Now I've got a bullseye rash....ugh

[MSWR0319]

DH had what we think was Lyme a year ago. Blood test was negative, but he had the rash so they treated. Last night DH sees a similar rash on my back. I can't get in to any dr today and have to go to the walk in clinic where the cranky NP no one likes is on call today. I'd prefer she treat me even if she doesn't think that what it is. I'm nursing DS still, I just hope there's something I can take that's safe for DS. I don't want to have to stop nursing. There's nothing else that causes bullseye rashes is there?

[Melbel]

Ring worm is the only other one. Here are the treatment guidelines published by Dr. Burrascano, probably the most respected Lyme doctor: http://www.lymediseaseresource.com/BurrGuide2008.pdf

Amoxicillan should be safe during breast feeding considering it is safe during pregnancy and for young children (check with your doctor).

The Lyme bacteria spirochete has been found in breast milk and many experts believe that Lyme can be passed from mother to child through breast milk. You are wise to seek treatment right away before the infection becomes more disseminated and difficult to treat.

[MSWR0319]

Thanks Melbel! I was hoping you'd chime in. Do I need to have DS tested or anything since Bacteria can be passed? I'd feel forever guilty if I passed him something and didn't get him treated properly.

[Melbel]

Testing early on is extremely inaccurate, so it is hard to tell. The antibiotics you take may pass through the breast milk. This is a very tough issue. I will post on one of my Lyme boards for advice.

I fought through 14 months of thrush breast feeding DD2, which seemed to help with her reflux issues, but exposed her more to the Lyme I was unknowingly carrying. Sigh.

[Melbel]

First response:

they advise not to breast feed.. but I would suggest the infection may have passed already. Bulls eye rashes can occur many years after an initial bite so unless there was also a tick removed from the bullseye rash site it could have been from an old bite re occurring rash.. this happens to my daughter a lot.. she gets bulls eye rashes for no reason .. usually when her body is under the weather physically which could easily happen to a nursing mother. If this was the case baby may have been born with lyme. I hope both are ok ♥

I have a few follow up questions. How long was your DH treated for Lyme? How is your DH post treatment? Have you had symptoms of joint pain, migraines, abdominal problems or other symptoms of Lyme (note that Lyme could have been transmitted to you from your DH sexually particularly if your DH was under treated)? Does your DS have any symptoms that are consistent with congenital Lyme? Reflux? Sound/light sensitivity?

For your DS, here is a list of symptoms to keep in mind:

Lyme pediatric specialist Charles Ray Jones, MD, compiled a list of common symptoms of infection in his young patients:

severe fatigue unrelieved by rest
insomnia
headaches
nausea, abdominal pain
impaired concentration
poor short-term memory
inability to sustain attention
difficulty thinking and expressing thoughts
difficulty reading and writing
being overwhelmed by schoolwork
difficulty making decisions
confusion
uncharacteristic behavior
outbursts and mood swings
fevers/chills
joint pain
dizziness
noise and light sensitivity

Dr. Jones has also documented congenital, or gestational, Lyme disease in some children who were infected in utero or by breastfeeding. In these patients his suspicion is raised when the child has:

frequent fevers
increased incidence of ear and throat infections
increased incidence of pneumonia
irritability
joint and body pain
poor muscle tone
gastroesophageal reflux
small windpipe (tracheomalacia)
cataracts and other eye problems
developmental delay
learning disabilities
psychiatric problems

I have also seen jaundice as a newborn symptom of congenital Lyme. A Lyme diagnosis is awful, but it is far worse having Lyme and not knowing then experiencing a major crash like my DS. If you had asked me a few years ago if my kids have Lyme, I would have thought it was ludicrous. Now, in hindsight, each of my kids have prevalent symptoms from the above list (reflux, recurrent infections, colic, ear tubes, some developmental delays for DS).

[MSWR0319]

Melbel, do you mind if I PM you? The NP says its Lyme and I'm a hot mess right now. so many questions and I don't even know where to start.

[Philly Mom]

Hugs to you and wishing you a speedy recovery

[Melbel]

Melbel, do you mind if I PM you? The NP says its Lyme and I'm a hot mess right now. so many questions and I don't even know where to start.

I am so sorry. With so many people being missed, at least you know so that you will have better treatment options. You will get through this. Please feel free to PM me. We are in the Bahamas now, and I think our internet runs out sometime tonight. I will be back home late tomorrow night. If you would like suggestions for pediatric and/or adult Lyme specialists, be sure to include your city/state and how far you are willing to travel. :grouphug: