LymeNet Flash: What's the chances of a screening test being false positive?

This is topic What's the chances of a screening test being false positive? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :

I liked the response by adamm in my test results thread found here: http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/81116?#000000

quote:
Whoa--a positive ELISA!? I'd frame that baby!

But the thread about a LLMD thinking a positive WB was a false positive has me concerned...just a tad. [Wink]

What's the chances of a screening test showing HIGH titers, and being false...or detecting something else?

Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

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What is the link to the thread where you said a LLMD thought a positive ELISA was false?

Can we see that?

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Posted by bwillis (Member # 18811) on :

Everyone has doubts. I think it is because we all really wish we didn't have this disease. If you have the symptoms and there are any indications through lab work, you have it. Sorry.

If you aren't comfortable with the tests, get your new Doctor to retest you through Igenex. They are more accurate than the lab your doctor used. I had an ELISA done at the UofU followed by a neg WB years ago. If I knew then what I know now, maybe I would have recovered then and be one of those encouraging others to stay the course and get well instead of one of those worried about ever getting better at all.

Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :

Hi Keebler,

It was a positive western blot.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/81325

bwillis, You had a positive ELISA?

I think my doubts are that I'm afraid I won't know what is wrong with me. I'm afraid that I'll have to hear it's all in my head again.

Posted by bwillis (Member # 18811) on :

Jasmin, the only doctors in Utah that won't tell you its in your head are the one or two that are Lyme literate. Everyone else thinks lyme is an eastern problem or they follow the IDSA and your cured in 4 weeks.

I even thought I was cured after 8 weeks of abx after I was first bitten. Then it all came back and worse.

Please get on a plan and stick with it. It might be a long time but if your doctor is Lyme literate, chances are really good for improvement.

Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :

I had a positive ELISA (two of them, actually) via Quest, with zero bands on the WB. After about a month or so on abx, I had one band (23) come back as positive.

Then plenty of bands once I was able to get the Igenex WB, though still CDC negative.

No idea why. But honestly, if it weren't for the positive ELISA's I don't think I would have seriously considered lyme, so I'm thankful for them.

Posted by Jasmin (Member # 19959) on :

Yay! I'm so thankful you posted. It makes me feel better. I don't know why. [Smile]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Pretty unlikely.