LymeNet Flash: Lyme WB false-positive bc of Mono?

This is topic Lyme WB false-positive bc of Mono? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by MNgirl (Member # 7744) on :

I've had two WB performed by two different laboratories and both have come back positive (IgM=3 bands; IgG=7 bands). But, the doctors (family practice and ID) are telling me that my Mono test coming up positive for EBV is probably causing my Lyme test to be positive. It's a very interesting theory, considering I've been in pain for two months with considerable joint and muscle pain, had EM, and had ticks on me (bite?) a few weeks before my symptoms started. Anyone else had this experience? I already made an appointment with Dr. C, but I have to wait until the end of Sept. Any speedier methods of talking to a Lyme expert? Thanks!!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

The easiest way to answer your question is that the EM rash is diagnostic of Lyme.....PERIOD! Any good dr should know that....but they obviously don't. [we hear this ALL the time on this board]

Did you take a picture of the rash? If not, and it shows up again, take a picture of it. Place a ruler or coin next to the rash so the size can be noted.

Many Lyme patients also have EBV ... I don't think it matters if this caused a problem with the test, since the EM is diagnostic.

Treepatrol's links http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000569.html

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

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/

Camp A and Camp B http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/021395.html

Lyme Wars http://www.wildernetwork.org/Lyme_Wars.html

Lyme Disease State Info http://www.lymeinfo.net/support.html

Rose's 15 Facts for Newcomers http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011977.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

http://www.anapsid.org/lyme/matthewgoss/index.html

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

[This message has been edited by Lymetoo (edited 11 August 2005).]

Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :

In my opinion, the positive EBV test did not influence the positive Lyme test.

This is based on my hubby's experience. He has had numerous Western Blots and only 1 ever showed even 1 band as positive -- everything else negative and not even any equivocal.

He did at one time on a very expensive and specialized immune test have positive EBV and HHV6 tests. Have never repeated the tests though.

In my opinion, the fact that you got the rash is a sign that your immune system is trying to fight the Lyme. Many including hubby never have a rash or memory of a tickbite.

My lab manual which is dated 2001 only lists 2 causes of false positives -- infection with syphilis (it shares about 50 % of the genetic material of Lyme I think) and high rheumatoid factors (21% occurance)

Glad you have found an LLMD.

Best wishes.

Bea Seibert

Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :

i suspect the docs are pulling your chain, and o/w playing you like a violin w/rt the false-positive lyme test.

the explanation for why this is so, is too long, and too complex for a reply , and requires a few hours of reading on your part.

Posted by MNgirl (Member # 7744) on :

Thanks for the feedback! I haven't been dealing with Lyme for very long, but I have already learned a lot from these posts. Looks like I will have to take my health into my own hands to get things done. Glad to know there are others who understand!

Kalen

[This message has been edited by MNgirl (edited 12 August 2005).]

Posted by mjbucuk (Member # 843) on :

in my son's case, the epstein barr (mono) was probably stirred up (and thus positive) by the Lyme and Babesia...........

Do your own research; trust your gut instinct. Never trust any doctor 100%... they are human, and make mistakes just like anyone else.

Posted by johnlyme1 (Member # 7343) on :

Most of my first ducks thought I had Mono/epstine bar, due that it was the only testing they would do - My titer levels are pretty high for epstien - I finally went to a LLMD, due to all the symptoms that could not be explained - He found it all - lyme with co-infections - In time the epstine shoudl clear as my immune system heals -

Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :

an 8-sec. sound-byte reply:

97% of the population is ebv positive. ebv causes mononucleosis; accordingly the docs statement might mean that 97% of the population would test "false-positive" for borreliosis.

this statement assumes that a 'randomly' selected wb antibody test for lyme was done.

i leave it for the reader to develop this analysis in greater detail, w/rt to the realities of lyme testing of various kinds.

Posted by MNgirl (Member # 7744) on :

I agree with what everyone has said....I may have had active EBV not that long ago, but I think my problems are all stemming from Lyme. Until a doc can prove otherwise, I'm going to insist on being treated as such. And yes, my uneducated ID doc prescribed 200mg of Doxy a day for three weeks. Too little a dose for too little of time! I even asked for a higher dose and was denied. Luckily, I have a rheumatologist who wants to get to the bottom of things and the LLMD to look forward to. Thanks again for all the feedback!

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

Usually a false positive is because of syphilis or advanced gum disease.

The testing for Lyme picks up antibodies to bacterial spirochetes.

Mono is a virus not a bacteria.

Pulling your chain. It may seem like an explanation but the science doesnt make sense.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by MNgirl:
Until a doc can prove otherwise, I'm going to insist on being treated as such. K.

Good job! You're a quick study!

------------------
Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :

Hi NM
I found that doxicycline can be
gotten from 1-800-Pet Meds-
No doc needed--Jay--

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

Groovy,

You can also get Flagyl for pets.

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Kalen, my symptoms started with mono, chronic fatigue, fibro, etc., and then finally dx w/chronic lyme...34 years too late!

Welcome to this 24/7 educational & support group board, www.lymenet.org !
Here's TREEPATROL's and TINCUP'S combination newbie links.
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/029917.html

Print off the links then check them off as you read as you could spend several months reading all of this. Treepatrol constantly adds new links as they become available from the members here.

print & read Dr. B's (a lyme literate MD) info first; you will come back to this often.

Also, see Cheryl's extensive web sites on: LD DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT ... wonderful!
http://www.lymeinfo.net/lymediseasetreatment.html

Some guidelines from Betty/others on using this message board:

* Do NOT use all caps when posting; it's hard on our eyes. But I know one of our members has macular degeneration, and all caps is what she can see & read so exceptions like this are acceptable for good reasons.

* We chronic, late-stage lymies can NOT read long paragraphs. So please limit your paragraphs to 6-8 lines max of text and double space between paragraphs.

* You can EDIT your text comments anytime. You can NOT edit your subject line so please make it as specific as possible instead of ``help, question'' etc. in order to have more readers/replies in trying to assist you. There are between 30-40 NEW/replies to post daily so we can't read all the posts on our limited time here...thanks for understanding.

* If you use the ``quote'' icon, please DELETE [B] bold at the beginning & ending of the quote. This makes it easier on our chronic, late-stage lyme eyes.

* To just reply without quoting, go to the top or bottom of screen in the black & white area to reply or post a new topic. Many of us couldn't see it when we 1st started posting. Thank you for helping us all out!
*
* LYME SYMPTOMS - http://www.lyme.org/otherdis/ld_symptoms.html
Bettyg, Iowa