When he was 6 months old, he developed a neurological tick. I was told it was just a benign developmental event. When the ticks subsided, all the doctors were satisfied that they had been right. However, he recently developed what I believe to be lyme rashes. Three rashes over the last 2 weeks. Not wanting to be an alarmist, I dismissed the first one. But now I am 100% sure I need to have him tested. My new fear and anxiety is that I am too late to protect him from a lifetime of lyme treatments. If only I had had him tested as soon as he was born, but I was assured and reassured by several doctors that the precautions I had taken were enough. Are there any other mothers out there that can help relieve this horrible guilt I feel, first for passing lyme to my son (99% sure) and second for possibly missing the symptoms for 13 months.

This is why I'm not very trusting of doctors. I don't think they get it when it comes to Lyme. I switched OB's when my doctor told me I was nuts to think I could pass Lyme to my child. I was hoping to be in remission before getting pregnant but that wasn't the case. I have spoken to quite a few mothers that did not pass it to their children and I have talked to some that have. It's overwhelming.

Please, let us know what the outcome is... I will keep your son in my prayers!

I had a wonderful pregnancy (not even morning sickness). I can't remember when I felt healthier. There was only one period during my third trimester that I felt ill. After a blood draw it was determined that the antibiotics had caused so much bacterial die-off that I was on the verge of being toxic. The dosage of my antibiotics was immediately reduced and my daily intake of probiotic 11 (acidophilus) was increased.

For about 2 months after the pregnancy, I didn't feel very well. But the symptoms were not typical lyme symptoms, so I don't know if it was related. As usual, the medical professionals just chalked it up to post pregnancy hormones and sent me home. Eventually the sick feelings passed and of course the doctors decided that they had been right. I'll never know.

Thanks for the well wishes with my son. I am still very hopeful. Other than the suspected lyme, he is a very healthy baby. So far he has hit all of his developmental milestones early. He actually started walking at 8 months. I just need to have confirmation one way or the other so that I can take the appropriate action.

-acb1017

P.S. You are really fortunate to be connected to this support group while you are pregnant. I had a really difficult time finding answers which led me to be too trusting of doctor's opinions.

Yes, I'm very lucky to have this group! Without MDJ, I wouldn't have found my doctor and would still be pretty sick.

I had three healthy babies all while sick with Lyme (of course I had no idea that I had Lyme and didn't know until my last baby was three years old). I am somewhat concerned about their health and when one complains of a stiff neck, my antennae go up. The reason I say 'somewhat' is because I have a lot of trust in the docs that treated me. I am symptom free. I know where to take my children if they were to ever show symptoms.

I do hope and pray that you find the right diagnosis for your precious son and hope and pray for the safe arrival of Clayton's baby,too.

I was very trusting of 'doctors' ,too. I have learned a lot by having this disease. I still trust doctors. I'm just more 'cautious' regarding mainstream medicine. With this disease you are your own best advocate. We are constantly fighting the ignorance and politics that surround this disease. However, we can overcome this disease and get well. I have no doubts about that.

Please keep us posted of your son's condition.

Peace,

Connie

Clayton - if your ins will cover it, have them send the placenta for testing. My LLMD had to write the script for it - so ask yours...if he doesnt know, let me know, and I will have my mom ask our LLMD where to have it sent...I think it may be LabCorp - but I am not sure...I only did it with my oldest and she is 9 - but it was clean.

Acb - I know the fear and anxiety - I know there is a chance that i did pass to my twins and my youngest...but so far so good. We now know that it is possible that my mother may have passed it to the two youngest...All 3 from her 2nd marriage have it (1 confirmed and the other 2 are 90% definate as of now)...the youngest with def Bart...and my brother has autisim which studies are showing some correalation between the 2 diseases.

But as far as the guilt. You have to let it go hun. It will consume you if you dont. It is a hard reality to accept, but by accepting it and treating it as something that is a part of his life - you can make it easier on him. You right now are his voice and his warrior. There are so many ways to give him a normal life. There are so many kids, who develop all kinds of conditions and diseases and disorders...and so many of those kids are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.

Yes if he has it, it will be something that at times will be difficult for him. But you have to chose to take this and teach him to be a stronger and better person. I firmly believe that we have this disease because we are a group of people who have the strength to carry the burden. We are all at times weak, but we get through. Dealing with this and watching you deal too, could be the catalyst for him to become a great doc one day - one who makes a difference.

Point, dont dwell on the negative aspects. Turn it around and use the bad to do good. He can live a realtively normal life...kids are resiliant - they can find a way - be his strength for now...and he will be ok - no matter what.

I hope that he doesnt have it - I sincerely do...

Good luck

Christine

I agree. I can't afford to focus on the negative where all this is concerned. I'm better after being misdiagnosed for over 20 years - I have to hope for the best outcome for little Stella when she arrives. My LLMD is going to test her right after she's born. I'm confident on him being able to help her if she is positive. i had immediate results with him.

Anyone out there with Autistic children -- I'm just curious -- did you by any chance have to put your children on antibiotics pretty soon after you immunized them? I've read about a link between abx and immunizations causing it as well. It happens especially to people predisposed to Lyme (children of Lymies).

My ten year old son, Noah, was just diagnosed with Lymes Disease and has started pretreatment....He has been diagnosed with high functioning autism since the age of 2. I started my Lyme's treatment yesterday, minocycline 400 mg per day. I woke up at 2 am with a splitting headache and feel pretty bad today.

As far as your question, I cannot recall having Noah on Antibotics right after his immunizations....I do remember soon after the shots, his arm basically blew up with swelling...He ran a high fever and I still think back about how I wish he didn't have to go through those immunizations. There was so much talk about how this caused autism and I started to believe it! Now that I have been diagnosed with Lyme (Chronic), that may be the cause, who knows.....He is a wonderful kid and wouldn't want to change anything, just help him. Now that I know I have Lyme's Disease, I feel this connection with Autism and how they feel. As in Autism, we may look normal on the outside, but hold so many challenges within. Noah will start his antibotic treatment in about a month. I have bitter sweet emotions....Will he get better? Did I cause his autism with the damn Lymes??? I find myself very confused...My daughter will be tested next, she has ADHD and is scared of any kind of needles....

Take care of yourself~ Thank God you have help now when your precious one is born....You have a great attitude!

Linda

Post edited by: Claire05, at: 12/02/2008 14:28

My husband and I have been researching vaccines, etc. We have decided not to vaccinate our little one - at least not for the first year or years of her life. I just don't want to chance it. And, I will not need to put my child in day care for the first few years so I'm not too worried about her catching anything from other children.

Here's a site a friend of mine sent me:

http://www.vaccineinfo.net/index.shtml

This is really interesting - it gives you a chart on when the children really should be vaccinated and what age... nothing says that a newborn baby needs any vaccines! A newborn is so sensitive and new to the world, it seems insane to pollute them right away. If I had a child a few years ago, I would have immunized them without thinking about it but now it's a different story!

http://altmedangel.com/vacinate.htm

I will keep you and your family in my prayers, Linda. Keep us posted and best of luck to you on your treatment.