OK...I don't know what test was done, or what the correct terms are...but when I was called with the results of the test I was told that 4 out of 5 bands showed up and that it takes 3 out of 5 to test positive.
From my reading I know that the worst cases are usually negative. So, is this a good sign for me? This means my immune system is still fighting this crap off, right?
Also, what exactly is happening to the immune system with Lyme disease? dguy pointed me towards searching th1...but it's a little overwhelming. Can someone dumb it down for me?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yes, your immune system is probably holding its own. Sounds like you have a positive test.
Don't ask ME about th1 and th2!!! Posted by bwillis (Member # 18811) on :
Who did the test? In Utah even positive test will earn you 4 weeks of low dose doxycycline. That's how I started out. Felt much better too. Then a year later the bottom dropped out and I couldn't find anyone who would even listen to me. Good Luck.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Yep.... my immune system has stopped making antibodies.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
get paper copies of your test results; then post them ok Posted by dguy (Member # 8979) on :
An oversimplification: our immune systems create Th1 cells in response to an intracellular infection, and Th2 cells in response to an extracellular allergen.
Healthy people have a balance between Th1 and Th2. In lyme, the immune system creates lots of Th1, producing an autoimmune-like reaction, leading to inflammation and the symptoms we experience.
Thanks for the replies. I will try and get a copy of the test results eventually.
bwillis I was reluctantly tested by a neurologist at the Western Neurological Center in SLC. I haven't been treated yet. Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :
K...I'm back.
If I got the lousy test, would there be any worthwhile information if I got a copy? I don't know what test they ordered, but does "4 out of 5 bands" give you a clue as to which test they did?
Would an LLMD order a test through (igenex?) just to get more information for treatment even if a patient tested positive with the (EILSA?) test?
Sorry...I just can't remember the names of these tests!
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My husband had a positive Elisa.
It doesn't report as "bands".
Do you have symptoms?
My LLMD didn't have me take another WB through Igenex.
Prior to this site, I was tested through Quest.
I guess I am one blessed person that I actually had one,
Yes one Lyme specific band show up, IgM 23.
A local doc diagnosed me on that, then I found this site,
Lymetoo (Thanks!) directed me to my LLMD.
He felt that it wasn't necessary to retest via Igenex based
On my symptoms and that one little band.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :
Yes, I have symptoms. So... I will have to remember to get a copy. *think..think...think*
What can a person learn from their test results, other than that they have lyme or not?
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Some doctors would say it could determine if you
have had it for a long time or a recent infection.
By the immune response being more IgG positive in
recent and waning in late discovery. While IgM will
be more apt to pick up in late infection. Even if
you have no IgG response. Or it could be that it
is just detected and responds differently in the
infinite gene pool. But that is what can happen
with Lyme. You know Dguy-this Th1 is very
important to teach doctors who could use it as
another tool for us Lymies. Most of us have these
crazy allergies we did not have before as this
information needs to get to them thar IDSA
fellers too. Ah shucks, thed just pass the
allergy shots and you would be fixed in a day.
Posted by NMN (Member # 11007) on :
Hate to be a party pooper here but I had a positive Eliza "reactive" for Lyme and high IGG for Bart 2 years ago and started treatment straight away.
A year on I had a negative WB for lyme from Igenex. I am still fighting hard so to me that does not mean a thing.
If my immune system was fighting this back then, it wasnt doing a very good job of it. And still isnt.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jasmin: [QB] Thanks for the replies. I will try and get a copy of the test results eventually.
bwillis I was reluctantly tested by a neurologist at the Western Neurological Center in SLC. I haven't been treated yet.
Call and ask them to mail you a copy of the test results. It is your complete right to have a copy. We could tell you a whole lot more if we knew which bands.........but....... sounds like it's positive by what you told us.
If a neurologist did the test, then we know it's not Igenex! Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Jasmin,
Have you found a LLMD yet? One who is ILADS-educated or an ILADS member?
You need more than the test. You need to be assessed in person - and coinfections need to be considered, too.
Did you at least find some names from your post in "Seeking a Doctor"?
-
Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :
I found a doctor who is just lyme friendly from a couple of reports I've had. I haven't seen a doctor since getting the call that I tested positive. It took me a month to find the doctor I have an appointment with.
I don't have many options. Lyme disease doesn't exist in Utah, dontcha know? Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :
quote:Originally posted by NMN: Hate to be a party pooper here but I had a positive Eliza "reactive" for Lyme and high IGG for Bart 2 years ago and started treatment straight away.
A year on I had a negative WB for lyme from Igenex. I am still fighting hard so to me that does not mean a thing.
If my immune system was fighting this back then, it wasnt doing a very good job of it. And still isnt.
NMN... I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Posted by bwillis (Member # 18811) on :
Jasmin, when is your doctor appointment? He will probably give some abx to start but you will have to find someone who is ILADS trained. That is limited in Utah.
Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :
bwillis, I'm glad you're on this board. I don't think a lot of people understand how hard it is to find a doctor in Utah. Now I just need to find a friend that understands my financial and transportation limits.
My appointment is in a couple weeks. I'm hoping and praying the doctor really is lyme literate, but I am also not holding my breath. He does offer alternative treatments, so that has my mind at ease about my appointment. I think I will be treated well, if not properly.
I've been without insurance for so long, and avoided doctors like the plague for the same amount of time. I'm not trusting ANY doctor to figure this out for me. That's my responsibility.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jasmin: I'm not trusting ANY doctor to figure this out for me. That's my responsibility. [/QB]
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