Is it possibly Bartonella disease?

I gained what appeared to be stretch marks, I first noticed it on my right hip. It is red & looks like a claw mark. I then later noticed them on the back of my thighs. I thought it was cause in the past 2-3 years I have gained 20lbs. In the past year, Ive probably gained about 10 of that 20. But, Im starting yo think Im getting more on my thigh & now on my left hip. I have no fever. I can stay up long periods of time but sleep like a log. I do get headaches, but that may be unrelated. Im planning to weigh myself. If I havent gained more weight, Im going to make a doctor's appointment. I'm just extremely concerned. I'm a very small person even with the weight gain. I honestly look better with the weight, I use to be skin & bones. I'm only 21, but am concerned. I have also had some pain in my glands, but thought that was just related to some infection in my throat. I just am concerned that I might be dealing with something other than stretch marks from weight gain. Ive had them since at least April though, at least the one on my hip. I know in the beggining of March, I didnt have it. Sorry for the long description & it may just be my fear, but Id rather be safe. Besides for the stretch mark like marks, would the disease manifest on my skin in any other way?

Do you have photos of the skin manifestations? Any other neurological symptoms outside of the headaches? how long have you had the pain in your glands? whenever there are multi-system symptoms I think it's important to carefully look into chronic infections, but these things can be tough to diagnose. Stretch marks, headaches, plus gland pain makes me think it's worth it to really closely look at bartonella and that constellation of infections. Any chance you can see an llmd? most mainstream docs have little to no knowledge of these infections and are rather dismissive.

Might want to take the Horowitz MSIDS questionnaire, this can help give you a ballpark idea: http://www.tiredoflyme.com/horowitz-lyme-msids-questionnaire.html

Personally I've always liked the provocation method as a tool for indirect diagnosis. If you try a broad-spectrum antimicrobial (abx or herbal) and you get amplification of symptoms it's generally a strong sign of underlying infections (imo).

I just joined and don't know how to add images, I have pictures. I just don't know how to post them.

Makaylamariie46 said...
I gained what appeared to be stretch marks, I first noticed it on my right hip. It is red & looks like a claw mark. I then later noticed them on the back of my thighs. I thought it was cause in the past 2-3 years I have gained 20lbs. In the past year, Ive probably gained about 10 of that 20. But, Im starting yo think Im getting more on my thigh & now on my left hip. I have no fever. I can stay up long periods of time but sleep like a log. I do get headaches, but that may be unrelated. Im planning to weigh myself. If I havent gained more weight, Im going to make a doctor's appointment. I'm just extremely concerned. I'm a very small person even with the weight gain. I honestly look better with the weight, I use to be skin & bones. I'm only 21, but am concerned. I have also had some pain in my glands, but thought that was just related to some infection in my throat. I just am concerned that I might be dealing with something other than stretch marks from weight gain. Ive had them since at least April though, at least the one on my hip. I know in the beggining of March, I didnt have it. Sorry for the long description & it may just be my fear, but Id rather be safe. Besides for the stretch mark like marks, would the disease manifest on my skin in any other way?

Well, as you know the stretch marks/scratches can be a symptom of bartonella. Lymph nodes are often infected with this disease.

You could get tested for bartonella (although the tests are not reliable) and maybe also add a lyme test. This is because bartonella is often a confection to lyme disease.

Igenex is a good test for tick borne diseases. You could do both bart and lyme tests.

The more reliable test for bartonella, though is Galaxy Diagnostics. It is expensive...but more reliable/accurate for bart testing.

/www.galaxydx.com