For the last week I have been experiencing some major nightmares, night sweats, unexplained fatigue and foot cramping... yet again.
I REALLY thought I had Babs under control, but these just happen to be my particular red flag symptoms for that particular co-infection.
Has anyone else experienced this group of syx who is sure it is another infection of some sort besides Babs?
I ask because I am trying to decide on what meds I should begin again.
Thanks so much in advance for your help, Melanie
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
I have all of those symptoms except nightmares. I don't usually remember my dreams but when i do they are just dumb not scary. I've been having to take a nap every day I'm not working. At work because I'm so active I can fight it but at home I'm a mess.
I still don't know for sure what co-infections I have other then ehriclia. Waiting for tests from bart and babs, but from Igenex which I just read was not a good one to be tested through. I tested neg for babs through mayo clinic but the LFMD did not test for bart.
Hopefully someone else will answer before I can but if not I will let you know what LLMD says when I have my next appt. which should be soon.
I'm sorry it might possibly have come back. I've never been completely better since I've been dealing with but there are days that I'm extremely better and I think 'ok, this is it, I'm on my way up.' And then bam back to a mess the next day.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Thanks Little bit, I appreciate your reply. I too spend my days off resting and recouping, I hope to get to a place eventually when I can actually DO something productive or at least fun on those days.
Yes, testing is very unreliable to say the least. That is why I usually look at current symptoms to try and figure out what is going on. The last 2 days have included chills and headaches, so I think this must be Babs.
I wonder if anyone has gotten rid of Babs entirely? And if so, can you please share how? I've been treating it off and on for over 4 years now.
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
Have you treated with Mepron or Malarone in the past until symptoms have resolved? Are you taking anything for Babesia right now? Are you currently treating any tick borne illnesses or have you been in remission?
This has got to be discouraging. Four years is a long time!
Maybe try some heavy duty detox for a few days to see if it helps. If not call your doctor.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Hi Melanie,
Can't answer your question 100% -- but at this point I would not rule out bartonella or mycoplasma as a possibility for your symptoms.
At hubby's most recent LLMD appointment we ran over the appointment time by at least 30 minutes -- he had a new P.A. this time and they were convinced that hubby's exacerbation in symptoms was due to babesia coming back. We thought it was from bart and his LLMD apparently agreed with us.
When hubby increased his zith from 300 mg daily to 600 mg daily things started falling apart. We continued on the higher dose for a month in the hopes that it was a herx which would improve on its own.
Anyway the doc suggested cutting the zith back to 300 mg and adding in Factive at 1/2 dose -- hubby had taken 3 full doses we had left over from about 6 months ago and was already seeing improvements in symptoms before the appointment.
Still not sure if the sweats are all bartonella related or not as hubby had another really bad couple of days this weekend -- 2 weeks after changing his meds.
Now here is where it gets really interesting -- hubby is on Mino, Zith, Rifampin and Factive now. I read a journal article recently that the fluoroquinolones plus doxy (mino is in same class) plus flagyl (think zith may work in a similar manner as an intracellular med) can be used as an alternative babesia treatment for dogs. Here is the link.
This new med combo might be worth checking out -- would be much cheaper than Mepron or Malarone.
Nightmares always happen during herxing for me OR I have also noticed high dose macrolides induce them too. Couldn't really tell you if that is herxing or a side effect. Also, nightmares happen if I am on too much B6. B6 is a dream (nightmare inducer).
The occasional night sweats I have had for years (even before Ld became symptomatic) I always attribute to hormonal issues and of course the more I approach the age of menopause, who knows? It has been enough to drive me crazy wondering what all is going on!
As another 4-year-in-treatment patient - I can't guess anymore.
Anyway possible you could have been bitten again? I had return of a co-infection, but was "reinfected". Of course the obvious other things - could you have picked up a virus, flu, cold - I know even that can cause flares that seem out of the ordinary for me.
Even after beating co-infections, I sometimes think "uh, oh" there is that old familiar symptom. But I am starting to think many of the old familiar symptoms returning maybe lyme-related possibly.
I will usually insist on an Igenex test if I think a co-infection is possible, although I know they aren't always accurate either. It can help to give peace of mind. But as we know all the strains of each co-infection that can't be tested...ugh! Madness, isn't it?
Anyway to get tested at Igenex or another lab to maybe get an idea if it is Babesia or not?
I wish you the best. So frustrating, I know, to go 'round and 'round and feel better and then something funky enters the picture that just doesn't make sense.
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