I quit taking abx about 6 weeks ago because I started breaking out in hives with everything I took. My LLMD put me on nystatin and diflucan for 6 weeks to get my system right.
During this time, I was going to get another Lyme test since I am off abx. The last one I had (and it was my first) was 2 years ago, and very negative. I had IGM 30++ and 31 IND, and IGG 41+. (I had a large bullseye rash but was not sick in 9/99, then got sick 1/03). My LLMD at that time had me take a month of doxy first, but he didn't know to take me off for 2 weeks prior to the test.
A week ago, I suspected that it was my antidepressant that was responsible for the hives. I didn't think about it initially because I had been on it for so long with no problem, and although I am allergic to many of the SSRIs, wellbutrin is chemically different. But I continued breaking out after the abx stopped. The breakouts stopped after I quit the wellbutrin.
One of the hives got infected and it has been getting worse. The redness and swelling is in my foot and ankle, but the pain and itching go all the way up my leg. I've been using abx salve and epsom salts, but they don't touch it. I can hardly put weight on my leg today. My plan was to call my LLMD and tell him about all of this and I suspect that he will tell me to start taking the abx again.
But I haven't gotten my Lyme test done yet because they couldn't do it in the LLMD's office when I was there - they had run out of kits. They gave me the signed paperwork and ordered the kit, which was sent to me. I have had trouble trying to find someone who will do the draw.
I finally found someone today, but this morning, with my feeble Lyme brain, forgot about the test and calling my LLMD and decided to take one 250mg zithromax.
If I don't take any more, and I get the blood drawn today or tomorrow, will this mess up my results? I can't wait two more weeks to start abx. I may lose my leg. But I don't want to give up abx for 2 weeks again anytime soon. But $200 is too much to lose if the one pill is going to mess up the test for me.
Please tell me what you think about this and thank you so much for your help.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
If you don't get an answer here, why don't you call Igenex and ask them.
Carol
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
If I were you I would call IGENEX too, but I certainly would not risk my leg for positive test result.
I wouldnt think one pill could mess it up, but maybe it is possible. If you dont want to blow the $$, take the test later.
You have an llmd that is treating your symptoms, so why wait and risk the chance of something dreadful happening.
You had a bullseye rash which means you have LYME.
Also, some folks who repeatedly test negative, get a positive result after months of abx because they finally develop antibodies to the the bacteria.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
If I had a bullseye rash, I wouldn't worry about a test. A bullseye is proof of LD.
Posted by losferwrds (Member # 19741) on :
Save your money, antibody tests prove nothing but exposure.
You already had the rash and a previous convincing WB.
Posted by lucecaboose (Member # 13058) on :
I know that my rash is proof of LD. But it's not documented by a physician. When I had it, I showed a respected area physician who happened to be my brother-in-law at that time. It was not an office visit - we were at my husband's (now ex) family get-together. When he looked at it he said that it looks like LD but that I couldn't get it in Michigan. And he said there were no deer ticks, which I thought was a strange statement at the time. I knew nothing about Lyme, and he got all puffed up about it, like he was the expert. He said that I didn't have to do anything, and I didn't have any symptoms so I didn't.
My marriage was breaking up at the time, I had a horribly stressful job working long hours so I just let it go. I got sick 3.5 years later. I was a healthy person who developed "fibromyalgia," severe arthritis, Raynaud's, seizures, lost my gallbladder, small and large fiber neuropathy, and neuroborreliosis, to name a few. I was misdiagnosed for 4.5 years. Yes, I know I have LD. But the only people who saw my circle were my ex-husband and that doctor.
My LLMD wants me to get tested again. I have been on abx for 2 years and have continued to get worse and have not yet experience a herx. I have been on almost all of the orals but he seems hesitant to try IV. A local doctor almost lost his license for treating Lyme and that's probably why he wants me to retest.
Since I had allergic reactions to the last 2 orals I tried, he wanted me to take a break. I figured this would be a great time to retest since I have been on abx for awhile, and now I've been off them long enough. I will call Igenex. It didn't even occur to me to do that, but that's due to my great new brain wiring. Thanks for your help.
Posted by lucecaboose (Member # 13058) on :
I just talked to Dr. Harris from Igenex. He said that antibiotics do not interfere with the Western Blot 188 & 189. He said that was only necessary for the urinalysis - PCR Panel #875, which looks for DNA and pieces of bacteria in the urine.
This means that my first WB was not a mistake. With this new info, I'm going to talk to my doctor about not getting tested again right now. Maybe some day, after I show some improvement. It's too much money to spend for test results that would probably end up being about the same.