A-Bart Challenge

[red]

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

[philamom]

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

Thanks for sharing red. I heard a lot of wonderful things about Edward Breit. My daughter has tested positive continuosly for over a year, but has recently tested negative. The lab we were using made some changes and our LLMD said they were having some issues with it. Sorry for your diagnosis.

[sf_mom]

Under the FAQ section it mentions that they don't accept insurance but will give you a form with cpt codes to submit. Although, it didn't sound like it was easily reimbursed, if at all.

 

They suggest a triple draw (m-w-f) at $550. Bart cycles in and out of the blood 5-7 days. They have never seen 3 positives from one patient.

 

Single draw is $360.

 

 

Thanks everyone for the information. Younger DS is cycling intensely every 7 days with rages for the last 5 weeks (we added Alinia to Mepron at this time). The rages were essentially gone for over a year until we went after Babesia. We are treating both Bartonella and Babesia and so its really hard to tell what is causing the flair. This particular child is positive for both Bartonella and Babesia via Igenex but we will be sure to investigate the new test when are close to determining if he is done with treatment. I am suspecting it is more of a Bartonella issue now and the rages are cropping up from the cross over treatment of Babesia?

 

Red thanks for sharing your experience with test.

[NancyD]

Very timely too, so thanks for the info about this test, Red. We were just about to go for our 4th PCR test, which I think is useless since the first 3 were negative, yet we have always herxed badly with Rifampin and symptoms are consistent with Bartonella.

[philamom]

On the site posted- "failure to detect Bartonella Species DNA in a patient sample does NOT rule out a diagnosis of bartonellosis. Bartonella ePCR was diagnosed to overcome the false negative problem in Bartonella detection, however, this bacteria is ELUSIVE and INFECTS at low levels."

 

Of course, we all knew that.

[red]

Very timely too, so thanks for the info about this test, Red. We were just about to go for our 4th PCR test, which I think is useless since the first 3 were negative, yet we have always herxed badly with Rifampin and symptoms are consistent with Bartonella.

Are you using Galaxy Diagnostics for your PCR tests? As for Rifampin it can cause "herx" like symptoms that is not a herx. Rifampin is one of the most difficult antibiotics to tolerate no matter what you are using it for.

[philamom]

I have been feeling GREAT in the months I have been off abx for Lyme/Bartonella. Eating really healthy (mostly organic, vegetable-based diet; no dairy, sugar, or processed foods; very low carbs and high protein). Still on Transfer Factor LymPlus and other supplements for support. But in the past few months I have experienced foot pain again, nose bleeds, night sweats (not menopause, as I am long past that), and some sleep problems. The sleep problems could be due to recent recent stress with what DD16 has been going through. I'm thinking I never got rid of the Bartonella completely.

 

My doctor wants me to do A-Bart challenge. Just wondering for those who have done this what you experienced, how quickly, and to what degree. Was it as bad or worse than herxing from Rifampin or Tindamax? I've tried to clear my schedule as best I can for the next few weeks. I know everyone reacts differently but just wondering what you experienced. Thanks!

 

I am not familiar with "Bart Challenge". I would like to hear about it. My diagnosis came through PCR/DNA at Galaxy Diagnostics. It is headed by Edward Breitschwerdt the DVM who has discovered over 20 additional species of bart.

http://www.galaxydx.com/web/human-health/

Red

Just wanted to mention that I contacted the company about their bartonella test and they are now licensed in all states, except NYS which they hope to complete by the end of the year.

[NancyD]

That's great news. Thanks for checking. Hmmm...we're in MA but our Md is in NY. Would we have to get our MA Md to order the test for us?

 

I'm now up to 15 drops twice daily of A-Bart and so far no symptoms...(here's hoping!)

 

I have been feeling GREAT in the months I have been off abx for Lyme/Bartonella. Eating really healthy (mostly organic, vegetable-based diet; no dairy, sugar, or processed foods; very low carbs and high protein). Still on Transfer Factor LymPlus and other supplements for support. But in the past few months I have experienced foot pain again, nose bleeds, night sweats (not menopause, as I am long past that), and some sleep problems. The sleep problems could be due to recent recent stress with what DD16 has been going through. I'm thinking I never got rid of the Bartonella completely.

 

My doctor wants me to do A-Bart challenge. Just wondering for those who have done this what you experienced, how quickly, and to what degree. Was it as bad or worse than herxing from Rifampin or Tindamax? I've tried to clear my schedule as best I can for the next few weeks. I know everyone reacts differently but just wondering what you experienced. Thanks!

 

I am not familiar with "Bart Challenge". I would like to hear about it. My diagnosis came through PCR/DNA at Galaxy Diagnostics. It is headed by Edward Breitschwerdt the DVM who has discovered over 20 additional species of bart.

http://www.galaxydx.com/web/human-health/

Red

Just wanted to mention that I contacted the company about their bartonella test and they are now licensed in all states, except NYS which they hope to complete by the end of the year.

[philamom]

That's great news. Thanks for checking. Hmmm...we're in MA but our Md is in NY. Would we have to get our MA Md to order the test for us?

 

I'm now up to 15 drops twice daily of A-Bart and so far no symptoms...(here's hoping!)

 

I have been feeling GREAT in the months I have been off abx for Lyme/Bartonella. Eating really healthy (mostly organic, vegetable-based diet; no dairy, sugar, or processed foods; very low carbs and high protein). Still on Transfer Factor LymPlus and other supplements for support. But in the past few months I have experienced foot pain again, nose bleeds, night sweats (not menopause, as I am long past that), and some sleep problems. The sleep problems could be due to recent recent stress with what DD16 has been going through. I'm thinking I never got rid of the Bartonella completely.

 

My doctor wants me to do A-Bart challenge. Just wondering for those who have done this what you experienced, how quickly, and to what degree. Was it as bad or worse than herxing from Rifampin or Tindamax? I've tried to clear my schedule as best I can for the next few weeks. I know everyone reacts differently but just wondering what you experienced. Thanks!

 

I am not familiar with "Bart Challenge". I would like to hear about it. My diagnosis came through PCR/DNA at Galaxy Diagnostics. It is headed by Edward Breitschwerdt the DVM who has discovered over 20 additional species of bart.

http://www.galaxydx.com/web/human-health/

Red

Just wanted to mention that I contacted the company about their bartonella test and they are now licensed in all states, except NYS which they hope to complete by the end of the year.

Yeah, I would think you need your MA MD to order it. Glad to hear of your lack of herx so far!

[philamom]

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

red- were you off antibiotics when tested? I just read on their order form that they recommend no abx 2 weeks prior to sample.

[NancyD]

Oy...fine for me but not for DD. Can't possibly take her off her abx. I bet their high sensitivity is based on no abx.

 

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

red- were you off antibiotics when tested? I just read on their order form that they recommend no abx 2 weeks prior to sample.

[philamom]

Oy...fine for me but not for DD. Can't possibly take her off her abx. I bet their high sensitivity is based on no abx.

 

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

red- were you off antibiotics when tested? I just read on their order form that they recommend no abx 2 weeks prior to sample.

Yes, bummer. After watching my daughter crash off of abx during fall/winter and doing much better since back on, I can't take her off them either.

[red]

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

red- were you off antibiotics when tested? I just read on their order form that they recommend no abx 2 weeks prior to sample.

NO I was not on antibiotics when they did the test. It would be a wasted test if you are on antibiotics/

Red.

[philamom]

Thats great. Did you do the triple or single draw?

I did the tripe draw. The risk of missing bart is not worth doing a single draw. I even had my dog tested to make sure he was not the source of my bart. I was lucky as my Vet did not mark up the cost of the test. They have been testing animals for years at NCSU vet school. This test has only become available for humans since last fall.

red- were you off antibiotics when tested? I just read on their order form that they recommend no abx 2 weeks prior to sample.

NO I was not on antibiotics when they did the test. It would be a wasted test if you are on antibiotics/

Red.

Ok - thank you.