posted
I just got bit a month ago and I have been on doxycycline and biaxin for a month at high doses. I am also taking planquenil and nystatin.
All of a sudden I feel really terrible. I don't think it's a "herx" because my blood work is also bad. Very low neutrophils, very high lymphocytes, high albumin and low globulin.
I feel very flu-like and now I have severe arm pain and can't lift my arm. I have never felt this bad before.
Just wondering if anyone has had an experience like this.
Posts: 25 | From CA | Registered: May 2013
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BoxerMom
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Here are some lab findings in Babesia infection:
Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, jaundice, and dark urine are common findings in patients with symptoms. Severe hemolysis, often accompanied by thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and atypical lymphocytosis, is more common in high-risk patients. Hepatic transaminases may be elevated. Urinalysis may show proteinuria and hemoglobinuria. Acute respiratory distress syndrome has been reported in severe cases.
I have a Lyme Literate Doctor but it's very frustrating and scary because they are very busy and hard to get a hold of or get in to see.
The nurses just told me to go to the hospital, so I did. The hospital was no help. They just said "looks like you have an infection, but it can't be Lyme because you have been on Doxycycline for more than 2 weeks."
OtterJ, I don't have diarrhea and I eat protein so I agree...something is going on with my liver and protein/albumin/globulin. Gobulin and protein are low, albumin is high. No bladder problems.
BoxerMom, thank you very much. Can Babesia act like a virus? My eyes are yellow so I look jaundice. I have Lymphocytosis too. It seems to fit.
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BoxerMom
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Babesia is worse than a virus. The duncani strain can make you incredibly ill practically overnight. This one seems to become more virulent each year, with the newly infected reporting increasingly disabling symptoms.
It is a piroplasm, like Malaria, that infects the RBC. It starts in the liver and then spreads rapidly throughout the body. It causes RBC hemolysis and clotting cascades. You will become increasingly weak and inflamed as your body tries to fight this.
It will head straight for the cerebral vessels, causing head pain and pressure. Many patients report rapid cognitive decline. It starts with brain fog and headaches and gets worse from there.
Hospitals are useless. It will never occur to them to look for tick-borne (or any) infections. They have lousy testing anyway.
Buy Artemisinin online. I use Allergy Research Group Super Artemisinin, but there are many brands. Artemisinin is the standard of care for Malaria because of its ability to rapidly lower the parasite load.
You will need Rx antimalarials, too. The Plaquenil is a start, but you will need something stronger.
Get in with your LLMD ASAP. Yes, they are busy. It's often up to us to get our needs met.
Time is of the essence for you. Babesia duncani is difficult to eradicate. It can take years. But for the newly infected, you have a shot at full recovery much faster if you get treatment right away.
I know this reply sounds alarming. I don't want to scare you but you need to take action. Try to wheedle your way into your LLMD's schedule by reporting the jaundice, labs, and symptom severity. They should recognize what's going on.
posted
Wow. It sounds exactly like I have babesia. It all started with headaches and brain fog. Now flu-like symptoms. My RBC seemed fine but I'm sure that doesn't mean anything. I bet this is Babesia. Thank you...
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BoxerMom
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Catgirl
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posted
BoxerMom gave great advice. Call your doc and tell him about the jaundice and explain that the hospital didn't help you (no big surprise there).
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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poppy
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Artemesinin on its own may end in parasite resistance. Better to have two babesia drugs onboard at the same time to avoid this.
A herx typically hits 3-4 weeks in.
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posted
Well it is very comforting knowing that a herx hits 3-4 weeks in. That is probably what is happening.
I also think babesia is a problem for me and why my blood results are so bad. The Lyme Literate Doctor wants to treat Bartonella next but I will request Babesia treatment.
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Catgirl
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Listen to your lyme doc. I think it recommended to treat bart first. Check out Burrascano's Lyme protocol. Hang in there!
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Something that has been discussed here is methylation defects and I have been interested in
alpha 1 antitrypsin genetic defects. Sometimes it (alpha 1) causes emphysema in lungs, sometime the
Alpha 1 can cause liver problems that can start showing up later in life and with illness. Alpha
1 problems arise from protein that is unable to be processed in the liver and can cause jaundice.
If people inherit the lung problem of alpha 1,
they should never smoke. Many people do not know they have this defect until an infection or other
challenge. If you are able to do any genetic testing, please consider doing this. Have any of your family members had emphysema or COPD?
Posts: 482 | From Oregon | Registered: Feb 2011
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BoxerMom
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Were you checked for DVT (deep vein thrombosis)? It can happen anywhere. The arm would be painful and swollen. This is an emergency situation.
Were you bit on that arm? You could have pain and inflammation at the tick bite site, as that's where the Motherlode of pathogens were injected.
Is it sharp, localized pain or diffuse muscle pain?
If it keeps getting worse, you may want to go back to the ER just to be safe. Sorry. Welcome to Lyme.
posted
boxermom, you are very kind to spend so much time talking to me about his.
i had an ekg at the hospital so they ruled out heart attack. they didn't check me for stroke or blood clot though. if it were dvt would it come and go though? i was in horrible pain yesterday, woke up without it, took the antibiotics and it came back.
i will call the hospital doctor and ask about dvt tomorrow.
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BoxerMom
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quote:Originally posted by GreenWings:
i had an ekg at the hospital so they ruled out heart attack. they didn't check me for stroke or blood clot though. if it were dvt would it come and go though? i was in horrible pain yesterday, woke up without it, took the antibiotics and it came back.
No, DVT shouldn't come and go.
You've described a herx/die-off perfectly.
I never had the 3-4 week herx cycle. My herxes are daily, and coincide with rising levels of abx in my bloodstream. I take abx, and 2-3 hours later my symptoms are worse. Or new ones show up.
In early treatment, I pretty much herxed all day. Life was fairly crappy. But I am a chronic case.
Now, I herx for 2-4 hours, then just as I'm feeling better, it's time for more abx. Oh joy.
Please rule out DVT for your safety and peace of mind. I really think you are describing herxing though.
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