can bartonella cause major depression in somebody where their emotionally detached and feel flat like numbed and every past hobby or joy they liked has suddenly been withdrawaled causing the anhedonia...is this usually the result of many treatment resistant depression cases that cant be fixed with antidepressant therapy where the drugs cant correct the imbalance of chemicals out of sync since their condition is created by an organic cause like lyme that effects the brain with these toxics?...does bartonella usually present itself as bipolar to other people when it compromises your brain and when you start exhibiting the symptoms just out of nowhere? Im just trying to understand this based on my physical symptoms from the visual changes, tinnitus, crawling bug sensation in my scalp i keep getting a lot and im still without answers
thanks, kevin
Posted by MissVictoria (Member # 45232) on :
Yes, tick-bourne diseases can cause depression as a symptom. You might have depression and Bipolar Disorder on their own, not linked to the tick-bourne diseases. Bipolar Disorder is its own illness and you might want to see a psychiatrist to get help.
I recommend going to a LLMD. They can differentiate for you which of your symptoms are Lyme-related and which are not. If you post in the "Seeking A Doctor" forum on this site, people can recommend LLMDs that are in your area.
It's hard to understand what you're saying/asking. I hope this helped. I've recommended to you before the Bach Flower Remedies. They are very helpful for emotional healing and can be used in conjunction to any other treatments you're on.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Kevin, You just described bartonella. It is not "Lyme" per se and it can't be fully addressed with botanicals because it is an egregious stealth infection that needs to be treated aggressively.
I have relapsed with bart three times, including now. I describe it as feeling possessed by the Harry Potter "Dementors" that suck the life right out of you. It is worse than depression. It is feeling like you are not fully alive. It is like being spun into a cocoon by a spider and just waiting for the inevitable end.
For me it causes headaches, pain in the soles of my feet when I first get up, inability to exert myself at all, lack of motivation, dry eyes, the depression I described, anxiety and irritation. I have also had muscle twitching, cramping and pain in my shins with swelling. I had vertigo for months and pain over my heart. If you close your eyes and try to stand on one leg, you will probably fall over.
I believe skin changes are very characteristic of a bart infection. Your skin becomes mottled with brown spots and lack of pigmentation. If you rub your fingers along the outside of your thighs you will feel very tender sore spots, often with lumpy nodules. You can have swelling or indentations in your skin, crusty moles and weird abnormalities.
Gaining weight is typical. I have gained 30 pounds. Since I am so depressed, it is very hard to get my diet under control. I don't feel like preparing food and junk food seems to be the only thing that I can actually taste.
I get irritated and am not a popular person when I express my opinion, that is for sure. I rarely visit this forum any more for that reason. It irritates me when people offer the same solutions to a very complicated problem and especially when they promote over the counter remedies that just don't work. I have bought every single one of them.
Levaquin knocks it down, if you can tolerate it. For me the only other thing that worked was Bactrim DS. As soon as I start Bactrim my daily headaches disappear and I get more energy and motivation. Problem is, it all comes right back.
I can only tolerate ABX for so long and then have to take breaks. I have read we develop resistance to everything so it is useless to take the same med for a long long time. You need to switch up. Herbs help me when I am on an ABX break.
Currently I am off the Bactrim and taking twice a day, one full dropper each of Japanese knotweed, Sida Acuta, Cat's Claw, and Houtenia (spelled wrong). I also take northern kelp to try to kill biofilm (PlaqOff), B2, B12,methylfolate, molydemum, K2, D2 and CBD oil. I just got Lithium Oronate for the depression.
All that stuff does is keep the wolves at bay so I can get a break from the ABX. It does not cure anything. I have left doctors offices with literally a thousand dollars of herbs filling up a grocery sack. I have taken them by the handfuls. I have put myself on the most rigorous diet imaginable with only 9 grams of fat per day and absolutely no sugar.
At one point I felt close to well and settled for the new normal, which was a mistake. As the disease takes over again, it is hardly noticeable. You just accept another and another new low, attributing each fall to the inevitable.
I fooled myself into believing I was well and this was just me getting old. Did I mention insomnia is a major symptom of bart? I woke up at 3AM and here I am on the computer. The point is I have to travel a long distance to find an LLMD and it is very expensive. I just have to do it.
But will I? Or will I allow the spider's cocoon to envelop me and numb me to what is sure to follow...does this sound like depression?
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
So I am on here tonight doing a search of past posts from years and years and years ago, trying to find recommendations for doctors that might still be practicing. Funny that my infections have outlived the practice of so many LLMDs.
So if anyone has a recommendation for a real doctor that gives ABX in western Montana, Idaho or Washington state, I would appreciate a PM. Thanks.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'm sorry you two are suffering so!
I don't think I know of any doctors in your area, neffer.
Posted by UnaAnderson (Member # 52332) on :
I hope you are ok. Let us know how are you. The symptoms of Bartonella can vary from mild to severe, and usually begin 5 to 14 days after infection. Common symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, poor appetite, brain fog, muscle pain, and swollen glands around the head, neck, and arms. Depression, anxiety, and OCD are very common symptoms associated with Bartonella and the autoimmune encephalitis it causes. Check with a doctor. In some situations, they prescribe kratom extract capsules to battle the symptoms of Bartonella because it seems that they are efficient against depression.