Well I have a friend that had Lyme two years ago and was treated for two weeks (yeah a joke). I made him go get tested for Lyme. He has some symptoms (and has had them for a long time). He has headaches, fatigue, back pain...all on and off. Anyway, he was tested through Igenex because of my love for Quest.
The results IGM 31 ++ and 83-93 IND. IGG says 31 +++, 34+, 39 IND, 41++ and 83-93 IND.
I still do not really understand if you had Lyme...should these levels still show up even if you are better? The NP wanted him to try Doxy but he will not take it over the summer.
What do you guys think?
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Monica- two of my most frequent symptoms have been heavy fatigue and back ache.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. If your friend doesn't want treatment, there's not much you can do.
If I were him, I'd at least rule active Lyme out through a good LLMD...sounds like Lyme to me though
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
"In my clinical experience, if a patient has symptoms suspicious for borreliosis, and has one or more of the following bands, there is a very high probability the patient has borreliosis.
These bands are 18, 22, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 37, 39, 41, 83, and 93."
And
"The significant antibodies, in my opinion, are the 18, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 39, 58, 66 and 93."
Since it is likely impossible to get rid of the infection once you have it, I think most people will have antibodies throughout their life, off and on. It has been reported that some people who are symptom free do have antibodies and it is not infrequent for those who have tons of symptoms and are infected, to show no antibodies.
Test results can vary in the same person. One month certain antibodies will show up, the next month different antibodies may show. This happened to me several times. It's caused by antigenic variability.
Your friend should be evalutated for co-infections because they are very common with lyme disease and could keep him from getting well. Best for him to seek out an LLMD (lyme literate MD). Go to the seeking doctor section on this forum and ask for one by putting his location in the subject line.