Need help:bartonella or psych?

Tracyabc2021 said...
I have a positive test for bartonella along with burning sensation in upper body, weight loss and redistribution, numbness in hands, goosebumps and shakes but most difficult is 24-7 anxiety that only goes away on Ativan so I live most days in agony Could this possibly be from bartonella?How to tackle?

Hi Tracy, welcome to the forum.
Yes those could be all Bartonella symptoms - but you may also have Lyme and Babesia as well. The symptoms overlap with each other.

Do you recall being bit by a tick
Or see a bullseye rash ?

Were you tested for Lyme disease?

I think I got tested for mold and not bad but I didn’t get tested for Lyme cuz seasoned dr said symptoms sounded like Bart. I think I must have had this for long time dormant and Only symptom was mild rug burn feeling in skin. I had a bad reaction to ssri I took to help with once in a while panic attacks that exploded to me now in bad shape! The main issue is the debilitating anxiety and insomnia. I can only feel normal if I take Ativan. My head feels weird I can’t describe it it’s like not quite burning but like my brain stem on fire and kinda icy and tingly? Does this make sense? I have 2 roads: deal with mental through psych and try drugs that take long and may not work and cause more harm or go after bugs and pray it alleviates the anxiety and other issues? If caused by bugs will psych drugs just not help? Ativan is but I can’t imagine I can stay on it

Post Edited (Tracyabc2021) : 3/13/2021 7:23:52 PM (GMT-7)

What is IVIG and LLMD. How do I know if it’s inflammation and how quickly can I get it under control? I’m in terrible agony! I’ts also in my neck and chest this feeling. Yesterday on Ativan I didn’t notice it as much so then I think it’s just anxiety except doesn’t feel right. It’s very strong today. I really need guidance I don’t understand how I’ve been so bad so long months now! My red blood cell counts when checked a month back were good. I feel it in my neck a lot too. It’s hard to explain the feeling but I do think if left untreated I will get worse. I just wish I knew exactly what decision to make. Does using Ativan regularly given my situation seem warranted?

Post Edited (Tracyabc2021) : 3/13/2021 7:43:28 PM (GMT-7)

Not just brain but neck, tingles etc. I’m feeling frightened tonight like it’s too late. It’s such an odd feeling in my head like I feel over medicated but it’s also in chest and neck. I was given herbs to soak up toxins but im not seeing positive change. I’m really scared what is the smartest thing I can do now? I see dr that specializes in this on Monday and psych on Tuesday... what is smartest thing I can do now for relief and make progress

I was tested for mold recently I believe it wasn’t bad. I know someone with mold issue and she has no psych issues plus I live with someone sensitive who is ok. Yes I had a bad reaction to an ssri due to panic attacks it sent me into an agitated state and I’ve not recovered which I think maybe dropped my immune system and infection became more active? I shake all the time I went 2.5 weeks without it (using sparingly before that) and I’m just miserable..... I’m so torn on the psych aspect cuz I’m reading meds won’t help if from bart. What really should be my next step I need serious relief and make progress cuz I feel I’m getting weaker. I’ll report drs advice on Monday..... anyone you can recommend for advice?

Post Edited (Tracyabc2021) : 3/13/2021 9:28:43 PM (GMT-7)

You should seek out a LLMD for treatment.

We can help:

Start a new thread: “Looking for LLMD in/ near ________” fill in the blank with your city/State.

Or email me - I may have some names of llmd’s in your location.

i know you are dealing with a lot right now

i think all of the advice from the members above is good

but i would just like to add that rather than thinking about dealing with this illness as EITHER psychological OR infection - consider that whatever the root cause, you have an illness that causes both psychological and physical symptoms and you may well do best by getting help with BOTH aspects.

if it is an infection - it can certainly result in psychological and neurological symptoms as well as physical ones and whilst the ultimate cure will be to treat the infection - you may well need help dealing with the psychological and emotional aspects in order to get through it.

when we face challenges that seem overwhelming we often need the best possible mental approach in order to deal with the challenge head-on and process it properly.

Tracy,

TUDCA Plus helped me with burning and numbness, at least for a while. For what it’s worth, burning is one of the symptoms that I find most anxiety provoking. I had burning as part of my initial symptoms. Now I have it more in relation to mold and chemical exposure, which is maddening.

Do what you can to reduce inflammation.

1. One way that is often overlooked is the environment. Use only non-toxic fragrance free cleaning products and personal care products. If you use essential oils, eliminate those for a while, too. Keep your environment clean, dry, dust-free, and mold free. Wash anything washable regularly, like bedding, rugs, blankets, etc.

2. Eat foods that are not inflammatory. Most here recommend a gluten free, dairy free, sugar free diet. Eat a lot of vegetables and some fruits, unless you have yeast issues. Buy organic as much as you can. Drink lots of filtered water.

3. Some supplements that are anti-inflammatory:
- curcumin
- quercetin
- Vit C
- fish oil (EPA/DHA)
- luteolin

4. Lifestyle practices that can ease suffering:
- dry brushing
- epsom salt baths
- light exercise
- prayer or meditation
- spending time outdoors in a clean environment (be aware and vigilant about tick protection if you live or visit areas known for ticks)

5. Binders - help to remove toxins
- activated charcoal
- chlorella (don’t use if you have mercury amalgams or mercury toxicity)
- zeolite (Zeobind or ACZ Nano)
- bentonite clay
- modified citrus pectin
- can use combo binders like GI Detox or Ultra Binder
NOTE: Some have chitosan, which is derived from shellfish. If you have shellfish allergy, don’t use one with this.

6. Herbs that can ease suffering:
- ashwaganda
- Chinese skullcap*
- Kudzu root*
- red root (can help lymphatic drainage to remove toxins)

* These two work well together. Can get from Woodland Essence.

7. Herbs to add to the ones above that help treat bartonella:
- Japanese knotweed
- houttuynia
- Sida acuta

These are antimicrobials, so start with 1-2 drops 3x day and slowly increase by a drop or two. Japanese knotweed is anti-inflammatory but can also cause herxing. These 3 are listed in the order of how well I tolerated them from easiest to hardest.

Hope this helps. Ask all the questions you need to.

WARNING:
I do not know how any of these supplements and herbs react with Ativan, so check for drug/herb interactions or talk to your provider.

Post Edited (WalkingbyFaith) : 3/14/2021 12:29:02 PM (GMT-6)

If bartonella is the primary driver in this, I would expect the herbs I mentioned above to bring about some measure of change pretty quickly (within weeks). Bare bones for bartonella - Japanese knotweed, houttuynia, Chinese skullcap.

Thank you for long response I just don’t understand what’s happening to me. Is it normal to have the burning in the chest and lungs? If all things on your list what can I do to stop toxins without a herx I currently do yucca and marshmallow root to absorb toxins but I guess it’s not doing much. I just don’t know if my symptoms are normal it’s so intense. I literally feel I’m losing my mind. Is goosebumps everyday and shakes a symptom? I don’t get why so intense

Herxing can be different for each individual, as to what makes them herx. Sounds like you are very sensitive to a lot of things, so just start low and slow. Activated charcoal is a pretty safe one. Just take it 2-3 hours apart from meds and other supplements, herbs, or probiotics.

If you could pick one thing that would be the best for the tingles/icy/burning over medicated type feeling in my head and body - what would it be? Also BEST way to support my liver? I think it's working too hard.

Also - is it anti-inflammatory or detox to most help the tingle aspect described above? Im so new to this...I do notice its the best in the morning.