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Bartonella herx?

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Posted 11/8/2011 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am being teated for lyme disease, however I have many symptoms that correlate to Bartonella. I was put on rifampin and began having a lot of pain in my lower stomach/bladder and I felt like I had to pee all day for four days. Almost like a UTI but it wasn’t. Is that common for a bartonella herx?
Posted 11/8/2011 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
I've never heard of that as a herx. Did you check the side effects listed for rifampin ? Perhaps that is one. Be careful as my husband is having kidney problems and has the need to go to the bathroom often. Does your dr. do routine bloodwork often. If so, check and make sure it is all normal for your kidneys.
Posted 11/8/2011 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
It could be a herx, as Bartonella can cause lots of urinary symptoms. It would be best to check with your LLMD. Springsjean's suggestion is a good one as well in my opinion. It's always best to be extra cautious - you only have one set of kidneys.
Posted 8/15/2013 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Friends...

New to this site, but sadly not new to lyme. confused   I found this post while googling bartonella and urinary symptoms.  I have had UTI type issues for going on 3 weeks now.  The OBGYN ran urinalysis and culture, all negative.  I am convinced that I have issues with Bartonella that has somehow survived treatment.  I've been on Doxy and Azithro since January (also took some Rifampin for a bit during the past 6 months) but went thru a stressful time in July of this year.  At the end of July, the bladder issues started!  I feel like I have to pee all the time, although it doesn't burn when I go, and my urine looks normal. Constant low abdominal pain/crampiness.  OBGYN also checked out my ovaries and uterus, all normal, so not likely a female issue.   I believe this is some sort of flare related to Bartonella.  Earlier on when I first came down with Lyme (Oct 2011), I had almost every symptom listed for Bartonella.  My LLMD is good and prudent, and he has been thorough about treating lyme and coinfections, but it seems that the Bart has eluded us.  Anyone else out there having or had these issues in particular with Bart, and if so, what worked to fix it?  I'm off to see the urologist tomorrow, but have guarded expectations, as it is unlikely this guy has a clue about lyme or coinfections.  Any advice would be very appreciated!   :-)   Thanks!

Posted 8/16/2013 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
My kidneys hurt occasionally. When I went on bactrim years ago, I felt similar to what you describe. This was before I knew what a herx is. Ironically, I've been on it again for 4 days and nadda.
Posted 8/16/2013 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Usnea and uvi ursi are good for the kidneys.
Posted 8/16/2013 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
 My ob/gyn diagnosed me with neurological problems of the bladder. He did a bunch of tests to prove it, not that I thought he was wrong. It was worse with flares and medication herxes.

I don't have a positive bartonella test but tons of symptoms too.

If you want to hear the ugly details let me know!

 

Posted 8/17/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks opugirl and acharms for your replies!  :-)   I saw the urologist this week, and he says all of my symptoms are due to muscle spasms. (urine looks great, and after examining me, he feels the bladder is not causing the issue, but the muscles around/under the bladder).  I am scheduled to have a uroscopy (sp?) in a week, as he wants to be extra sure the bladder is not inflamed, but given his tests, he feels quite confident it is muscle spasms of the muscles around the bladder and in the floor of the pelvis.  Now I'm nervous to have the uroscope done...what if it flares up my symptoms again? confused I'm actually feeling better yesterday and today.  I'm convinced even more now that this is a bartonella flare! mad   I have not had a specific diagnostic test saying YES I have bart, but I have/have had almost every Bart symptoms since getting Lyme in 2011. 

So, do you think I should get tested specifically for Bart?  Opugirl, tell me how the herbs (?) meds (?) you recommended work?  Any side effects?  And Acharms, tell me your story!  Do you think the neurogenic bladder problem is related to lyme?  Thanks for your advice! 

Posted 8/17/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I think you have a good urologist. I've had pelvic floor issues for about 16 or 17 years and had my first of two tick bites a few years before developing these issues. I went to a pelvic-floor specialist who said it's all caused from muscle tightness so spasms would basically be a result. She blamed the tightness on anxiety and tension but I believe it's from the Lyme/Bart. My muscles twitch and spasm all over my body including up my butt of all places.

I too tested negative for Bart but the tests are innacurate. When I was on Rifampin it brought out red streak-mark rashes so I'm pretty sure I've got Bart. The med that hits Bart the hardest is Levaquin but it has risks so Rifampin becomes the drug of choice though I don't feel it did much for me. The Levaquin needs to be taken with magnesium to prevent tendon rupture and is best combined with systemic enzymes to break up biofilm. Here's a good thread on Bart:  http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/lyme-disease-support-forums/general-support/10838730-blo-bartonellalike-organism

Posted 8/17/2013 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ToddPaul!  I will check out this link....I appreciate your feedback...I agree that this all points to Bart.. :-) :-)

I was thinking to ask my doc about switching meds to Levaquin, as I've also taken Rifampin in the past, but perhaps I should go cautiously in that direction???  confused

Just wondering if maybe the Bart isn't somewhat resistant to the current meds I'm on, and maybe that is why I'm in the predicament I'm in...I've been on Doxy and Azithro since January 2013 (also took Doxy part of 2012), so maybe a switch in meds would ramp up healing???

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