Bart Rash?

Girlie, I don't think that is too soon to cause a herx. It sounds like it could be Bart. So, don't panic yet! Bart rashes can pop up at any time. Since we can't rule out an allergic reaction, maybe you should check with your LLMD. I think it is more likely Bart. Bart can cause red blotches. I'm not sure what your rash looks like.

I have been herxing with GSE. Herxing happens pretty quickly after I take them. Today, I was thinking how my skin has been doing much better. Then, BAM, I have a brand new red dot rash out of nowhere. It looks like a little patch of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! But, it most likely is not. These bugs just need to die, die die.

I think chances are your rash could be Bart. Lyme can cause some weird skin symptoms too. Anyway, here is a thread that may help:

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/lyme-disease-support-forums/general-support/11076158-check-out-this-rashbart-or-rifampin

On a side note, did you take Psy-Stabil? If so, did it help you? I'm considering trying it based on my LL's recommendations.

Lymie Girl - It just seems odd that I stop treatment and on the fifth day, I start up my bart Buhner tinctures, and an hour later, this rash develops on my back, and right shoulder. There are no streaks/stretch marks type rash...it's spots and splotches (some are about 1/8-1/4" in diamter) and they are all over my back and my right shoulder has a few.
Re: Psy-stabil - yes I took it for awhile - my LLND's advice. I stopped taking it, as I didn't feel it was helping me.
Let me know if you take it and it helps...I may start it up again...

ToddPaul - I wasn't sure if maybe Steven-Johnsons can appear several days after stopping antibiotics.
I have had rashes before since lyme treatment. They looked different than this, though. They weren't as dark red as these, and not really spots or splotches. We (my Dr. and I) think they were an allergic reaction to the macrolide class of abx.

Could this be a plausible reason for bart rash at this point: I have been treating lyme for several months, started bart herbs two months ago. Then for five days I put the treatments on hold. Is it possible it's just a worsening of bart - causing the rash? Not necessarily a herx (which would be very quick onset - one hour after bart herbs)?

Based on what I have read and my experience, I believe that antibiotics have a symbiotic relationship and that it is possible that one antibiotic can suppress a co-infection even if it is not typically used to treat that co-infection. I'm not saying that all antibiotics do that. I don't know what you were taking prior to your break, but it could have possibly been suppressing the Bart. Then when you stopped, the Bart could have started to flare. Maybe Bart sees an opportunity now that you have temporarily stopped your Lyme antibiotics.

It is also possible that it is a herx reaction to your Bart tincture as well. Although it frequently takes a few days to get a herx from antibiotics, I have noticed a much quicker reaction when I take herbs for some reason. The chills could be Lyme. I'm not sure about the scalp tenderness, but I have had it as well.

Sometimes, I temporarily forget about the different stains of Bartonella-they seem to be associated with different symptoms. There is the well known strain, Henselae. There is also Bartonella Quintana, aka Trench Fever. It has somewhat different symptoms from Henselae. You could possibly have Trench Fever. Check out this page for Trench Fever rashes:

http://imgarcade.com/1/trench-fever-rash/

Also see:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5848

There is also Carrion's Disease, including Oroyo Fever and Verruga Peruana, as well as Bart Like Organisms ("BLO").

I think it would be a good idea to get back on some kind of Lyme regimen and to discuss this with your LLND as soon as you can. Don't panic though. I don't know what you were on before, but the doxy has definitely helped me. Although it is not right for everyone, it has absolutely been the right choice for me. I hope you get everything sorted out soon!

I will let you know about the Psy-Stabil. There is not a lot of info out there on it. It is $50 something after shipping, which is kind of pricey. I definitely need to get on something for anxiety though! I have resisted regular pharm due to all the potential side effects. I will let you know. Thanks!

Thanks Lymie Girl - Mine looks similar to one of the bart photos in the link. Not the streaky rashes, but the spotty one.

RunnerGirl - Mine just appeared...I hadn't had a recent shower or bath. I think it's possible yours is triggered by the heat of the water.


So, no antibiotics/bart herbs today...rash is going away.

I will take the bart herbs after dinner...and see if I get the same reaction.

In my opinion, that sounds like it could be Bart-Like. I get scratch marks, which I attribute to Bart. They will come out of nowhere and disappear just the same. I'm not sure. It is so hard to say, especially not seeing your rash. But, it might be Bart.

I get itching too. My rash does not specifically itch, but I get itchy all over. If you have hives on the other hand, that could be an allergic reaction.

Also, there are many forms of bart, not just a few. I did not mean to imply that my list was complete.

Although I got the streaky Bart rashes, it would disappear within 24 hours for me as well - except when I first started my Bart treatments - that's when they lasted for a much longer time.

I've had hives due to these infections - although I do have to admit not many do.