posted
I was reading through the Lyme Times Childrens issue and it described Babesia as the typical night sweats, etc then mentioned foot pain, and a sense of heat in the bottom of the foot. (from memory so not word for word, sorry)
I had always associated the foot pain, especially in the sole with Bart and so I was taken aback that I could possibly be treating the wrong coinfection?
Is it possible that babesia has different syptoms in children than in adults? Or am I just so new to all of this that I completely misunderstood.
My LLMD has me fill out a symptom checklist each visit and the foot sypmtoms are always under bart, nothing about it under babesia...so confusing.
He doesn't believe the tests for these are worthwhile so we are treating on a clinicial diagnosis, yet the foot burning, neuropathy is worsening with treatment. Granted it is also worsing in my hands as well, so maybe it is not a coinfection at all?
Oh my, it is all so overwhelming.
Thanks for any input...
Posts: 47 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I have leg/foot pain...I can barely run because of it...and I have had the burning sensation in my foot (soles)...I didn' even know that was a symptom...I have heard Bart for feet as well, but my LLMD is treating me for Babesia (Mepron/Zith).
Posts: 222 | From NH | Registered: Mar 2011
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mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
Lately I've been reading that if the foot pain is in the a.m. for 20 to 45 min or so it's Bart but if you have it longer or all day it's Babs.
I get the all day foot pain with every Babs herx.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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beths
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18864
posted
Dr C, at the recent ILADS conference, stated pain all day in the foot is usually babs. Early am pain in bart
Not sure what to do now. I've been working under the same assumption as my LLMD that this is Bart, but the foot pain does not go away so maybe it is Babs?
When I brought this possibility up to him yesterday he sort of shut me down and said the two treatments were incompatable and we needed to stay the course.
He also said a couple of things that made me sort of lose confidence in him overall, so I feel like I need to look for a new doctor, but being from TX there aren't many options.
Did you guys get tested for Babs? Is there a test any more reliable than for Lyme or Bart?
I hate just taking more drugs without some certainty. I've been taking Rifampin this whole time, enduring headaches, etc thinking it was Bart. UGH.
Posts: 47 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Tiredmom21- I want to share my experience with this... I think the burning pain all day also has the possibility of being Bart. Bart is known to cause nerve pain and I definitely have that. I do not have pain when I get up in the morning- that is my best time but it gets worse towards the end of the day. However, Rifampin is kicking it -- I was on Mepron with Zith for 6 months -- and tried to stop after about 3 and the night sweats came RAGING back. However, mepron was pulled nearly 3 weeks ago and no sweats have returned nor has the foot pain gotten worse -- the foot pain was not affected by the mepron at all and I was on a high dose. Two teaspoons twice a day. I also have bart streaks to match my symptoms and when I was not taking the rifampin on an empty stomach, they came out. They are finally going away now. So... I am not arguing with any docs here but I think it behooves you to consider all of the possibilities and treat accordingly. You will know when you have hit the right treatment. Now, reality maybe with me as well-- the foot pain can also be lyme. I know it stinks trying to figure this out... Persistence is the name of the game, a GREAT LLMD (that really is first) and if you are losing faith, find a highly regarded one... I did that about 7 months ago and it was the best thing I have done thus far. As Dr. B says, you should have a meeting of the minds. Blessings...
PS You asked about testing- I did Igenex and was negative on both babs and bart but have had distinct symptoms of both. There was no way I could deny the bart markings which showed themselves before the foot pain for sure. My bart symptoms went nuts after Babs was treated (the first time) when I was not under the best care. Finally now, it is getting under control. I too could barely walk.
Posts: 859 | From Southeast | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Yes, this is why I am so confused. I never related foot pain with babs until reading that article by Dr. J in Lyme Times. I thought maybe it shows differently in children since that was what the article was about?
I also considered Flagyl and asked my LLMD. He said unlikely b/c I had the neuropathy before starting the med and I only take it 3 days a week. He feels that would not set me up for further damage.
BUT...having taken Rifampin for 4 months now and the neuropathy is getting worse, I am concerned. I will admit that it is not just my feet, but hands as well (just not as significant).
I don't have any of the rashes or marks that seem common with Bart. The other thing he based the clinical dx on was anxiety, but my life situation I think would make most anxious right now. (poor marriage, just realizing I passed this to my toddler in utero, finances, etc)
I just hate loading up with pills that aren't doing me any good. I am fine with taking as much as I need if I see some..ANY benefit, but when to stop???
I am going to seek out a better LLMD I think. I just find myself second guessing too much.
Thanks!
Posts: 47 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Great point Lymetoo brought up. I KNOW flagyl caused me addl. neuropathy and I asked to switch to tindemax because of it.
Trust your instinct and if you think the flagyl is exacerbating your neuropathy, I would ask to be switched.
Your foot pain could well be Babs and that is why it has not been helped by the rifampin. I know this is tricky to figure... the wisdom and experience here are invaluable.
Posts: 859 | From Southeast | Registered: Mar 2011
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beths
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18864
posted
Up-
Anyone else to add on foot pain?
Posts: 1276 | From maryland | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
Again, I have foot pain, which is worse in the morning...Also, my shins have been killing me lately...and sore joints everywhere else...I guess the other joints are Lyme?
Posts: 222 | From NH | Registered: Mar 2011
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