My wife is now 6 months pregnant and she is having her thyroid and
calcium levels monitored closely throughout the pregnancy (she had her
thyroid removed a coupl eof years ago because of Graves Disease and
complications from Hochimoto's Disease). Last month we went down to Florida
for a short break and she received a bite from some sort of bug. The bite
left a bulls-eye type of rash on her leg but the mark has since faded away.
I recently read somewhere about potential problems concerning pregnancy and
Lyme Disease. I have two questions that I am hoping someone can shed some
light on: (1) Has there been a study of the effects of Lyme Disease on
pregnancy? (2) Given that the bite my wife received has since faded away,
should we be concerned enough to have her doctor test for Lyme Disease?  
That is, are there any other symptoms that could indicate the presence of
the disease that could be overlooked, even though her {*filter*} is being
constantly tested?  

Thanks,
*************************************************************************
Ken Rogoza, C.V. Starr Center for Applied Economics, New York University

*************************************************************************

This paper is worth looking at for those unconvinced about Lyme's
impact on pregnancy:
  MacDonald AB. Gestational Lyme borreliosis: implications for the fetus.
  Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America 1989;15:657-677.

<I provided a longer answer by email; copies available to anyone
interested, email me>

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  "Disease is very old and nothing about it has changed.  It is we who
   change as we learn to recognize what was formerly imperceptible."  -Charcot

This is an excellent forun to ask this question:

: My wife is now 6 months pregnant and she is having her thyroid and
: calcium levels monitored closely throughout the pregnancy (she had her
: thyroid removed a coupl eof years ago because of Graves Disease and
: complications from Hochimoto's Disease). Last month we went down to Florida
: for a short break and she received a bite from some sort of bug. The bite
: left a bulls-eye type of rash on her leg but the mark has since faded away.
: I recently read somewhere about potential problems concerning pregnancy and
: Lyme Disease. I have two questions that I am hoping someone can shed some
: light on: (1) Has there been a study of the effects of Lyme Disease on
: pregnancy? (2) Given that the bite my wife received has since faded away,
: should we be concerned enough to have her doctor test for Lyme Disease?  
: That is, are there any other symptoms that could indicate the presence of
: the disease that could be overlooked, even though her {*filter*} is being
: constantly tested?  

If a pregnant woman is bitten by a tick that leaves a bull's eye rash,
virtually ALL of the currently circulated protocols call for immediate
treatment.  The guidelines set by the medical advisory board of the Lyme
Disease Foundation, as well as Dr. Joseph Burrascano's treatment protocol and
the standard set by a panel of 50 Lyme experts last year ALL call for
antibiotic treatment -- some physicians even recommend treatment for
the entire duration of the pregnancy with orals.

BTW -- most Lyme rashes fade within days or weeks -- but the disease remains.

I am not here representing my opinion -- I'm not a physician.  However,
based on the recommendations I cited above, I strongly urge you to seek a
Lyme expert as soon as possible.

The Lyme bacterium can pass to the fetus.  This has been shown fairly
conclusively.  However, there is debate on the issue of *how likely* your
child will become ill as a result.  If you are not interested in playing
the odds, you should absolutely seek assistance.  If you need help
finding assistance, send me a message -- I'll be glad to help.

Good Luck.

-Marc Gabriel
Editor-in-Chief, The LymeNet Newsletter

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                           Marc C. Gabriel

                VOICE: 908-789-7346   FAX: 908-789-0028
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 I'm still thinking about the witty one-liner I'm supposed to put here.