I am going to request a WB from my doc next week. We can't afford to go through IGX but I hear that Lab corp is better than quest. Is it even worth it to do a WB through LabCorp.
My symptoms over the past year have been on and off dizziness, sound sensitivity, tinnitus, awful hangover after small amounts of alcohol, tingling in extremeties on occassion. Right now none of our insurance covers any of the LLMD's. My son has one that Tricare allowed us 6 visits with but that was after alot of pushing.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
My LLMD uses Labcorp and I have heard of others who actually tested postive through Labcorp and not Igenex. I hope your insurance will pay for it because Labcorp WB is more expensive than Igenex. I tested with one band positive on Labcorp, but a good LLMD is going to diagnose you clinically even before he gets the test results back, simply because none of the test are accurate.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Barely worth it. I can't believe LabCorp's is higher than Igenex. WOW!
If your insurance pays for it, I say do it...then save your money for Igenex if that test comes back negative.
Remember, even "negative" tests can actually be "positive."
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Lymetoo, I am going by what I read.... Many people have written that they paid somewhere around $195.00 or $200.00 for the Igenex WB. When I got a bill from Labcorp for my WB, it was $385.00, almost twice as much. Thank goodness insurance paid for it.
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
jen,
If your insurance cover labcorp it is worth a try. My first western blot actually back CDC positive with bands #23 & #41.
I was not on antibiotics at the time and it was well after the time of exposure.
If it comes back negative, you might want to save up for Igenex.
Lyme is diagnosed on clinical symptoms, so I wouldnt stress out too much. Your LLMD will treat based on your symptoms.
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
Wouldn't waste the money. If you do plan on getting a labcorp test, though, I'd think you should get the CD57. Seems like more Lymies have abnormal results on those than have them on non-Igx Western blots.
Posted by GraceT (Member # 16558) on :
Jen,
Just by your symptoms, I'd sure suspect neuro-borreliosis (lyme) like me. I tingled head-to-toe, sound sensitivity, light sensitivity, tinnitus, cannot take either caffeine or alcohol and have had lots of dizzy spells, headaches, and more.
FYI - I cound not take Ambian because it works w/the neurotransmitter and made me SOOO much worse.
I finally found an MD who understood what was going on, and understood Lyme, AND he knew to write fatigue, neuritis, and whatnot on the invoice.... Co-pay was $25.00.
Spent $18K or more out of pocket since July. Wishing you the best care and best of luck on your search for a good-MD.
Grace
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Initially, I ordered my own WB through LapCorp and it actually came back with significant bands. It wasn't until my subsequent Igenex tests that I got a true positive.
I don't think LapCorp looks for bands 31 or 34 (correct me if I'm mistaken) but overall they are a good basic lab.