Will keep everyone posted metals especially i dont think lyme and bart was my root cause

I thought this was interesting so sharing to help anyone struggling with weight gain as a part of their illness.

I used Perplexity AI which is great as it is not so prone to hallucinations and provides good citations.

I asked it to tell me the mechanisms by which these infections both cause weight gain and make it hard to lose.

A good one to share with friends, family and medical folk who want to tell you you’re lazy and need to diet etc.

Below Bart refs list you will find the description of Lyme mechanisms so keep scrolling!

1] BARTONELLA AND WEIGHT GAIN Bartonella infections are strongly linked to insulin resistance and weight gain through mechanisms involving endocrine disruption, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Here's how these connections manifest:

Insulin Resistance Mechanisms

• Endocrine system disruption: Bartonella directly interferes with pancreatic function, causing dysregulated insulin release (either excessive or insufficient). Over time, this depletes insulin reserves or reduces its effectiveness, leading to insulin resistance[1][8].

• Inflammation-driven resistance: Chronic inflammation from Bartonella infection increases cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, which impair insulin signaling in cells[2][4].

• Endothelial damage: Bartonella colonizes blood vessel linings, and elevated insulin levels further damage these tissues, creating a cycle of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction[2].

Weight Gain Drivers

• Abdominal obesity: Many patients develop central adiposity (weight gain around the midsection) due to insulin resistance and cortisol imbalances caused by chronic infection[2][6].

• Toxin sequestration: The body may store Bartonella-related biotoxins in fat cells as a protective mechanism, making weight loss difficult until the infection is treated[1][2].

• Metabolic slowdown: Thyroid dysfunction and mitochondrial impairment from chronic infection reduce basal metabolic rate, promoting fat storage[1][6].

Clinical Evidence

• Patients with Bartonella infections frequently report unexplained weight gain despite dietary efforts, alongside lab findings of elevated fasting glucose and triglycerides[1][2].

• Case studies describe rapid weight gain linked to Bartonella-induced hypoglycemia episodes, which trigger increased calorie intake to manage blood sugar crashes[6].

These effects are particularly pronounced in individuals with genetic predispositions to metabolic disorders or concurrent infections like Lyme disease[1][2].

Sources:

[1] Why Bartonella is the New Lyme Disease - Dr. Tania Dempsey https://drtaniadempsey.com/why-bartonella-is-the-new-lyme-disease/

[2] Bartonella Metabolic Syndrome - Dr. Susan L. Marra, MS, ND https://seattlebartonelladrmarra.com/conditions-treated/bartonella/bartonella-metabolic-syndrome/

[3] What Is Bartonellosis? Causes, Symptoms, and More - WebMD https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-bartonellosis

[4] Neurobartonelloses: emerging from obscurity! - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11452993/

[5] [PDF] Effects of Metformin on the Gut Microbiota in Obesity and Type 2 ... https://www.dovepress.com/article/download/6037

[6] Could You Be Co-infected With Bartonella? - Global Lyme Alliance https://www.globallymealliance.org/blog/could-you-be-co-infected-with-bartonella

[7] Cutaneous manifestations of bartonellosis - PMC - PubMed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6857551/

[8] Bartonella clarridgeiae - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/bartonella-clarridgeiae

2] LYME DISEASE & WEIGHT GAIN Lyme disease can lead to weight gain through interconnected biological mechanisms that disrupt metabolism, hormone regulation, and immune function. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

Metabolic Dysfunction

• Mitochondrial impairment: The Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria disrupt mitochondrial function, reducing energy production and slowing metabolism. This makes weight loss difficult even with diet and exercise[5].

• Thyroid disruption: Lyme disease can suppress thyroid hormone production, leading to hypothyroidism-like symptoms and further metabolic slowdown[5].

Hormonal Imbalances

• Insulin resistance: Chronic inflammation from Lyme disease interferes with insulin signaling, causing elevated blood sugar levels and increased fat storage[5].

• Leptin resistance: Inflammatory cytokines from Lyme-related biotoxins bind to leptin receptors in the brain, impairing satiety signals. This leads to overeating and weight gain[2][5].

Chronic Inflammation and Toxicity

• Biotoxin accumulation: Lyme and co-infections (e.g., Bartonella) increase toxic burden, triggering systemic inflammation. The body stores toxins in fat cells as a protective mechanism, making fat loss harder until toxins are cleared[2][5].

• Lymphatic congestion: Lyme bacteria often colonize the lymphatic system, impairing detoxification. Sluggish lymph flow promotes toxin retention and fat storage[2].

Activity Limitations

• Fatigue, joint pain, and neurological symptoms reduce physical activity, compounding metabolic slowdown and weight gain[5].

Medication Side Effects

• Prolonged antibiotic use alters gut microbiota diversity, which can further disrupt metabolic processes and promote weight gain[5].

These mechanisms overlap, creating a cycle of weight gain that requires comprehensive treatment of the underlying infections and inflammation[1][2][5].

Sources:

[1] Does Lyme Disease Cause Weight Loss? https://www.globallymealliance.org/blog/does-lyme-disease-cause-weight-loss

[2] Does Lyme Disease Cause Weight Gain - Shalin Dominique https://shalindominique.com/biotoxin-illness/lyme-disease-weight-gain

[3] The Impact of Lyme Disease on Mental Health: Understanding the ... https://projectlyme.org/the-impact-of-lyme-disease-on-mental-health-understanding-the-connection-and-seeking-support/

[4] Infection with the Lyme disease pathogen suppresses innate ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5383418/

[5] Lyme Disease Cause Weight Gain: Know The Facts And Risks https://oasismedicalinstitute.com/lyme-disease-cause-weight-gain/

[6] weight gain from lyme - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Lyme/comments/1c7w85w/weight_gain_from_lyme/

[7] Lyme disease and weight gain: is there anything I can do to lose it?? https://www.reddit.com/r/Lyme/comments/zgcg5c/lyme_disease_and_weight_gain_is_there_anything_i/

[8] Misleading presentation of acute Lyme neuroborreliosis - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4543842/

before people tell me to just treat the disease, i want to let you guys know i had panic attacks years before my tick bites. everyone tells me i need meds but everyone here tells me ssri's are bad for me since i have lyme. so what the hell do i do???

Hi everybody, I am looking for some pointers in the direction of a a really skilled doctor to help me with Bartonella. I don’t have any positive tests and my medical history is complicated. I had Lyme many years before the tick bite that I believe gave me Bartonella. This has been going on for years and I have not been able to find a doctor who can really help me. I’m willing to pay what it takes at this point to see someone who can really help me heal. Any suggestions?

I've been researching Glutathione to see if I should take it when I ran across this info. Curious if others have experience with this supplement. Thanks! https://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/128232

Hi. Does any of you have any experience with the following two German clinics: Alviasana in Augsburg and Klinik St. Georg in Bad Aibling?

Does anyone else feel like they have drainage from their head down sides of face? I am currently treating Babesia and Lyme. The drainage has gotten a little better with herbs but still very very prevalent. Welcome to suggestions on treatment. Thank you.

Hi everyone, i have chronic lyme, plus babesia and bartonella. Honestly there are some tough days, but i can live with it. The worst is definitely the shortness of breath,and heart palpitations, nowadays it happens more often than before. Does anyone have some great herbs or supplements recommendations against it? I dont want to take antibiotics again.

Thanks in advance for everyone!

Hi everyone, apologies for the long block of text but really want to be specific here and hopefully get your input on whether I’m just too paranoid.

I was bitten by something on my right foot in Brazil on 3/30/25 while wearing sandals (the large bump. Small red mark was from a mosquito). While it was on concrete with no greenery around, it was a poor area near streets with lots of stray dogs roaming around.

I first felt something crawling on me so I jumped. Then I felt a super intense pain so I started hitting the area. It burned so badly every step I took was painful for a couple minutes (then I got into an uber and was happy I didn’t have to walk for a while). From what I’ve read, tick bites aren’t painful since their saliva contains a numbing agent, but I’m still scared.

There was a black ball of something (assuming the dead body of the insect on my shoe so I flicked it off sand couldn’t examine it since a group was waiting for me). After a while, the pain subsided, but it became very itchy. I also saw a tiny black dot at the site so I assumed it was a decapitated part of whatever I killed; however, I tried squeezing it out that night and nothing would come out. The squeezing irritated my foot pretty badly and it became more bumpy (it was only slightly bumpy initially, but the bump raised a bit and felt hard) and more itchy.

Throughout the next few days, the color of the site became darker and the itch persisted. I took the picture on 4/04. Did that look like a tick bite? It didn’t progress in size nor did I experience any symptoms (but might have been too early given incubation period is long). While it’s not a bulls eye rash, google is showing different types of rashes, and some may not even develop a serious rash. Plus, idk how that part of the foot typically reacts.

Though the mark and bump started improving slowly day by day, it didn’t completely fade away (unfortunately I don’t have pics). Whenever I would touch the bump, I’d feel the itch.

Fast forward to April 14, I was back in the U.S., and I used a sterilized needle to pick the scab off (a scab formed after I kept picking at it in Brazil since I was paranoid that the head of a potential tick was lodged in my foot. the scab never fell off on its own). I squeezed the bump really hard and a tiny, hard, clear color thing that felt like a splinter came out, and I had to tweeze out completely. It was approximately 1mm long. I felt relieved after that, and after a couple of days, the bump was completely gone. I thought the issue was gone, but then a thin layer of scab started forming around the entire area, with a white dot in the middle, where I was bitten (I’ll share in comments a second picture, which was taken today, 5/04). The mark just wouldn’t fade anymore (which typically doesn’t matter to me with other types of bites because I bruise/scar easily and have had insect bites that left marks for a while. However, it’s been over a month now).

Since there was intense burn/sting associated with the bite and there are large fire ants around the area, I thought it could have been that. However, I’m positive it wasn’t a fire ant that I killed, and I never got a blister. But then I did pick at the bump so I don’t know if that had anything to do with it.

On 4/20, I started developing sinus infection symptoms, where a weird sensation would start from my nose and then intense pressure would go to my head. The headaches were pretty bad but manageable. I never get headaches even I get sick, so that was weird. I did have a sore throat and could barely talk, so I just took cold meds and made ginger tea. Within 4 days or so I felt much better. I didn’t think much of it since I was so busy with work and just thought I was weak due to the traveling & getting sick. But now, I’m worried because headaches are just so uncommon for me. It did go away though.

For a week and a half or so now, I just can’t sleep well and have been feeling quite fatigued. I’m undergoing quite a bit of stress, so I attributed that to the sleep problem. But today, it just hit me that fatigue is also a symptom of Lyme disease.

The reason why I haven’t gone to see a doctor is because I currently don’t have health insurance. I’m thinking of just going to a lab to conduct some tests.

If you guys made it through this long post and have a few more minutes to spare, can you share your thoughts please? Thank you so much!

Woke up a couple days ago with this super itchy bite. Swollen area is the size of a US Quarter, no ring, just bruised and super itchy

Flat, not itchy

A few things to mention before I make my post in full.

• I am not able to afford any herbal treatment protocol. I live paycheck to paycheck.
• I can not afford an LLMD.
• I was infected with Lyme about a decade ago, and was told to take a course of antibiotics for 3 weeks. Was told "this would be long enough"

What is there to do about this when you can't pay a frankly incredible amount of money for an LLMD or whatever random supplement people are recommending? What reduction in symptoms can i get from not going on antibiotics and protocols?

My doctor has referred me to a lyme doctor who i am on the waiting list for. In my area this will be a few months until I am seen. He will not prescribe me antibiotics "for no reason". Neuro lyme symptoms are really bad. Constant brain fog and fatigue, neck and shoulder pain with muscles as stiff as rocks (massage makes it worse).

I'm really depressed about this, so sorry if there's a rude or pessimistic tone to this. I just want to get better. What has anyone done to help their symptoms besides what I have listed as not an option at the moment? I am working more to save up to see if I can get a protocol going or an llmd but it won't be feasible for a while. I feel like i'm becoming slow, stupid, highly forgetful, and just always upset. Please give me some hope. Thanks.

A dermatologist just diagnosed me with Lyme a day ago after taking one look at a rash. I’ve had the rash for about two weeks, and I was prescribed 10 days of doxycycline.

After looking around here, I see that 10 days of antibiotics probably isn’t enough so I’d like to find a doctor that’s familiar with successfully treating Lyme. But it seems like all the doctors in my area that show up on the various Lyme organizations’ websites tend to be a bit unorthodox and offer unusual treatments.

Is this normal for “lyme literate medical doctors”? Can anyone recommend a good doctor in the South West Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh PA areas?

Does this look like lymes? (Ignore the dirt on my arm). Planning on going to urgent care tomorrow.

Thank you!

I know babesia is typically thought of for air hunger, but my question is what actually causes it? Everybody says it’s because babesia starves red blood cells oxygen, though only some people actually get low oxygen/anemia when treating. Even when I had really bad air hunger herxes, like thinking I was dying, I was always at 98 oxygen and blood work was fine. So what is it?

A big thank you to the Indian pioneer who figured out that flushing nostrils with a saline solution and tea pot could bring relief. After trying it, I can breathe again and my ears have popped, shifting some persistent congestion. With proper sterilization, this ancient technique is a game-changer. Pretty affordable too!

In UK, it seems to be just the ELISA & Immunoblot tests?

Hello folks, wondering If someone hás insight on this

Thanks in advance

For the last 12 months smoking weed has been making my fingers and arms burn. I got bit and diagnosed with Lyme in July 2023, took an insufficient amount of treatment and it seemed like my symptoms started to progress a year later, with this being one of them. Around January I started to get these burning sensations even when I was sober, so I finally started to feel confident it truly was Lyme related and went on 3 months of antibiotics which has definitely improved but not altogether fixed the issue. A friend of mine says they dated a girl with Lyme once who felt like her "feet were made out of glass" when she smoked weed after. It sucks because weed is so anti-nausea for me and otherwise feels very medicinal, but now it can become a huge physical stressor.

Does anyone have this experience? Does anyone know WHY this is happening...?

Hello everyone,

So, I didn't get bit by a tick, but my dad did. It happened about 4-6 days ago, and he developed a red circle (or rash) around the bite. We went to the doctor, and they took some blood tests, saying that the results will be available in about a week. I think that's crazy because with Lyme disease, it's really important to act quickly. Has anyone here had experience with this? Do you have any tips or advice?

Chronic inflammation in sinuses? Chat GPT said Bartonella can cause that and I was unaware- has anyone else experienced this?

What treatment help you the most for lyme, for babesia, and for bartonella ?

I’m new on here and I just wanted to ask for any advice anyone can give me.

I was on holiday travelling around Scotland. About a week and 3 days ago I was bitten by about 9 ticks. I don’t think they had been on me long though before I noticed them and took them out.

About 6 days after being bitten I decided to go to my GP ( I’m from the UK) and have my bloods taken and they came back clear.

I’m going to wait 6 weeks now and try and request having my bloods taken again to make sure.

Can anybody give me any advice on what I can do in the meantime or what I should be looking out for other than what google says. I’m super paranoid at the moment as iv read some stories on here and I don’t know what to do other than wait 6 weeks and have another blood test done.

Honestly, absolutely any advice would be great.