4yo DD has Lymes... (a little long)

[bellebud]

so glad she's on the meds - and hopefully she'll be totally better really soon!

 

[kat3668]

I too was diagnosed with Lyme disease this August, I had this wierd bite on my leg kinda looked like a spider bite started out small and turned blue then purple then red... never got the bullseye, but it was wierd itchy and warm to the touch. I let it go for about 3 weeks (did'nt want to seem hypochondirac) and then when I realized it was'nt going away I made an appointment. Even the nurse practioner seemed a little whatever about it.. until the tests came back positive. I was on Doxycycline for 3 weeks and was pretty much miserable. Just BEWARE about sun exposure with your daughter.. she should not be in the direct sunlight for any extended amount of time. (if shes on Doxycycline) I guess it affects different people different ways but when I was in the sun it made my hands tingle and it felt like my skin was burning. I had to hide from the sun. Always make sure you load her up with sunscreen and avoid the sun at all costs!

Good luck and have a magical trip!

 

[okeydokey]

I think it's just a typo, but isn't it called Bell's Palsy? I'm glad your son got better, that must have been so scary!

Yes it is, LOL. It was his face that was paralyzed, not his belly!! It was really scary, all the way to the ER I kept thinking, OMG my son has a brain tumor. Lyme was actually a relief.

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Let me tell you I hate those ticks! I think that your daughter will be okay. Poor thing. The key is being diagnosed and treated early. I had a unusual but bad experience in 2006-2007. In Nov. I started getting headaches and tired but ignored it. Then I started getting terrible joint pain that would be in my knee at times other times in the opposite elbow. I went in and got tested for everythng including lyme (never saw a tick or rash) and the results were all negative! Skip ahead to March I am still having trouble with very painful swelling joints. The doctor is mystified that it it is traveling to different joints on different sides of the body. I get tested again and yep...positive for Lyme. The problem is that I get put on Biaxin for 2 weeks. I give it some time but am not feeling better.. I now am also getting this large painful rash (like a sunburn ) all over my torso I get tested again I'm negative (find out from specialist later this is not possible and must have been an error).. I start thinking oh my gosh is this what I can expect for the rest of my life? My PCP- nice guy but knows nothing about Lyme- sends me to an dermatologist she says these are not hives but look like lyme lesions. She gives me a cream to help. The PCP then puts me on ammoxycillan for 2 weeks. The next week we go to Disney and I am determined to have a good time. Unfortunately, this was at the end of May and a Very hot week. Now throughout this time I had missed only one day of work. When I got to Florida I felt awful. Probably due to the heat and the sun. The rash flared up all over my body in HUGE welts and my knee ached badly. However, only one day did I have to leave the park and go back to the room early One night I had to stay in the hotel while my family went to DTD. Not my best trip but could have been worse and I was at Disney . I came home showed my Pcp pictures of the rash he still thinks it may be hives but refers me to an infection disease specialist. Finally in July he sees me, confirms it has been Lyme along, and puts me on the doxycyline (spelling?) for atleast 3 weeks. He said that I should have been put on the doxy from the get-go.
I feel so much better now. I have never had the rash since. Honestly, I do occasionally get the pain in the knee and elbow but no where near the severity and and without the swelling. My case was bad because I was wasn't diagnosed for 4+ months and was put on the wrong antibiotics. I live in fear of ticks now. Even though I check my kids so carefully We found one on my daughter last NOV (again Nov-shouldn't they be dead?!?!?!) I freaked she was but on ABX immediately and was fine. You are very smart to take her to an infection disease specialist. They'll make sure she is okay ASAP.
Good luck. Good health. Best wishes. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[8disneyfans]

I am so sorry you are going through this! It is a horrible thing. 2 of my 6 kiddos have it. My 17 year old was having joint problems and was tired all the time, this was 2 years ago and they told me it was wear and tear on her knees due to cheerleading and track...come on, really??? Well I didn't take that for an answer! My neighbors ended up with lymes with some of the same symptoms, we had her tested and guess what???? Yep it was lymes, darn ticks!!!! Then my 11 year became tired all the time as well, we thought it was mono...did I not learn from the first one? She also has it as well as my DH and myself (although not tested, but have the symptoms).
We have chosen the natural way to battle this rather then doing antibiotics. You can do a lot of research on line about silver, it is a natural antibiotic. And then using vit. C, muti and some other things. If you are interested you can PM me and I can tell you more. Every once in awhile we get flare ups and get tired and we just take the silver and other things and it's gone. I am confident if my daughter would take the silver everyday for 3weeks it would kill it completely. But she doesn't. Since my 11 year old took the silver she hasn't had any problems but I was consistant with her.
Good luck to you. I think you will have fun in Disney. What everyone has told you is wonderful. We leave for WDW on Thursday! And I can't wait!!!!

 

[8disneyfans]

Let me tell you I hate those ticks! I think that your daughter will be okay. Poor thing. The key is being diagnosed and treated early. I had a unusual but bad experience in 2006-2007. In Nov. I started getting headaches and tired but ignored it. Then I started getting terrible joint pain that would be in my knee at times other times in the opposite elbow. I went in and got tested for everythng including lyme (never saw a tick or rash) and the results were all negative! Skip ahead to March I am still having trouble with very painful swelling joints. The doctor is mystified that it it is traveling to different joints on different sides of the body. I get tested again and yep...positive for Lyme. The problem is that I get put on Biaxin for 2 weeks. I give it some time but am not feeling better.. I now am also getting this large painful rash (like a sunburn ) all over my torso I get tested again I'm negative (find out from specialist later this is not possible and must have been an error).. I start thinking oh my gosh is this what I can expect for the rest of my life? My PCP- nice guy but knows nothing about Lyme- sends me to an dermatologist she says these are not hives but look like lyme lesions. She gives me a cream to help. The PCP then puts me on ammoxycillan for 2 weeks. The next week we go to Disney and I am determined to have a good time. Unfortunately, this was at the end of May and a Very hot week. Now throughout this time I had missed only one day of work. When I got to Florida I felt awful. Probably due to the heat and the sun. The rash flared up all over my body in HUGE welts and my knee ached badly. However, only one day did I have to leave the park and go back to the room early One night I had to stay in the hotel while my family went to DTD. Not my best trip but could have been worse and I was at Disney . I came home showed my Pcp pictures of the rash he still thinks it may be hives but refers me to an infection disease specialist. Finally in July he sees me, confirms it has been Lyme along, and puts me on the doxycyline (spelling?) for atleast 3 weeks. He said that I should have been put on the doxy from the get-go.
I feel so much better now. I have never had the rash since. Honestly, I do occasionally get the pain in the knee and elbow but no where near the severity and and without the swelling. My case was bad because I was wasn't diagnosed for 4+ months and was put on the wrong antibiotics. I live in fear of ticks now. Even though I check my kids so carefully We found one on my daughter last NOV (again Nov-shouldn't they be dead?!?!?!) I freaked she was but on ABX immediately and was fine. You are very smart to take her to an infection disease specialist. They'll make sure she is okay ASAP.
Good luck. Good health. Best wishes. Enjoy your trip!!!

I am so sorry you went through this. Lymes can be hard to catch because it can mimick other diseases. I am glad you didn't give into what the doc said and took the pictures back. It is very helpful to have a doc that knows a lot about lymes. good luck and I hope that stupid lymes dies!!! You can take glucosamine to help with your joints, it has really done wonders for my 17 year DD.

 

[PA Princess]

Our son had lyme disease a few years ago when he was 10. He had been to church camp, and a few days after he returned he and I were running errands. We stepped out of a store into bright light and he looked down at his arm and say, "Hey, mom, I could be an ad for Target."

Sure enough he had a perfectly formed bull's eye on his left forearm. We had him to the ped and blood work confirmed lyme. He had a four week course of antibiotics and had few symptoms. Our ped said that in general kids seem have far fewer cases of serious complications.

Hope your daughter is well for your trip.

 

[dizydreamer]

The advice you have been given from everyone is great. Keep up with the meds as they are so important. My DD had Lymes at 2 and was on the meds for 4 months. She never had any symptoms. We took her to the doctor because she fell and we heard a crack and thought she broke her knee. X-rays were fine so they tested for arthritis and lymes. Lymes it was. When she was 3 we took her to WDW ans she would get very tired and week..... use the stroller, if you have to wait in line hold her if possible. She might still be week. My DD is now 10 and still will get week when we over do it but will not give up. Let your daughter rest when she needs too. Reminder her to ride in the stroller and relax. Don't worry she will let you know how she is doing and should sleep very well at night. Have fun.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Someone did mention this but if DD is getting tired bring a dr's note just incase you need it and go to guest services and see what they can do. If she is too small for a wheel chair they will give you a pass and you can continue bringing her stoller through the line! We did this with my nephew when he was 2 and had a broken foot. I hope your DD is doing well!

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

You are all so wonderful! Thanks for sharing your stories. I realize now how common this really is and of course, being a mom, we always worry about long-term complications. I do feel that my pediatrician is being very thorough in sending us to an infectious disease doctor. We will definitely bring a stroller and ask GS for a pass to bring it in line. I really think this will help a great deal.

Thanks again for all of your help and support!! I will post again after she sees the ID doctor.

 

[jenrein]

Someone did mention this but if DD is getting tired bring a dr's note just incase you need it and go to guest services and see what they can do. If she is too small for a wheel chair they will give you a pass and you can continue bringing her stoller through the line! We did this with my nephew when he was 2 and had a broken foot. I hope your DD is doing well!

Yes- my daughter was getting over mono when we went and they gave us the stroller as a wheel chair sticker- she was able to stay in it throughout all of the lines. In some cases they would put her on the ride in the stroller. where they would put wheel chairs. It help ease my nerves a lot because I knew she would just want to do it on her own otherwise, and I did not want that.

Lyme disease...that is a new one to me- I have never had to deal with it thankfully and it sounds terrible. I hope your little one feels better sooner than later!

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Just wanted to update all of you that supported us during this unsure time. I took my dd to infectious disease specialist yesterday and she is pretty sure that the Lymes was caught in the early stages and that the current medication will do the job well.

We are very relieved that she will probably not suffer any long term permamnent effects, but it can flare up anytime during her life.

It was also interesting to find out that a person who has had lymes, can be infected again even though they carry the antibodies. The doctor suggested that we do apply for a GAC so that we can bring our stroller in line with us, for those rides that have a longer wait time.

I wanted to thank everyone again who took the time to offer suggestions and share your experiences. It was TRULY appreciated!

 

[SueM in MN]

Just wanted to update all of you that supported us during this unsure time. I took my dd to infectious disease specialist yesterday and she is pretty sure that the Lymes was caught in the early stages and that the current medication will do the job well.

We are very relieved that she will probably not suffer any long term permamnent effects, but it can flare up anytime during her life.

It was also interesting to find out that a person who has had lymes, can be infected again even though they carry the antibodies. The doctor suggested that we do apply for a GAC so that we can bring our stroller in line with us, for those rides that have a longer wait time.

I wanted to thank everyone again who took the time to offer suggestions and share your experiences. It was TRULY appreciated!

My sister and 2 of her children had Lyme disease a long time ago. Her son didn't have any residual effects, but my sister and her daughter have both had flares of problem with their knees and the daughter has some arthritis in her wrists.
They had Lyme disease a long time ago before it was well known though and it was not found in the early stages.

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You will find a link to that thread in my signature.
One thing to keep in mind when using a stroller as a wheelchair is to look at what the wait would be just walking in line. For example, when we have gone on Small World, the wait if you walk thru the regular line was minimal, less than 10 minutes and sometimes basically getting on as quickly as you can walk thru the line. BUT, the wait if you were using a wheelchair was closer to 25 minutes. In those cases, you would want to leave the stroller and walk in.
Also be aware of some of the attractions that might have a short wait, but a very long walk. Pirates and Bug's Life are 2 with this situation - the walk is quite long. Soarin' has a very long walk in, even if you are using Fastpasses and have a short wait.
For shows and movies, there is almost always a preshow room where you will stand for at least the duration of one show. The preshow room allows them to bring one 'theater full' of guests into a waiting area so they ready to go in as soon as the show ends. For a long show, like Laugh Floor at MK, if you leave the stroller outside, she could be standing for 15 minutes or more, even if you get into the next show when you enter the line.
Another thing to be aware of is that wheelchair seating is usually at the back of the theater. Sometimes, there are limited number of wheelchair spots and there is usually room for one member of your party to sit next to the wheelchair. The rest of the party will sit nearby (usually in the row in front of the wheelchair row).

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

My sister and 2 of her children had Lyme disease a long time ago. Her son didn't have any residual effects, but my sister and her daughter have both had flares of problem with their knees and the daughter has some arthritis in her wrists.
They had Lyme disease a long time ago before it was well known though and it was not found in the early stages.

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You will find a link to that thread in my signature.
One thing to keep in mind when using a stroller as a wheelchair is to look at what the wait would be just walking in line. For example, when we have gone on Small World, the wait if you walk thru the regular line was minimal, less than 10 minutes and sometimes basically getting on as quickly as you can walk thru the line. BUT, the wait if you were using a wheelchair was closer to 25 minutes. In those cases, you would want to leave the stroller and walk in.
Also be aware of some of the attractions that might have a short wait, but a very long walk. Pirates and Bug's Life are 2 with this situation - the walk is quite long. Soarin' has a very long walk in, even if you are using Fastpasses and have a short wait.
For shows and movies, there is almost always a preshow room where you will stand for at least the duration of one show. The preshow room allows them to bring one 'theater full' of guests into a waiting area so they ready to go in as soon as the show ends. For a long show, like Laugh Floor at MK, if you leave the stroller outside, she could be standing for 15 minutes or more, even if you get into the next show when you enter the line.
Another thing to be aware of is that wheelchair seating is usually at the back of the theater. Sometimes, there are limited number of wheelchair spots and there is usually room for one member of your party to sit next to the wheelchair. The rest of the party will sit nearby (usually in the row in front of the wheelchair row).

Thanks so much for the tips. We have already decided to use the stroller (if possible w/GAC) ONLY if there is an extended wait or line. We go to WDW quite frequently and pretty much know which rides/attractions we should need it for. I know my daughter would much rather "keep-up" with her brother if possible, so we will take our cues from her.

I really appreciate all of the info you provided - it's a great help!

Thanks!