A mom and both her sons experienced a variety of emotional/mood and pain symptoms between them as a result of a Bartonella infection: anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, inconsolable crying, ADHD, rage, eye pain, joint pain and pain in the legs. This family case study was published in Parasites and Vectors in 2013. I would love to see individual amino acids being used to ease some of these symptoms while the infection is being treated (more on this below).
Here are some of the emotional and mood-related symptoms they experienced:
- the mother and both sons developed recurrent rash-like skin lesions, disruptive sleep patterns and both boys developed anxiety accompanied by episodes of inconsolable crying, irritability, and panic attacks
- subsequent to the spider infestation of the apartment, [the mother] developed fatigue, memory difficulties, headaches, irritability, eye pain, insomnia, chest pain, blurred vision, shortness of breath, rash and skin lesions and anxiety attacks.
- The youngest son… awakened at night crying and complaining of pain in his legs
- The older son experienced increased irritability and rage episodes. In addition, the boy’s teacher indicated a lack of attention during class, and suggested that the child might have an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The youngest son also developed severe neurological symptoms and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy.
You can read the full investigation, timing, sequence of events and all the symptoms in the paper: Bartonella henselae infection in a family experiencing neurological and neurocognitive abnormalities after woodlouse hunter spider bites
Creating awareness, motivating, inspiring and educating
I’d like to highlight some of the reasons for sharing this paper:
- creating more awareness about the emotional/mood symptoms that can occur with a Bartonella henselae infection
- educating about this infection in general so other families can find solutions quicker than this family did
- motivating and inspiring you to not give up looking for answers for you and your family – this mom suspected Bartonella infection after doing internet searches (almost 3 years after all this started)
- creating more awareness about possible hosts other than ticks (in this case woodlice and woodlice hunter spiders)
- highlighting how family members exposed to the same infection can have different symptoms and how some family members may not be infected at all (in this case the father was not affected)
- highlighting that some individuals (the mom in this case) do not recall being bitten and yet still get sick
- educating on how amino acids can offer much symptom relief during the investigation and treatment of the infection (more on this below)
Treatment with antibiotics and Chinese herbs
This family was successfully treated with antibiotics and other medications once it was determined Bartonella was the cause of their symptoms:
The parents report that the [youngest] child is actively socializing with other children and now runs and plays like he had never done before.
Following this antibiotic course, the mother reported substantial overall improvement and was almost symptom free. However, she continues to experience occasional irritability, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and pain involving the shoulder, hip and the bottoms of her feet.
One of the common symptoms of Bartonella is burning feet and this article, How to Put Out the Fire in Your Burning Bartonella Feet, mentions a herb from the Zhang protocol:
In Chinese herbal medicine, an herb called “houttuynia” is classified as “Clearing Heat and Relieving Toxicity.” This herb has been successfully used to treat Bartonella by a Chinese physician in New York named Dr. Q. Zhang. This herb has antibacterial and antiviral properties in addition to clearing heat and toxins. Fortunately this herb can be combined with other herbs to help relieve Bartonella symptoms.
I mention this because I am personally familiar with the Zhang protocol, having used it when working with Dr. Darin Ingels to address my Lyme disease (Borrelia). Dr. Ingels is the author of The Lyme Solution and writes about the Zhang protocol in this excellent book.
Using amino acids to address anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, crying and pain
Individual amino acids, used as supplements, can offer much symptom relief during the investigation and treatment of the Bartonella infection, however they are seldom recommended. I would love to see this change and become the norm.
In this blog post, GABA helps with Lyme anxiety (while addressing the underlying disease), Tricia shares that “Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia are all known to cause anxiety and other psychological disorders ranging from mild to very severe.” She also shares that her daughter used GABA:
We’ve used Source Naturals GABA Calm sublinguals with good results. I learned about GABA helping anxiety and because I was treating my young daughter I purchased this because it was easy for her to take.
Looking at some of the emotional symptoms this family experienced, and how the amino acids could have helped:
- anxiety, irritability, and panic attacks: can be eased by using tryptophan/5-HTP
- disruptive sleep patterns and waking: can be helped by using calming GABA
- inconsolable crying: can be eased by using DPA to boost endorphins
- headaches, pain in the legs, shoulders and elsewhere: can be eased with DPA and/or tryptophan
- rage episodes: can be eased with tryptophan/5-HTP
- ADHD: can be helped with GABA in some instances and 5-HTP in other instances
I feel for this poor family. It certainly was a very complex family case and reflects the need to dig deep to find the root cause. And I appreciate the case being written up so more awareness can be created.
Have you or your family experienced something like this? And has your practitioner introduced you to the amino acids for some symptom relief while they are addressing the infection/s?
If you’re a practitioner working with Lyme disease and coinfections such as Bartonella, have you seen cases similar to this one? Do you use amino acids for some symptom relief while addressing the infection/s?
Feel free to post your questions and feedback in the comments below.
Great information!! We are on a very similar path after 15 months and 1.2 million in care.
Thanks for posting and making more aware of Bart.
Thanks
Dr Dwaine
Dr. Dwaine
You’re most welcome. I do hope you are finding resolution and are finding the amino acids helpful for the mood issues while dealing with the underlying infection.
The second I read this headline I thought of the book “Chronic” by Steven Phillips & Dana Parish. I just finished it this week and it speaks specifically to this infection (it addresses all Lyme +) and treatment, as well as touches on other helpful points. It supports your recommendations as well. I would highly recommend reading!
Amy
Thanks for sharing. I had somehow missed the launch of book one last month and I’m going to purchase a copy to read. I had a quick peek using the search inside Amazon feature and see they do have a chapter – Mending Your Mind – covering the psychiatric effects and using CBT, EMDR and other helpful approaches. Unfortunately GABA, glycine and theanine only get a one-sentence mention in the sleep section and there is no mention of tryptophan, 5-HTP or DPA.
How can the root cause infections be accurately tested for and diagnosed?
Please include ‘alternative’ diagnostic approaches as I’ve found them helpful with other conditions.
Thank you!
Ch
The short answer about testing and diagnosis is this: it’s difficult and challenging. Dr. Darin Ingels has an entire chapter in the book I mention in the blog – “The Lyme Solution.”
In Amy’s comment she mentions the book “Chronic” by Steven Phillips and Dana Parish. I see one of the chapters is: The Difficulty in Diagnosis.
I have bartonella, ebv, lyme, diagnosed with 6 other co-infections as well as mold & cfs, cirs, low IGG. I was unaware of some of this information so thank you! I do take gaba & i can identify with the leg pain, body pain, hip & shoulder pain, anxiety & irritability, low tolerance. It’s very difficult to explain to anyone who has not experienced this disease. Thank you for all you share.
How did you get diagnosed/tested for all of that?
Cyd
Thanks for sharing and I agree it is very difficult to explain to folks who have not experienced a chronic infection or mold toxicity.
I would love to hear how the GABA is helping and if you’ve trialed any of the other amino acids I mention? With your pain, anxiety and irritability symptoms, hopefully the section on the amino acids can help you. As always we start low and do a trial and go up from there.
Wow, I feel so much ‘pain’ for all this family has endured!!
Would the treatment they used (Zhang Treatment) used to treat their Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy also work if the cause was not Bartonella? ; if it was peripheral neuropathy caused by something else?
Sandee
The Zhang herbal products are used to fight the infection, and it was the infection that triggered the Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy. Intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG), prednisone and gabapentin resolved his symptoms. But as always we need to get to the root cause – the Bartonella infection in this case – and address that.
Dr. Ingels writes about neuropathy in his book “The Lyme Solution” and covers phosphatidylcholine, glutathione and low B12. He also writes about some of the Chinese herbs in the Zhang products helping with neuropathy.
And yes they endured so much!
Who can we see to get this treatment protocol? We have the amino acids but are not seeing relief. I think we need the Chinese herbs and ivig . Can you recommend a dr in Florida or NY?
Trudy Scott, I appreciate you have shared that you too have personal dealings with lyme co-infections.
I know first hand too of this frustrating condition as I have relapsed with Bartonella Henslae. For all those under antibiotic (doxycycline) treatment for lyme, please confirm thatSource Naturals GABA Calm can be used as an adjunct tool when there is an intensification of symptoms from the die-off? I guess my question is was this family taking these in conjunction with classic bartonella henslae treatment or as a stand alone treatment? My other question is when this is in remission and there are bouts of disrupted sleep from the hot/cold feeling and anxiety, can this still be used to dial down the inflammation lurking in the body?
Margo
You’re very welcome! I am not aware of any issues with GABA being used during antibiotic treatment and have had many clients on both. And many who have needed to increase GABA as symptoms increase during the infection and/or treatment and yes when in remission too.
As far as I’m aware, this family was not using any of the amino acids. They are seldom recommended my Lyme literate doctors which is unfortunate, because they help so much and prevent the need for psychiatric medication prescriptions (which are much more common).
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html Much of this helps with disrupted sleep too.
Trudy: I received your book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” as a gift a few months ago. It is truly a game changer. I truly recommend it anyone dealing with heightened anxiety. I have also recently bought by your recommendation those GABA lozenges and will update my personal experience here once they arrive. I am trying your food solutions for menopause symptoms as well. However can you recommend adjunct treatment for a 63 yr old post menopausal woman how to dial down (hot and burning sensations)-that regularly occur 3am to 7am?
DId anyone investigate the exposure the family had to pesticides in the exterminating process. These will cause all of these symptoms , it’s interesting that the doctors focus on a microbe when according to the report there was chemical exposure from the exterminator.
Carrie
Good point. I don’t know if pesticide/insecticide exposure was considered and it’s very likely that it was not. I agree it could cause all these symptoms and would be a very real issue contributing to their toxic load – affecting detox, immunity, the endocrine system and neurotransmitter production.
However some of their symptoms started after the spider bites (and before pesticide/insecticide exposure) ….”immediately prior to the onset of symptoms two children in a family experienced puncture-like skin lesions after exposure to and presumptive bites from woodlouse hunter spiders”
Testing did also confirm the bacterial infection … “When tested approximately three years after the woodlouse hunter spider infestation, all three family members were Bartonella henselae seroreactive and B. henselae DNA was amplified and sequenced from blood, serum or Bartonella alpha-proteobacteria (BAPGM) enrichment blood cultures from the mother and oldest son. Also, B. henselae DNA was PCR amplified and sequenced from a woodlouse and from woodlouse hunter spiders collected adjacent to the family’s home.”
The paper also mentions flooding of the apartment so mold toxicity may also have been an added toxic burden.
Hi Trudy
I keep reading about the great benefits of tryptophan and 5HTP in kids with anxiety.
My son (PANDAS) has ongoing residual anxiety issues that I can’t shift after he was in the depth of PANDAS two years ago.
i have held off using tryptophan / 5HTP because he has slow MAO and slow COMT.
The more research I do on this, the more it looks like the slow MAO will backfire on him if I give him tryptophan (serotonin syndrome?). The 5HTP is a methyl donor (?) so will indirectly cause enhanced slowing of his COMT.
Do you have experience of using tryptophan/5HTP in individuals with slow MAO/COMT.
Is it just a case of staying well clear of both of them?
Sarah
If you can share links to the research/articles you’ve read about this I’d be happy to comment.
I agree with Carrie and Trudy on their points in toxicity (pesticide, mold, etc). Note that the mom did not notice getting any bites but had the symptoms and infection. Did you also notice that they used the PCR test with 50+ cycles? This is the reason we can’t trust the current “casedemic” – this test is unreliable! After reading the paper, I am inclined to believe it was nutritional/immune deficiencies (only mom and children – who are more vulnerable, not dad, got sick) with toxicities that caused infections. Our family’s story is almost exactly like this story.
Lucille
I do hope you are finding solutions for your family. It’s common with Lyme and co-infections some individuals (the mom in this case) do not recall being bitten and yet still get sick. It’s very likely that nutritional deficiencies and immune dysfunction were factors, together with toxins, mold and other factors like genetics/diet/gut health etc. However, extensive testing did confirm Bartonella and they did improve after antibiotics.
Lucille, you are right. The mother didn’t have any bites, she likely reacted to the bites quickly on her children and had the exterminator out immediatly. It’s hard to say with timing but this is my conclusion as microbial infections are part of our immune systems job to keep in check. If we look, we find many many things that should be handled but when exposure to pesticides, we become immuno comprimised. The nervous system is damaged as a result of the pesticides. I think we all need to wake up about what chemicals do to the body and how they are at the root of most neurological illness. It’s just my take on this as I read the story.
Hi Trudy
I have Ankylosing spondylitis (apparently not Klebsiella related). Pain is a major issue. I’m on the biologic drug, Enbrel, and also take medicinal cannabis. I’d like to try Gaba and Tryptophan for better quality sleep but wondered if they are compatible with the cannabis. I’d love to get off the Enbrel and wondered if you had any other suggestions for pain. I can’t take NSAIDs or Opiates.
Thank you
Mary
Mary
GABA and tryptophan is typically fine with medicinal cannabis but when clients are on medications (such as Enbrel and others) it’s always advised to discuss with the prescribing physician. Both these amino acids can also help with pain and so can DPA https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/dpa-comfort-eatin-weepiness-endorphins/
You may also find this blog helpful https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gut-bacteria-pain-and-anxiety-connections-klebsiella-and-ankylosing-spondylitis/
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html Much of this helps with insomnia too.
Hi Trudy
I just recently happened upon your blog and wonderful site. I have been reading and it and searching through it the past several days. It is full of sooo much helpful information. I do have a question as I would really like to take bone broth again but it gave me digestive and horrible anxiety and insomnia issues. Is there a way to determine if my issue is glutamate insensitivity or histamine intolerance. I have narrowed it down to those two but can’t tell which. Not sure if I should start adding gaba, tryptophan, or try to remove all histamine food. I do have severe shellfish allergy and seasonal and dust mite allergies. Never noticed msg bothering me as much as with collagen.
Any suggestions as to direction to take would be greatly appreciated it.
Thank you very much!
Diane
Diane
I assume you’re referring to the collagen/serotonin blog (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/collagen-gelatin-lower-serotonin-increase-anxiety-depression/) so I would start with looking at low serotonin as a possible factor. I’d suspect glutamate with someone if they react in a similar way to MSG and histamine if there are other histamine-type reactions (hives, flushed skin, runny nose etc)
I appreciate if you can let me know if there is any literature on bartonella , thyroid and menopause disfunction. I also would like your insight on how naturally to treat estrogen dominance?
Margo
This paper – Bartonella henselae infection associated with autoimmune thyroiditis in a child https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23446023/ I’m not aware of research on bartonella and menopause.
I recommend Magdalena Wszelaki’s new book – Overcoming Estrogen Dominance (https://amzn.to/2ORpQcT my Amazon link)
I would love hearing if you have used any of the amino acids for some symptom relief while addressing the infection?
I have a grandson with a diagnosis of ADHD. he is 11 yrs old and has been taking ritalin for approx 3 years. he takes 15mg. he has been ticing at times since 6 yrs old and this year with a new school and not knowing anyone he has been severe with the tics and now added vocal ones.
i had an oligcoscan and it shows high aluminium and lead also and cadmium. low magnesium. he has had magnesium for sometime. he is on a magnesium CalmX with glycine by Metagenics and 100 mg TR 5HTP and 100mg GABA. he takes 1mg melatonin to sleep.
question – as there are no integrative doctors here how much may be too much GABA pls? the 100 mg doesn’t seem to make any difference.
his teachers wont teach him without the Ritatlin. he has headaches. he also has green vegetable caps. he does not like taking pills and my daughter does not see the connection i do with the metals. he has been having medical cannabis for the tics a couple of drops under a green doctor and while it helped for a few weeks seems to not be working now. i would like to raise his GABA but need to go carefully.
do you have any suggestions please Trudy? when i look at your questionnaire he seems to tick the box for every symptom and has high anxiety. i think he has pyroluria but i am limited as to a few supplements as my daughter will only give him a few. i do hope you can help.
thank you Julie
Julie
I start low with the amino acids and increase slowly based on need. I’ve gone up to 1000mg GABA a day with some kids. Tryptophan/5-HTP may help someone with tics if they do happen to have low serotonin. And especially since anxiety and obsessiveness/compulsiveness is common in those with Tourette’s/tics. We also increase slowly based on need.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Much of this may help with tics/Tourette’s too. For example, one possibly factor could be gluten issues and associated deficiencies – Efficacy of a Gluten-Free Diet in the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: A Pilot Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29735930/
When symptoms come and go and vary with severity I always look at stress levels and if symptoms are worse under high stress situations I also look into pyroluria.
I would work with a functional medicine practitioner in order to address the metals and all possible root causes including infections like Lyme disease, mycotoxin exposure, excessive EMFs/wifi exposure etc
I have relied heavily on GABA for relief during severe mental struggles from Bartonella. My practitioner recommended GABA in my first appointment in 2022 but I was overwhelmed with the herbs, antibiotics, and new routine so I didn’t start using it until a few months intro treatment—and it was immediately clear that I totally undervalued it initially. The relief was almost immediate with each dose, and it helped me maintain a lower intensity of my mental flare ups. I swear by them.
I unfortunately stopped treatment prematurely and am having a relapse, so this time I am taking this supplement right away. I have had success with GABA Trex, Grape Flavored Chewables. I will try switching to fit your recommendations now.
Emma
Thanks for sharing and what a statement “it was immediately clear that I totally undervalued it initially” and the fact that GABA helped maintain a lower intensity of mental flare ups. Just wonderful! May I ask what symptoms resolved when using GABA?
I’m sorry to hear about your relapse and wish you continued success with GABA – do come back and share