I reposted and this time the format took. I agree on the politics. I paid for multiple tests out of pocket. In one case to prove to my functional medicine doctor that I had Bartonella as well (the classic striped rashes were apparently not enough evidence for my primary or infectious disease doctor and the fact that I had a known tick bite).

One vial of blood for a PCR test to a local lab that the insurance covered (negative).

One vial of blood to Igenex for a FISH test (positive).

I had multiple rashes (spotted and striped) so I was over 90% sure at that point. My primary care doctor apologized and admitted that the CDC data seemed faulty. The infectious disease doctor never got back to me. Herbal (TCM/Western) is helping, but it's not quick. I believe pulsing treatments working with the human immune system offers the best approach these days.