Co-Infections Part 2: Babesia — The Battle for Breath and Balance
How I navigated Babesia, one of the most debilitating Lyme co-infections — and found hope in healing.
If you're living with Lyme disease, there's a good chance you've encountered its silent companions: co-infections. After battling Bartonella, I discovered I was also dealing with another formidable foe — Babesia. This parasite affected my body in entirely different ways, bringing symptoms that were terrifying, confusing, and deeply exhausting.
But like every chapter of this healing journey, Babesia taught me something profound: you can feel like you're drowning and still learn to breathe again.
What Is Babesia?
Babesia is a malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells. It's primarily transmitted through tick bites, often right alongside Lyme disease. Unlike bacteria, Babesia is a protozoa, which means it requires a different kind of treatment and has a different impact on the body.
For me, Babesia was one of the hardest co-infections to identify — and one of the most difficult to live with.
Babesia Symptoms: The Ones That Took My Breath Away
Babesia doesn’t just wear you down — it can feel like it’s suffocating you from the inside out. Some of the symptoms I experienced included:
Air hunger — the constant feeling that I couldn’t get a full breath
Night sweats and chills — often drenching, interrupting sleep
Severe fatigue and weakness — beyond what I had felt with Lyme or Bartonella
Dizziness and unsteadiness — like walking on a rocking boat
Chest pressure and heart palpitations
Anxiety and emotional swings, often without clear cause
These symptoms can come in waves, often cycling every 4–6 days — a hallmark of Babesia’s life cycle.
My Approach to Babesia Treatment
Once diagnosed, I began a multifaceted treatment approach that focused on both eradicating the parasite and supporting my body’s ability to detox and heal.
1. Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Therapies
Babesia often requires antiparasitic medications like Mepron, Atovaquone, or herbal equivalents. Some people respond better to herbal protocols like the Cowden or Buhner protocols, which include herbs like Cryptolepis, Artemisinin, and Neem.
Important: Always consult a Lyme-literate provider before beginning treatment. Babesia can be dangerous when not properly managed.
2. Oxygen & Mitochondrial Support
Because Babesia attacks red blood cells, oxygen delivery becomes impaired. I focused on mitochondrial support with supplements like:
CoQ10
L-Carnitine
Alpha-lipoic acid
B-complex vitamins
I also tried deep breathing exercises, short gentle walks outside.
3. Detox, Detox, Detox
Killing Babesia releases toxins. I made detox a daily practice:
Binders (activated charcoal, bentonite clay)
Coffee enemas
Epsom salt baths
Lymphatic drainage techniques like dry brushing and rebounding
4. Nervous System & Emotional Support
The air hunger and chest tightness triggered panic-like episodes in me. I used calming herbs like passionflower, lemon balm, and CBD oil alongside breathwork, meditation, and trauma-informed therapy to calm my nervous system.
What I Wish I Knew Earlier
Babesia isn’t just exhausting — it’s terrifying when you don’t know what you’re dealing with. It mimics anxiety disorders, lung issues, and heart conditions. Getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding that you are not crazy is a crucial first step.
If you’re struggling with breathlessness, cyclical symptoms, and unexplained fear, ask your provider to test for Babesia — especially if you’ve already been diagnosed with Lyme.
Helpful Resources for Babesia Recovery
These tools and communities were lifelines for me during Babesia treatment:
Books & Protocols
Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections by Stephen Harrod Buhner
The Babesia Handbook by Marty Ross, MD (available online)
Unlocking Lyme by Dr. Bill Rawls (includes Babesia sections)
Herbal Support
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (powerful antiparasitic)
Artemisinin (cyclical use advised)
Neem, Sida acuta, Alchornea — used in Buhner protocols
Find a Lyme-Literate Practitioner
Support Groups
Develop Your Authority: Community Support Group / Weekly Virtual Meetings / Every Friday 6pm - 8pm PST
Facebook: Babesia Support Group, Lyme Disease + Co-infections
Instagram: Search hashtags like #babesiawarrior or #lymeco-infections
You Are Not Alone in This
Babesia pushed me to my limits—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But it also showed me what I was capable of enduring. I now understand that healing isn't about going back to who I was before… it’s about becoming someone wiser, stronger, and more grounded in hope.
If you’re in the middle of this battle, please know:
You’re not weak — you’re fighting an invisible war. Your symptoms are valid — and they are not your fault. Healing takes time — but it is possible.
You are not alone, and you don’t have to do this without support.