CHE Standards

Sharon Said:

Does Lyme disease affect all people equally?

We Answered:

Good sources of info about Lyme disease:
http://www.canlyme.com
http://www.lymenet.com
http://www.lymeinfo.net
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org
http://www.ilads.org
http://www.betterhealthguy.com
http://www.publichealthalert.com
http://www.freewebs.com/teenswithlyme
http://www.lymetimes.org

Shannon Said:

can lyme disease be passed from mother to child?

We Answered:

Your Answer:
Sadly, yes. It took many years for our family to figure out that my grandson was born with it and my daughter( his Mom) had been sick for 10 years. He was born with Meningitis, had acid reflux, stomache aches and Hydrocephalus, emotional issues, achy joints ,terrible headaches, shooting pains,etc, etc etc. He is a changed kid on antibiotics and a better diet.Google the movie, Under Our Skin, it is a mind blower!
Source(s):
www.lowerbuckslymegroup.org and it's links, and the book, Cure Unknown, Inside the Lyme Epidemic by Pam Weintraub and I run a support group.

Maria Said:

Can Osgood-Schlatter disease occur in a 5 year old? What else can cause knee pain in children?

We Answered:

Your brief research is right on the money - OS (Osgood-Schlatter disease) typically occurs at the onset of the adoloescent growth spurt usually around 8-13 in girls. It is typically aggravated by acceleration/deceleration (jumping) or direct blows. I would think it's unlikely OS disease.

The causes of knee pain in kids are numerous and you can be glad their is no tumor or infection. This may be a "soft tissue" problem such as bursitis or tendonitis. If their was some trauma (unknown to you) perhaps this could be a bone bruise....none of the things I've mentioned would be visible with routine x-rays. Sometimes the problem could be in the hip with referred pain to the knee. Has she had hip x-rays? If all of the above are negative it might be worthwhile to consider an MRI. I know it's expensive but the peace of mind might be worth it. The MR will show any soft tissue abnormalities as well as subtle boney problems that may not be visible on x-rays. Your daughter would probably have to be sedated for this to be done properly (you cannot move during the exam).

The hip problem I'm referring to is called Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and it can present with referred knee pain. Age at presentation is from 3-12 years. Also, have you seen any orthopedists?

Hope I've helped some.

Brittany Said:

Is Lyme's disease contagious?

We Answered:

Contagious... in the traditional sense?
No.
The spirochettes have to have a way to travel from someone else- to you- w/o dying. Very difficult, as they don't usually hang out in bodily fluid. They prefer to be in tissues.
Transfer via placenta has been documented as they occasionally "hitch-hike" in the blood to new tissue areas.
There is also significant circumstantial evidence showing that a woman who is acutely sick w/ the disease might transfer [a few of ] these critters- thru breast milk- to her child, though as far as I know, it hasn't been documented... that is, there has been no direct evidence of viable spirochetes in the milk.

The main issue is that the bacteria rely on their ability to "re-assemble" their outer protein coating (to be similar to yours)- so as to evade detection by the new "host's" immune system... something they get a chance to do as they bathe in your blood inside a deer tick, prior to leaving the tick & entering the bite area.
But they don't have this oppurtunity with direct transfer via bodily fluids, such as during sexual contact. This is believed to be the reason that an infection in the 2nd individual doesn't "take hold" in this way.

And, no, you have been improperly advised re: Lyme in the saliva. Many bacteria live in the mouth. The Lyme spirochette is not one of these. Saliva is a hostile (barren) environment for these borrelia. They need to live within nutrient-rich cellular fluids.

Angel Said:

Does Lyme Disease make you sterile?

We Answered:

If she indeed has Lyme disease, her main concern SHOULD be that she might Get pregnant (No... there is NO evidence to suggest being infected with Lyme spirochetes affects your fertility) and pass this very serious disease onto her unborn child, via placental transmission, a highly, medically-documented Fact.
If she was not having issues with her prior birth control therapy- & she intends to stay sexually active- she NEEDS to practice safe sex & use some type of proven contraceptive measure(s).

ALSO, be aware that, although it has yet to be medically documented, there is mounting circumstantial evidence that Lyme 'might' be able to be passed between sexually active couples. After all, Borrelia Burgdefori spirochetes ARE a distant cousin to syphilis, another spirochetal illness. More research is under way in this field.

Erica Said:

Pregnancy and Lyme disease?

We Answered:

K:
There are mixed opinions about whether or not the mother can pass the disease to the baby. Although somewhat isolated, there are reports and enough research to prove that it certainly can be passed. I know as an expectant mom, you want to do everything you can to be healthy, so I'm really glad you ask!
I've given some site addresses for articles and medical reviews on "lyme disease and pregnancy". The information is excellent but it's always good to talk to someone real, so I encourage you to call 800-886-LYME(5963), a 24 hour toll free "lyme disease" hotline for help. Give them your specific concern "lyme and pregnant". Ask to speak to Karen - or ask for Karen to call you back. Karen has had experience with lyme and pregnancy, (even authored a book about it). She was also the founder of The Lyme Disease Foundation. She will want to help (although it's tough sometimes to get her on the phone). You can also leave your email address. (Often an easier way to get in touch with her.)
You can also call Linda at 888-784-5963. She is the president of the Michigan Lyme Disease Assoc. (Both numbers posted here are publically listed numbers.)

I encourage you to seek out a medical doctor that is familiar with lyme disease and pregnancy. When the mother has lyme, a higher rate of miscarriage is a concern as well as the health of the baby at delivery. There is amazing knowledge and help available - but you might have to reach for it on your own. Some doctors don't know enough to be concerned. It's that complicated.
There is a documentary to be released (tv), sometime in July called "Under Our Skin". You can view a trailer at http://www.openeyepictures.com/underours… -The film is very educational and documents different stages of the disease, and co-infections with Lyme Disease as well as the blatant disregard for how serious Lyme Disease is. Featured in the film is a mother who struggled with lyme disease, pregnancy and loss.
If you don't get the help you need, email me and I'll follow up with you. I wish you the very best and hope this helps.

Annette Said:

Can Lyme Disease Affect Pregnancy?

We Answered:

Lyme is known as a "stealth pathogen." Meaning it can hide in the body, hide from the immune system. But it sometimes emerges to be passed from the mother to unborn baby. Some women have found that if they take a maintenance dose of antibiotics while pregnant, the baby turns out just fine. Highly recommend you get guidance from an expert on this subject.

There is a yahoo group called PregLyme. Its members could tell you more on the subject.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pre…

Good sources of info about Lyme disease:
http://www.lymedisease.org
http://www.ilads.org
http://www.canlyme.com
http://www.lymeinfo.net
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org
http://www.lymenet.org
http://www.lymedoctor.com
http://www.touchedbylyme.org
http://www.facebook.com/lymedisease.org