LymeNet Flash: question about igenex wb

This is topic question about igenex wb in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/30355

Posted by heiwalove (Member # 6467) on :

i finally found a doc willing to work with me and order the kit from igenex. i haven't received the kit yet, but i have a question; even though igenex is one of the most reputable labs for lyme, i know it is still possible to receive a negative wb and be infected.

my question is this: has anyone ever received a totally negative wb, both igg and igm (all bands negative) and still had LD? or do one or more bands usually show up?

thanks.

Posted by RECIPEGIRL (Member # 5884) on :

Hi Heiwalove,

Many posters on Lymenet have LD, but have never had a positive WB test. Some of the sickest folks have negative Lyme tests.

I went undiagnosed for 13 years. In 2002, my first IGENEX WB was negative. It was not done by an LLMD.

It took me a year to figure out that the test can be negative and you can still have a raging LD. Lyme Disease can be very insidious.

In 2003, my LLMD diagnosed me with LD on the first visit before my 2nd WB test results had returned.

Prior to this 2nd WB testing, he put me on 250 mg Zithromax twice daily for like 10 days prior to performing the test. This was to pull the Lyme bacteria into the bloodsream.

The antibiotics help yield a positive test in some folks.

Here are 19 possible reasons for a negative WB test:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001744.html

Hope this helps a bit. I'm sure others will visit with additional information for you.

Happy New Year,
Jan

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Jan, thanks for posting on seronegative results of Western blot testing.

My husband tested negative on both IGM & IGG at Igenex. He had some positives; most equivacal.

IGX doesn't accept insurance; but MDL and Bowen accepts insurance. Heard mised feelings about all. Good luck. Betty G.

Posted by cigi (Member # 6600) on :

It's odd, because every lab tests different. I had 3 positive in the IGM and 7 positive in the IGG with Igenex in June and only one in the IGM from MDL and one in the IGG only two months apart. Stony Brook had me negative in the IGM and low positive in the IGG. Go by symptoms, physical, emotional - this gets every part of you. Just have it treated if you suspect it before too much damage is done. There are many negative testing lyme peoople out there.

Good luck -
Cigi

Posted by lla2 (Member # 2364) on :

I tested 'negative' on the igenex testing both igg and igm..but had + to many bands..just not the right ones, or the right number to be considered 'positive' by the cdc...but my lllmd considered it positive....so you need a dr who will consider the + bands, not just the ACTUAL reading at the top of the test whehter or not it says positive or negative or not! you need an llmd for that!

one was equivicable actually, adn i've been sick for 19 years with it..the longer you've been sick, the harder it is to get a positive test, as your body is tired of producing antibodies, adn that's all that the test picks up on...

i did test positive on babesia pcr which picks up pieces of dead parasites in blood...different test from mdl labs...

so yes, it is quite possible to still test neg. and have the disease quite strong..I had 34 out of hte 37 original symtoms when i first went to my llmd...!

ALWAYS GO BY SYMTOMS NOT TESTING...EVERY GOOD LLMD WILL DO THAT WHEN THEY TREAT YOU!

LIsa

[This message has been edited by lla2 (edited 03 January 2005).]