Topic: Are these usual babesia symptoms? Dont seem like it
CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
We think I have it and I am treating it since June. No classic babesia symptoms (sweats, fevers, flu-like, fatigue) symptoms have come out but what has is: intermittent shuddering chills up spine, severe depression/hopelessnes, a slight vertigo, and terrible white brain fog and cognitive issues. My LLMD seems kind of disappointed in my lack of classic symptoms. Could I have some kind of asymptomatic case or can the above also babesia?
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
You can test positive for babesia, yet be asymptomatic. So keep that in mind. So those symptoms could be something else.
To me, those symptoms don't sound like babesia, but of course they "could be," so I wouldn't tell you they aren't.
If I had those symptoms though, I think I'd focus on other things besides treating babesia, unless the babesia treatment seemed to actually be helping. If you give babs meds a decent trial period, that's probably long enough, in my opinion...but I'm not an LLMD.
Personally, I'm starting to loose patience with babesia meds that don't help me, so I only take something for babs if it's really merited, like it's clearly helping.
That's just my two cents...hope it helps.
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Hoosiers51
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Member # 15759
posted
That said, it's hard to know, so I would just gauge it as to whether or not those symptoms are responding to babesia treatment.
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Sammi
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Member # 110
posted
Hi CD57. What meds are you taking for Babeisosis?
In my experiencce it can cause chills, vertigo, and brain fog. Since these symptoms are intermittent for you, do you think they occur when you are herxing?
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
Quite possibly. Sadly I have just sight of what a herx really is. These symptoms just show up and then go awaay.
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posted
Don't sleep on BLO. I think doc B and know Doc Sh in FLorida note BLO to present cognitive/physc bigtime.
-------------------- enjoy the day.
-jmb Posts: 208 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2008
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
I have all of those symptoms and have Babs, so I would say yes.
My vertigo is more like the disequilibrium kind, where I feel like I'm on a boat much of the time.
It has eased up recently a little from not treating and just detoxing.
Coffee enemas and Epsom salt baths help me with all of what you describe.
A coffee enema followed by and Epsom salt bath can switch me from sever hopelessness to my baseline mood of being able to laugh and concentrate on things as my head clears considerably.
LT
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lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
I have been treated for babesia for 7 years now. I've tried every combo...plaquenil, mepron and zith, cleocin and quinine while on malerone, high dose malerone plus cleocin, bactrim added to mepron zith.....
I have had the best level of functioning while on mepron plus zith, but my body will not tolerate it anymore. Problems with zith hurting my stomach.
Over the years of starting and stopping treatment, only to restart quickly because of sliding backwards....I can tell you the following symptoms belong to babesia.....
EVERY SYMPTOM ASSOCIATED WITH LYME
I even have had heart palpitations...and after I learned that babesia causes blood to clot together, I realized this made sense.
In addition, babesia can be VERY neuro as well. Sleep disorders, numbness in limbs, anxiety like hell......
Never discount a symptom. My kids appeared to be sub clinical with babs, but after years of treatment and not having remission, we tried malerone and they had a big herx.
anyway...hope that helps.
Mary
Posts: 1032 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Mary is right. I have had some big time neuro problems with babesia with anxiety being the worst!
Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Sep 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I tested positive for babesia and did not have the classic symptoms. However, as soon as we started treating it, I got weekly flares of: severe depression/HOPELESSNESS big time, plus inability to think properly.
I would just lay there and think that this is how I would be the rest of my life. I could not think logically. I could not get past the moment. I would not move, talk, eat, go to the bathroom or anything. After 48 hours, the flare would lift and I would start acting like a normal person again.
When I told my lyme doc this was happening every week like clockwork, he told me babs has a 1-week cycle and a 2-week cycle. He added artimesinin to my treatment, and the flare reduced the first weekend to just a few hours of feeling badly. It was like a miracle!!!
You have also named shuddering chills and a slight vertigo. Both of these are definitely babs symptoms. Burrascano calls it "a vague sense of imbalance without true vertigo" and notes that a fulminant presentation incudes shaking chills. He also notes that babs causes encephalopathy which would include the brain fog, mood issues. See p. 23 of the Guidelines.
Do you see a pattern to these episodes or do you feel this way all the time? If a pattern, that is important to report.
I knew when I was done with babs treatment because I got no more flares. Mine was very pronounced. Yet, I really had no babs symptoms prior to treatment.
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
Lymewreck,
Where did you hear that Babesia causes blood to clot together? I'm just very curious because I have had problems with my blood lately and I am trying to figure out what is causing it.
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