Babesia = Panic Attack caused by exertion?

I am new to the forum I have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for almost 10 years along with Lyme disease symptoms. Before that I never had any issues with anxiety or panic attacks, I was always a very calm and relaxed person. It all started 10 years ago with a massive panic attack while driving my car. My anxiety and panic attacks and dizziness and vertigo has kept me mostly housebound for the last 10 years. I improved by doing trigger point therapy on my neck, shoulders, jaw, etc. which helped my sore muscles, tight neck, and TMJ symptoms along with taking Valerian Root for the anxiety and I began to slowly get my life back where the anxiety was manageable.

However about 3 years ago I began to slowly deteorate with these symptoms slowly getting worse. Then late summer of 2018 I fell off the cliff health wise while doing yard work on a hot day, the exertion caused me to get severely overheated which caused me to break into a massive panic attack, the worst panic attack that I ever had. My heart rate went to 180 bpm and I just couldn't get cool, I was burning up, my chest was tight, having the worst heart palpations. I just sat in my room for several hours with the fan blowing on my body. I felt like I was going to die. After several hours of this, my body then changed to being too cold. I couldn't sleep for 48 hours since I was so anxious and restless. After two days I then went to my cardiologist who ran extensive tests on me and said everything checked out as being fine and my heart was in good shape with no issues. However the CDC Western blot blood test showed that I tested positive for 2 bands, my cardiologist said that wasn't enough to test positive for Lyme. I recovered and went back to doing yard work after a week but I felt extremely winded and noticed air hunger and also the feelings of getting overheated so I stopped and went inside.

A few days later I exerted myself again and then broke into a massive panic attack where my heart rate hit close to 200 bpm. This then began daily intense anxiety and a few bad panic attacks per week where my heart rate would race. I then noticed that any exertion or physiological stress would cause me to get anxious and break into a panic attack. I was also having bad anxiety and panic attacks even when I wasn't doing anything but sitting and relaxing. After a few weeks of this I decided to visit a LLMD who had me take the iGenix test where I tested positive for Ehrlichiosis. To make a long story short I went on minocycline and rifampin for about 6 months and the panic attacks, anxiety, and many of the Babesia related symptoms got worse every time I herxed. I then switched over to natural supplements to fight the Ehrlichiosis and Lyme (I probably have Lyme since I also have many Lyme symptoms). I never tested positive for Babesia but when I have researched I have all the major symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, fear, restlessness, I feel cold when I go to bed, hot when I wake up, my hands are sometimes cold and I feel flushed and warm during the day, my system can't regulate my temperature, my neck is tight during many days, get air hunger, feeling winded even under light exertion, etc. My cortisol levels are high during the day (saliva test shows).

My LLMD has me on a gluten free detox diet and some natural supplements which have helped but the anxiety and panic attacks have been a roadblock that keeps me from making any progress in this battle. Every time I feel I am just starting to finally get off this wretched Lyme merry-go-round I get thrown back on it and I am back where I was and I can't seem to heal. I am tough but this whole process has me emotionally and physically drained especially over the last year. Not to mention I can't do anything that I used to be able to do. Ten years ago before this all started I could easily bench press 350 lbs. Today if I went to the gym I would be lucky to bench press the 37-lb bar that held those weights and after a set or two I would probably break into a massive panic attack that would cause anxiety and restless for several hours. Up until last summer, I could do yard work and I even went to the gym on occasion but I noticed extremely low energy levels and being easily winded starting last summer.

Three weeks ago I started to take Artemisinin Annua for the Babesia which I believe I have. The recommended dosage was 14 drops (is around 650 mg) so I started out with 2 drops. I noticed the first few days that my anxiety symptoms and hot/cold and flu like symptoms elevated. I just continued to take 2 drops a day, there were a lot of ups and downs but overall after the two weeks my anxiety and panic symptoms lessened and there were hours and even a few days where I was feeling more like my old self. I then went up to three drops a few days ago and could feel a flair-up of symptoms again and then yesterday evening (after having a morning and afternoon where I had flu like symptoms and some anxiety) I started to feel really good full of energy and no anxiety (I felt like my old self) so I started to work on my car which I haven't done in over a year. It felt great I was turning wrenches and straining myself loosening up and tightening bolts in a warm garage, just like old times. After about 30 to 45 minutes of this I stopped working on my car to pull a part off the shelf and then I started feeling overheated where I couldn't get cool, terribly anxious, and then the massive panic attack hit. I felt heart palpitations and my heart rate was elevated but I didn't get an ultra high heart rate like the panic attacks I got last summer and last fall. I did 4-7-8 deep breathing and EFT along with praying multiple times over a period of 5 hours which lessened the terrible panic, anxiety, dizziness, stiff neck, and eventually I fell asleep and though I briefly woke up a few times during the night I was able to get about 5 hours of sleep where in the past a massive panic attack like this would have kept me awake for 24 hours to 48 hours. However this morning I am so wiped out physically and emotionally. I have bad anxiety and just walking outside for a few minutes I feel winded and terribly anxious. I was feeling really positive about the Artemisinin Annua and it seemed to be helping me along with the other supplements like Wild Oil of Oregano (P73) and a gluten free diet. Though I have been suffering with anxiety on a daily basis it has been since July that I have had a really bad panic attack. The one last night was really bad, of course I exerted myself more than I have in a year which has me feeling like I am back on the Lyme merry-go-round again. However I am going to keep moving forward with slowly upping my dosage of Artemisinin Annua, Oil of Oregano, etc and continue eating a gluten free healthy diet.

Can Babesia cause a massive panic attack and overheating and the other symptoms I mentioned when exerting oneself? Or is there something else causing this? Has anyone found anything to help with the anxiety or panic attacks? I have found when the anxiety kicks up I can usually knock it down to manageable levels with 4-7-8 breathing and EFT which helps me to avoid a panic attack. However when I exert myself and once I get a massive panic attack though 4-7-8 breathing and EFT helps its like a pail of water trying to put out a raging fire. I also find putting a few drops of Roman Chamomile on a q-tip and smelling it for a minute or two helps when I am anxious. I truly believe if I can lick the anxiety and panic attacks especially when exerting myself that I can start healing from the other Lyme symptoms and get my life back. Has anyone had any success treating Babesia with Artemisinin Annua? If it doesn't work for me, my next step is to try Cryptolepis.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Post Edited (battler) : 9/11/2019 9:41:03 AM (GMT-6)

battler said...
I am new to the forum I have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for almost 10 years along with Lyme disease symptoms. Before that I never had any issues with anxiety or panic attacks, I was always a very calm and relaxed person. It all started 10 years ago with a massive panic attack while driving my car. My anxiety and panic attacks and dizziness and vertigo has kept me mostly housebound for the last 10 years. I improved by doing trigger point therapy on my neck, shoulders, jaw, etc. which helped my sore muscles, tight neck, and TMJ symptoms along with taking Valerian Root for the anxiety and I began to slowly get my life back where the anxiety was manageable.

However about 3 years ago I began to slowly deteorate with these symptoms slowly getting worse. Then late summer of 2018 I fell off the cliff health wise while doing yard work on a hot day, the exertion caused me to get severely overheated which caused me to break into a massive panic attack, the worst panic attack that I ever had. My heart rate went to 180 bpm and I just couldn't get cool, I was burning up, my chest was tight, having the worst heart palpations. I just sat in my room for several hours with the fan blowing on my body. I felt like I was going to die. After several hours of this, my body then changed to being too cold. I couldn't sleep for 48 hours since I was so anxious and restless. After two days I then went to my cardiologist who ran extensive tests on me and said everything checked out as being fine and my heart was in good shape with no issues. However the CDC Western blot blood test showed that I tested positive for 2 bands, my cardiologist said that wasn't enough to test positive for Lyme. I recovered and went back to doing yard work after a week but I felt extremely winded and noticed air hunger and also the feelings of getting overheated so I stopped and went inside.

A few days later I exerted myself again and then broke into a massive panic attack where my heart rate hit close to 200 bpm. This then began daily intense anxiety and a few bad panic attacks per week where my heart rate would race. I then noticed that any exertion or physiological stress would cause me to get anxious and break into a panic attack. I was also having bad anxiety and panic attacks even when I wasn't doing anything but sitting and relaxing. After a few weeks of this I decided to visit a LLMD who had me take the iGenix test where I tested positive for Ehrlichiosis. To make a long story short I went on minocycline and rifampin for about 6 months and the panic attacks, anxiety, and many of the Babesia related symptoms got worse every time I herxed. I then switched over to natural supplements to fight the Ehrlichiosis and Lyme (I probably have Lyme since I also have many Lyme symptoms). I never tested positive for Babesia but when I have researched I have all the major symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, fear, restlessness, I feel cold when I go to bed, hot when I wake up, my hands are sometimes cold and I feel flushed and warm during the day, my system can't regulate my temperature, my neck is tight during many days, get air hunger, feeling winded even under light exertion, etc. My cortisol levels are high during the day (saliva test shows).

My LLMD has me on a gluten free detox diet and some natural supplements which have helped but the anxiety and panic attacks have been a roadblock that keeps me from making any progress in this battle. Every time I feel I am just starting to finally get off this wretched Lyme merry-go-round I get thrown back on it and I am back where I was and I can't seem to heal. I am tough but this whole process has me emotionally and physically drained especially over the last year. Not to mention I can't do anything that I used to be able to do. Ten years ago before this all started I could easily bench press 350 lbs. Today if I went to the gym I would be lucky to bench press the 37-lb bar that held those weights and after a set or two I would probably break into a massive panic attack that would cause anxiety and restless for several hours. Up until last summer, I could do yard work and I even went to the gym on occasion but I noticed extremely low energy levels and being easily winded starting last summer.

Three weeks ago I started to take Artemisinin Annua for the Babesia which I believe I have. The recommended dosage was 14 drops (is around 650 mg) so I started out with 2 drops. I noticed the first few days that my anxiety symptoms and hot/cold and flu like symptoms elevated. I just continued to take 2 drops a day, there were a lot of ups and downs but overall after the two weeks my anxiety and panic symptoms lessened and there were hours and even a few days where I was feeling more like my old self. I then went up to three drops a few days ago and could feel a flair-up of symptoms again and then yesterday evening (after having a morning and afternoon where I had flu like symptoms and some anxiety) I started to feel really good full of energy and no anxiety (I felt like my old self) so I started to work on my car which I haven't done in over a year. It felt great I was turning wrenches and straining myself loosening up and tightening bolts in a warm garage, just like old times. After about 30 to 45 minutes of this I stopped working on my car to pull a part off the shelf and then I started feeling overheated where I couldn't get cool, terribly anxious, and then the massive panic attack hit. I felt heart palpitations and my heart rate was elevated but I didn't get an ultra high heart rate like the panic attacks I got last summer and last fall. I did 4-7-8 deep breathing and EFT along with praying multiple times over a period of 5 hours which lessened the terrible panic, anxiety, dizziness, stiff neck, and eventually I fell asleep and though I briefly woke up a few times during the night I was able to get about 5 hours of sleep where in the past a massive panic attack like this would have kept me awake for 24 hours to 48 hours. However this morning I am so wiped out physically and emotionally. I have bad anxiety and just walking outside for a few minutes I feel winded and terribly anxious. I was feeling really positive about the Artemisinin Annua and it seemed to be helping me along with the other supplements like Wild Oil of Oregano (P73) and a gluten free diet. Though I have been suffering with anxiety on a daily basis it has been since July that I have had a really bad panic attack. The one last night was really bad, of course I exerted myself more than I have in a year which has me feeling like I am back on the Lyme merry-go-round again. However I am going to keep moving forward with slowly upping my dosage of Artemisinin Annua, Oil of Oregano, etc and continue eating a gluten free healthy diet.

Can Babesia cause a massive panic attack and overheating and the other symptoms I mentioned when exerting oneself? Or is there something else causing this? Has anyone found anything to help with the anxiety or panic attacks? I have found when the anxiety kicks up I can usually knock it down to manageable levels with 4-7-8 breathing and EFT which helps me to avoid a panic attack. However when I exert myself and once I get a massive panic attack though 4-7-8 breathing and EFT helps its like a pail of water trying to put out a raging fire. I also find putting a few drops of Roman Chamomile on a q-tip and smelling it for a minute or two helps when I am anxious. I truly believe if I can lick the anxiety and panic attacks especially when exerting myself that I can start healing from the other Lyme symptoms and get my life back. Has anyone had any success treating Babesia with Artemisinin Annua? If it doesn't work for me, my next step is to try Cryptolepis.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Welcome to the forum, battler.

Anxiety and panic attacks for 10 years - you have my sympathy.
That is a long time to endure that.
The suffering that we endure with these infections is horrific!

It sounds to me that your Autonomic Nervous system is affected by lyme and co’s.

Mine is too. I thought - because I would sweat for no reason - that it was Babesia.
But I’m now thinking it’s bartonella.

With Bart treatment my sweating is getting better.
In the beginning, I would wake up every 2-3 hours in a panic, gasping for air and sweating.
That subsided but was left with waking in the morning with anxiety and mild sweating - on the backs of my hands (strange place) and my face.
Then in the evening while sitting watching tv, the backs of my hands would sweat - just once and then subside.
Hoping for this to go away completely....

Babesia can cause anxiety and sweating but I think it could be Bartonella as well. Bartonella can mess with our nervous system - CNS/ANS which can cause issues with blood pressure, heart rate, temp regulation.

Really hard to know what’s causing what.

Are you taking the whole herb Artemisia Annua or the Artemisinin?


I find when I’m trying to multitask - my brain gets overwhelmed and then symptoms pop up - I get internal shivers and I can’t concentrate and I’m overwhelmed. It’s strange because I was never like that prior to lyme - I worked well under pressure.

You could add in some Cryptolepis with your Art.

Artemisinin needs to be pulsed - unless you’re taking the whole herb Artemisia Annua.

If it is any consolation, I have an uncannily similar intolerance to exercise/exertion. I worked on my car last year for a day, and was wiped out for 3 days, felt like I was hit by a truck. I have had those marathon panic attacks and been up for long hours. Definitely have some sort of POTS thing going on, when I get up too quick from sitting or on the bed, I'm off-balance and have dull vascular pressure pain in my armpits. The temperature dysregulation...yep that too, cold feet, sometimes too hot, then too cold, insomnia...

Anyway, just wanted to let you know there are countless others feeling your exact same symptoms.

I'm off of herbs and abx for a good long while now, except for what I get in diet (lots of oregano and garlic on my chicken tonite...) I'm eating keto/paleo mostly and it seems to help. Because..if I eat poorly I get a plethora of aches and body pains for 3 days... such is this tick borne disease complex that keeps giving in these "wonderful" /s myriad ways... : /

Can't advise on some of those herbs too much, I have just a basic understanding of traditional abx and a freestyle Buhners protocol (Cats Claw, Teasel Root, Otoba bark, Grapefruit seed extract powder...etc) that I did...but I do know that herb tinctures pack a wallop, and Herx you will.

I've had panic attacks/air hunger (don't know which, they feel so similar to me) from simply switching sides in the bed. Sometimes just the mere act of moving can cause those air hunger attacks. Which do feel like anxiety attacks. You can't breathe, your heart rate goes up, and you sometimes start sweating or getting nauseous. I always call them air hunger attacks when that happens because there was literally no external stimulus causing such outrageous responses. It's entirely possible that the exertion you put forth caused that. Especially if I can get that response from just merely moving a different direction. haha. It's not always like that for me. Only when my babesia or POTS is really flaring.

Battler - I was concerned when I read in your post that Rifampin and cheese don’t go together.
While I’m not on Rifampin, I am taking a similar but stronger med Rifabutin and I eat cheese.

But it looks like it’s not Rifampin but isoniazid that is causing the reaction to cheese.

Rifampin and isoniazid are both used to treat tuberculosis.
Take another look at the article

It's easy for it to get confusing. Just hope you find the answer to panic attacks.

"Girlie,

Thanks for the great info. Especially the info on Bartonella. That could be it for me I could have Bartonella instead of Babesia or both. I was thinking it may be Babesia since I get air hunger from time to time. Can Bartonella give a person air hunger too? From your experience where you were on Bart treatment and gasping for air sounds like this is the case. Any particular herbs or supplements that you found worked with Bart? Sorry to hear about your night sweets, anxiety, and other symptoms, sounds like since it is getting better that you are on the right track. I am taking Artemisia Annua (liquid drops). Reason I went with it instead of Artemisia was that I had read some opinions and studies that Artemisia can sometimes stop working after a few weeks since the Babesia is able to adapt to it. Artemisia Annua (since its the whole plant) though not as powerful supposedly continues to keep attacking the Babesia. I think the Artemisia Annua is working for me, I started almost three weeks ago with 2 drops (just a little under 100 mg) and my anxiety, night and day sweats, cold hands, flu-like systems, air hunger, etc. all flared up and then I got better. This past Monday I upped the dosage to 3 drops (just under 150 mg) and felt flare up of symptoms again but felt better when symptoms weren't present. I believe that the Artemisia Annua was also part of the big panic attack I had a few nights ago due to exertion, I believe it's attacking the Babesia. However won't know for certain until I continue to up the dosage getting close to the ideal 650 mg per day. I know what you mean about not being able to multi-task, I just like you used to be able to multi-task very well however on some days I have bad brain fog and I just can't multi-task like I used to. On really bad days I have the concentration and attention span of a 2-year old. "

I don't know if bartonella can cause air hunger....I know that bart messes with the CNS/ANS and breathing is part of the ANS...so I do think it's possible.

Sorry - I may have misled - when I was waking in the night in a panic, sweating and gasping for air - I was not on bart treatment.

Running Wild and Girlie,

Thanks, anxiety and panic attacks are no fun. Girlie you are so right about you don't know true anxiety until you get the Lyme related anxiety and panic attacks. I was always a calm person, even when I worked extremely stressful jobs in the past, others would comment how calm I was under pressure. Then when the anxiety and panic attacks started I didn't know what hit me, my life really changed for the worse.

So far the last 2 weeks (minus the episode a few days ago) my overall anxiety has lessened. I believe that the Artemisia Annua may be working. I am hoping this is the new trend and that I have finally turned the corner. I am up to around 150 mg of Artemisia Annua per day as of this past Monday. I could really feel it on Tuesday and Wednesday morning with some Herx effects. Yesterday I had two bouts with air hunger and dizziness and elevated anxiety but when it happened it went away fairly quickly. Today has been the calmest day this week, I even did some yard work today, though I could feel a little windedness when I was straining myself a few times but it passed quickly when I rested for a few minutes and did deep breathing exercises. I am going to up my dosage of Artemisia Annua to 200 mg this Monday and I am sure the herx symptoms will return right after but I am prepared with lemon juice, burbur, dry brushing, etc. I also took about 15 minutes ago 200 mg of Natural Calm Magnesium which also seems to be helping.

Thanks again for your help and advice.

....

Post Edited (battler) : 9/13/2019 3:18:27 PM (GMT-6)

Girlie,

Thanks for the recommendation of Cryptolepis and Sida Acuta. I probably will take the liquid form of Cryptolepis, so I can more slowly dose up to higher dosages. If I go that route I was going to order Woodland Essence's Cryptolepis Glycerite (Glycerite used as preservative) or Cryptolepis Rood Liquid Extract (non-GMO alcohol used as preservative). Do you have any experience with these, do you know which one is more effective?

I have read good things about Sida Acuta and I read Stephen Buhner's "Healing Lyme" (second edition) book where he recommends it. However the only possible red flag I see with Sida Acuta is that Buhner mentions it has small amounts of ephedrine in it and he mentions it may cause mild raciness or wakefulness. Since I am dealing with anxiety and panic attacks I fear it may kick my nervous system into high gear giving me bad anxiety and panic attacks. Have you noticed these side effects with Sida Acuta?

I also bought a bottle of Samsara Tick Recovery which has Sida Acuta. I have read the reviews of this product and it seems have worked wonders for some people, it has the main Buhner herbs for Lyme and its co-infections in capsule form (Japanese Knotweed, Sida Acuta, Cats Claw, Dokudami, Houttuynia cordata, and Stevia). I was planning on trying it down the road. Have you tried this product?

...

Post Edited (battler) : 9/13/2019 3:42:22 PM (GMT-6)

The anxiety is crazy. The LLMD seems to be starting to doubt I have Lyme now, which I don't understand. Believe he is thinking autoimmune now. But I have not read anything about autoimmune causing the anxiety everyday at the exact time and for so long.

And Girlie, good point when you mentioned detox, or lack of enough. It is a weakness in treatment for me. Glad you mentioned. I have become fixated on concern for lupus and have let some things go.

I believe for so many on this forum it's easy to let things "snowball" in our minds and become a detriment to getting better. It's so easy to do because we are hoping and guessing in so many areas. Hope the herb works for you battler. Keep trying.