posted
So I tested positive for Babesia and Bartonella but not for Lyme. I definitely think that it could just be the Babesia and Bartonella because they would explain all of my symptoms. Still, I'm struck by how similar the symptoms are for a wide range of tick-borne diseases. Does Lyme have any kind of unique symptom that Babesia and Bartonella don't have? How about Ehrlichia? Bartonella has one unique symptom as I see it: sore soles of the feet. It's probably too much to wish for, but what do you guys think?
-------------------- Bart and Babesia seropositive Current tx: Rifampin, Biaxin, Bactrim DS, Artemisinin, Resveratrol (japanese knotweed), Red Root, Boneset Posts: 168 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2010
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Unique to lyme:
swollen knee (or other joint)
bulls eye rash (can appear anywhere, any time including during treatment)
stiff neck, sore neck
episodes of blindness
menstrual irregularities
migrating pains
28 day cycle of symptom flares
heart murmurs
herxheimer reaction to flagyl and tindamax (metronidazole and tinidazole) when given along with antibiotics such as amoxicillin or zithromax
This is the list from the Burrascano Guidelines, page 26:
"CLASSIC LYME (Bb infection)- � Gradual onset of initial (viral-like) symptoms- this often makes it difficult to pinpoint when the infection began. � Multisystem- almost always, in disseminated stages, involves more than one part or system (i.e. joint pain plus cognitive dysfunction). � Migratory- first a knee will hurt, then over time this may lessen and the elbow or shoulder acts up, and later the joints calm down but headaches worsen. � Stiff joints and loud joint crepitus, especially the neck (``Lyme shrug''). � Headaches are often nuchal and associated with stiff, painful and crepitant neck. � Afternoon fevers, often unnoticed- most Lyme patients have subnormal temperatures in the AM but rise to 99+ by early to mid-afternoon. No obvious sweats. � Tiredness and limited stamina- often is a strong need to rest or even nap in the afternoon, especially when the flushed face and elevated temperature appears. � 4-week cycles- Bb activity, and thus symptoms, wax and wane in a cycle that repeats roughly every four weeks. This cycle, if clear, can guide your treatments. � Slow response to treatment, with an initial symptom flare in most (``Herxheimer-like reaction'') then improvement over weeks, punctuated by the monthly symptom flares. Likewise, if treatment is ended too soon, an initial period of well-being will gradually, over a few weeks, be replaced by a return of symptoms. � EM rash in 25% to 50%"
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
. . . Incidentally, hyperaccusis (sound sensitivity) can be a feature of VII neuritis. . . Olfactory neuritis (I) is attended by dysosmia (unusual smells). Neuritis of the III, IV and VI cranial nerves will show up as double vision.
When the VIII nerve is involved, vertigo and impaired hearing can result. . . .
. . . Lyme hepatitis occurs in approximately 15-20% of patients. . . .
. . . A very helpful diagnostic maneuver is palpatory tenderness of the medial tibia* shaft due to periostitis (inflammation of the tissue around the bone if not the bone itself).
Periostitis is also common in another spirochetal disease, syphilis (Textbook of Medicine, Ed: Kelley, 1989, p. 1587) and is responsible for the bone pain that both syphlitic and Lyme patients experience.
Tenderness is easily elicited in 95% or more of LD patients simply by pressing the bony aspect of the thumb joint against the medial aspect of the tibia about 3-6 inches above the ankle.
The intensity of the pain experienced by the patient can vary, but is often exquisite and will cause the leg to recoil abruptly.
The pain often lingers after this procedure. In a minority of LD cases, periostitis is generalized and I have appreciated skull involvement in a few instances. A small proportion of LD patients have periostitis. . . .
posted
Thanks for the info guys. My symptoms seem to match Babesia and Bartonella more than Lyme so I'm hopeful that those are my only infections. Nevertheless I'm looking for a way to rule out Lyme. Would a normal CD-57 count essentially rule out Lyme?
-------------------- Bart and Babesia seropositive Current tx: Rifampin, Biaxin, Bactrim DS, Artemisinin, Resveratrol (japanese knotweed), Red Root, Boneset Posts: 168 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Q: Would a normal CD-57 count essentially rule out Lyme?
Never. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
You will be the first case I ever heard of if you have babesia and bartonella but not lyme. It just does not happen, sorry.
Whoever has the coinfections also has lyme.
A normal CD-57 does not rule out lyme.
People get negative lyme tests for any number of reasons, but a negative lyme test does not rule out lyme disease.
There is no way to rule out lyme disease.
Any lyme doctor who treats you for babs and bart is going to assume that you also need treated for lyme disease. I don't know why that makes a big difference to you.
What are you thinking?
I had lyme, babs, and bart undiagnosed for at least 10 years. I completed my treatment 5 years ago and I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life. It is the same life I had before lyme disease. That can be you too if you get to a doctor who is an expert in tick-borne diseases.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic