Lymedin2010
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34322
posted
Is it possible for Bartonella & Babesia to get in the brain & CSF? I understand that BB gets in fairly quickly and can burrow through. How about the other infections?
One of my worries was getting a spinal tap, before I knew anything about Lyme or Co-infections. I was worried that another living organism would get in via the puncture. I had a feeling that was a likely scenario. Especially if IIH is due to an agent in the bloodstream affecting CSF pressure.
If Bart or Bab gets in, how difficult is it now to reverse this, since many of the ABX's have a low rate of penetration across the BBB.
Posts: 2087 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2011
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posted
In my opinion most longterm tickborne patients do have these infections in the brain and central nervous system. When people talk about mood disorders or seizures from bart or dizzyness/off balance symptoms from babesia it is generally because the infections are affecting the nervous system.
I do not think a spinal tap would affect the spread of the bacteria/protozoa. Babesia robs the body of choline which is needed to maintain the myelin sheath around nerves for example.
If the doses are high enough fluroquinolones do cross the blood brain barrier and I think rifampin does as well.
Your question points to the reason people need LLMD's -- you need a doc who has experience in prescribing high dose oral or IV meds and someone who knows which meds will or will not cross the blood brain barrier.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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