Newbie question about son just starting antibiotic treatment

Huddie, stretch marks are a sign of Bartonella. I would suggest taking some pictures of them and any other rashes whenever you notice them. Also if his knees are swollen, take pictures of them too. Are you keeping a symptom journal? Our LLMD uses symptoms as a guide and I believe most LLMDs do because tests are so unreliable, even more so for tick co-infections.

LymieMonster, our DS did get worse for a few months before he started to improve. He had his usual symptoms and new ones that cropped up. I think that is common for many people. We even had a wheelchair script at one point but he realized he would be too fatigued to push himself around school so we didn't use it - just let him bed surf during that time as he would only go across the hall to the bathroom.

FWIW, DS is back to sports! It's not all back because of his breathing/heart (central nervous system disruption) but it's much better so keep the faith. Most kids have an amazing ability to overcome this - I'm convinced it takes time, commitment to the treatments, willingness to detox/try new methods to see what works and LOTS of rest to heal.

"Scratch/stretch" marks are associated with bartonella infection which should be investigated given your son's work with feral cats.

K's stomach pain (which would double her over and drop her to the ground several times a day), anxiety attacks, OCD and insomnia resolved with bartonella treatment, as did a significant portion of her ADHD and loss of executive/cognitive function. The remaining symptoms resolved with treatment for protozoan (ie babesia) infection.

This will make my post long, but I feel I need to post her timeline again:

Born Sept 2001 – born with light / sound / touch sensitivity. Nursed and slept well, appeared healthy, accomplished first year milestones but with low percentile height and weight. All vaccinations received on schedule.
2002 - Loss of speech/fine motor ability 2 weeks after 15 month MMR vaccination. Self weaned at that time.

2004 – Diagnosed with ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder (light, sound, touch), motor delay (with toe-walking), hypotonia, oral apraxia. Private speech therapy recovered speech by 2007 using the PROMPT method.

2005 - Private OT to improve fine motor control.

2006 – Enters school system with IEP. Kindergarten accommodations include OT, PT, weighted vest, ear muffs.

2008 - MMR / DPT boosters (told by GP that the original regression was a coincidence) and insect bite (bruise-like rash). New symptoms include: motor/vocal tics, emotional lability (including rage), age regressive behaviour, low level OCD, urinary frequency, diminished fine motor ability, insomnia, loss of executive function. Waxed and waned with strep/viral infections.

2009 - School IEP re-evaluated to include removal from classroom for tests with EA available to redirect to task, seating behind a screen for in-class work to reduce sensory overload, more time allowed for testing, decreased work and test load, removal to remedial class for lunch with EA available to redirect to eating. Accompanied by EA to the washroom to prevent wandering.

2010 – Diagnosed with ADHD, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, motor delay, probable PANDAS.

Jan 2011 - shin/forearm pain, cyclic IBS, foot (sole) pain, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety/panic attacks, pick-like skull pain, pain and stiffness at base of skull, tingling in extremities, chills and hot flashes, extreme fatigue, nightly fever.

June 2011 - Negative Canadian ELISA, Igenex PCR positive Bartonella henselae, Negative Babesia microti. Negative lyme (IND IgM kDa 41; IND IgG kDa 39, 34. kDa 41++). CD57 18. Positive ANA (speckled type), heterozygous A1298C MTHFR.

Multiple Abx, methyl B12, methylfolate, P-5-P, herbal homeopathic and supplement treatment by LLMD.

2012 – Vaccine exemptions acquired.

Jan 2013 - Bartonella IgG titers declined from 160 (Jun 2011) to 80. CD57 16.

April 2013 - Weaned from abx treatment at 80% improvement. Continued with Full Buhner bartonella herbal protocol, GF/CF/SF, organic, pastured, Terry Wahls / PerfectHealthDiet . Minimize EMF exposure.

Sept 2013 - CD57 45.

Oct 2013 - All symptoms (PANS and pain/fatigue) 95% resolved. No flares with viral or other infections. Herxing remains with changes in herbal protocols.

Dec 2013 - Clinical babesia diagnosis. Improvement to 98% with addition of Buhner herbal protozoan treatment.
ANA titers negative. PANS symptoms resolved. Regular classroom requiring no accommodations. B+/A student.

Mar 2014 - Continued improvement in cognitive/executive function with increased dosages of cryptolepis/sida/alchornea (CSA) tincture.

Sept 2014 - Continued improvement with the addition of red root. Resolution of EMF sensitivities with low dose cilantro tincture, diatomaceous earth and psyllium husk.

Dec 2015 – To present. Symptom improvement to100% with removal of PUFA supplements (Cod Liver Oil, organic hemp oil). B+/A student in Grade 9, active in Celtic Dancing, curling, cycling, church Youth Group. Remains 1 year or so behind peers in ability to socially interact.

Hi Huddie!
Sorry to hear your son is unwell!
The people here really are angels!
I'm new but, I think they would suggest you read the "new to lyme" thread.

My son just kept getting sicker and sicker. Extreme fatigue, brain fog, and brutal migraines 24/7. Migraines eased up to constant headaches 2-3/10, then started weird muscle twitches, tingling down limbs, tmj pain, stomache upset.
Then around April he became extremely anxious and dev OCD. I must say this was really the most challenging sumptom and at one point he wasnt eating/sleeping. I really thought the hospital would be better for him and that I wasnt able to help him. We were able to fet weekly counselling (which he really enjoys) abd this has helped tremendously!

Normal lab results except low ferritin that didnt improve with iron.

So many weird symptoms, but always the brain fog and fatigue.

Where is your son getting tested?

Do you have a lyme literate Dr. To help you understand the test?

My son has a few stretch marks around his buttocks, but I'm not really worried about those (probably from growing)- but he has weird ones in the middle of his back. Those ones seem out of place to me.

But it would really be best if a lyme dr. Assessed your son properly.

My son was in terrible joint pain last night - I just cant believe what these lymies endure. :(

The people here really are the experts, but let me know if I can answer any questions. :)

I wish you and your son healthy happy days!

Post Edited (Lymiemomster) : 8/21/2016 10:18:58 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks Lymemonster,

I am so sorry your son has endured all of this. I am happy you somehow didn't give up and pieced it all together. It is a great mystery. How are his spirits? How are his friendships? Did he have to repeat a grade?

I have read the 'new to lyme' I am newly diagnosed, and after learning/reading so much I pieced lots of his symptoms together. Clearly I'm not as smart as you because I was never thinking lyme for him. I was thinking he had a bad luck year and growing pains, stress, etc... Still hoping it is that but have a sneaking suspicion it is not.

PLEASE keep us posted on your son.