Bartonella Disease [Co-Disease of Lyme]

Bartonella Disease [Co-Disease of Lyme] -- Tick-Borne Bartonella  

source

   Brad had another visit with his Lyme Doctor; who is suspecting strongly that as his Babesia is taming down some, another co-disease is raising it's head; Bartonella. This is quite a mysterious disease of which is difficult to detect and has only recently in the past 20+ years been discovered in the light as a co-infection. 

   As Lyme is with each patient, so are the co-diseases that have attached themselves to a Lyme victim. Depending on the individuality of a person, each disease raises it's head with unique symptoms, making it quite a challenge for physicians to clinically diagnose. 

   Brad's legs have started hurting him terribly 24/7 and in the past month one hand has gone completely numb and the other partially. He visited with a neurologist who tested him and yes, found the test reveal his nerves are working properly. 

Bartonella: "A genus of bacteria of the family Bartonellaceae, order Rickettsiales, made up of gram-negative cells in chains found in fixed tissue cells and in or on erythrocytes. The organism occurs in humans, sometimes asymptomatically, and in arthropod vectors. The genus includes organisms formerly classified in the genus Rochalimaea."

   At least eight species (of Bartonella) are known to infect humans. Cat scratch fever and trench fever are the common known diseases. Yet, with as a co-disease of Lyme a  new Bartonella species has been discovered in recent years. TRANSMITTED BY:  "Mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and biting flies (horse flies and deer flies). Bites and scratches from infected animals - including pets - can also transmit illnesses." [source] This disease; "causes intravascular disease, which hinders nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues, resulting in fatigue and pain, as well as cognitive and emotional problems."

   Take a look here at what a doctor/researcher is finding regarding Bartonella; "Other Bartonella strains spread more serious diseases. Kosoy is studying how often heart inflammation is caused by a Bartonella that thrives among rat fleas in Thailand. He has already established that about 25 percent of unexplained fever illnesses among a group of patients there was caused by Bartonella. He thinks the bacteria may be the hidden cause behind a host of chronic symptoms - muscle aches, neurological problems, fatigue, arthritis - that defy diagnosis." 

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/21/492795/the-pain-of-bartonella.html#storylink=cpy [Dr. Michael Kosoy] 

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/21/492795/the-pain-of-bartonella.html#storylink=cpy

   

" Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used to detect antibodies, but it is not always accurate. Another test, Western blot, is used to detect specific proteins, but this test is also not always accurate. Even when these two tests are run, a full one-third of cases go undetected. There are also occasional false positives. Why are these tests so inaccurate? For a number of reasons:

• Bacteria may be living inside body cells, making them difficult to detect in blood samples.
• The host's immune system might not recognize the pathogen so it does not produce antibodies.
• One infecting organism might contain a protein that is very similar to a protein that the organism being tested for contains, yielding a false positive. For example, any of several types of virus can cause a false positive Bb test (source). The cause of a false positive test for one vector-borne pathogen might even be another vector-borne pathogen. For example, Bartonella could exchange DNA with Babesia or Bb inside an insect vector, and when a person becomes infected with Bartonella, it could cause a false positive Babesia or Bb test (source: a Lyme/bartonellosis specialist).
• Test results might be misinterpreted." [benbrew.com]

   There is so much information and continued research that is still continuing. The problem is Brad and thousands of others are suffering immensely. The fight  to be able to continue life in a positive light is being in total surrendered in the Hand of God. He said His Hand is not short that He cannot save. Many times, when that it seemed the nights held victorious over the days -- steering his eyes (Brad) on Jesus and the promises of God is what has moved him into a life filled with great heights of Joy plus Peace. "Leaning on Jesus...safe and secure from ALL alarm."
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Up-Date On Brad:
She said that the babesia is improving, but by no means stop taking the tinctures or it will try to rise up again. For example, his breath hunger has come back some as it has been gone for about a year. 
Brad's legs have been in excruciating pain the past six months. No across the counter med.'s have helped. Also, in the past two months one hand has gone numb and the other partially. 
He is seeing a Neurologist who is suspecting Lyme (without Brad telling her he has been diagnosed). Our Lyme Doctor suspects the Neurologist may prescribe: Gapapentin for his pain, of which has no adverse side affects and will not harm the antibiotics work. 
--Babesia is dwindling away. 
--Bartonella has risen up as it was masking itself until the past 6 months. 
-- It has been recommended to change medicines. 
                        I.E. : Ryfampin: (for the Bartonella) this is an antibiotic: [300 mg. 4 a day]  
                                Minocycline: this is to enhance the two antibiotics strength for the Lyme & Bartonella   [100 mg. 2 a day]
                                Clindamycin: for the Lyme and it too is a antibiotic.
                                                This will amount to 3200 mg a day. [ 300mg  (a piece) 6 a day]
                             -------------------
                               Herbs/ Tinctures
                                Crystolepis: (mentioned before in this blog) for Babesia (30 drops a day, but the # started small and got to this point)
                                Teasel Root: for Lyme, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrom
                                Japanese Knot-weed  
All 3 of these 30 drops a day, but the # started small and got to this point.
                                B12: Was suggested just regarding his leg pain. Yet ONLY through:  Vitacost Methyl B-12 Sublingual -- 5000 mcg - 60 Lozenges

[Currently taking Gapapentin 300 mg. (3 a day)  Started taking; March 20, 2014]
   On a good note, he has NOT had a severe migraine in 2 months! First time in over 3 years as well as the heart pain. GLORY TO GOD! Two of the major battles he has faced greatly.
Yet, the doctor said do not stop the tinctures for they seem to be fighting the babesia causing these. 
  Also, she in encouraging him to not give up and to stay on the antibiotics as we are fighting an on going battle of bacterial that has it's own DNA.