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I was recently diagnosed with Lyme about 3 weeks ago. I believe I had had the disease for over 10 years and somehow became active with my recent pregnancy. My labs results show bands 23, 39 and 41 as being reactive. Are these markers specific to early stage in Lyme? Is there hope that the current antibiotics will knock it out even though I may have had this since I was a kid? My symptoms at this point are mild shoulder pain and tingling every now and again in my back. And by the way, my rheumotolgist still thinks I have RA. I just don't agree. I am continuing with the Plaquenil because I heard through another lyme patient that this drug can be really helpful when coupled with antibiotics. Anybody else do this?
These questions may or may not be answered but I just need to ask because sometimes it all hits me and I become scared and sad. I am set to see the lyme doctor in December after the month of antibiotics and at that time she will review some recent blood work. Well, until then....
Posts: 8 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2011
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posted
If you think you have had this for ten years, how could it be early stage? Don't understand your reasoning. Why do you think you have had this a long time?
It is true that hormonal changes or other types of physiological changes, etc might trigger a dormant infection.
Those symptoms are relatively mild. Have they been worse at any point? In other words, did the plaquenil have any effect on your symptoms?
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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quote:Originally posted by fflutterby: ChuckG, the bands dont matter..... I have had it a very long time and never have had any IGG bands.
Buckwheat, read up on here, find yourself an LLMD in "Seeking a Dr. " Go with your gut!
The bands matter to those of us who are interested in lyme Western Blots. For me it is an academic enterprise. My current retirement hobby.
And I should have realized that 23, 39 and 41 are the three CDC IgM bands which suggests results are probably IgM.
Posts: 426 | From Berkeley, CA | Registered: Feb 2009
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"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa." --Dr C of MO
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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