Could this be Bartonella or possibly Lyme?

Hi there! I'm Taylor and I've been suffering from a mysterious, debilitating illness that began in May 2013. I have seen over 50 physicians in Los Angeles/West Hollywood and have been told I am anorexic, I have candida, I have C Difficile (I spent 4 months in the hospital for this, nothing ever helped the so called "C Diff" I had").

I have had severe weight loss, drenching night sweats, horrific insomnia, extreme exhaustion and fatigue, body aches, severe edema, food intolerances (especially to anything with sugar), menstrual irregularity, hair loss, gastrointestinal problems, bradycardia, problems with kidney function, a petechial rash all over both legs STILL, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

I have gotten absolutely no answers. I have not been able to work since August 2014. It was not until June 16th that I went to a primary care doctor with an inflamed finger nail, he prescribed me Bactrim DS. What happens over the course of the ten days, I feel relief from my usual symptoms (body edema, exhaustion, etc).

BUT what stands out even more, I notice I have this red mark on my shoulder. Then comes Friday, the 26th, my right shoulder is COVERED in these red marks. I thought I had some type of crazy infection. My mom takes me to the ER. As I'm waiting, more red marks appear on my upper right arm.

Meanwhile my right arm is throbbing in pain, KILLING me. My arm has never felt or looked like this. My body hasn't ached like this in a while. I see the Nurse Practitioner, "It looks like you scratched yourself." She gives me Keflex for the infection in my nail, sends me home. Says the scratch like rash all over my arm is nothing. That my horrific arm pain is nothing. She also ignored my petechial rash that's very bad right now. Gives me Keflex for???

My question to you all is... Do these symptoms and a rash that looks like a bunch of lines, scratch like lines, Bartonella or Lyme? Did I mention I lived with a relative from Jan 2013-May 2013 who had 7-8 stray cats living in his backyard and had a horrific flea investation back there? I cannot believe I never thought of it before. Thank you so much for reading!!!

Sorry about your symptoms, but I'm glad you have found your way here.

With the symptoms you are experiencing I would investigate Rocky Mountain spotted fever because of the petechial rash, bartonella because of the scratch-like marks and exposure to feral cats/fleas, and babesia because of the drenching sweats.

You definitely need to find an LLMD.

Tayonherway,

Based on what you said, I strongly recommend you get in to see an LLMD as soon as possible. I kept spinning wheels until I found an LLMD to diagnose and treat me. Most doctors have no clue regarding tick borne infections. They are not properly trained or educated on them.

Please let us know if we can help you find an LLMD.