Possible Bartonella from Cat Scratch. Advice?

Hi, everybody! It's been a while since I've been around.

My name is Amanda, and I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme almost three years ago. I've been much better; treatment included pulsing abx and a combo of Cowden and Zhang herbs. Also supplements, diet changes, etc.

Just three weeks ago, our cat scratched my right hand pretty badly. He's an outdoor cat, we let him roam around. The scratch itself healed quickly with no visual sign of infection, but around Thursday of last week I started noticing some symptoms I don't usually have when I get a flare-up:

1. Slightly swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck. They're a little tender to press on, but barely noticeable. It's less swollen than when you have the flu or something, but still there.

2. Chills and no fever. It's the weirdest thing. I'll feel feverish and have awful chills, but I'll take my temp and it's 98.6 or lower.

3. Body aches and pains. These are fairly common for me, but haven't had them in a while.

4. Lower back pain

5. Headaches. Again, not unusual for my long symptom list, but has not been a problem in a while.

I also got put on 10 days of Bactrim for an unrelated issue that I just finished 2 days ago. Wondering if that could have caused a herx, but not sure. I also just started taking 10mg of Lexapro daily for anxiety, but I'm not sure if that's related to the sudden onset of symptoms.

After calling my LLMD and telling him all of this, he recommended me going to my PCP and having them test for it. I have an appointment today, but wanted to weigh in with you all on whether or not this could be Bart. I previously tested negative for it, so I don't know what it's like to have it.

Also, if I test positive, is there a better chance that it'll be easier to treat since I know what I (most likely) got it from and when? I appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you so much!!

It's possible that the cat did infect you.

But, what's also possible is that Bactrim has stirred up a chronic bart infection.

Have you not treated Bartonella during the past couple of years?

Some LLMD"s just treat all three B's. One of the most experienced LLMD (Dr. J) does just that.
He treats Borrelia, Babesia, Bart in a timely manner.

Hi! Thanks for the replies, guys.

I don't think we've ever specifically targeted Bartonella in my treatment, no. However, I was told that the protocol as a whole would treat Lyme & Co. Not sure if that's 100% true. I haven't been on a lot of the herbs I normally am lately cause I've been feeling better.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I had a problem with EBV for about a year after an initial mono infection. It's gotten better since I got my tonsils out and went on Acyclovir, though.

Hmm, that's a good point, Girlie. I guess we'll see how the test turns out. Even if it's negative, I'm more than aware that that doesn't mean I don't have it. I may have had it all along. Who knows? I'll probably talk to my LLMD about incorporating some kind of Bart treatment (herbal or otherwise) just to be safe.

However, if this is a new infection (from the cat) is there a better chance at treating it? I'd hate to go back to feeling so poorly after feeling so much better for almost a year.