Introduction: Why You Need This Information

Listen: if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve hit a wall. Maybe you’re battling weird symptoms that don’t fit neatly under any diagnosis, or you’re so fatigued you don’t remember what it’s like to wake up feeling normal. I’ve been there—deep in the trenches. We’re talking severe depression, heart pain, suicidal thoughts, and unrelenting anxiety.

The culprit? Bartonella. And, oh, by the way, it often tags along with that constant heart-racing, off-balance feeling we call Dysautonomia (like POTS). Here’s the best news: there’s a way out. So let’s unpack this—step by step.

Feeling overwhelmed? Start by identifying your symptoms with our quiz. Take the Quiz

My Personal Nightmare: Bartonella Hijacked My Life

Imagine five months of barely sleeping. The depression was so intense, I literally thought my heart might explode. I remember calling my husband—who was on a business trip—saying, “Babe, I’m sorry, but I think I’m gonna die. And if I don’t die, I’m not sure I want to go on living like this.”

He dropped everything, came home, and that’s when I realized: this wasn’t “just stress” or “just postpartum depression.” The real antagonist turned out to be Bartonella, a tricky bacteria that hit me with insane mental anguish, raging anxiety, and unshakable fatigue. And trust me, once it got its hooks into my autonomic nervous system, it felt like my whole body was working against me.

Read more about my journey and how I found healing.

Bartonella: The Underestimated Co-Infection

What Is Bartonella?

• A gram-negative bacterium (fancy speak for: it has two cell walls and loves to hide in your cells).
• Transmitted by ticks, fleas, lice, mosquitoes, and yes, cat scratches or bites.
• About 30 species identified—some cause no harm, but others can wreak serious havoc.

Why Is Bartonella Often Worse Than Lyme?

• Traditional testing is spotty, so doctors often miss it.
• Hides inside red blood cells, evading the immune system and sometimes standard antibiotics.
• Neurological & Psychiatric symptoms can be even more severe—think panic attacks, aggression, and deep depression.

Fun Fact (or Not-So-Fun): Bartonella can also be found in squirrels, and given how many are out there, this should be a global health concern.

Learn about our holistic approach to managing infections.

Dysautonomia: When Your Body’s “Auto-Pilot” Goes Haywire

Understanding Dysautonomia

Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) keeps you alive without you even thinking—heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, body temperature. Dysautonomia = ANS dysfunction.

It can be:

1. Primary – The ANS is directly impacted (like in Multiple System Atrophy).
2. Secondary – Brought on by another condition (autoimmune disease, Lyme, Bartonella).
3. Idiopathic – Doctors can’t pinpoint the cause.

Why Bartonella Triggers Autonomic Mayhem

• Bartonella thrives in small blood vessels, causing inflammation and reducing oxygen supply.
• Your brain is a big oxygen hog—cut off blood flow there, and you’ll likely see brain fog, dizziness, anxiety, and even POTS (where your heart rate spikes just from standing).

Contact us to find personalized support. Contact Us

The Symptom List: Do Any of These Sound Familiar?

1. Neurological: Headaches, peripheral neuropathy (numb/tingling hands or feet), tremors, seizures, vertigo, OCD, ALS-like symptoms.
2. Psychological: Anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, depression (often treatment-resistant), disconnection, rage.
3. Musculoskeletal: Pain in the soles of your feet, bone/joint pain, muscle twitching, or weakness.
4. Immune: Swollen lymph nodes, frequent fevers or sore throats.
5. Cardiovascular: Palpitations, endocarditis, or that feeling of a racing heart whenever you stand.
6. Skin: Random stretch marks (especially horizontal on back/hips), rashes.
7. Fatigue & Insomnia: Exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest.

If you’re nodding your head at multiple points here, you’re not alone.

Browse our articles for more tips on managing these symptoms.

• Eat Your Vitamins: The Vital Connection Between POTS Dysautonomia and Nutrient Deficiencies
• Hydration Tips for Dysautonomia: Homemade Electrolyte Drinks
• Traveling with Dysautonomia: Packing for Success
• Traveling with Dysautonomia: The Airport and Airplane Survival Guide
• Traveling with Dysautonomia: Arriving at Your Destination Like a Pro

Testing & Why Most Docs Miss It

1. Standard Antibody Tests: Not always reliable—Bartonella is sneaky, so your immune system might not even see it.
2. Immunoblot (IGeneX): A better test that can detect four species of Bartonella.
3. PCR (Galaxy Diagnostics): Increases the odds of catching Bartonella by growing it in a special medium first.

Takeaway: If your standard tests say “no Bartonella,” but your life screams otherwise, dig deeper with specialty labs.

My Turning Point: Recognizing the Bigger Picture

The breakthrough came when I realized Bartonella + Babesia were both ganging up on my nervous system. My insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and heart palpitations weren’t random—they were connected. By addressing these infections, I finally found a ladder out of that deep, dark hole.

So, What Do You Do About It?

1. Get the Right Tests

If you’re dealing with bizarre symptoms no one can explain, insist on Bartonella testing at a specialized lab. Knowledge is power; you can’t fight what you can’t see.

2. Build Your Treatment Plan

• Antibiotics or Herbal Protocols: Treatments vary; you may need a combination approach.
• Target Immune Support: Vitamin supplementation, nutrient-dense diet, adaptogenic herbs.
• Lifestyle Upgrades: Good sleep hygiene, stress management, gentle movement.

3. Address Dysautonomia

• Hydration & Electrolytes: Sometimes “salt-loading” helps, but talk to your doctor first.
• Physical Therapy: Focus on improving circulation, regaining tolerance to activity.
• Compression Garments: They can help stabilize blood pressure if POTS is part of your story.

4. Mental Health Matters—A Lot

• Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or other supportive methods.
• Community & Support: Join groups where people “get it.”
• Mindset Shifts: This isn’t you forever. You’re battling an infection, not losing your mind.

Sign up here for our newsletter to receive regular updates and tips. 

A Final Pep Talk: You’re Not Stuck Here

I know firsthand how devastating these infections can be. One day you’re living your life; the next, you can’t eat, sleep, or function. It can feel like your body’s betrayed you. But do not give up.

• Step 1: Validate your experience—what you’re feeling is real.
• Step 2: Seek specialized testing and a doctor who understands tick-borne and flea-borne infections.
• Step 3: Implement a multifaceted game plan (medical + lifestyle + mental health).

It’s time you step out of the shadows of “We don’t know what’s wrong” and onto a path of actionable steps and renewed hope. You’ve got this. And if you ever doubt that, remember—you’re reading these words from someone who truly thought it was all over. Here I am, on the other side, telling you: it can get better.

Connect with others on the same journey. 

References & Resources

1. PMC: Bartonella with Psychiatric Symptoms
2. Igenex Labs: Bartonella Testing
3. Galaxy Diagnostics: Bartonella PCR Testing

Disclaimer:

This blog is for educational purposes and does not replace medical care. If you suspect you have Bartonella or Dysautonomia, consult a qualified healthcare professional who can guide you appropriately.

Remember: Take small steps. Stay curious. Never stop advocating for your health. You deserve answers—and you deserve to heal.

XX to your Invisible Battles & Unseen Strength,

Carola Le-Wriedt
Founder, Wellhistic & The Holistic Detox

Carola

See Full Bio