I've been on antibiotics for a suspected lyme infection for 1 month now. I have all the sypmtoms of chronic lyme, and I've had a documented herxheimer reaction to the antibiotics. However, my western blots keep coming back indeterminate. I've gotten all of them from Ingenex, and they always have one or two positive bands, but never enough for a true/CDC positive.
Does this mean it's more likely I have a lyme-like illness? Or can a person continually test negative for lyme and still have it?
Thanks,
Lauren
Posted by Areneli (Member # 6740) on :
I wish I knew this one. I am also indeterminate by WB. I mean I have a few bands that are called "indeterminates"
I think that indeterminate band means that antigen is similar yet somehow different from standard used in the test: Borrelia that is bothering us is of other variety. Mine for example is of European origin.
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
You need to post the bands and what was shown for each to give any real insights. You should also have a CD57 run.
Posted by Lauren M. (Member # 10868) on :
Oh, as for the specific bands that have been positive. Out of 3 tests, band 41 was positive twice, as was the lyme specific band...I can't remember which number that one is. Then I've had one or two other bands be positive or "indeterminate" once each time...but I can't remember the specific numbers.
The end result is my WB's are always neither negative or positive, they always come back "indeterminate".
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
Again, the band #s are key. You need to know what they are and then you can get a better idea. The overall test being IND or not is really not relevant.. Band 41 is not relevant for the most part in being diagnostic.
Posted by Lauren M. (Member # 10868) on :
--sorry. I only have access to one of my test results. The other two are with my doctor. Anyway, the one (most recent) test I have says band 41 and band 31 are positive.
It would take me at least a few days to gain access to the other copies of my other WB's so I'm sorry I can't post the specific results from those tests.
I hope this doesn't mean that no one can offer advice or support.
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
31 positive with never having gotten the Lyme vaccine is a pretty strong indicator of Borrelia infection. I would definitely get a CD57 and pursue coinfection testing as well.