tricia386
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Member # 29623
posted
What are Babesia symptoms??
-------------------- Lyme activated in April 2010 by gardasil vaccine. DX: Lyme,Babs,Myco,Bart 11/10 Treatment Started: 3/28/11 Posts: 1752 | From Albany, NY | Registered: Dec 2010
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TF
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posted
From page 26 of Burrascano Lyme Treatment Guidelines:
"Rapid onset of initial illness, often with sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, sweats and fatigue, thus it is easy to know when infection began. � Obvious sweats, usually at night, but can be day sweats as well. � Air hunger, need to sigh and take a deep breath; dry cough without apparent reason. � Headaches can be severe - dull, global (involves the whole head, described like the head is in a vise). � Fatigue is prominent, does not clear with rest, and is made worse with exercise. � Mental dullness and slowing of reactions and responses. � Dizziness- more like a tippy feeling, and not vertigo or purely orthostasis. � Symptoms cycle rapidly, with flares every four to six days. � Hypercoaguable states are often associated with Babesia infections. � Rarely, splenomegaly � Very severe Lyme Disease can be a clue to Babesia infection, as it will make Lyme symptoms worse and Lyme treatments less effective."
You don't have to have all the symptoms to have babs.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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17hens
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Babesiosis is a malaria-like protozoa illness that invades, infects, and kills the red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, night sweats, chills, fever, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, headache, dark urine, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, and jaundice. Treatment is an anti-malarial combined with an antibiotic--often Mepron or Malarone with Zithromax or Biaxin w/Artemisinin. Septra/Bactrim has shown in some cases to be effective.
Babesia Bradycardia (Slowed heart beat) Headaches Night sweats Fever Dry cough Air hunger Easy bruising Tinnitus Rage Despair Chills Flushing Vivid or violent dreams Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing) Psychic Phenomena Severe Neurological illness Thirst/Polydipsia (excessive thirst) Fatigue Rheumatoid Arthritis Severe nausea Malaise (A vague feeling of bodily discomfort) Anemia Thrombocytosis (Increased numbers of platelets in the blood) Thrombocytopenia (A decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, resulting in the potential for increased bleeding and decreased ability for clotting)
In the book "Diagnoses and Treatment of Babesia" by Dr. S he lists the following as Babesia symptoms: � High fevers � Dullness � Listless � Chills � Sweats � Headaches � Fatigue � Sleep more than 8 1/2 hours per day
BABESIA SPECIES- � Rapid onset of initial illness, often with sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, sweats and fatigue, thus it is easy to know when infection began. � Obvious sweats, usually at night, but can be day sweats as well. � Air hunger, need to sigh and take a deep breath; dry cough without apparent reason. � Headaches can be severe - dull, global (involves the whole head, described like the head is in a vise). � Fatigue is prominent, does not clear with rest, and is made worse with exercise. � Mental dullness and slowing of reactions and responses. � Dizziness- more like a tippy feeling, and not vertigo or purely orthostasis. � Symptoms cycle rapidly, with flares every four to six days. � Hypercoaguable states are often associated with Babesia infections. � Rarely, splenomegaly � Very severe Lyme Disease can be a clue to Babesia infection, as it will make Lyme symptoms worse and Lyme treatments less effective.
Babesiosis
As with other co-infections, there is a lot of overlap of symptoms between Lyme disease and Babesiosis. An accumulation of the following signs and symptoms probably warrant testing and/or treatment of Babesiosis:
___Chills
___Fatigue and often excessive sleepiness
___High fever at onset of illness
___Night sweats that are often drenching and profuse
___Severe muscle pains, especially the large muscles of the legs (quads, buttocks, etc.)
___Neurological symptoms often described as "dizzy, tipsy, and spaciness," similar to a sensation of "floating" or "walking off the top of a mountain onto a cloud"
___Depression
___Episodes of breathlessness, "air hunger", and/or cough
___Decreased appetite and/or nausea
___Spleen and/or liver enlargement
___Abnormal labs (low white blood count, low platelet counts, mild elevation of liver enzymes, and elevated sed rate)
___Headaches (migraine-like, persistent, and especially involving the back of the head and upper neck areas)
___Joint pain (more common with Lyme and Bartonella)
___anxiety/panic (more common with Bartonella)
___Lymph gland swelling (more common with Bartonella and Lyme)
----------------------------------------------
From my notes (don't remember where I found this)
Babesiosis: Fatigue Arthralgias Myalgia Drenching sweats Headaches Emotional lability Depression Dark urine Splenomegaly Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Cough Dyspnea Fever Chills Hepatosplenomegaly Jaundice Malaise Shortness of breath Bleeding tendencies, bruising Thrombocytopenia Hemoglobinuria Hyperesthesia Pulmonary edema Encephalopathy Low to normal range leukocyte counts Possible elevated levels of dehydrogenase, bilirubin, transaminase* Anorexia Approximately 25%- 66% of Babesia patients are known to be co-infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may continue for long periods of time, decrease, then return. A low Babesiosis titer (IgG) often indicates a chronic infection. An acute or current infection may show a higher reading on the IgM test initially. There are over 100 species of Babesia in the United States but only ONE or TWO species are currently checked by commercial labs.
[ 07-08-2011, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: Lou B ]
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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i SO have babesia!!
Posts: 442 | From usa | Registered: Oct 2010
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
With babesia duncani you often do not have the drenching sweats you do with babesia microti. That is one reason why I did not know I had babesia for two years.
I don't think the lists mentioned a dry unproductive cough and temporary loss of voice - sounding hoarse or "froggy".
Glad you figured out you have it so you can get treatment.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I have heard one prominent physician say that the headaches tend to be in the back of the head or the crown of the head rather than the front. they also said that the headaches are often described as a pressure or odd sensation as opposed to a regular headache.
I have no idea if this is true, all I know is this guys talk made me realize that probably my main issue issue is Babs.
He also said that he had treated a woman for 2 years for all the other stuff but not babs because she didn't have the classic signs. She did, however, always feel "stupid", unable to process information. This is a woman that spoke 7 languages. when she got Babs treatment that symptom finally started to change.
That's me I feel "stupid". Babs meds help! My synapses are starting to fire again. Thank you God!
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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17hens
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posted
Oooooh, how could I forget? When I heard this one, it was a lightbulb moment for me!!
Not just mornings but ALL DAY sole of foot pain!
Dr. C., PA ped. said that one recently - excellent call, Dr. C.!!
(This doesn't mean pain without ceasing but for me it was on and off pain, anytime of day, not just mornings.)
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
After reading this, I'm even more convinced I have babs.
I'm on Bactrim for bart. I wonder if it is hitting the babs too?
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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17hens
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Member # 23747
posted
Bactrim is an antibiotic which kills bacteria. Babesia is related to malaria. You'll need to use an antimalarial to address it. I made the most progress when I addressed both at the same time.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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nefferdun
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posted
I recently listened to a tape of Dr. B speaking at CALDA in March 2011. He said back of the head headaches with neck cruchiness is borellia. Babesia is like "a tight hat". I feel it behind my eyes and confused it with migraine even though that is typically behind one eye.
I have also had very dry irritated eyes which some people believe is related to babesia. Mine have gotten much better with babs treatment.
Feeling "stupid" is very much babesia - and forgetfulness. I could hardly think a sentence through before I forgot my train of thought. I couldn't figure anything out because I couldn't follow a course of reasoning. It was like being drunk.
Also "walking off the mountain top into the clouds" is a great description of the spaciness I felt. Just not connected - very drugged feeling.
I had back pain and leg pain too. Sometimes my upper thighs and buttocks or back would seize up in cramps so severe I would scream. Afterwards it felt like the tendons had been torn and hurt for weeks.
Everything is worsened by exercise. Aerobic exercise is the worst. I could literally feel like I would pass out when I exerted myself and then would feel weak and tired - have to rest the rest of the day lying down. Exercise also brought on the cramps.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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17hens
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posted
I wanted to add to the symptom list.
For me, Babesia symptoms would wax and wane but they were always so subtle, so odd, I had no idea they were from Babesia. I never had strong air hunger or night sweats. If only I knew then what I knew now, I could have saved myself 8 months of treatment before making significant progress.
I would get a clicking in my throat whenever I swallowed. It developed into choking on my spit a few times a day. Then my throat muscles felt weak - when I would lay down it felt like my throat was sort of collapsing and I began to snore.
And the foot pain was a big one too. See above post.
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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nonna05
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Member # 33557
posted
My God this stuff is hideous. How is it possible that so few doctor's can or are helping. I just took a look at my blood test( I requested a copy get sent to my home ,when I got blood drawn), I Really have know idea why I wasn't in a hospital, or getting updates , or being told to expect to be in bed for 4 weeks and not think I'm nuts.
I just read them tonight and freaked out for a minute... I would love to shove this in the face of about 5 doctors, but what good would that do...
I just need to forgive, pray for strength, guidance and God's protection and healing.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
My God this stuff is hideous. How is it possible that so few doctor's can or are helping. I just took a look at my blood test( I requested a copy get sent to my home ,when I got blood drawn), I Really have know idea why I wasn't in a hospital, or getting updates , or being told to expect to be in bed for 4 weeks and not think I'm nuts.
I just read them tonight and freaked out for a minute... I would love to shove this in the face of about 5 doctors, but what good would that do...
I just need to forgive, pray for strength, guidance and God's protection and healing.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
My God this stuff is hideous. How is it possible that so few doctor's can or are helping. I just took a look at my blood test( I requested a copy get sent to my home ,when I got blood drawn), I Really have know idea why I wasn't in a hospital, or getting updates , or being told to expect to be in bed for 4 weeks and not think I'm nuts.
I just read them tonight and freaked out for a minute... I would love to shove this in the face of about 5 doctors, but what good would that do...
I just need to forgive, pray for strength, guidance and God's protection and healing.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
anybody notice that most of us can't spell correctly anymore
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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