month & the video from March 2nd is about Maternal Transmission. Their other videos are informative as well.
Their individual biographies are under the "about" feature on the facebook page so you can see their background & what led them to write this book.
Posted 3/11/2018 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lymess -

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I wanted to weigh in here as someone who was pregnant with Lyme. I didn't know I had Lyme when I was pregnant, so you're already ahead of me. I gave Lyme to all 3 of my kids and they have all shown symptoms since birth. I even lost a pregnancy at 19 weeks, and the doctors couldn't find a reason, but I believe it was Lyme.

2 of my 3 kids had issues from infancy on, requiring a lot of medical intervention and expense, stress, energy, etc. None of it was extremely serious, it was just draining and worrisome.

They are now 11, 7 and 7, and all exhibit symptoms (still). They are not severe, but they are enough that since I'm dealing it with myself, my energy is low, our finances are low, and the stress of wondering "what's next" is very challenging. A huge portion of my day is spent dealing with the issues caused by these infections for my kids.

I know antibiotics are a scary thought as a pregnant mommy, but knowing what I know about having kids with these infections, it would be worth the risk.

Good luck with your decision!
Posted 3/11/2018 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lymess,

I just want to say I'm thinking of you and your family as you struggle with this important decision.

Just take your time and think it through. Look at all the facts. Look to the future and weigh the possible outcomes. Then...

Find a place you can truly be quiet and listen , really listen to your heart.

We will be here for you no matter what you decide.

Take care, Jo
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