Is it Bartonella or Mold??

I was first diagnosed with CIRS from mold in Sep 2016. In Jan 2017, I got a positive Lyme and ehrlichia result from DNA Connexions, following a positive band 41 and indeterminate 39 from Igenix.

I did not respond favorably to cholestyramine for mold, as it caused symptoms to flare horribly. That’s why I pushed for more Lyme testing.

In June 2017, I started self-treating Lyme and bartonella with a modified Buhner protocol and later added more herbs for babesia and chlamydia and mycoplasma. Still treating with very limited progress.

I initially self identified mostly with bartonella based on symptoms I learned about online and from this forum. For the longest time, I thought bartonella was the cause of everything.

Then I had more mold exposure on multiple occasions in the past year and started to question things. Seems mold symptoms and bartonella symptoms overlap extensively, causing me to question how much and if bartonella is even involved.

Most disconcerting - chemical sensitivities (including mold sensitivities) seems to be the primary cause of most of my pain and suffering. I know others have this but rarely talk about it, which makes me feel like I don’t fit in with this group. I know some experts say that mold is usually the cause of chemical sensitivities. At least one expert also thinks mold is the main driver of MCAS.

I do have definite responses to herbs (herxing or bringing out infection specific symptoms). I also got horribly worse for months after taking just a week of abx. Those things used to make me think I was dealing with Lyme/co and the mold stuff was just because I had Lyme and a weak immune system. Now, I don’t know what to think. Maybe I just have CIRS from mold and chemical sensitivities and now MCAS symptoms because of mold. My gut is worse than ever, and I haven’t really tried to fix it, just trying to survive every day.

Bottom line - I don’t know if I have bartonella (and Lyme/co) or if I just have CIRS from mold. I feel so confused.

Those who have bartonella and mold - how do you know you really have both and not just mold? Do you have chemical sensitivities, too? Does anyone have chemical sensitivities and not have mold?

I have MCAS, not MCS, which is supposedly mold related but I do just fine on cholestyramine so I don't think I have mold. I am 99% sure I have bartonella though.

The best way in my experience to see if you have something is to see if you react positively or negatively to its treatment, herbal or antibiotic. But there is for sure a lot of confusing overlap between all of these things and I wonder exactly how much is just related to having a crapped out immune system in general.

This might just be the worst part of this illness. Not being able to nail down the primary infection.

In my case, I've come to the conclusion that it is many things combined that are causing my issues. Mold was probably the first key player, then lyme and cos made everything worse. I feel they each have their day.

I recently had a toothache. I felt horrible. A week after I got the infected tooth pulled and the area healed, I felt much better. I learned that dental infections become systemic. I never took oral healthcare that seriously. Now I do.

It's best to hit lyme from all angles. Oral and gut health are key, imo. Also, limiting exposure to toxins, getting plenty of sleep, a proper diet (no gluten, limited sugar), and parasite herbs have helped tremendously.

In my case, bvt has been my main savior. It not only targets lyme, but parasites and viruses as well. It also modulates immune function and puts things in order.

As many of us know already, our focus should be whole body health. Going after one area is no going to lead us to recovery. Every area needs to be addressed. If we've gotten to the point where this illness has taken over our lives, then we have let the doors open to all the viruses, parasites, and microbes we have been exposed to throughout our lives, and have been laying dormant in our bodies until they found an opportunity to come out and play.