In a message dated 96-08-25 18:03:38 EDT, Mary Renard writes: <<One note: I heard some years ago that the Lyme's Disease Foundation (may not have title right) did *not* provide good information about continuing to breastfeed.... took the classic "better safe than sorry" (safe = ABM, HUH?) approach and recommended weaning from the breast. Last I heard, they had been provided with good information and had not changed their materials. Maybe their stuff is better now. One can hope! BTW, Lyme's when it is detected early is treated with simple antibiotics - like Amoxicillin - that are regularly given to infants as well. My understanding from having had three family members treated for Lyme's (!) is that if it is treated promptly it is not the nightmare disease that it becomes if it remains undetected. (And yes, I know this is not a scientific survey!)>> ===================================================== Dear Mary, Your family members were very lucky to have recovered well from Lyme Disease. We have not been as fortunate. Not all people that are treated early on for Lyme Disease with antibiotics are treated successfully and have resolution of problems. Some treatment plans include long-term mega-doses of antibiotics. There are some 70 different strains of the B. burgdorferi bacteria and one tick can carry more than one disease such as Lyme and Erlichiosis. Many antibiotics will not deter the Lyme spirochete and it is very individualized as to how one's body will respond to an antibiotic to eradicate this bacteria. It can even change its DNA coding. Many people do not have the rash or bullseye after exposure and so have no indication early on that they have been bitten by a tick. It takes only a matter of weeks for the spirochete to get a strong hold on the body and attack the immune system. This can be a very serious disease. It can affect multisystems and can be devastating. In my husband's case it first attacked his neurologic system, then some problems with his heart and bowels, chronic fatigue, severe migraines and later his joints. For the past two years there has been a constant inflammatory response going on throughout many systems in his body. It was over 3 years before he was diagnosed and by then the disease had become chronic leaving much permanent damage. It can become very incapacitating. This bacteria does not like to hang out in the blood but burrows deep within the tissue. It is therefore difficult to diagnose with a blood or urine test and so many people will have a false negative test result. I don't know of any studies on breastfeeding with Lyme Disease. Seeing the damage it has caused to my husband's body and thinking of the damage it could cause to a breastfeeding infant concerns me. There is a possibility that this bacteria could pass through the milk to the baby. Researchers have found spirochetes in breast milk. Martina Ziska from the Lyme Disease Foundation briefly addressed this issue in the Lymelight Newsletter (Volune 5, 1995). She writes, "Questions about breastfeeding remain unanswered. Nursing women with Lyme Disease often call to ask us whether or not they should continue nursing. There is no definitive answer to this question. While there have been no documented cases of transmission through breast milk, it is theoretically possible. Some physicians recommend nursing mothers discard their breast milk during active infection and treatment, resuming breastfeeding after treatment is complete and the woman becomes symptom free. The decision to do so should be discussed with a physician." Knowing that it is very difficult to treat Lyme Disease (and for some people there does not appear to be a"cure") I would warn that this disease should not be taken lightly. I do understand why the Lyme Disease Foundation is taking a conservative approach on breastfeeding. The breast milk may help to keep the baby's immune system strong but there is so little that is really known about this disease. As much as I believe in the value of breastfeeding I do think that each woman's situation should be individually evaluated and for some women with active Lyme Disease it might not be wise to breastfeed the baby. Carolyn Zara, RN, BSN, IBCLC Mansfield, Ohio