Topic: Do you think you should be treated for co-infections even if you don't have symptoms
BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
of them? just because they usually come with Lyme..?
My co-infections blood tests were negative (i know they are not accurate) and my doc said since I only have one symptom of Bart (twitching) that I don't have it. I had the VEGF test too..it was normal.
I hope I don't have it and am not wasting time not treating..
I have burning sensations as well but isn't that a Lyme symptom too? I'm so confused how everything overlaps..
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
your llmd will decide which one to trear for at any given time due to your symptoms. Talk to your LLMD
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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lightparfait
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22022
posted
do not treat without symptoms...
Eye twitching is also related to low minerals.
I would up the matrix minerals...before treating for bart.
Posts: 1009 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Burrascano says that if you just treat lyme and become symptom-free but relapse when you stop taking meds, then you must consider that there is an untreated coinfection.
My second lyme doc treated me only for lyme. I had no symptoms of coinfections. He never tested me for them either. Each time I tried to stop meds, within 2 weeks I was just as sick as I was from the start. Went on like this for 2 years.
I then switched to a different lyme doc. He tested me for cos through Igenex and I was positive for babs and bart.
He treated my lyme with a cyst buster (never used by previous doc) and treated me for babs and bart, and now it has been 5 years since I completed my treatment and I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life.
It is amazing that I had those 2 coinfections and got well just on lyme treatment. BUT, I couldn't STAY well.
Looking back, and now that I know so much more, I know I did have an occassional bart symptom.
And, when we started to treat babs, I really reacted. So, that was the proof. (Plus, the babs test that came back positive for me was Igenex test in which the technician looks at the blood with a high-powered microscope. They saw the babesiosis in my blood--so it is definite that I had it.)
So, it is your choice. If you can become totally symptom-free by just treating lyme, then try that. But if you relapse quickly when meds are stopped, that is your clue to treat coinfections.
Or, you can treat babs, for example, and see if your body reacts. Try treating it for 1-2 months as a test.
Treat bart for one month and see what happens.
Anyway, my story is that you don't always have the symptoms of the coinfections, or they are so mild that you ignore them or so sporadic that you do not associate them with coinfections. That was my case.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
My LLMD has treated me for co-infections based largely on his clinical diagnosis of them. I had "something" in my Fry labs smear, but my Igenex co-infection testing all came back neg.
I've had the most notable reactions to co-targeting abx, so I trust what he's doing.
I feel fortunate to have found a doc I overall trust to handle my treatment.
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
My youngest son was neg. on the igenex test. He showed no symptoms at all, but he did have one bart stretch mark on his back.
First llmd wouldn't treat without symptoms. Second llmd, after my asking, agreed to start him on 250mg biaxin.
Three days into treatment he experienced nuero symptoms, couldn't run or drum like normal and the bart mark disappeared. He had to pull off the meds because he is in the middle of his last tennis season.
My point is, and always will be, why wait to treat until he winds up like his sister or myself. We are both on IV and having a very hard time.
Obviously he has something or the meds would not have had the reaction they did. Oh, after stopping the meds the bark mark returned and is bigger than ever.
Why do people wait until they are on the floor before getting help. If they suspect they have it then try to get rid of it fast before it goes too far.
Posts: 303 | From green bay, wi | Registered: Mar 2009
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
You STILL need a LLMD to treat unless you are doing herbal. \
I said talk to your doctor cause that's the only one who'll give you knowledgable opinion on your medical problems.
If you don't like the MD's answer find another doctor, but just because we here on Lymenet give our opinions it means crap if your doctor says your medical symptoms don't warrant it at this time.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Brussels
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Member # 13480
posted
My opinion: docs are not gods. They may make mistakes and do all the time (just see the number of medical mistakes that KILL people by the THOSANDS every year).
I would follow my gut feelings before following anyone else's.
As someone said above, if you stop meds and don't relapse, it may be that you only got lyme... But believe me, you'll be an exceptional case! It seems that in some areas, there are more ticks with bart than borrelia.
I remember reading in the past here: if you were infected before the 90s, there are great chances you got only borrelia. But if after the 90s, greater are the chances you got at least one, if not many, coinfections.
Having gone through what I had, I would do the following:
- take one anti babesial herb to see how I react - take one anti fungal/ yeast stuff to see how I react - take any anti-bartonella med - take any anti viral and see how I react.
At least, your reaction (herx, improvement or no reaction) could mean something.
That's how I discovered I had babesia. I took Riamet and reacted like hell. But in 3 days, all my babs symptoms had gone. I couldn't believe it.
Of course, I relapsed later. But then, even if all docs kept saying I was crazy, that I can't have babesia, that all was placebo, NO ONE could convince me I didn't.
If I trusted my doctors, believe me, I might have not been here to tell you the story.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
I suspect both Bart (I have gastritis and more neuro symptoms) and Babs (I had the sweats / chills but they seem to have gone.)
I was just tested for all coinfections and am awaiting results.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Yes. I agree with Brussels! I think there may be non-traditional (or uncommon) strains of the co-infections which do not have typical symptoms. They are not found with the basic testing, either.
Many herbs cover a few different things. If you react, you may be hitting something that you need to treat.
Better safe than sorry. The doctors do not know in many cases. It's nice if you can find a good doctor but I haven't & I've been ill for 15 years.
It's sort of nice to think - well, the doctor said I don't have co-infections so I don't have to think about it... My doctor was wrong, though.
I'm herxing from artemesia. I don't know what it is but it's something that I haven't treated.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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