Help me out... What's their thought process? Why would a Dr order a Western Blot one month into treatment???
I have been on IM Bicillin for one month, and am continuing. I am no where near any level that would be considered cured.
I made mention of doing a CD-57. I'm not sure if he knew the value in that test. But, said that he wanted to see what the western blot showed now that I'm being treated.
Ideas????
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
I was tested In October, thru Quest. Elisa was 1.4 (positive). I was positive for 41 IGG, and 23 IGM.
By the way I am seeing effects from bicillin... am experiencing herxes.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
I suppose I'm also concerned about if the tests come back negative.... how that appears, even though I have symptoms. etc...
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Isn't 41 & 23 on an IgM western blot a positive result?
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I wasn't sure either, Razzle.. I can't keep my head together today.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 95729 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Laura is she using good lyme testing lab or lab that wouldn't know a lyme band if it bite them in the arse?
I hope she's not testing to support the dx. Lyme Disease testing is so poor in most labs that symptoms should be treated without a Lyme positve test.
You had a positive. Do you still have sx? You really need to question repeat testing and see where this doc is going.
Remember it's your health and well being and you are in charge. Doctors are a tool we use, but we certainly have a patient right to ask what the heck are you doing another lyme test?
I'd want to ask...Do I look like a money tree or does my insurance company like wasteful testing?
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6444 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
The testing is being done at the same lab... lol. Quest.
... another words... as map said "lab that wouldn't know a lyme band if it bite them in the arse"
And, ohh yes I definetly still have symptoms!
Clueless- I understand that retesting could possibly be useful... but, I am still on antibiotics. I am being givin IM Bicillin. I would understand the thought more if there was a break in the antibiotics and then the testing was done.
I already challenge this doctor. I don't just take what he says as gold... I want and expect to know why.... and he is finding that out with me. But, I don't want to push him too hard, too soon.
But, I just don't get it. But, as I'm finding out with this doc... I don't get quite a bit of things with him.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Laura, I took 2 yrs oral abx, 6 weeks IV rocephin.. Stopped abx because I had an appt in two weeks to my first LLMD appt.
My Igenex antibodies were off the charts positive for lyme antibodies. 11 out of 16 bands were -/+ to +++ IgM.
So yes doing abx and stopping for at least 2 weeks prior to a test should show more anti-bodies.
But I don't know if Quest can find them on their arse or not. Lab Corp couldn't.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6444 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Pam, I would understand doing that. I just don't understand doing the tests now, while I am currently on abx.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Well it seems you need to give this doc an education in WB? Must of missed that day in medical school?????
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6444 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
True Lymetoo... But, I also am in need of a money tree...lol
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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So, less positive than before, which is what i was afraid of.
I haven't talked to the doctor yet, so I don't know what his thoughts are.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Good question because I tested positive by Igenex on only IFA. My MD just retested me for a WB from Labcorp, zero bands positive. Now starting Flagyl and then doxycycline. She says this will bring out the bands for sure. Thoughts? Reasons?
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Laura, that test was while on abx correct? Lyme experts of the world say off abx for 2 weeks.
Abx do interfer with test and the immune system has time to start making antibodies on it's own.
Abx suppress the immune system. Why does the immune sytem need to work if you are giving abx?
I'm just trying to give you info to toss out to your lyme il-literate. Oh my so sad we have to educate them.
But so true.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6444 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I know Pam... I tried to figure his reasoning... suggested doing a CD-57 instead...
And, yup... test was done while on abx.
@koo... That is a typical thing for a lot of docs to do. It does make sense. I will let someone else explain it, But, yes I do agree with your doc... provided you stop the abx for at least 2 weeks before testing again.
And preferably use a different lab than labcorp
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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