Bartonella and skin scratches that just appear then just go.

Hi. I have had a horrible time ever since being bitten by a tick about 4 years ago. Over this time I have found odd scratches that come and go on my body. The worst once were found by a nurse in an ambulance where I was being rushed off to hospital for abdominal pain and which looked like 3-4 stripes across my breast. I have told this story to many medical professionals and recieved blank looks and mutters on my sanity. Googling this brought up various stuff including demonic possession. However, tonight I struck gold, Bartonella is the name of the scratch disease and yes it can be caused by ticks. What is not gold is how to prove this. Where do I get an accurate test? Where do I find a doctor who might look into this? I no longer have any faith in anyone other than myself, I have just looked at home testing for a private blood lab. Has anyone tried this? Has anyone else had the symptoms and what happened?

Hi Sky,

I've heard about these scratch like markings. 

Here's a link to a source of information and great support. They are recognised by Public Health England and they were brilliant at giving sensible, up to date info about Lyme Disease and all its related infections. If you want to, you can even email them and they will come back to you quickly.

http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

Make a note of when you were bitten. Make a time line of all the symptoms you have had, the pain you've experienced and take photos of the scratch like markings. This will help you get the treatment you need when you speak with a doctor. My advice is, if you hit a brick wall with your GP, go to another until you find one who listens. Most GPs are not Lyme Literate, but it's not their fault. You have to give them the information and evidence to help them make a diagnosis.

Anyway, contact Lyme Disease Action, they will advise you.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks Caroline. I have managed to locate a bloodtest and a clinic. Interestingly my doctors cannot do the bloodtest not the readings because thus sort of thing is above primary care levels..Looks like this may be expensive. Yes I think I may change my doctors and try to find one a bit more clued up..Thanks for responding to me it had lightened the mood a bit.

An additional note here. I asked my Doctor a question on this disease. One called me back. I can only describe the feeling I had about this doctors part of the conversation as shifty. However the person explained that they are unable to do such specialised tests at a primary care level. I explained I was going to have a private test. The doctor began to rubbish these until I reminded this person that this bloodtest was at a highly regarded clinic. At no time did this person suggest referring me to infectious diseases through the NHS. But, this person did suggest I find a private infectious disease specialist. What is this about?  I supposed a Duty of Care would mean some help..well..it appears not to mean anything.