posted
I live in Montana. They say there is no Lyme in Montana.
Last fall my shoulders and hips became so painful I could not work.
So the MD put me on prednisone for the winter and it did relieve the pain. When he took me off of the prednisone the pain all came crashing back.
The MD never came up with a diagnosis. Just maybe Lupus or some kind of Myalgia or Auto Imune problem.
Any how I went to a Naturopath and she sent a blood test to Igenex for the Western Blot. She also put me on hydro cortisone orally and that relieved my pain somewhat as it had spread to my neck, wrists knees and feet. Also have lost 30 lbs.
The IGM 34kda IND 41kda IND 83-93kda IND
The IGG 31kda ++ 41kda +
She told me these results are conclusive in her opinion.
I have a friend in CA that is an MD. He has been looking at all my test results. He is not convinced that I have Lyme.
His main reason for this is that whenever I am off the steroids my pain comes back. He thinks this is inconsistent with Lyme.
He also wants me to go ahead with the treatment that my Naturopath has started me on. A-L complex Herbal drops and 3 different anti biotics.
Any thoughts you may have I would be grateful. Thanks
Posts: 6 | From Montana | Registered: Jun 2011
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posted
Hi Old Chico, Welcome to Lymenet, although I'm sorry that you are going through this.
May I suggest that you post this under Medical Questions? Then, more folks will be able to respond to your medical questions.
Several things come to mind. According to your Igenex Western Blot, I believe you are positive for Lyme Disease. According to IGENEX if both IGG 31 and 41 are positive, then you are positive for lyme.
Your IGM IND (indeterminate) results, can also be considered positive bands. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have a different criteria.
With that said, Lyme Disease is really a clinical diagnosis made by a lyme literate doctor who takes into account your history, symptoms, and includes the lab tests.
When people have Lyme Disease, taking steroid medications is not a good idea. Predinisone and hydrocortisone should be avoided.
This is because steroids can cause the lyme disease to be driven deeper into the tissues, making it more difficult to treat (sorry to tell you that, I don't want to upset you, but thought you should know).
Also, steroid medications suppress the immune system, not so good when we're fighting infection.
Many well-meaning doctors are just not adequately trained, if at all, in treating lyme disease. So, it is best if you can find a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) very soon. There are also some LLNDs.
A doctor who follows ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) guidelines is the best way to go.
In "Seeking Doctor" you could post with your state name in the "Topic" to find a LLMD. Also, you could contact a lyme support group in your state. Click on "Support Groups" to find one in Montana.
Wishing you the best. Hang in there.
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
The idea that Lyme doesnt 'Exist" anywhere in the U.S. makes NO sense.
How could a bacteria that is tick born be contained by state lines? Do the bacteria know where the border is....and not to cross it?-- lol?
This day in travel, I can't believe that any Dr reasonably thinks that Lyme could be contained when there are animals in every state that have ticks. My Dog goes everywhere with me, and so do all the critters on her body. You tell me what makes sense.
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by Old Chico: So the MD put me on prednisone for the winter and it did relieve the pain. When he took me off of the prednisone the pain all came crashing back.
I have a friend in CA that is an MD. He has been looking at all my test results. He is not convinced that I have Lyme.
His main reason for this is that whenever I am off the steroids my pain comes back. He thinks this is inconsistent with Lyme.
Steroids reduce inflammation. Lyme Disease causes an immune response, which causes inflammation.
My family doctor put me on prednisone for a week, to reduce inflammation and fluid in my middle ear. It stopped my headaches and my body and joint pain, it was wonderful!
This was several years before I found out about Lyme.
When you stop the steroids, the inflammation and pain returns. So THIS reason for doubting it's Lyme doesn't hold water.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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