I just got a call from ID doc that western blot sent to stony brook is postive for IGM.
I want to get on IV since orals are making me ill and I have severe neruo symptoms. Will my insurance pay? I have been on doxy 300mg for 18 days and feel like I am dying. Thank, Kim
Posted by Corgilla (Member # 4066) on :
Hi,
In the duck world, an IgM positive WB means you have active infection (also considered a new infection) so even they can't ignore your disease. In the Lyme Literate world, you either have a new infection or you have an old infection and the bacteria are visible to your immune system after being "invisible" for a while.
Either way, you have Lyme Disease. Can't tell you if your insurance will cover IV. Each company is different.
Mine will only cover 60 days and most Lyme Literate doctors recommend a minimum of 4 months open ended treatment with IV and also oral flagyl and possibly another oral antibiotic. Out of pocket costs could run about $3000 per month.
This treatment is also followed up with open ended oral treatment until you have no symptoms for at least 2 straight months.
Hope this helps,
Corgilla
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
You got it Corgilla - IgM doesn't mean much with Lyme Disease.... Could be new infection or reactivation/recognition of an old infection....
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
welcome to our lyme world!
call your insurance company today to check with them about IV coverage for lyme disease....
also, go to TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE LINKS on 1st screen here of medical. Print off 8+ pages of links. check them off as you read as there are months of reading there.
print off Dr. B's 2005 guidelines....you'll learn alot there since he's our lyme literate expert!
I see Tree just added something yesterday about MEANING OF BLOOD TESTS, page 3....check it out.
Posted by GotLyme? (Member # 8485) on :
SForesgren, please explain. You agree with Corgilla but you state that the WB IGM does not mean much with LD?
Corgilla states:
IgM positive WB means you have active infection (also considered a new infection) so even they can't ignore your disease. In the Lyme Literate world, you either have a new infection or you have an old infection and the bacteria are visible to your immune system after being "invisible" for a while.
Corgilla, are you referring to LD infection or just infection in general?