nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
The LLMD I went to in November told me I do not have bartonella because I did not test positive. He put me on zithro and mepron for the babesia, saying the zithro would keep the other infections I have under control.
I was fighting what I thought was bart for two years. Another LLMD diagnosed me with it in 2009. I was on Bactrim DS and zithro.
Before I started treatment for bartonella I had pea size dark spots on my skin and loss of pigment. It is very ugly - looks splotchy.
Treating bartonella, my skin became normal looking again. I had an even tan.
This has returned on my arms and hands. I have a few spots on my face. The loss of pigment resembles a scar. So my skin is four colors from white to normal, to dark and then very dark.
That LLMD is supposed to have a telephone conference call with me next week. What can I take with Mepron to get after the other infections?
-------------------- 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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Something to ask my LLMD next week...
Posts: 699 | From confusion | Registered: Jan 2011
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
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Mine is different from vitiligo because I don't just have a loss of pigment. I also have a darkening of the pigment It is only on my arms and face, where I got the most sun exposure.
I had vitiligo when I was a child. There were white spots on my face but no dark spots. This was probably caused by a virus because they cleared up and went away. My skin color was otherwise very even. This looks very splotchy and mottled.
-------------------- 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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posted
I have been getting Liver Spots or small dark spots all over my body for the last few years.
It all started when I was on Zitromax for a few months. When I stopped Zitromax I thought they would go away but did not!
LLMD and other doctors don't have a clue what it's from. Liver tests are ok.
Are your spots like Liver Spots? This could actually be Bart, since I'm suspecting that I have Bart and have never really been treated for it.
Also I've been thinking maybe low Anti-oxidants in the body? So try taking Grape Seet Extract and an Anti-oxidant pill and see what happenes.
I'm really scared becuase it all started from the hands and now they are ALL over my body. I used to have such nice skin.. I really hope I can figure this out, before my whole body becomes covered with these spots.
Chootik
Posts: 247 | From Ca | Registered: Feb 2007
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Look into Addison's Disease. One of the symptoms is hyper-pigmentation.
I'm going to be labeled as a cult leader with my continuous comments about the endocrine system, but at some point I gave up looking at the infection itself, and decided to find out what actual processes are being affected by the disease
At least in my case, there is no doubt that endocrine system is spun out of control, causing a host of issues. So, maybe killing the infection isn't all we should focus on, but also determining what is out of balance, and providing support for that.
Unfortunately, I'm finding as I learn more, that the endocrine system starts as early as the digestive system. So, we may really need to focus on gut permeability as a start.
Aside, I know you were looking for suggestions to go after the infection. You did not mention taking Rifampin or Levaquin. I would suggest Rifampin if you haven't tried it already.
P.S. Just realized you were taking Mepron, so Rifampin is out of the question. Maybe a macrolide like Azithromycin or Biaxin?
I'm on Rifampin and Bactrim right now. I think it's got my Bart in check, but only while I'm on it.
[ 02-23-2011, 02:41 AM: Message edited by: Wolfed Out ]
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
Addison's Disease is just a label for the malfunctioning process. But, there is no label for the malfunctioning process that causes someone to acquire Addison's Disease. Which could be -- infection.
My point was that there are treatments for Addison's Disease which could be a by-product of the infection. Where as, if you view the symptoms as a Lyme by-product ONLY, there is little one can do to search for relief options.
Just my two pennies.
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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Good luck, chootik. I'm in the middle of getting an endo work-up myself. Some have been able to find relief, some haven't. But, I want to see where my cards are anyway.
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
Neff,
Google on "Tinea Versicolor" and check some of the photos. Also search this site, since we had discussed this on a recent post within the past 3 months.
Several of us have it. Mine is on shoulders and lower neck. It is a low level yeast infection on the skin. Most likely caused by our long term ABX us. I started using a topical creme last week. Diflucan is also frequently prescribed.
Nefferdun--I also have strange stuff w/ my skin. I noticed over the summer white spots on my arms (had never had them before). Right now they are not very noticeable because I lost my summer coloring.
Then I noticed these brown spots (hyperpigmentation on my thighs)--some small, some big. They are not raised just discolored spots--no itching or any other symptoms just these spots. . Over the summer I did nothing because I was pregnant at the time and thought it had to do w/ pregnancy hormones.
In Sept I had a 2nd trimester m/c which came as a total shock and in the hospital the nurse pointed out the spots on my legs to my OB who didn't really think anything of them.
Two weeks after my m/c as I was trying to figure out what went wrong...I wondered if there was a connection w/ the skin issue too. I went to my primary dr. first and had a lyme test--came back negative. She gave me diflucan...did nothing for it (if anything I saw more spots).
I went to a dermatologist who did 2 skin biopsies (two weeks apart). At the time of the first skin biopsy it basically just came back as hyperpigmentation but when I went back they were spreading to the underside of my arms. They biopsied that too and the path did not reference the prior report so came up w/ 2 different diagnoses but basically saying the same thing--just spots no reason.
I was given a steroid ointment and sent on my way! Used it faithfully did nothing...stopped it after about a month or so (she had me on a total of two different ointments--neither effective).
I then went to a holistic practice, had Igenex testing and got diagnosed w/ lyme and bart, but the NP agrees w/ me that my skin does not look like the bart skin rashes. It isn't even a rash...just dark spots that came up around the time I contracted lyme/bart and had my m/c. I was on doxy (know it is prescribed frequently for skin issues and hoped it might help) along w/ flagyl and rifampin for over a month and now replaced doxy w/ ceftin and also just took diflucan last week (for yeast) and no difference at all w/ the skin!!
Because people mentioned Addison's I looked into it and was tested for it. My Aldosterone level was a little high so I am having that and a Renin (or Remin?) test done. My NP said based on those results she may refer me to an Endo.
I was not on any antibiotics for years when developing this skin issue. so not related to antibiotics in my case. My NP is going to have me see a different derm (the NP I saw at the other derm's office was so dismissive! She had no interest in trying to connect this skin thing w/ anything else). I am thinking this is beyond the scope of a derm but hope she will know where to refer me for follow ups or have some ideas.
I do wonder if it is some kind of endocrinological (if that is a word) issue. I am ruling out heavy metal toxicity. I can live w/ the spots if they are harmless, but very hard to convince me that it is not connected to lyme/bart and m/c.
***Please share those of you who have been to an endo--what I should be asking for in terms of additional tests????
**What do you ask for to test anti-oxidants???
Sorry to take over this post. Nefferdun-please let me know what you find out!! I feel like until I see improvement w/ this skin maybe I am not really addressing everything (although I can live w/ it if it is truly some random/no issue skin thing). Thanks!
Posts: 376 | From New York | Registered: Jan 2011
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Mine is not that. Anna I think me and you have the same thing. Just Liver Spots on the skin. I've heard other Lymes have this too but so far haven't found anyone who fixed it!
I will PM you with more info.
Wolf, I know, hope Neff won't mind, I figure this is good info for anyone concerned about skin issues.
Chootik
Posts: 247 | From Ca | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Thanks Chootik. The dermatologist and the skin biopsy reports didn't call them liver spots but I am going to another derm so will get another opinion. Would love to see the info you have!
Posts: 376 | From New York | Registered: Jan 2011
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