posted
Below are a few numbers from my test results. I've never had a rash or any OBVIOUS symptoms. If you cam relate to these numbers and what they mean or don't mean, please post.
posted
Let me ask the question differently. What do these results tell me? I don't understand what the different bands represent. My Dr Explained that I do not show signs of a recent infection. He said that I was infected sometime in the past. I'm already taking antiotics for the next 4 weeks.
Are there any follow up tests other than another Blot test? If so, what are they, and can you explain what the tests look for?
Thanks!
-------------------- Thanks
Dave Posts: 9 | From Maryland | Registered: Nov 2006
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
You cannot tell recent vs. old infection from a Western Blot for Lyme. If your doctor is suggesting that, he is probably not that familiar with Lyme disease.
If you have symptoms, I would pursue working with a doctor that treats Lyme. 4 weeks of ABX likely won't touch a longstanding infection.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
why did you get a test in the first place if you had no rash or obvious symptoms?
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
Your Dr is using the classical model for IgG and IgM. IgM is an indicator of recent infection. IgG kicks in weeks to months later and for many diseases stays with you for life. This is how vacines work.
With Lyme it is a bit different story due to the complex immune interaction of the bacteria. IgM can go positive after intial infection and the IgG can fluctuate. In either case you are CDC positive but lacking any symptoms you would be considered as a possible case (Blood test, no onvert symtoms alone is rated 4 out 10) >7 is a definate diagnosis.
Also note that the body CAN NOT CLEAR THE INFECTION ON ITS OWN. This has been shown many times clinically and is fact with animal tests.
The bottom line is that 4 weeks might be enough then again it might not be. If the Dr insists you stop after 4 weeks, make sure that he agrees that if the symtoms start to show up again that he continue treatment.
For the 4 weeks he may be refereing to IDSA which says 4 weeks is all you need. If you read what they say carefully, what they say is the MOST OF THE TIME 4 weeks is enough. A statement that could very well be true at least for some ... at least for the time being.
The damn disease has a bad habit of re-appearing after an apparent cure so you have to monitor for re-occurance. It is important to note that the IDSA are guidelines NOT INSTRUCTIONS and that once you have relapsed more than once YOU ARE OFF THEIR CHARTS as you fall into their RARE category, in essence your Dr is on his own if that occurs. Because of this make sure that EVERYTHING is properly documented BY YOUR Dr., recovery, relapse, symptoms description etc. It is very important to not fall into the "subjective" syptoms trap set by the IDSA.
If you relapse and you don;t exhibit "subjective" symtoms then you are a true relapse and more treatment is needed but more importantly re-retreatment no matter how many times will not be subject to questioning, or at least should not be.
Why did you get tested if there are no symptoms?
Also
Take a look at the Igenex website www.igenex.com, there a paper is posted that describes the odd Ig response.
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:Originally posted by drob1956: I've never had a rash or any OBVIOUS symptoms.
What are the "non-obvious" symptoms?
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing 2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain 3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Unexplained hair loss 5. Swollen glands: list areas____ 6. Sore throat 7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain 8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity 9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain 10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction 11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido 12.Upset stomach 13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea 14.Chest pain or rib soreness 15.Shortness of breath, cough 16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block 17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 22.Headache 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains 25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity 28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance 29.Lightheadedness, wooziness 30.Tremor 31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking 32.Diffculty with concentration, reading 33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory 34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places 35.Difficulty with speech or writing 36.Mood swings, irritability, depression 37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening 38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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I asked for a test because a recent tick bite had me worried. I pulled it off, but had no rash. I am in the woods from September until January bowhunting and I am exposed to ticks. I also cut myself a few times over the years while field dressing deer. Since I needed an updated tetanus shot, I asked the Doc if I should also get a Lymes test. He said yes due to my high exposure over the years. Looking at the symptom list with hind-sight, I think I've seen the following:
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained sweats, 2. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Change in bowel function-constipation, 14. Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing,
However, since this is such a broad list, I can't say when each of these symptoms appeared. The twitching in my jaw muscle is more like a muscle spasm that interupts speech briefly--that's a new one in the last year.
Thanks
Dave
-------------------- Thanks
Dave Posts: 9 | From Maryland | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
I'm getting down to a little more than a week left on the antibiotics. Besides these 3: babesia, erlichiosis, and bartonella, what else should I ask to be on the blood test request when I go back for the follow up? I just want to make sure I have everything done that's possible on the follow up blodd work to see if there are any issues that did not show up , or might not show up in the next WB test.
Thanks
-------------------- Thanks
Dave Posts: 9 | From Maryland | Registered: Nov 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi Drob. You've gotten great advice.
Call up IGeneX and ask them what co-infection panel to consider, dependent on your geographical area. They'll steer you to the right one, and package it up and send it to your doorstep. Check out their website by the same name.
One other thing that worries me with a non-lyme literate doc. Their tendency is to give too little antibiotic for not long enough. You need a minimum of 400 mg of Doxycycline a day to be bacteriocidal -- lesser doses are bacteriostatic (i.e., they inhibit the reproduction of the spirochetes but do not kill them).
You'd think doctors would know this, but DO they? Nope.
Another good reason to find an LLMD.
The twitching you speak of could be muscular or it could mean cranial nerve involvement - i.e., disseminated lyme. You REALLY do not want that. An LLMD can clinically evaluate you and knows what to be on the lookout for in ways a regular doc has no clue about.
Good luck. Don't be a stranger!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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