In addition to alpha-lipoic acid, my doctor put me on Levaquin. Amazingly, the shoulder pain, chronic gall-bladder infection, swallowing problems, ankle swelling and chronic stomach ulcer went away. The numbness in my feet and fibromyalgia did not disappear but got better.

My point is that one of the symptoms of bartonella is numbness of the feet. It is rarely looked at as the cause of peripheral neuropathy. I had none of the diabetic or circulatory problems that normally cause it. I am still scratching my head as to why my now-retired doctor did not diagnose it earlier. It would have made my recovery from Lyme disease so much easier.

DEAR READER: Bartonella henselae, also known as cat-scratch disease, is a bacterium that enters the body at the site of the scratch. Adult cats can spread the disease, but it more commonly comes from kittens. Lymph nodes, primarily those around the arms, head and neck, become swollen. Lack of normal appetite, fever, headache, fatigue and transient peripheral neuropathy may result. Those commonly infected are people with a compromised immune system.

Lyme disease presents with the same symptoms, so it is no wonder your physician would have zeroed in on that possibility. You can perhaps understand why some diseases and disorders are discovered following a process of exclusion. The symptoms are the same, and, at times, the treatment is the same.

The Levaquin you were prescribed is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, skin infections, the sinuses, UTIs, ears, chlamydia and more.

You are correct that peripheral neuropathy is not commonly linked to cat-scratch disease. It is not one of the more common symptoms, but there is a definite link that should not be overlooked when making a diagnosis. Thank you for writing and sharing your interesting case.

DEAR READER: Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is the result of a bacterial infection known as Bartonella henselae. Surprisingly, about 40 percent of all cats carry the bacteria in their saliva at some point in their lives, with kittens being more likely to be infected than adult cats; however, neither commonly show any signs of illness.

Most people contract CSD through bites and scratches; however, it is also possible to contract it by petting an infected feline and then rubbing your eyes.

Symptoms include fever, nausea, chills, headache, poor appetite, fatigue, vomiting and inflammation of the lymph nodes.

People with a compromised immune system such as HIV/AIDS, organ-transplant patients and those receiving chemotherapy are at greater risk of developing abnormal blood-vessel growths that resemble tumors after becoming infected. These masses can cause severe organ inflammation and lead to a host of other issues. In the healthy person, however, CSD should resolve on its own without treatment. If lymph-node involvement remains, a patient might require prescription antibiotics for up to a month.

The key is to have your physician make a correct diagnosis, receive antibiotics if appropriate, and take precautions at home by preventing all cats from licking a scratch or open wound on your body; avoiding rough play that might induce the cat to scratch; and washing your hands after playing with the animal. By all means, enjoy your cat, but take precautions to ensure your good health.