I've had bruxism my entire life. Headaches, TMJ, and jaw pain are what I've experienced.

Most people have back problems, so that could just be concomitant.

I used to live in an area with endemic Lyme disease, but contracting that would've presented all kind of other horrible symptoms.

I also have SCDS, likely from pushing too forcefully on the loo, loud noises, air pressure extreme changes, high blood pressure/swings, and congenital thinness as confirmed on CT. The fix require a middle fossa craniotomy approach.

What other bacterial infections could cause these symptoms aside from lyme and bartonella?

Would such an infection be able to explain chronic symptoms over a 1-2 year period?

My MD offers lab tests for Chlamydia, Bartonella, different strains of Borellia, Yersinia, Ehrlichia amongst others, she also offers tests for HPV and Mono. To be honest: I have no clue what is causing which exact symptom, it's also often the immune response / inflammation that's the reason for the pain and other problems.

Edit: forgot to answer your question. yes, in my case it was episodes of joint pain, neck stiffness, lightheadedness, heavy fatigue, numb fingertips, skin problems, heavy mood swings and more with symptom free times in between for more than 20 years - often triggered by stress but not always. And the symptoms got worse with me growing older.

The condition is not easy to diagnose and you need the right specialist, there's lots of snake oil out there and treatment is longterm and without a guarantee to cure 100%.

Thanks. What kind of specialist is suggested for such a bacterial infection? Immunologist?

My general practitioner who is also an internist was overwhelmed ("deal with it, you're getting older" diagnosed only psychosomatic reasons etc). A friend of mine suggested an MD who specializes in such infections, I later changed to a Doc nearer to where I live. Got the address from Deutsche Borreliose Gesellschaft, a german registry for lyme.

MDs who get arrogant, lazy, or gaslight patients into thinking they're "crazy" are no longer practicing medicine but are rationing care, sticking their heads in the sand, and hands in the air.

One ENT told me I had "allergies" when I said I could hear my left eye move in my head and he pretended he didn't find an Weber test extreme left lateralization. Another two ENTs found I have repairable SCDS as confirmed by high resolution CT and audiological testing.

Doctors who don't listen to you or BS you cannot be trusted with your life. Dump them and don't feel bad about it because they gave up on you first. There is no reward for loyalty. It's only your life.

Numb fingers can be from distal neuropathy. Pin and needles or reduced sensation. I have reduced sensation almost everywhere.

>Would such an infection be able to explain chronic symptoms over a 1-2 year period?

These symptoms specifically: some at least, I believe. Lyme disease is fairly well known for having severe lasting effects though, years of issues even after treatment is not uncommon at all.