I finally convinced my endocrinologist to give me a test for Lyme. I had a negative ELISA screen years ago, which I now understand isn't terribly informative. This time I got the Western Blot.
IgM came back positive, with P23 and P41 abnormal. IgG came back negative with only P41 present. This was ordered through Labcorp, not Igenex, so I didn't get as many bands or specifics on exactly how much of each antibody was present.
My endocrinologist admitted he didn't know much about Lyme, but he consulted with someone who did, who basically told him that the results "mean nothing." I thought it just came back positive for IgM??
This is all too odd for me too, because I've have symptoms for the past decade, but it's my understanding that IgM refers to the early response. Some questions:
1) I have had EBV antibodies test positive before (indicating past infection, not current). Could this have caused a false positive?
2) I had food poisoning 5 days before taking the blood test. Could this have caused a false positive?
3) I am completely paralyzed by trying to understand Lyme on the internet, with two terribly polarized opinions on how to approach it. I understand that Lyme should be a "clinical diagnosis" and those with symptoms might have negative labs and still should be treated. I also know I could find a LLMD and start antibiotics right away with these results. I'd REALLY like to know, however, beyond any inkling of doubt that I have Lyme. What other tests would help me determine that after running the standard blot?
4) I am terrified of IV antibiotics and hearing of stories of people getting really sick and going into septic shock. Are there any less invasive measures I can use to "test the waters" if you will, that can help treat Lyme if I do in fact have it? I saw another thread on essential oil treatment, for instance. Obviously alternatives might not be as effective, but I'd still like to review ALL of the options.
Thanks for any help you can provide with this!!!!
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Welcome to lymenet chatwick.
This is the test that convinced me that I had Lyme disease. Hope it helps.
[ 12-10-2023, 05:40 AM: Message edited by: Bartenderbonnie ]
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
Hi Chadwick,
Mainstream doctors perplex me. If a positive Lyme test means "nothing" (by their reasoning), then Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. If you have symptoms + a positive Lyme test, it seems like a no-brainer to me. I really don't be understand the reasoning of those guys.
On your questions:
1) EBV can cause false positive of some bands, but I don't believe 23 is one of those bands. I know 31 cross-reacts with EBV. According to my Lyme doc, with your positive test + symptoms, there is a 97% chance you would respond to antibiotics.
2) I don't believe food poisoning would cause a false positive.
3) If you keep searching, you'll find even more than two polarized opinions about how to treat. That's one thing I love about my doc, he uses a variety of approaches in his treatment, not just traditional medicine. There aren't really any other tests to prove whether or not you have Lyme. A treatment trial would probably be your next step.
4) I've been on several IV antibiotics, and honestly I've had better responses on certain oral antibiotics. Many people get well without IV. Also, I was once a big skeptic, but I've found some of the herbs Buhner recommnds to be quite powerful. Also rife has caused minor herxes for me. Oregano essential oil has caused me to herx too. My doctor also uses lauricidin, he says most people have a hard time tolerating the full dose because of herxing. There are lots of things you could try other than antibiotics.
Hope this helps a little!
[ 09-08-2017, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: SickSam ]
Posted by grakay (Member # 48057) on :
Hi Chadwick,
My Western blot results from Labcorp are identical to yours. I am still fighting lyme & coinfections.
There are many ways to treat, I have never done IV antibiotics. Just oral antibiotics, antimicrobial herbals.
If you have symptoms, you need to find a lyme literate medical/natural doctor. Most doctors cannot and will not help you.
Good luck!
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I went through IGeneX, not Labcorp, so am no expert on Labcorp. So my question to the board is whether Labcorp results are as bona fide as IGeneX results.
Many people feel that having even one band that is specific to Lyme is enough to show Lyme. #23 is Lyme-specific.
Ah, I see you're in CA - I'm sending a private message.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
My understanding is that Labcorp produces many more false negatives than Igenex, but that any positive bands that do show up are indeed positive.
Labcorp only uses CDC criteria, so if they say you're positive, then you're CDC positive.