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Drop in red blood cells - medication induced or Bartonella being killed?

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Posted 7/20/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
My blood percentage as well as my red blood cells have fallen lately and are now too low.
Blood percentage is 11,1 (11,7-15) and Erythrocytes 3,56 (3,96-5,16).

I am not sure whether I should worry or not.

I am on Cotrim (Bactrim), Doxycycline, Rifampicin and Artemisia.

Could it be induced from medication? Especially the Erythrocytes seem to drop when I am on Cotrim, but now the blood percentage has also gone down. I am worried that it might be spinal marrow depression.
Or could it actually be that it's killing the Bartonella (inside the red blood cells) and thereby destroying the red blood cells? In that case, I guess it would be a good thing

Btw, my ferritin and iron are within normal range, but TIBC is to low 36 (49-83) and transferrin saturation to high 51% (20-50)

Appreciate any thoughts on this!!
Posted 7/20/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Leonora!
Welcome to our little community!

You obviously aren't "new" to Lyme, but I would still encourage you to read through our "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread as it's packed with important information about these diseases and more.

Do you also have Babesia? There is much more evidence of red blood cell issues with Babesia, although Bartonella still messes with them too.

Unfortunately I've healed with herbs only, so I don't know much about the abx, but there are many here that do know a whole lot about them!! I'm sure they will be along shortly to help with more suggestions.
Posted 7/20/2013 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Leonara,

Can't this disease do all sorts of crazy things to our body!?! Are you supporting your organs, more specifically your organs that help with red blood cell storage and protection? I know artemesia can be very hard on your body. Your levels don't appear to be horribly low - more as something that needs to be observed.

A high dose of B12 is recommended for a lot of folks with RBC issues - it definitely helped me. Also support for your spleen is a must as it stores RBC. I recommend red root tincture for this. Check out Buhners site for increasing RBC http://buhnerhealinglyme.com/herbs/anemia-poor-circulation/ I know for the tea you can get all of the ingredients through mountainroseherbs and it is pretty affordable. Also the first thing he mentions on there is like $10 but personally I like the tonic over time increase!

~beth
Posted 7/20/2013 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Traveler and Beth! Thanks for your replies :)

I have been taking a lot of Artemisia-2 from Zhang. That might explain the drop. My B12 and Folic Acid are both very high. However, my copper is borderline low, which I guess is vital also to the production of RBC?
That my RBC drops, seems to come when I am on Bactrim, so I think it's either the medication or it's killing something in the cells that destroys them...

What are your opinion on iron? Should it be taken or not? I recall reading that lyme rather feed on Manganese than iron, which was previously the theory.

I will check out Buhners site, Beth! Thanks again...
Posted 7/21/2013 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Iron doesn't feed Lyme, but it does feed coinfections. I personally think it is best to get iron from foods (best sources for those with Lyme = red meat, beets & other dark red veggies, dark leafy green veggies).

I think it may be a combination of the effects of abx and die-off/herxing.

Also, if you have methylation issues or are not getting the right kind of Folate, that can also impact the body's ability to build sufficient red blood cells.
Posted 7/21/2013 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Razzle

My Folate levels are >45 (it's supposed to be more than 5,7), so I seem to be covered. How do I know if I am getting the right kind? I don't really take folate as supplements, but I assume the levels got this high due to the B12 shots that I've been taking.. (?)

Hi Beth

I read about Red root tincture on Buhners site, but it says that it can cause Hypercoagulation. My blood is already extremely clotted due to high levels of fibrin, and I'm taking enzymes to get rid of this. Have you had any hypercoagulation issues with this? From my personal experience it seems that all chronic ill patients suffer from hypercoagulation in some way...
Posted 7/21/2013 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
Traveler, what herbs did you use against Bartonella? I am on Zhangs HH2 right (Houttuynia) now. Do you know if it kills it alone or does it need a combination of herbs to get rid of...
Bartonella seems to be the one infection that I am having huge problems getting rid of....
Posted 7/21/2013 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
The only herb I used for my Bartonella was whole leaf Houttuynia - not the powder. I have yet to figure out whether a person uses the powder or the whole leaf herb makes a difference, or the way it's prepared, or the fact that I tackled both Lyme and Bart at the same time. I made a medicinal tea and drank it 3 times a day for 9 months and I no longer have any Bartonella symptoms though!

Others have found they need more than just Houttuynia though.
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