LymeNet Flash: Bummed..Western Blot Negative - Now Trying Lyme Dot Blot (Urine) Test

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Posted by LymeinSF (Member # 15163) on :

Hello,

I am a bit depressed. After waiting for weeks to get the results of my mother's IGenex Western Blot IgG and IgM...we got the results.

Her results were even less positive (after 3 weeks of antibiotics) than her first Western Blot in February.

***IgM***

41 +

***IgG***

39 IND
41 +

(in February, her IgM was: 39 IND, 41 +, 83-93 IND)

Now, mom had a really bad 2nd week on the antibiotics, and only a slightly less bad 3rd week on the antibiotics. So the PA we talked to said it could have been a herx.

But she wants more confirmation of lyme disease (her words), so she suggested the lyme dot blot assay (urine) test, with antibiotics.

I'm discouraged, because the PA said the test was like looking for a needle in a haystack. But at least it would be a highly specific needle -- no chance of false positives.

Question: Has anyone had a positive dot blot test with antibiotics, after negative Western Blots?

And is there any way to make a urine test more effective, aside from taking the antibiotics?

I really need a positive test for mom, as I am the only one in the family convinced she has lyme, and probably babesia as well. [Frown]

Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

Band 41 is very specific to Lyme.

Also a herx is a very specific sign of Lyme.

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

go to top of MEDICAL,

print off LYMETOO'S DR. C. explaination of western blot results....

YOUR MOM IS POSITIVE! read the numbers!!
***********************

Posted by LymeinSF (Member # 15163) on :

Tracy9, bettyg,

Thanks for the responses and for pointing me in the direction of Dr. C's Western Blot test results explanation.

I read it carefully this time. I didn't realize band 41 was lyme-specific.

I had read that band could cross-react with other things, so I was kind of hoping the other, IND bands would turn positive.

But I see that 41 is considered lyme-specific by some.

I know the herx was a sign. But it is hard to convince mom she had a herx, instead of just a bad week.

After years of a lupus diagnosis, she is too used to the idea of symptoms flaring for no good reason. A herx reaction is a new concept.

Thanks again for the replies. I'm feeling more encouraged today. On to the next test. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :

Band 41 can be from other bacteria that has a flagella. It is the first to show up on a WB, but is not specific.

Posted by LymeinSF (Member # 15163) on :

sixgoofykids,

Okay, that's what I had read before. That band 41 cross-reacts with other spirochetal flagella.

At least, that seems to be what I am reading when I look up older posts on the meaning of band 41.

Sorry for putting out misinformation above.

So, band 41 is not lyme-specific?

That's why I was hoping the other bands would go positive.

Either way, mom will do the urine test, and I'll hope that turns up something.

Thanks.

Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :

39 is specific for borrelia. Something was seen on that band so perhaps after she has been on abx for awhile, her test will turn positive. Many more bands showed up on my IgM after I was on abx.

Her response to abx could be either a reaction to the abx itself or a herx.

If she keeps a close record of her symptoms, she may find that she has small improvements.

All that said, it is a proven fact that one can have a negative test and still be infected.

Sounds like she is seeing a good LLMD/PA so if it's not lyme, perhaps they can point her in the right direction?

Terry