I have finally gotten lyme symptoms under control through bicillin shots, no join pains or swelling. But now bart is flaring up.
I don't think it is lyme herxing because the symptoms are pretty consistent and are getting worse. They are also consistent with my past bart symptoms which only responded to bart treatment. My main bart symptoms are burning pain in back of my head and spine. sensations in limbs, nervousness...
For bart treatment, I have been on the combo of Rifampin and Bactrim DS on and off for six months. I have been on levequin for 6 weeks. I have tried Dr. Cowden protocol and have been on Dr. Zhang's protocol for almost 2 years.
I don't know what to do now with bart. Running out of options. I am pretty sure if I get on bart antibiotics listed above, I would feel better within a week, but they don't see to cure.
Also I am wondering if it would be something else? barbesia? have been tested negative. I also don't have the typical barbesia symptoms such as sweating or hot/cold.
Parasite in the back of head and spine?
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
if the longest you've treated Bart for was 6 months, you probably need to go further. I had a similar situation actually. I was doing Bicillin shots, and Bart showed itself, so I started Cipro. I did it for 5 months, and it seemed like I was beating it, but once I stopped, it was back and ready to rumble worse than before. That was before treating Babs and getting actual good Lyme TX.
I am taking Cipro again, a year later, and it is definitely doing its job. I don't plan on stopping until next year, if I can swing it that long.
From what I recall, back of head symptoms are related to babesia. I have Babesia and I don't get sweats. I do get the chills though. Majot lethargy too. I tested for babs twice before I got a positive. Don't pay too much attention to the tests, they are crap, for the most part.
I keep seeing folks overlook one of the major coinfections, for various reasons. Their doc doesn't think so, they tested neg, they don't have the tell tale symptoms etc. I am starting to become of the mind that if you have Lyme, just treat for babs and Bart also. And hit parasites while you're at it. Just do it and get everything covered for as long as possible so you don't have to wonder. These tests are no good, and the docs are pretty bad too, for the most part!
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
BTW if you were txing bart on and off, you are not doing yourself ANY favors at all. You have to stay the course and go the distance.
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
What is the best abx treatment for bart? If my symptoms are burning lower back pain, around the SI joints, into the buttocks and down the outer upper thighs, is that bart?
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Ellen - those symptoms are classic Babesia.
Posted by rainbowriver (Member # 24772) on :
I am back on rifampin and Bactrim DS again. It got rid of my head pain and spine pain last time. Hope it will work this time.
Lymielauren, you are saying Ellen's symptoms are babesia? I would have said it is bart cause my symptoms are similar to hers. Maybe mine is babesia too. I have not been on any babesia treament other than artimesinian. Maybe I should talk with my doctor about mepron and so on.
here is Dr. B's description of bart symptoms: Lyme. There seems to be an increased irritability to the CNS, with agitation, anxiety, insomnia, and even seizures, in addition to other unusually strong symptoms of encephalitis, such as cognitive deficits and confusion. Other key symptoms may include gastritis, lower abdominal pain (mesenteric adenitis), sore soles, especially in the AM, tender subcutaneous nodules along the extremities, and red rashes. These rashes may have the appearance of red streaks like stretch marks that do not follow skin planes, spider veins, or red papular eruptions. Lymph nodes may be enlarged and the throat can be sore.
Posted by rainbowriver (Member # 24772) on :
here is the babesia symptoms according to Dr. B. It looks like I match more of these symptoms: BABESIA SPECIES- � Rapid onset of initial illness, often with sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, sweats and fatigue, thus it is easy to know when infection began. � Obvious sweats, usually at night, but can be day sweats as well. � Air hunger, need to sigh and take a deep breath; dry cough without apparent reason. � Headaches can be severe - dull, global (involves the whole head, described like the head is in a vise). � Fatigue is prominent, does not clear with rest, and is made worse with exercise. � Mental dullness and slowing of reactions and responses. � Dizziness- more like a tippy feeling, and not vertigo or purely orthostasis. � Symptoms cycle rapidly, with flares every four to six days. � Hypercoaguable states
Posted by rainbowriver (Member # 24772) on :
lymeboy, thanks for your feedback. Next time when I see my lyme doc, I will definitely ask for babesia treatment. I am tired of guessing. Just hit it all.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Haven't read all the responses.
Factive is a better choice than levaquin for bart. Need to combine that with rifampin.
I would also add some of the Buhner herbs and supplements -- especially sida acuta, ECGC and if possible arginine. Arginine can't be taken if you have herpes viruses.
Also the theory is that bart multiplies overnight so you need to stack the meds late in the day.
Bea Seibert
Posted by kim812 (Member # 17644) on :
I am currently taking Mycobutin and Minocycline for Bart and it is kicking my butt...
This is my 3rd go around treating Bart. The first was on Levaquin which I couldn't tolerate. Then I was put on only Rifampin for 8 months and then taken off. I don't think I was on long enough and needed it in combination with something else.
I had a paralyzed vocal cord last December so the doctor decided to treat bart again and within days my paralyzed cord was getting better. Within a week I was understandable again.
It is rough treatment as I have been having incredible insomnia, nightmares, and nausea. I have the insomnia anyway but it is so much worse. I am only on 1/2 dosing too but can't go up yet....
Posted by rainbowriver (Member # 24772) on :
After I got on rifampin and bactrim DS, I didn't feel a whole lot better. So I took Dr. z's artimisiae. the next day, my headache all around felt 50% better. called the doctor, decided to treat it as if it is babesia. Took first dose of Mepron. I stopped rifampin due to drug interaction. keep taking bactrim DS.
keeping my fingers crossed. trying so hard to get to symptom free.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymeboy: I am starting to become of the mind that if you have Lyme, just treat for babs and Bart also.
- Absolutely. Nearly everyone who is chronic has babesia. Just my humble opinion.