Pregnant & Recently Diagnosed with Lyme Disease

I really don't know anything about the disease during pregnancy, but just want to make sure you don't completely rely on the internet. Have you asked your OB/midwife about it? Do you need to switch to a high risk OB? Maybe find a support group, if you can't find one locally then look for an online one in areas where the disease is more prevalent or call a hospital in one of those areas and ask for information on a support group. Talking to others is a great way to feel better (I realize that is what you are trying to do by posting here!).

I found out I had Lyme Disease about eight weeks into my pregnancy. I took antibiotics for three weeks which the doctor said was perfectly safe. They should re-test you after three weeks of meds. Meanwhile, there's a Lyme support group on Yahoo if you can find it. (I'm a member of the Maryland segment.) I know there are many moms who have been through this and had perfectly healthy children. Hang in there. They're doing regular sonograms, yes? Chances are your baby will be just fine. Good luck. And the recommendations to stop reading everything you can online is wonderful advice. I stopped long ago. =)

Lyme is nothing to fool around with. Take the treatment. The disease is awful and can cause HUGE problems later on if you don't complete the treatment. I've seen it first hand and it's not pretty.
Right now, you just have to get healthy and not panic. There is nothing more you can do.

Hi - I do not know anything about Lyme and pregnancy per se but my husband had it and it is very serious. I know that there are specialists at I believe Johns Hopkins and there is another institute in I think New Jersey. You should consult a specialist in Lyme for sure - regular doctors unfortunately are not very good at addressing Lyme. Good luck!

Three weeks of Lyme treatment with antibiotics is not enough. the bacteria has a 28-day life cycle so the very minimum needed is 4 weeks. Many people have to do even more. Because your bite was 8 weeks ago, the lyme has had a chance to go through 2 life-cyles and spread around your body. No wonder you are so tired!

You need a doctor who is VERY experienced with "dissemminated" lyme disease. Early lyme (close to the time you get bitten) and disseminated lyme disease are like two different illnesses. Most doctors only know how to treat early lyme. Plus you need someone who can treat you during pregnancy. I wish I know a doctor to refer you to. Go online and keep asking on the various Lyme forums. do everything you can now to get rid of this. If you wait until it becomes late stage disseminated lyme, it becomes almost impossible to beat.

My son (14), my husband, my best friend, my brother, and my sister-in-law all have lyme. Take at least 4-6 weeks of antibiotics and get help ASAP.

good luck!

I agree- do not rely on the internet for this- get a second opinion and check to see if you should be treated as high risk. Lyme's IS NOTHING TO FOOL AROUND WITH! I got it the year after having a child. The exhaustion can be debilitating. I don't know where you live but St Joseph's Medical Center in Towson has a top notch high risk pregnancy unit. I went there(for my age, prior infertility and other gyn issues) and the people are WONDERFUL and highly knowledgable. The internet can turn you into a cyber-chondriac! don't get me wrong- it's a wealth of info, by all means be prepared with your questions- BUT GO PRO with this. The stress of 'what if's and could be's" will likely be more damaging to your well being than the actual disease. Good luck and take care of yourself- get lots of rest!