posted
Has anyone come across any "rules of thumb" to differentiate neuro lyme and babs? Is it sort of diagnosis by trial and error, if lyme tx doesn't get rid of neuro symptoms? My babesia test (Immunoscience Western Blot) was negative, and after 3+ months of lyme treatment my neuro symptoms are still going strong. I am thinking about starting babs treatment, but I don't want to r/o neuro lyme too soon. Any experiences??
Thanks!!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
MP doesn't constitute treatment for neuro lyme. Have you tried non-homeopathic doses of antibiotics that are able to get to the areas necessary? I've had meningitis from Bb (Bb found in CSF and usual meningitis markers) and that responded to various IV meds. You are taking presumably minocycline in some small dosage, no?
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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Duramater....did your CNS/neuro symptoms completely resolve in 3 months of conventional abx treatment?
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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I think there is a certain amount of trial and error involved in tickborne disease treatment.
One thing to remember is that a single negative test for babesia is not conclusive. What babesia species was tested for? There aren't tests for all the kinds out there. If you are interested, I can post some med lit that shows this. But it would be helpful to know what babs was in your test. My feeling is that this is an instance when a long look at a blood smear under a scope is useful, what Bowen does. Can google their website. They are certified in FL by the state for coinfection testing.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Thanks, lou! I have that same feeling. I'm not sure which specific strain of babs was tested for. I wish I could get a smear and immunofluoresce for a while until I found all the bugs swimming in my red cells!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by docjen: Duramater....did your CNS/neuro symptoms completely resolve in 3 months of conventional abx treatment?
Yes. First time was with Claforan - 2 months. I had a relapse 7 years later of meningitis again. 3 months of Primaxin took care of that.
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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I didn't think babs caused many neuro symptoms. I did have that "floor dropped out from under me" feeling with babs, and dizziness....but my main symptoms were heart palps and tachycardia, pain, and chills.
babesia
The following signs/symptoms may be present in those infected with 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.
------------------ Definitely DO NOT rely on testing....get TREATED for possible babs. THEN and only then will you know if you have it. The herx will slap you in the face!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
Babs treatment with Mepron has made the BIGGEST difference in my treatment. I was bedridden and unable to drive until I started the Babs treatment.
Some stubborn symptoms I had for 10 years like chestpain went away with Mepron + Zithro + Septra.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:Originally posted by docjen: I am thinking about starting babs treatment, but I don't want to r/o neuro lyme too soon.
Treating babs now would not keep neuro lyme from being dxd. In my opinion, everyone has neuro lyme. [unless they just got bit a very short time prior to beginning abx] Some are just worse off than others in that regard.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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