Co-Infections Part 3: Mycoplasma — The Silent Saboteur of Chronic Illness
Uncovering one of Lyme’s most underestimated co-infections — and reclaiming hope through understanding and healing.
When you're navigating chronic Lyme disease, it's easy to get lost in the complexity. The deeper I went into my healing journey, the more I learned that co-infections weren’t just complicating my illness — they were quietly driving many of my worst symptoms. One of the most insidious among them was Mycoplasma.
Though less talked about than Bartonella or Babesia, Mycoplasma is a game-changer—a tiny, cell-wall-deficient bacteria that can cause widespread damage to the body, especially when left undetected. For me, it was another layer of the mystery I had to peel back to fully understand what was happening inside me.
What Is Mycoplasma?
Mycoplasma is a unique and stealthy bacterial infection. Unlike most bacteria, it has no cell wall, which makes it extremely difficult for the immune system (and antibiotics) to detect and kill. It can live inside your cells, disrupt your immune responses, and trigger long-term inflammation.
There are several strains, but the most common in chronic Lyme patients is Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which can affect far more than the lungs.
How Mycoplasma Affected Me
The symptoms Mycoplasma caused in my body were subtle at first—but once it took hold, the effects were systemic and intense.
Physical Symptoms I Faced:
Chronic fatigue that no amount of rest could resolve
Migrating muscle pain, joint aches, and nerve pain
Shortness of breath and occasional dry cough
Temperature regulation issues — I was often freezing or overheating
Heart palpitations and occasional chest pain
Skin rashes and strange sensitivities
Dizziness, headaches, and brain fog
Over time, I realized that Mycoplasma wasn’t just adding to my burden—it was amplifying everything. It inflamed my already overworked immune system and triggered autoimmune-like responses, including worsened joint pain and cognitive dysfunction.
Getting a Diagnosis: The Missing Link
What made Mycoplasma especially frustrating was how easily it’s overlooked. It doesn’t always show up in standard testing, and symptoms often mimic other conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or even anxiety.
A Lyme-literate doctor finally ran specialized tests (including PCR and antibody testing) and confirmed that Mycoplasma was active in my system. Finally, I had a name for this invisible saboteur — and a plan to confront it.
My Mycoplasma Treatment Strategy
1. Targeted Antimicrobials
Mycoplasma responds to specific antibiotics such as:
Doxycycline
Azithromycin
Minocycline
Because it lacks a cell wall, beta-lactam antibiotics (like penicillin) don’t work. I combined short-term pharmaceuticals with herbal antimicrobials, including:
Lomatium root
Houttuynia
Japanese Knotweed
2. Immune Modulation & Support
This co-infection overstimulates the immune system, so I focused on balancing, not just boosting:
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) helped regulate inflammation
Medicinal mushrooms like reishi and turkey tail supported immune function
Omega-3s and turmeric reduced systemic inflammation
3. Mitochondrial Repair & Detox
Since Mycoplasma affects cellular function, I added mitochondrial support:
CoQ10, PQQ, and Magnesium malate
Daily detox methods: sauna sessions, binders, glutathione, and dry brushing
Emotional & Mental Impact
Mycoplasma doesn’t just hurt the body — it can alter mood, sleep, and energy in ways that are devastating. I experienced waves of anxiety, depression, and emotional numbness that I couldn’t explain until I understood the biochemical disruptions caused by this infection.
Mindfulness, breathwork, and gentle practices like yoga nidra and EMDR therapy helped me manage the emotional impact while I healed my body.
Helpful Resources for Mycoplasma Healing
Here are some tools that gave me clarity and support when I needed it most:
Recommended Reading
Why Can’t I Get Better? by Dr. Richard Horowitz
Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections by Stephen Harrod Buhner
Articles on Mycoplasma at Lymedisease.org
Natural Supports
Biocidin and Samento (broad-spectrum herbal antimicrobials)
Liposomal glutathione to assist detox
Methylated B vitamins for mitochondrial health and energy
Community Support
Develop Your Authority: Community Support Group / Weekly Virtual Meetings / Every Friday 6pm - 8pm PST
Facebook Groups: Mycoplasma and Chronic Lyme, Coinfection Warriors
Instagram Hashtags: #mycoplasmaawareness | #chronicillnesswarrior
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Broken
If you’re reading this and suspect Mycoplasma may be part of your story, trust your instincts. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of co-infections, but knowledge is power — and healing is possible.
Mycoplasma pushed me to new levels of fatigue and fear, but it also led me to deeper healing. It taught me to advocate fiercely for my body, to listen to my intuition, and to believe in slow, steady progress over perfection.
You are not broken — you are fighting a war that most people can’t see. And every step you take toward healing matters.
Next in the Series: Co-Infections Part 4 — Ehrlichia, Anaplasma & Other Overlooked Infections. Subscribe for more healing stories, guidance, and tools for navigating chronic illness with courage and compassion.