I was dxed with Babesia as a result of a positive Igenex Fish test.
I have look all over Lymenet to get information on Babesia but I have not found any information.
Could someone please post some information on Babesia?
Thank you.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
How's this??
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.
Do you know how to do a search? Click on the little word "search" in the upper portion of this page. Type in "babesia".
Posted by NP40 (Member # 6711) on :
As you see the bab symptoms closely mirror lyme symptoms. It can be hard to differentiate the two. However, the most common babs symptoms seem to be chest pain, shortness of breath, and alternating sweats/chills. Testing can be unreliable for babs so if you exhibit these symptoms you may want to talk to your LLMD about treatment.
Zithromax is the primary abx used to fight babs in conjunction with malarone, artemisinin, plaquenil, quinine, etc. There are a host of meds that can be used in conjunction with the zith.
Posted by suki444 (Member # 4261) on :
See Dr B's new 2005 guidelines...treatment is Atovaquone and a macrolide (Ketek or Biaxin or Azithromycin) and Artemesia a herb.
These are usually taken until Babs symptoms resolve, 5 months or more. Bactrim or Flagyl can be added.
Best wishes Emma
Posted by JustMeInCT (Member # 7237) on :
Thank you for the information.
It seems like most of the symptoms communicated there, I do not have.
I have severe leg pain and tightness. Yes, I am depressed, but I am not sure whether it is from Babesia or my type A personality.
Other than the positive FISH test, I am not sure whether I have babesia.
Confused and anxious.
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
suki- can you post a link to the 2005 Dr B guidelines. I didn't know they were available.
Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
Janet, look for "Dr B's 2005-ed "Diag Hints..."
I brought it back to the top of Medical for you & anyone else who missed it.
Posted by liz28 (Member # 4946) on :
For me, babesia ran in monthly cycles. Most of the month, it caused extreme fatigue, vertigo, dizzyness, headaches, balance problems, and night sweats. During the worst part of the cycle, I felt like I was standing under a waterfall, with rivulets of sweat running down my body.
It can be very, very hard to get rid of, so be prepared to dig in. Don't go on and off the drugs or take lower doses if you can get higher ones, and don't be surprised if you take several months to get well, or if you go off the drugs and relapse. It helps to think of babesia in the same category as other life threatening diseases, as something you expect to be a huge hassle, with the benefit of restoring your life and energy to you.
Although a lot of people have written excellent posts on babesia, you might want to do an archive search on someone named Minoucat.