hi, just wanted to throw out a random question....are there any blood tests in addition to the western blot that could point me in the way of a lyme diagnosis?
i go to my pcp thursday after my ENG tomorrow (btw, anybody ever had one of these, are they painful and how soon do you get results?)
just curious if a ana would show lyme or any other tests that they may have missed while i wait for a western blot.
i've had cbc, chem 7, coags, cardiac workup, b12, folate, syphllis, thyroid, sed rate and lyme of course which were all negative, wondering if there's another test i should ask for in the interim...
thanks karen
wish me luck during my vertigo outing tomorrow....
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
CD57 would be of value in my opinion.
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Karen,
I agree with Scott on the CD-57 test. However, I have read that it is best if you can have it done through Lab Corp. Many docs and hospitals use Lab Corp around here, but not sure that is true in other areas.
Also, some of us here at LymeNet have used the Bowen Q-RIBb test for Lyme, which is completely different than any other Borrelia b. mainstream tests out there. Q-RIBb stands for ``Quantitative Rapid Identification (of) Borrelia burgdorferi''. It actually detects the cell-wall deficient form (L-form) of Bb, rather than looking for antibodies or DNA fragments like other Lyme tests.
Personally, I believe that it is the BEST Bb test out there, but that is my opinion The test simply detects whether or not the Bb organism is in your blood, and how much of it there is. But others here do not believe in the Bowen test, even though no study has ever been able to prove that it is not accurate. Likewise, some LLMDs use the Bowen test, and others will not.
Do a Search on this forum using the word ``Bowen'' in ``Subject Only'' and you will find lots of discussions about the Q-RIBb test.
FirePN, you asked for information...... so did you read this?
Tracy
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
ANA checks for lupus; I've tested positive 4 times for lupus but NEVER had any treatment! Bettyg
Posted by firepipersnurse (Member # 9637) on :
thanks guys for the suggestions and links.
i've been feeling really crappy lately so haven't replied as much as i'd like to. started my doxy yesterday today i have breast pain, a yeast infection and really bad shoulder pain.
each day it's something new and i'm really just so tired of trying to figure it all out and hoping that it is lyme and i will get better.
karen
Posted by Curley911 (Member # 2205) on :
Hands down The Bowen, especially with the symptoms you are suffering. Take the time, take what energy you have and get it done so you can start getting better.