I am posting this on behalf of my husband who I think has been suffering from Lymes since April of this year. He was given the Western Blot by a hematologist in August. The tests were run at Labcorp in Birmingham and only gave us the following information:
Lyme AB/Western Blot Reflex Lyme IGG/IGM AB <0.91
The hematologist considered this to be negative for lymes and won't even consider treatment. I still feel that this could be Lymes, given the symptoms below. Any thoughts on where to go next? He is suffering and is in need of answers!
Thanks!
Symptoms - Red rash on chest 4/08 only lasted couple of days Extreme Fatigue--consistent and disruptive since April 2008 Brain Fog, light headed, dizzy, concentration problems Difficulty with swallowing/throat tight/mucous occasionally Migratory joint and muscle pains neck, jaw, legs, chest, back Muscle twitches fingers, upper lip, eye lids Pain in teeth Stabbing sensation under left shoulder, on back Hoarse voice April/May 2008 Prostatitis twice since April 2008 Fluctuating body temperature chills to hot Sensitivity to light and sound Mood changes Headaches top and side of head Numbness/tingling in left hand last two fingers Numbness in left side of face/head Panic/anxiety attacks Pain in left leg Unsteady on feet Restless sleep occasionally Heavy Acid reflux Diarrhea/nausea intermittently Cheeks flush occasionally
Overview of Abnormal Test Results Consistently elevated liver enzymes since April 2008 Consistently elevated ferritin level since April 2008 Elevated ESR inflammation marker tested August 2008 C Reactive Protein marker at 2.67 high moderate range High cholesterol and triglycerides Underactive thyroid Low Vitamin D level
List ALL Antibiotics ABX that you have taken - None as of yet
Give results of Test you have taken - LYME AB Western Blot Reflex LYME IGG/IGM AM <0.91
What do Doctors think is wrong with you?? We have been told everything from Mono, Chronic Fatigue, MS.
Doctors we have visited- Internal Medicine Hematologist/Oncologist Infectious Disease Rhumatologist Neurologist Gastroenterologist
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Sick,
Welcome. I am sorry that you husband has been so sick. His symptoms can very well be be lyme.
Labcorp and Quest are very unreliable labs for testing tick born infections. The best lab is IGENEX.
Lyme can be diagnosed on clinical symptoms, which means the doctor will go by symptoms, not test results.
The best thing to do find a lyme literate doctor in your area. (LLMD)You can go to the front of this board and click on seeking a doctor, and perhaps you will get some good names and referrals for your area.
Diagnosing lyme is very difficult and it affects alot of organs. Many people, including myself had mysterious medical problems with negative results, and of course it was the lyme all along.
I urge not to wait, as the longer he goes untreated the harder it is to eradicate and the longer he will be on abx.
Good luck in finding a doctor. Keep us posted.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
This is not a Western Blot. This would be the ELISA or EIA test which is a complete waste of money. You need to get to a LLMD and get a Western Blot or at least get a clinical diagnosis and start treatment.
Posted by skigal (Member # 7443) on :
sick,
The reflex test is wrong. You need to ask the doc to run a Lyme, Western Blot, SERUM. This is the correct test.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Also remember that many people with Lyme will still test negative on even the WB. A diagnosis must be made clinically by a LLMD (Lyme Literate MD).
Posted by FancyRatFan (Member # 3088) on :
I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. It can be truly frustrating. However, you have come the right place. Many intelligent people here to help.
The advice others have given is my advice as well.
Igenex for a true western blot test Fina LLMD near you.
Fancy
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Assuming they have tested your husband for everything that they can think of...has he been tested for HHV-6, EBV, Chlamydia Pnuemonia (Cpn)and enterovirus?
These pathogens can cause the same symptoms as lyme.
Best, Timaca
Posted by desertcanyon (Member # 17998) on :
sickingeorgia,
In order to get more responses with LLMD names, it would be good to copy all the text you posted here and paste it into your original posting under "Seeking a doctor". (Click on the pencil icon at the top of your posting looking for a doctor.)