Is Bartonella a coinfection of Lyme? I ask because I was diagnosed by my LLMD s having lymes and I have not had a rash but a red mosquito like bump on my right forearm since this all began about 8 months ago, it has never gone away and gets quite itchy at times, it's also about the diameter of a pea. Would this mean anything? Thanks and please help me out it's appreciate greatly....
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
Dretta,
Post a picture.
If it's like mine, it's light-red to pink in color with a fleshy tone; slightly smaller than pea-size. It scales, and flakes over, and it never fully looks healed. Picking at it doesn't do anything. Occasionally it itches, but more a nuisance than anything else.
Does that sound like your "bump?"
If so, yes you may be positive for Bartonella. Look for the symptoms of Bartonella and how they relate to you. Also, many symptoms of Lyme coincide or overlap with Bartonella symptoms.
You should have a test done for the most common co-infections with Lyme disease if you suspect it's a problem.
Many will advocate not to waste your time or money on testing. That's not necessarily bad advice. But, if you're very uncertain, you could get tested. Even though your result may come back negative.
I'm treating currently with Bactrim DS, and it seems to be helping my "bump."
Cheers,
Wolf
Posted by Dretta17 (Member # 24883) on :
I will post a photo later tonight, it does sound like mine, and sometimes it seems to flare up a bit or puff out. Also, my cd57 came back low at 40 on the stricker panel, and the only strand that came back positive on my igenex test was the 41kda. Any help on this? I appreciate it and will have the photo on here later tonight or tomorrow. Also, do you have stomach/ abdominal prblems with bartonella? That seems to be my biggest and latest thing, I would love to know what your symptoms were - Thanks! - Mike
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
We have a group just on Bartonella on www.lymefriends.org ; feel free to join it and get more information. It's real easy to post and look at pics there too.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Bartonella is a common lyme coinfection. The other common one is babesiosis.
Bartonella can cause gastrointestinal problems (gastritis, stomach problems, abdominal pain, etc.). It also can cause red lines or streaks virtually anywhere on your body.
From p. 26 of Burrascano guidelines:
"BARTONELLA & ''BARTONELLA-LIKE ORGANISMS''- � Gradual onset of initial illness. � CNS symptoms are out of proportion to the musculoskeletal ones- if a patient has no or minimal joint complaints but is severely encephalopathic (see below), then think of Bartonella/BLO. � Obvious signs of CNS irritability can include muscle twitches, tremors, insomnia, seizures, agitation, anxiety, severe mood swings, outbursts and antisocial behavior. � GI involvement may present as gastritis or abdominal pain (mesenteric adenitis). � Sore soles, especially in the morning. � Tender sub-cutaneous nodules along the extremities, especially outer thigh, shins, and occasionally along the triceps. � Occasional lymphadenopathy. � Morning fevers, usually around 99. Occasionally light sweats are noted. � Elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) occurs in a minority, but the degree of elevation correlates with activity of the infection and may be used to monitor treatment. � Rapid response to treatment changes- often symptoms improve within days after antibiotics are begun, but relapses occur also within days if medication is withdrawn early. � May have papular or linear red rashes (like stretch marks that do not always follow skin planes), especially in those with GI involvement."
Definition of "papular":
Papular: Adjective referring to one or more small solid rounded bumps rising from the skin that are each usually 0.5 cm or less in diameter (less than a half inch across).
Papules may open when scratched and become crusty and infected.
About 4 yrs prior to the onset of my lyme symptoms, I had a dermatologist remove a Papule from my right forearm. It was exactly like Dretta & Wolf described. It was getting irritated, crusty, infected all the time & looked gross, so my dermatologist removed it. I was living in Northern Jersey at the time.
This is kinda weird, but just about a month ago, I asked my husband out of the blue, if that Papule could have been the site of my tick bite b/c I never saw a bite or bulls-eye. He said no, but he isn't obsessed with lyme & co-infections like I am
I don't have typical Bart symptoms, never test positive for it, but I know I have it.
I would love to see a picture of what you are describing as well.
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
asummers,
Just to clarify. The crusted mole that appeared, was not the site of where I was infected by a tick -- to my knowledge.
I have strange skin symptoms that appear almost anywhere at random.
That's how Bartonella ROLLS!
Wolf
Posted by Dretta17 (Member # 24883) on :
I took some pics, the best I could get, how do I go about loading them up here so you can all see? Thanks - Mike
Posted by asummers (Member # 18068) on :
Wolf good to know -- thanks. I haven't had any skin problems since(knock on wood).
Dretta -- I don't know how to post a pic on here...and I am not sure if I ever saw a pic posted on here before. You might want to ask one of the moderators.
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
Full of info on the tick diseases not just Lyme, an easy read & pages of symptoms.
It's great since info it all in one place not the smatterings you get from a message board
Posted by Dretta17 (Member # 24883) on :
Yea...I dont think a pic can be posted. Well...the mark i mention looks exactly like a pimple, sometimes it puffs up and sometimes it's more flat. It never goes away and sometimes is itchy. The abdominal pain I get is usually worst at night when trying to go to sleep, I had a ct scan with contrast done for this and they did not find anything, is this most likely related to lymes or a coinfection?
Posted by Dretta17 (Member # 24883) on :
I dont think you can post photos, Anyway...the mark looks exactly like a pimple, never goes away, sometimes puffs up and gets raised, and sometime sis flat. It also itches sometimes. I had a ct scan done with contrast and they found nothing, can this very well be related to lymes? It feels like a bad gas pain and is worse when lying down at night. Thanks - Mike
Posted by asummers (Member # 18068) on :
Dretta -- sounds exactly like what I was dealing with in terms of the papule.
As it pertains to your abdominal pain -- can't help there. But a lot of people develop chrons/poly h problems. You might want to do a search on this site for it. Or, it could be parasites. Also, I hope you are taking a good probiotic.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I'd be curious if anyone has experienced unrelenting arm pain and foot pain...especially soles of feet as a Bart symptom.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
The soles of my feet burn like hell sometimes. It is extremely painful, feels like I just walked 20 miles.
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Dretta & asummers, Topaz knows how to post photos. I sent her a PM and hope she'll help us out. I'm sure I've got Bart, too!
Posted by wtl (Member # 19883) on :
How to post a photo:
Just click on "Full Reply Form" below the reply box, and then click on "Image" button to load the photo.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)