We recently sent a tick to IGeneX. You can download a test form and instructions from their website: www.igenex.com. Each test is $60. They will test for borellia, bart, babesia, erlichia, and rickettsia. The entire panel of tests would be $300.
We did the entire panel and got a positive for only borellia. A patient I recently talked to said that her doctor recommended testing only for borellia - if that is negative, then the others would be too. I don't know if this is true, but it makes sense. The only other one that might be advisable is babesia, because it requires a different type of treatment.
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
Not sure of the cost myself-but when I had a saved tick-that was still alive-and planned to send it to Igenex-my LLMD said that testing ticks is about as reliable as testing people.
A crap shoot at best-and I didn't have the extra cash to spend. If I ever win the lottery though-you can bet I will probably spend it all at Igenex.
ps I saved the tick in a plastic bag with a moist cotton ball to keep it alive.
It wouldn't hurt to send it to Igenex, if you have the spare money-it just might not be as conclusive as you would like.
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
Thank you guys! Passed on info!!! Say a prayer, he is only 9!
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
OK! Get this one!!!
The pediatrician will NOT sign off for them to get the testing done on the TICK because she is "afraid" if it comes back positive the parents will want to treat their child!!!!!!
The ped first called and said no. When the father called back the receptionist told him this is why she said no!!!!!
WTF!?!?!?!?!?
So now they are holding on to this tick going what the....you would rather wait to see if he has symptoms before you even consider this??? Instead of looking at the TICK itself and seeing!
It was attached a minimum of 24 hours!!!
What else can I they do????
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobweb: my LLMD said that testing ticks is about as reliable as testing people.
A crap shoot at best...
Yep. A waste of time and money if you ask me.
Been there, done that. Test came back negative 3 weeks later and I became ill 9 days after the bite. Took abx from day 1. [recent infection 3 yrs ago...not my original infection]
They'd be better off just treating him ASAP.
--------Do you think they can take him to a clinic to get prophylactic care for the bite?? His pedi is a HUGE NERD.
I hope they document this!!!
[ 21. May 2008, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
Yeah
He is going to go in and have her state in writing that she refused to test. That may get her to test though....who knows!!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by cjnelson: He is going to go in and have her state in writing that she refused to test. That may get her to test though....who knows!!!
GREAT idea!!! Keep us posted!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
not only have her put it in writing, BUT GET HER SIGNATURE AND DATE ON THIS using a pen; not pencil!!
nail her butt!
how dare the parents think of TREATING their sick child! Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Oh my!
I would run (not walk) to the nearest out patient clinic.
Have them write the order for tick testing and start this child on antibiotics.
Then I'd be filing a complaint with the state medical board.
Shameful!
A LLMD wouldn't hurt either.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by lymeout (Member # 8045) on :
Unless insurance is a big issue, I would send the tick for testing mself. You don't need a doc's order. It is worth the $60 to know whether there is a chance of infection.
Great idea - having her put refusal in writing! We need to urge people to do that when docs won't do Western Blot. I just had a conversation with my own doctor about testing/treating. They don't do WB but do treat (minimally) prophylactically.
I asked her to pay attention to the public review of the IDSA guidelines when process begins. We really need to start preparing all doctors with whom we have any contact for anything to do this. It is the only way we will move forward in this maze!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymeout: Unless insurance is a big issue, I would send the tick for testing mself. You don't need a doc's order. It is worth the $60 to know whether there is a chance of infection.
What if it comes back negative?? Then what? And it takes 3 weeks to get the results. I think it's a lousy test.
I hope they will take him to an Urgent Care place ASAP!
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