Before everyone spams me with "NOOOOOOO - Igenex is better!" messages let me say that I have already had an Igenex Western Blot and it was negative for me. It was actually useless because all that showed up for me was 41++ IgG. And that band makes for more confusion than anything.
I'm going to have a Lab Corp Western Blot done because insurance will pay for it and I feel like I don't have anything to lose. All I need is one more band to show up IND or positive and then I'll be ecstatic because I need that answer.
I am pretty sure I have lyme (I DO have Bartonella), but not having a POSITIVE answer is even scarier to me and it's been bugging me for a very long time. I keep thinking paranoid, negative things like it being something else, etc.
So, I'm just curious about those who have had positive Lab Corp Western Blots or at least had some bands come up positive on it? Has anyone here had no answer through Igenex but got more of an answer from Lab Corp?
I know Igenex is the best. And I would use them again (like I did the first time), but at the moment, my husband and I don't have money to spare, so Lab Corp is the best way to go.
Also, I'm not sure if I should stop taking meds and herbs for a short while before I get the blood drawn for it?
I just hope and pray that this gives me the answer I very much need.
Will you all pray for me as well that I will get that answer?
Thanks so much,
Ashley
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
ashley, you are in my prayers for answers! Posted by DakotasMom01 (Member # 14141) on :
Hi Ashley, ""I'm just curious about those who have had positive Lab Corp Western Blots or at least had some bands come up positive on it?""
I have Only had Lab Corp WB's, because like you, I have to go where the ins sends me. So your not alone in this area.
YES!! My first WB from Lab Corp had 5 positve/abnormal bands igg {18,23,39,41,45}, and 1 positve/abnormal igm{23}. It stated right on it, was CDC Positive.
This was in '06 after a second bite. The first bite was undx'd abt 20 yrs before.
Prayers that you find your answers.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My neighbor was CDC positive both IgM and IgG via LabCorp.
Her PCR was negative though.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
up
Posted by webmeg (Member # 13647) on :
I think you should just do the test, but don't be discouraged if it's negative or not a lot of bands show up.
Probably for every person on the forum who has something postive to say about Lab Corp someone else will complain.
I did IGenex in October and has positive 18, 66++, IND 31/41, so technically negative for Lyme. Treated for 4 months. Went off a couple weeks and retested via Quest because that's what insurance will pay for. One measly 41+ came back.
When I went off the abx for 2 weeks I was sick as a dog! All my Lyme stuff came back, numbness, twitching, knee pain, etc. Yet the lab gave me a clean bill of health. What a joke.
It's fine to retest if you feel you need to, and its nice you can go to LabCorp, but go with your instincts and keep treating until you know you are better.
~webmeg
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
***Has anyone here had no answer through Igenex but got more of an answer from Lab Corp?***
That would be a surprise to me. Please don't be depressed if NO bands show up. But I'll be praying you will have SEVERAL!
Personally, I would go off the meds for 10-14 days...but that's a choice you'll have to make.
Good luck!!! Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Did you know doctor will have to specify on the lab order....Western Blot must be followed thru even if ELISA is negative. Standard protocol for Lab Corp is to not do Western Blot test unless the ELISA says positive.
That's the protocol for the Lab Corp I've dealt with personally myself in the past. That was info I got from the lead doctor on staff of Lab Corp in my city.
He told me on the phone, oh, you've had a positive Western Blot prior, then your test should of been followed through with a complete Western Blot, regardless of what the ELISA showed.
I wanted to go through the phone line and cause some pain on someone, anyone!!!!!!
Pam
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
map - Oh geeze, I really hope they do it for me no matter what. If not, I think I'll bawl my head off (yes, I cry very easily nowadays...). I don't think my LLMD knew to write that...
So, are you saying that they'll do an Elisa first even though I specifically wanted the WB done (I don't really care about the Elisa)?
Posted by skigal (Member # 7443) on :
I believe map is correct. They did the wrong lyme test on me. Unless the order specifically states: Lyme, Western Blot, Serum, Labcorp tends to run the wrong test.
My dd however did get a CDC positive thru them. I'm sure Doc G requested the right test. Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
quote:Originally posted by skigal:
I'm sure Doc G requested the right test.
You go to Dr. G too? Oh, I really hope he wrote the right thing down!
Posted by mushroomman06 (Member # 13088) on :
Had my first test done at Lab Corp. My LLMD sent me there and under test requested stated. CD57 Panel Comp. Metabolic Panel (14) Lyme, Western Blot, Serum Ehrlichia Ab Panel Bartonella Antibody Babesia micoti Antibody Panel
My test came back with 10 bands postive and a IgG positive. CDC positive.
Every two months I have blood work done at Lab Corp.
Its very interresting, the lady that drew the nine tubes of blood at my last visit stated that they sure where taking alot of blood work intended for Lyme at there office. If only she knew the number of cases here in Montgomery Co. Maryland!
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
quote:Originally posted by mushroomman06: If only she knew the number of cases here in Montgomery Co. Maryland!
Hey, my husband and I live in Montgomery County, Maryland!!!
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Oh, I really hope he wrote the right thing down!
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