LymeNet Flash: Need info on Bartonella

This is topic Need info on Bartonella in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Glassfish (Member # 5693) on :

Thanks to another discussion, I was prompted

to look at my latest lab results. They were

from multiple biopsies taken during an

endoscopy in '04. I found out I had tested

pos. for Bartonella by PCR, but I don't

remember being treated for it. Just asked

hubby and he doesn't remember any treatment

either. (We lymies often need memory

conformation, right?)

Anyway any info. here would be great. I'm

really in the dark on this one.

ps. Thanks Lymetoo for the nudge

Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :

I have Bart too and I am also having trouble finding good info on it. All I know is that it can mimic and cause the same sort of symptoms that Lyme can. My dr just started treating me for it and I may be experiencing a herx from it now. If I find any info on line about it, Ill let ya know.

Nancy

Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :

Ok, here is one link I did find:
http://www.lawestvector.org/bartonella.htm

Nancy

Posted by Glassfish (Member # 5693) on :

Nancy,

Thanks for the link. I used the common name

of "Cat-Scratch Disease" on a general web

search and first hit came up w/ something

that looks promising. It should give a good

platform for discussion and treatment

options w/ your MD and mine.

The site is www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic84.com

I'm printing this out! (partially because

I'll need an unabridged dictionary to

understand parts of it)

Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :

Hi Glassfish,

Here is some Bart info for you. Some of these links may not be working...I haven't checked in awhile.

Good luck,
Melanie

Bartonella: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/bartonella-links.html http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/008362.html http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022126.html http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001931.html http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/023623.html http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_bartonella.html

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C O L O R A D O * S U P P O R T * S Y S T E M
[email protected]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Glassfish:

ps. Thanks Lymetoo for the nudge

You're welcome! Sorry I don't know much about bart. Melanie's given you some food for thought!

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Lymeblue (Member # 6897) on :

After all the links that you have been supplied regarding bartonella,
the only things that I would like to add is that my LLMD gave me a paper that is only about bartonella.
He states on his paper that bartonella infections are way more common than borrelia so that means that definetely most lyme patients have bart...
The key symptoms for bart according to his paper are gastritis and other digestive complications (as me!!),memory problems (as me!!..y would get to the point of sometimes feel retarded)sore soles specially in the morning plus other symptoms as encephalytis, swollen limph nodes,etc
According to other good LLMD eyes are affected too (itchy).

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

I got Bartonella years ago from a stray cat and was given Keflex.

Posted by Glassfish (Member # 5693) on :

Thank you all so very much!

I'll be doing research on this for at least

a week. Finally! A lot of wierd symptoms

are making sense. I have had swolen lymph

nodes near my jaw for at least 6-7 months,

and sore soles (like now). My husband will

be thrilled...I've been shoe shopping like

mad to try and help the foot thing! I'm

Calling my primary MD asap to see her for

referrals and get things rolling.

Keep you posted. Glassfish

Posted by liz28 on :

Even though I have it, I don't know much about it. But the symptoms are different than Lyme. What I experienced was:

splitting sinus headache
swollen neck glands
severe insomnia
scritchy eyes
short fuse

Also, these symptoms were continuous, as opposed to Lyme, which relapsed in cycles.

The two drug combinations people talk about most on Lymenet for bart are levaquin + doxy and rifampin + zithromax. Since ketek just came out as the next generation of zith, and it's much more effective, you may be able to use it, but there isn't enough information out yet to recommend it without a doctor's explicit say-so.

As you Google research on bart, you will probably note another unfortunate fact about it, which is that it can be dangerous when paired with Lyme. This is one where it's okay for a medical civilian to strongly urge you to get treatment and go for the strong stuff.

Having tried these two combinations, I prefer rifampin, but both have great track records.

Posted by Glassfish (Member # 5693) on :

Anyone have info. on how long to stay on abx?

I've lost faith in my former LLMD and am

having trouble w/ getting email right now.

I've got some kind of blocker on it...

I couldn't even get something my mom sent

from somewhere other than home. Therefore

I'm going to have to rely on my primary for

treatment 'till I can find a new LLMD.