On average, how long to test results take to be returned? I had an ELISA and a "lyme panel" at Quest on March 18th and the docs office called the lab looking for them today for me and they aren't back yet.
Maybe I am just being impatient, but I am so sick of being sick and seem to wake up each day with a new symptom and am so sick of people telling me that I have "accumulated fatigue" or asking me if I am depressed and maybe don't know it!
I have had debilitating fatigue, headaches so bad that they wake me up in the middle of the night, eye blurriness and ticks in my eye, numbness in my fingers and side of my face, arthritis in my knee, a constant low fever for 4 months, recently I've gotten lost driving my normal route to the train station and spent a very frightening 5 mins standing in front of a gas pump because I couldn't remember how to pump gas. I am a PhD student, so I've always been accutely aware of my cognitive abilities and now am aware of them failing me.
A visit to my doc in January resulted in a positive ANA test, so he sent me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed kneecap arthritis, but negative on the Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, etc. But a follow up MRI showed a small lesion in my temporal lobe, which then sent me to a neurologist.
The neurologist found physical evidence of an eye problem that the opth didn't find, (something about the nerves at the back of my eyes) and double vision I didn't know I had because it is in my peripheral vision. Her exam also found cognitive and balance problems. Overall she said she believes I have a blood flow problem in my brain and has ordered MRA/MRV/EEG/VEP and neuropsych tests. But, she was completely stunned that after 2 docs and 27 blood tests, that I have never had a Lyme test! The other docs had asked me if I had ever been bitten and I don't remember ever having been, so they dismissed it and never followed through.
When I left her and had the bloodwork I started reading about Lyme and it sounds just like the progression of my disease! Now if I could just get the results (and have them be accurate one way or another) it would be a good thing!
Sorry for rambling, I am a bit scrambled these days!
WELCOME!Don't expect that labwork from Quest to come back positive for Lyme. They're notorious for false negatives. Igenex is your best bet.
If it's a Western Blot you had, they take about 3 wks.
Be sure to read up on the test so you'll realize why even if the test comes back neg, you could still have Lyme.
I have to hit the hay now, but wanted to at least give you this info. Hopefully, others will give you more info.
Tincup's Links for new members
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009342.html
Dr. Joseph J. Burrascano's Guidelines http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.htm
Rose's 15 Facts for Newcomers http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011977.html
Camp A and Camp B http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/021395.html
Abbreviations for Lyme-speak
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/020494.html
Making the most of your LLMD visit
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/020605.html
Success Stories http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022173.html
Western Blot explanation: http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022767.html
The cause and spread of Lyme http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/032259.html
More info: http://www.ilads.org/
Lyme Wars http://www.wildernetwork.org/Lyme_Wars.html
Lyme Disease State Info http://www.lymeinfo.net/support.html
read especially the Western Blot explanation
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Lymetutu
My son had two negative tests before we went to a competent doc, who ordered tests from a lyme literate lab, and finally received a positive test.
We went through the doctor "run around" as well as so many others on this board.
Post in "Seeking a Doctor" and folks here can steer you in the direction of a competent doc to treat your illness.
Arthritic knee, accumulated fatigue ? Posters on here have heard all this nonsense before they found a doc who knew something about lyme.
My son's ANA was very high as well, many lymies are.
One other quick question, does lyme effect BP? I've always had VERY low BP like 90/60 and all of the sudden it has jumped to 120/80. Which I know is "normal" but it isn't normal for me.
The blood flow issue is one that seems to accompany lyme. IMO it's due to the attack on the nervous system...your eyes,balance,and memory(cognitive functions)geometrical cognition(forgetting where you're going or how to do simple tasks etc...seem to have something to do with either slow blood flow to brain(have a spect scan done) and or messages in the frontal lobe of the brain. Spirochetal infection of brain interferes with proper communication between neurons.
I had a blood test done by quest and one done by igenex the same day...quest came back negative and igenex positive...
Test takes from 13days to 21days for results. Western Blot is better of the tests but even that can come back false negative.
But not false positive.
Get to a LLMD as soon as you can and get on some sort of antibiotic.
...........................zman
Hi and WELCOME! Get a LLMD or at least Dr that is willing to learn about lyme. Borrelia Burgdorferi is a clinical diagnosis, based on symptoms and on your response to treatment. Good Luck, bumpy road ahead.
Post for a LLMD in Seeking a Doctor. Ps remember I am not a Dr, just a fellow sufferer.
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Something to share with friends and family members But You LOOK Good!
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Melissa Kaplan's Lyme Website Explains Western Blot
Dr. C Explains Western Blot
( No you don't always see a bite and if there's no bullseye the only way your going to be able to tell is (symptoms) and (((Maybe))) WB or lyme dot blot 3 day urine banged with abx's to free your antigens up for the test.
- = Not Present
+ = Low
++ = Medium
+++ = High
+/- = Equivocal = Indeterminate its there but not as intense as low) )
See this ( . )thats the size of the larva stage tick...
Next nymph size... ( * )
Next is adult ( o ) to ( 0 )
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A copy of this is stored in computer Help section.
The MRA/MRV/VEP/and EEG are scheduled for a week from tomorrow. Since it is only a week, I think I am just going to have those done and then if they don't explain the cause of my symptoms, I will have the test through Igenex done.
(I just realized I got so caught up in the moment that I forgot to ask specifically WHICH tests they ran! GEEZ!)
They probably ran the ELISA pre-screening test and possibly the Western Blot.
There are over 100 known strains of Lyme in the US at this time. Quest only uses 1 strains antibodies to test against. If you don't have that strain or one very similar to it, according to them, you don't have Lyme disease.
Igenex uses 3 strains (the last time I looked about a year ago) and they have a much better chance of finding a positive reaction because of this.
You need to find a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD). Please post to "Seeking a Doctor" to at least find out who's in your area and call them for some info.
Take care,
Corgilla
You all have been very helpful and welcoming, it really is a very supportive site! Thanks!
Yes, Lyme can raise [or lower] your blood pressure. You're a very wise person to go ahead with the test by Igenex if need be. Good thinking! 
And it's also wise to go ahead with the other tests as well.
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Lymetutu
quote:
Originally posted by Corgilla:
There are over 100 known strains of Lyme in the US at this time. Quest only uses 1 strains antibodies to test against. If you don't have that strain or one very similar to it, according to them, you don't have Lyme disease.Igenex uses 3 strains (the last time I looked about a year ago) and they have a much better chance of finding a positive reaction because of this.
Your answer is here, Cher!
The fact that the bands mentioned in the WB link are not there, is KEY! The test your dr ran is very inadequate at finding Lyme.
Are you saying you didn't have ANY reactive bands??
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Lymetutu
[This message has been edited by Lymetoo (edited 31 March 2005).]
I am fairly new to this as you are. I was in your shoes about 3 mos ago. I know the results that you are seeing are discouraging, because you want SOMETHING to prove that you are not "imagining this". Everyone wants an answer to these perplexing symptoms.
I encourage you to be resolute in your drive to resolve this and heal yourself.
My initial WB did not show ANY bands positive either. My Elisa screen did show 1.57, but was brushed off as not having Lyme because of the 0 bands of the WB.
After 3 weeks of Doxy, a negative MRI, negative spinal TAP, I had an infectious disease dr do another Lyme Test...
At that point Band 23 came back positive. This is one of the "big 3" bands that the CDC considers in a diagnosis...and although they require 2 of the 3 to be considered positive, my new LLMD said one is good enough for them!
My point is that you should keep persuing your issue...despite what your results have been thus far. YOU KNOW YOURSELF BEST! Draw strength from that! Your test results may be different the next time around. Try to get on Doxy, or anything that will slow the progression.
Stay resolute!
quote:
Originally posted by Bill ATL:
After 3 weeks of Doxy, a negative MRI, negative spinal TAP, I had an infectious disease dr do another Lyme Test...At that point Band 23 came back positive.
Actually, any abx used for Lyme will do.
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Lymetutu