LymeNet Flash: Testing for co-infections

This is topic Testing for co-infections in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Ruffy (Member # 7146) on :

I know everyone swears by Igenex. Is this the same for co-infections as well? I have been tested positive for Lyme through Igenex, but I do believe all other tests have been run through Quest, including co-infections. Do you need to go through Igenex to get a valid result for co-infections as well.

Can you have a co-infection, Babesia, Bartonella, Erlichsia, w/o having Lyme Bb?

Do any of those co-infections have worse symptoms than Lyme? Or is Lyme the mother of them all?

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ruffy:
Do you need to go through Igenex to get a valid result for co-infections as well.
Can you have a co-infection, Babesia, Bartonella, Erlichsia, w/o having Lyme Bb?
Do any of those co-infections have worse symptoms than Lyme? Or is Lyme the mother of them all?

1. YES...Quest is pathetic
2. Yes .. but perhaps unlikely
3. a. ehrlichiosis can kill rather quickly in the right circumstances
b. Babs [babesia] when combined with Lyme is very hard to get rid of...and I think the symptoms are pretty horrible myself
c. bartonella is pretty bad too
LYME is a mother allright!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by liz28 on :

For me, babesia caused worse symptoms than Lyme, and bartonella was pretty awful, too.

Testing for co-infections is currently unreliable. You can try taking artemisinin, an herb, and see if you have a flare or herx. If you do, you can present that to a reputable LLMD as evidence you need babesia treatment.

Bartonella symptoms are often indistinguishable from Lyme and babesia until you treat them. Then, suddenly, bartonella can seem to appear out of nowhere. But the symptoms are distinct:

severe insomnia
swollen, sore throat
swollen neck glands
anger, short fuse
spearlike sinus headaches
blood seeping from sinuses

Bartonella and Lyme together can be lethal, so if you suspect you have bart, you should rely on clinical evidence as much as test results.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

liz...thanks for pointing out that testing for co-infections is just as bad as testing for Lyme....very inaccurate.

So....be sure to be TREATED if you have ANY symptoms of babs or bart. The Lyme treatment will cover the ehrlich.

A trial of artemisinin is a good way to begin.

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Lymetutu

Posted by liz28 on :

Lymetoo--That's interesting that Lyme treatment covers erlich. Is it doxy that does the job?