Jump to content
ACN Latitudes Forums

Red streaks like stretch marks


Recommended Posts

Can anyone tell me a little more about the stretch mark looking lines that may be indicative of lyme? My ds has them on his chest and back near his armpits. He was bench pressing for a short whilevand thought it was from that. He also has had a headache for one year along with intermittent joint pain, debilitating fatigue, depression , anxiety. He has appointment with LLMD on Thursday.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks,

Aggie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree, a classic symptom of bartonella. Although DD has never had them, she did test positive for bartonella hensalae. Headaches can also be a symptom.

 

I think people need to stop focusing so much on lyme results and concentrate on the coinfections (babesia, bartonella, mycoplasma, ehrlichia, RMSF etc). These are the bacteria that are causing the real problems, JMHO.

 

Glad you're seeing a LLMD.

Edited by rowingmom
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are some good examples:

 

http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php/resources/medical-photos/category/27-bartonella

 

Normal "stretch marks" can be found in areas that have stretched significantly - ie, expanding belly or thighs of someone who has put on large amounts of weight or girth through pregnancy or weight gain. I wouldn't think having stretch marks on the upper back, for example, would be usual. And I don't think they would be normally found in chidren.

 

Bartonella stretch marks are usually a red - dark red colour and look like blood is trapped under the skin. Normal stretch marks resolve to a silver colour, while bartonella stretch marks just come and go.

 

Here are some pregnancy stretch marks for comparison:

 

http://pregnancy.about.com/od/stretchmarks/ig/Stretch-Marks-Photo-Gallery/

 

The main consideration would probably be, has the area of skin stretched enough to produce the tissue damage you are observing, or are the marks in an atypical area?

 

 

Edited by rowingmom
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I won't kid you. It is a long haul. Many different abx combos and protocols. We tried to wean twice during the 2 years DD was in treatment and relapsed both times. It wasn't until our LLMD suggested treating for babesia along with bartonella that DD found real healing. DD had tested negative for babesia, but perhaps the malaria abx addressed some other protozoan infection that we hadn't tested for.

 

We saw real improvements after about 6 months, but weren't able to hold onto them until 2 years worth of abx treatment, some of which was trial and error on the part of the LLMD. Pay attention to detox/MTHFR and inflammation. Proper dosing of Japanese knotweed was very helpful with herxing and just general healing for DD. Probiotics are essential.

 

Having a visual chart of symptoms vs protocol is EXTREMELY helpful for both yourself and the doctors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I understand rowingmom as he has been very sick for one year - missed school for one year so far. I believe he has had PANDAS/PANS for 4 years though. It would be nice to get him back to life in the real world. Just to have that glimmer of hope that something is on the horizon is very uplifting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am a bit confused. Rowingmom...the website you posted has stretch marks on pregnant women, that I can see. Not sure why Aggie is saying that it is what she is seeing on her child and that she can't wait for doctors appointment. (I am probably missing something.) The stretch marks on those pregnant bellies look my daughters (exactly) and Dr. J. said they were bartonella rash. Now I am not so sure. Perhaps they are just from gaining a bit of weight. They are on back of her legs, just below her bumm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Aggie it has taken us a good 1.5 years of treatment, and a bit of changing it up to find the right combos. It is a bit bumpy but you can get it under control. My advice is start slow. I waited about 5-6 months to add supplements, partially out of fear of using them and partially because I thought giving the abx time to work alone would give me a better chance with the supplements. I did see a lot of improvement after adding supps, and it's hard to know if I had the right approach or not. Our LLD likened it to a marathon, you start slow and then pick up the pace as you get further in. Bart takes a good long while to get at, and strong medication.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am a bit confused. Rowingmom...the website you posted has stretch marks on pregnant women, that I can see. Not sure why Aggie is saying that it is what she is seeing on her child and that she can't wait for doctors appointment. (I am probably missing something.) The stretch marks on those pregnant bellies look my daughters (exactly) and Dr. J. said they were bartonella rash. Now I am not so sure. Perhaps they are just from gaining a bit of weight. They are on back of her legs, just below her bumm.

 

Trinitiybella, they do look similar in the pictures.

 

The first website was pictures of bartonella marks, the second of pregnancy stretch marks. What I mentioned was that stretch marks in areas of the body that haven't stretched significantly (like a pregnant belly does while expanding quickly) may be indicative of bartonella.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems really tough to tell the difference with the stretch marks. My daughter's are on her lower belly and her arms. They are quite prominent. She's had them for years, and our pediatrician and our dermatologist told me they were just stretch marks. It wasn't until we finally got to Dr. B that he told us they were Bart. My daughter has been on two different ABX for about two months. Many of her ADD symptoms have significantly subsided. She still has major aches and pains and anxiety.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...