I am not new to Lyme disease,in 2003 I was treated with IV rocephin,and had good recovery 90% until this summer when I developed a new Lyme rash.Symptons returned at an alarming rate and is once again neuro.
I am again on IV rocephin (thank again to Hershey Medical) they actually fought with the insurance company for second treatment..Anyway they just completed a double stranded DNA test on my blood,( my understanding is that they want to see if Lyme has altered my DNA. Is anyone familiar with this test?
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Sorry I can't answer your question but I can bump this post up for someone who might have some input..
Posted by tcw (Member # 15698) on :
It seems unlikely that they are testing your DNA, possibly they are doing a PCR test for Bb?
A PCR test is a way of identifying a small and very specific piece of DNA from the Lyme bacteria. The test is very specific (very few false positives) but not considered very sensitive (relatively large chance of false negatives).
Posted by david1097 (Member # 3662) on :
Maybe DNA test for a genetic disease like MRRF which cycles like Lyme?
Posted by cjg (Member # 18587) on :
What does mrrf stand for..I could find nothing on those letters?
Posted by david1097 (Member # 3662) on :
try looking up familial mediteranian remitting relapsing fever.
Posted by david1097 (Member # 3662) on :
Don't know your history so this may or may not be something they are looking at???
I did not know this but apparently there is a typical rash that is associaed with this disease. For my own interest I will see what that is all about.
Posted by cjg (Member # 18587) on :
I know they did a very strange exam on me ,Repeatedly looked at the palms of my hands,repeatedely asked me to put my teeth together and smile,Pushed on my skull in funny places,ran a scraping tool over the soles of my feet. This all seemed very strange to me and left me with the impression they were looking at an addditional illness. Next appt jan 22,I guess I will find some answers then!
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
I think the 'scraping' of the bottom of your feet is a neurological exam, where they were looking for a certain kind of nerve damage that affects nerves going down your legs- I think what they're looking for is called the babinsky reflex or something like that. If you have this kind of nerve disorder your feet/toes curl up (in response to the scrape with a blunt object) in a way that adults' feet normally wouldn't (but babies' feet do). The other stuff is probably also related to some kind of testing like that in my uneducated opinion.