My husband has been complaining of daily headaches, shifting joint, and muscle pains, etc.
Went to clinic complaining of these symptoms. Told them that he wanted to be tested for lyme. He has had several tick bites within last 6mo's.
They did a test called Ab serology clinic and sent to Mayo Clinic.
He came back negative. They said they spoke with ID and a person that comes back negative has no need of further WB testing.
Is this true? Do you have to be screened first before a western blot? You can't have positive WB and a negative screen?
Help with answers, if you can. He is upset. I have been very sick with lyme for 6mo's. And, we are confused.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Nope those are all lies. As usual, the ID docs are abusing power. Testing is not reliable, especially the ELISA he had. It is 40% accurate at best. It's so nice they let our lives go down the drain with a 60% inaccurary rate. Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Amen to what seekhelp says.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Yes, it is all lies!!! It is based on money and greed and conflicts of interest. They are more concerned with their pocket books, than with peoples lives.
Lyme Disease is a "clinical diagnosis"! This is even stated by the CDC. Test are used by lyme literate medical doctors(LLMD's), to back up clinical symptoms.
You should go to seeking a doctor and find a real LLMD for your husband.
Posted by n.northernlights (Member # 17934) on :
They have confused the negative ELISA test for lyme with CDC statistics criteriae for surveillance of lyme. This is just for surveillance reasons. For them the ELISA must be positive , and then followed up by western blot, and then so and so many bands must be positive and they exclude the most important band because of the vaccine trial. Thos e who were vaccinated should show up positive so they omitted that band.
Diagnosis for lyme is a clinical diagnosis, and you also probably should get a proper western blot from Igenex, not a surveillance western blot for statistical reasons for the cdc....
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Lies, lies, lies. He may need a antibiotic
challenge to produce enough antibodies to be be
detected. A LLMD can treat based on symptoms.
Posted by justchugginalong (Member # 23309) on :
Great info. I was confused about whether or not the Ab serology test was something different than the ELISA.
So, it is the ELISA, after all.
Itold the doc that lyme was a clinical diagnosis and she said it could be many other things.
You know, RA or the typical off the wall stuff.
Interestingly, she said that if he had been bitten more than a month ago it would have shown up in his blood.
Another thing she pointed out that didn't back up our suggestions is that his CBC workup was fine. Other than, I noticed that his lymphatic rate is elevated.
So, if we go to any regular doc will they automatically do an ELISA?
Thanks again for your help. I come to you for many questions and appreciate every answer.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Most doctors will do an Elisa first. If its positive, then they will do a WB. If thats negative, they will say you don't have LD. Not many ppl have a positive Elisa!
Also most doctors don't know how to read a WB.
Thats why a LLMD is so important when LD is suspected.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
For over 2 years I told my docs I was sick.
I had great blood counts, low lymph counts and low
sed rates of 2 so they all told me I was great. It
was depression. None of them ever bothered to look
at protein....It was extremely low. It was not
good stuff in them cells. Find a LLMD.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
There are several GOOD Lyme drs in VA. Go to seeking a doctor to find one.
Hold the MAYO! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
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