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Posted 7/3/2019 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all, made my first post a couple days ago. Going to share my story once I start treatment when I see a LLMD next week. As I said before, all negative tests (had every medical test ever), finally diagnosed with bartonella by two docs and the pics support it.

Anyone else experience low/absent libido and sexual dysfunction even with normal hormone levels. With bartonella.

Obviously a distressing symptom for a male at my age and just need some reassurance that I’ll be back to normal once I treat this. Much love
Posted 7/3/2019 1:51 AM (GMT 0)

bigpoppa10040 said...


Anyone else experience low/absent libido and sexual dysfunction even with normal hormone levels. With bartonella.

Obviously a distressing symptom for a male at my age and just need some reassurance that I’ll be back to normal once I treat this. Much love

Um...yes. low (very) libido for a couple of years. and...yes it comes back....
hard on the marriage for sure.

Did you test for lyme via Igenex? The coinfections often pull negatives...even if you have them. Lyme is better regarding testing...but still has high false negatives.
Posted 7/3/2019 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Tested negative for Lyme with it. But my last post I posted pics of my Bart streaks and it’s a consensus there is no doubt I have it which is consistent with what two other docs thought. Guess I’m one of those with Bart without Lyme.

But yeah the low libido/sexual dysfunction is perhaps one of the worst symptoms. Like inability to feel love too.
Posted 7/3/2019 2:23 AM (GMT 0)

bigpoppa10040 said...
Tested negative for Lyme with it. But my last post I posted pics of my Bart streaks and it’s a consensus there is no doubt I have it which is consistent with what two other docs thought. Guess I’m one of those with Bart without Lyme.

But yeah the low libido/sexual dysfunction is perhaps one of the worst symptoms. Like inability to feel love too.

Oh - you're the one with the obvious bart rashes....textbook pictures...

And NO - negative lyme tests are common....even when you DO have lyme disease.
You most likely have lyme....and maybe even some Babesia thrown in...

A good LLMD will look into the coinfections that often go with Lyme disease.
Posted 7/3/2019 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply. But yeah that’s me **** classic Bart. Two years ago a six pack and high on life to now Bart rashes. I’m confident I’ll get on the right track next week. Thanks for the reassurance about the sexual dysfunction part...it’s been hell going from my sexual prime to worse than an 80 year old in bed. As long as you can promise me it gets better in that area, I can’t thank you enough for the peace of mind you have provided me.
Posted 7/3/2019 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Also have the classic agitation associated with Bart. Used to be chill and hippyish. Certainly doesn’t help in the bed room either
Posted 7/3/2019 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah libido, energy and drive go way down. Welcome!

Regards,
Posted 7/3/2019 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your response! I greatly appreciate it!
Posted 7/3/2019 3:23 AM (GMT 0)

bigpoppa10040 said...
Also have the classic agitation associated with Bart. Used to be chill and hippyish. Certainly doesn’t help in the bed room either


I hear ya’

My stress meter has been on “high” for the past 6 years - starting to calm down now.
I just don’t know if I’ll be exactly how I used to be when I’m in remission.
Seems like my nerves have been set on high alert - hope I get back to my baseline.
Posted 7/3/2019 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, three high 24 hour urinary cortisol tests. Negative dexamethosone and mri of pituitary and adrenals...goes to show that indeed we are all stressed with what this stuff does
Posted 7/3/2019 4:04 AM (GMT 0)

bigpoppa10040 said...
Yep, three high 24 hour urinary cortisol tests. Negative dexamethosone and mri of pituitary and adrenals...goes to show that indeed we are all stressed with what this stuff does

You had those tests too?
After my high 24 hour cortisol test, I did the dexamethosone challenge showing everything was fine and then I requested an mri of my pituitary - dye enhanced and my doc ordered a ct scan of my adrenals.
Everything was A-okay (except my pituitary stalk was slightly deviated to the left with “unknown significance” which every now and then stresses me out.

I requested another 24 hour urine cortisol (aren’t they fun??) a few months later and it was fine.
Posted 7/3/2019 5:24 AM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
My stress meter has been on “high” for the past 6 years - starting to calm down now.
I just don’t know if I’ll be exactly how I used to be when I’m in remission.
Seems like my nerves have been set on high alert - hope I get back to my baseline.

Hey, Girlie. From what I've read, either the DNRS system or the Gupta Programme might be of help to you, whenever you get to that point.

As an aside, given the topic of this this thread, do you know the definition of the word "Doxy"? Until a few minutes ago, I'd never heard the word. I had to laugh at the definition, since the word is part of the name for Doxycycline.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doxy
Posted 7/3/2019 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, bigpoppa10040. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you needed to find us, but I'm glad you found a caring group of supportive people. I wish you the best on your path to healing.
Posted 7/3/2019 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
Bigpoppa, if I were in your situation, I would take lithium orotate 10mg three times a day. I'd take other stuff too, but that one stands out.
Posted 7/3/2019 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Lol Dude - I guess I should be wary when my husband says he’s “on doxy”

Hehehe

And I have been thinking about the DNRS for about 3 years now .... one of those decisions I just don’t make.
Posted 7/3/2019 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Bigpoppa,

Yes, the libido stuff does not get talked about a lot, but it's common, and it does resolve. Symptoms that have to do with neurotransmitters can be wonky with bartonella even if your hormones are normal. (Way to go, having normal hormone levels, by the way! That's pretty unusual.) Neurotransmitters are made in your gut - any chance you have some gut issues like leaky gut, flora imbalance, SIBO, any sort of indigestion, constipation, etc.? I had gut dysbiosis with no symptoms, so I encourage people to have a stool test done. Treating mine was relatively easy and made a difference.

Good luck!
Posted 7/3/2019 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all of your replies! Makes me feel so much better and at peace of mind which is half of the battle.
Posted 7/3/2019 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
But yes also just important for other ppl to read this as well because it’s not talked about and is perhaps one of the most important things dealing with this illness. We re all humans, sex should be the best / most natural thing
Posted 7/3/2019 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
yes i too had the testosterone of a 80yo ...also the pots thing with bp made erecting challenging. i shudder to think of how many people i might have unknowingly infected....the emotional thing is just depersonalization from the bart too
Posted 7/3/2019 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
If I may inject a bit of humor into this serious topic, I once heard a comedian say his health insurance plan was so bad that, rather than receiving Viagra, he was given two popsicle sticks and some duct tape.

That kidding aside, I'm also dealing with low libido. In my case, I have a general lack of desire for just about everything...except perhaps ice cream and dark chocolate.

Once you get your treatment plan established and underway, things will almost certainly start improving. Just give it some time and be patient with yourself.
Posted 7/3/2019 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Y’all have made my day. Truly bless all of you.
Posted 7/4/2019 10:14 AM (GMT 0)

The Dude Abides said...
If I may inject a bit of humor into this serious topic, I once heard a comedian say his health insurance plan was so bad that, rather than receiving Viagra, he was given two popsicle sticks and some duct tape.

Thanks for the lolz! The Dude Abides...

It seems like my sexual drive is non-existent or hardly-there (no pun intended heh) ...
Posted 7/4/2019 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah seems to be common, as long as ppl say it gets better with treatment then that makes me feel better
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