Does this sound like Bartonella or related infections?

Hey, based on these symptoms, should I get tested / see a LLMD?

6 years ago:
(Striae) marks on back for several weeks, right before I got
Instant onset Depersonalization,
seizure-like activity in brain (EEG data)
Anxiety, OCD symptoms

5 years ago:
body tremor / weakness,
fatigue
brain fog
poor short term memory

4 years ago:
Tinnitus. Have got 2 more types since onset. Got worse 2 years ago, and again 6 months ago
Also have highly sensitive right ear

For last few years:
Every few months, my gums inflame in same spot for no apparent reason. Lasts about a week
Chronic post-nasal drip, sticky spit in throat
Suddenly developed habit of night time urination, sometimes twice
Very hot when I wake up, hard to fall back to sleep, not sweating

Within last two years:
Worsening of mental symptoms
Heart palpitations (seemingly constant stronger beat)
Infrequent slight brown tinted urine (Not UTI)
Infrequent cold sensation in bladder (Not UTI)
infrequent cloudy urine (Not UTI)
Sometimes mild urinary incontinence post urination
Sore sole of left foot (1 month, lasted for several days, then infrequently)
Frequent unexplained slight chesty cough with phlegm
Visual snow in certain lights
Recently had brief episode of finger moving on it’s own



Current mental health issues: Depersonalization, anxiety, depression, OCD, racing thoughts, constant earworms, rage, brain fog, long- and short-term memory impairment

Post Edited (joblo5767) : 5/30/2019 8:06:33 AM (GMT-6)

I also have Bartonella and have a lot of the same symptoms. Not as much anxiety stuff but lots of the brain fog, short term memory issues, bathroom use during the night, sore feet, fatigue, etc.

You might be dealing with more than on infection though so definitely see an LLMD as goshawk mentioned.

By "ear worms" do you mean that songs get stuck in your head? I have the same but I've never attributed it to bartonella. Sounds plausible though.

Thanks so much for the replies! Great info.

I do suspect an infection but just wanted some more opinions. I think I am going to get tested first, and then maybe proceed with a doctor, as opposed to the other way around. There aren't any great LLMDs around me anyway (Dublin).

I am going to do the Galaxy Diagnostics tests: Triple Draw ePCR Bartonella, IFA, IgG + ELISA for Lyme + PCR for other co-infections). It seems like that is the most reliable test. If I get any positives I guess I'll either try treating myself or move in with my Dad in Texas ( I assume there are some good LLMDs around there)

What do you guys think? Thank you so much for your time

Previous manifestation of striae on back plus all those neuro symptoms def leads me to think bartonella is involved. Possibly coupled with some other chronic infections like lyme. They rarely travel alone, especially if there is heavy symptom manifestation. A vast array of symptoms like this across various body systems can often be driven by chronic infection(s).

I think it's a good idea to get further confirmation via testing (Galaxy is good from what I've heard). But even if you get a negative I wouldn't let that rule out bartonella. It sounds like such a classic case and none of the diagnostics are perfect for these infections.

I'd def start checking out treatment options, hopefully you can connect with a solid llmd!

Another thing I've always liked as indirect confirmation of underlying infections: trialing various broad spectrum antimicrobials. If you get a flare in symptoms after trying them (herxheimer) that is another signal of underlying chronic infections.

Post Edited (sebreg) : 5/19/2018 9:25:10 PM (GMT-6)

Doesn't cat's claw do nothing to regular people but make lyme/co-infection people incredible sick -- and one or two drops? I'll never know because I never took cat's claw tincture as a "regular person"