Is there anyone else with Lyme/Bartonella who has high cortisol?
Another question: I have the typical bart rash, and since it looks very much like the striae caused by Cushing I wonder if high cortisol levels generally play a role in the formation of bart rash.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- All / All tick-borne infections can cause high cortisol. Lyme, especially can clobber the HPA axis and once that is off kilter, it can have other effects then, too (although the immune system dysfunction also gets into the act).
What HPA axis means, why it matters, other considerations and what can help (and to ask your LL doctor about):
Links to articles & supplements -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You asked about the "Cushings" striae. IMO, that can certainly be signs of a bartonella rash (or chain reaction), as well as other TBD (tick-borne disease) causing Cushings symptoms of exhaustion, etc.
Cushings can be an umbrella diagnosis in such a case much like fibromyalgia caused by TBD.
A note that I assume you have a LL doctor and the tick-borne infections are being assertively addressed. Why support measures in the above links set are vital, one can "do" "support" till the cows come home and, unless infections are also being fully addressed, all the support in the world will not be enough to resolve the situation.
Support is to get us through, to ease symtpoms and help our bodies to heal as best possible during the process - while tackling the causes.
A good LL doctor (whether LLMD or LL ND) should also look at other things going on. It's not always lyme (or JUST lyme), even if lyme can certainly create high (or eratic) cortisol / hormonal imbalances.
Like lyme, bartonella can certainly become chronic and require long-term treatment but most regular doctors do not know that.
For women who are child-bearing age, it's important to talk to LLMD about any plans if thinking of having a child. Best to wait until infections are not forefront. Still, if pregnancy does arise, there are ways to treat during.
Same with prospective dads, too, as they may also pass TBD to offspring (it's just that their contribution has a short window whereas the mother can pass TBD along all during gestation and with breast feeding). -