Can white patches on the skin, Vitiligo (vi-ti-LIE-go) be caused by TBDs?
Several years ago, I talked with a man at church about his eye problems, which had become very serious. I gave him info to read and talked with him about the possibility of LD and Bartonella, but he never mentioned it again. It could be because his wife has had breast cancer twice and, if he told his eye specialist, he may have thought Bartonella was impossible.
Sunday, he said that he came across the info. We talked briefly and I told him more info was available and I could send it to him if he was interested. He asked if Bartonella can cause the white patches on his arms and face.
He's in his late 40s, lives in a somewhat rural area and has cats and a dog. He's had some serious eye problems for several years and he's starting to have a problem with his hearing. He hinted that there could be other issues, too, but I couldn't ask.
I still feel that there is a possibility that he has Lyme and/or Bartonella. If the skin problem could be caused by TBDs, I think he would follow up with it this time.
I've never seen Vitiligo mentioned with TBDs, but I researched it and found it is usually caused by autoimmune disease, is hereditary, or triggered by stress, chemicals, or sunburn.
He is a great person and an extremely talented musician (organ, piano, vocalist). I don't want to mislead him or give false hope. But on the other hand, I certainly would not want to ignore things that could be treated.
Would appreciate any guidance!!
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
I Have vitiligo since I Was about 11 however, I didnt show signs on TBI's until 24
I have treated for 5 years but no improvement in vitiligo
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Thinking that it might be produced by more than one cause. And lyme does lead to autoimmune issues.
It would help to know what those other issues are. The clinical picture of tickborne diseases is better revealed when all the symptoms are known, to see if there is a pattern. Which I am sure you know, and understandably it is hard to ask pointed questions in a situation like this.
Any chance you could just give him a list of symptoms that may be caused by tickborne diseases, and let him do the comparison himself. And of course, there is considerable overlap in those diseases. But if he had a number of symptoms, then it might lead to being evaluated for TBD's. Knowing there aren't any lyme docs in that state though, making a suggestion like this could lead to expense and travel.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would think it's POSSIBLE for the same reason poppy stated. Lyme can cause auto-immune problems. I believe it can trigger whatever your genetic disposition is in that regard.
The question is whether or not Lyme treatment would help him any. It may be too late to help the vitiligo but would likely help his other problems.
Posted by tulips (Member # 44773) on :
There's an excellent symptom list by Dr. S of FL, full time researcher of tick borne infections. He has a good checklist for Bartonella, Babesia and Lyme Disease. In the Bartonella Checklist under Dermatology, one of the symptoms is Hypopigmentation. If he has many other symptoms, maybe he would want to read Stephen Budner's book, "Healing Lyme."
**edited name of LLMD**
[ 07-23-2015, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
Thanks to all of you for your responses!! I appreciate and agree with everything you said.
tricia, so sorry you've had vitiligo since you were 11. Has to be a very difficult thing to live with, especially at such a young age. I hope your Lyme treatment has halted it's progress.
poppy, I agree it's almost impossible to make recommendations when you don't have a complete picture of what's going on, but I just have a feeling that TBDs could be the cause.
I couldn't ask anything with others around and some people just don't care to share a lot about their health issues. I'll probably send a different list of symptoms for him to read along with more information about testing. He has just moved out of town but he said the church will have his new e-mail address.
Miss tutu, I agree with you, too. Autoimmune disease could link it to Lyme. Honestly, I think Lyme can cause everything....except maybe hangnails. Haven't seen that anywhere.
If it's LD and Bart, treatment could maybe halt or slow the progression of the vitiligo, but my main concern is that the TBDs be treated. We all know what these diseases can do if left untreated.
tulips, I'm so glad you mentioned the Bartonella book Dr. S wrote. [I let someone borrow my copy before I read it and I need to have her return it.] I didn't know that he gave Hypopigmentation as a symptom of Bart. That sounds exactly like what I needed to know.
I haven't gotten "Healing Lyme", but I've started reading "Why Can't I get Better?" by Dr. H.
Again, sending thanks to each of you!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Correct about the hangnails, cbb! Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
Glad you agree, but that could be on next years updated symptom list.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
All of my pigment is pretty much gone, and thankfully I just use some self tanner lotion to give me color and lots of sunscreen it was awful to deal with when I was younger but now I have very few spots left
My husband is so supportive and also helps me put tanner on my back for me :0)
Posted by tulips (Member # 44773) on :
So far I just have one spot of Hypopigmentation. It's on the sx list for both Lyme and Bart. I didn't think I had Bart but have several Bart sx from the symptom list and have started Resveratrol and Sida Acuta on a regular basis so maybe I won't get more Vitiligo.
Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
tricia, I'm so glad you have a very supportive husband. Many wives are not that blessed.
I love starting the day on a positive note.
Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
tulips, thanks for sharing. I hope you have excellent results with the treatment.
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