I'm asking because I always hear that docs won't treat on a blood test alone. But let's so you have these results- Can it be anything else? (this is hypothetical, these are my result and I do have symptoms but just curious if it is possible to be something else)
P.S. I have had mild gingivitis in the past
Posted by JunkYardWily (Member # 24271) on :
i would say for sure yes (im no dr by the way)
you will have the antibody bands for life so there is no current way to tell, at least with a western blot, if the infection is past or present.
hypotheticly you could of at one time had lyme, beat it off and now something else is causeing you problems though you still have the antiboties for lyme.
for example people who have at one time had mono will have those antibodies for life, doesnt mean they have a current infection of mono.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You got a CDC positive for IgM (which an IDSA doctor would challenge but Dr. C explains is very relevant for chronic active lyme). So, yes, it sure appears that you have your work cut out for you. And, congratulations for having a clearer picture now so that the work can begin.
I'm no expert on what the specific numbers mean but I would say with your symptoms (which you obviously have or you'd not even have done the test) and the test results - that you should be working with a very good LLMD.
Are you all set up with one now? You may now need to get tested now for coinfections.
So that you can read for yourself, Western Blot bands are discussed here: -------------------
Dr C's Western Blot explanation -
Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
Thanks Keebler-
Yes I am seeing Dr. M in NYC and I am on day 6 of treatment with Amoxicillin 3,000 mg a day
Have followup in a few weeks.
I don't feel any different since starting treatment.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i'd say yep too. 39 plus and 41 plus is a sure sign, at least that's what i've been told.
Posted by JunkYardWily (Member # 24271) on :
im sorry i must have misunderstood the ?. i thought you were asking if its possible to have sympotoms of lyme with positive WB. if thats the ? then the answer has to be yes, its possible.
if your asking if thats likely i would or you should persue other posibilities i would say for sure not. you have symptoms plus this WB treat the lyme.
i didnt notice much improvemen trom my treatment either. if there has been much improvement its been VERRRRYYYY gradual.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- St.O.
I am so sorry to be the one to break the news to you but you will not likely see substantial improvement for some time. You may get a sense that you are on the right track but this will be a process.
If you take good excellent care of yourself and have good liver support, you may be able to tolerate the protocol very well.
Good luck to you, indeed. Feel healing happen. -
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
Looks like Lyme for sure.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Even if you are convinced you have lyme, you could also have other tick borne pathogens, and other reactivated pathogens (like EBV, HHV-6, Cpn, enteroviruses).
I had a WB very similar to yours from Igenex. Some would say I have lyme. Some would say no. But I have lots of doctors convinced that EBV, HHV-6, Cpn and enteroviruses are a problem for me.
Get tested for lots of things. Treat all that look wrong, starting with what looks most obviously wrong.
Best, Timaca
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
That's a pretty positive test result. Can't look at that and not see the writing on the wall.
Sure you could have several other infections, bacterial, viruses and protozoa going on. Gingivitis isn't going to reflect all those bands.
Pam
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
not everything is always Lyme. SOme folks have Lyme blinders on.
It is ALWAYS good to rule out other ilnesses!
But your test is suggestive of lyme for sure (not a doc)
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
NOPE.
Band 83-93 is the DNA of the Bb.
As stated below.. I am not a doctor!
PS.. ST Olaf asked if it was possible to have these results and NOT have Lyme. I said NO.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by BackinStOlaf: I don't feel any different since starting treatment. [/QB]
I never felt any better or worse on amoxy. For me, it was like drinking water.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis! The test are used to back up that clinical diagnosis.
Some ppl do not herx, some herx immediately, some herx in 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Unfortunately there is no standard for herxing.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
BackinStOlaf, Dr. B mentions using probenecid when using Amoxy to keep concentrations up. Perhaps you could try this as well...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
You're both right! But testing DOES have its place!! It's like a lamp leading the way.
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
That test is very positive and warrants treatment.
You need to be tested for all co-infections as well, now that you know you have Lyme without a doubt, co-infections are common in most of us.
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
You have Lyme specific bands... Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I had an IgM similar to yours, and I am pretty convinced I have Lyme. Also tested positive for babesia duncani and bartonella henselae through non-specialty labs.
Then, when I got the Stony Brook testing done, it showed all the same bands on the IgM that Igenex had shown, PLUS band 23, which was negative on my Ignenex.
I thought it was strange that I had so many of the Lyme-specific bands (including 39) on Igenex, but not 23, so when I saw the Stony Brook, that cleared it up for me...SB came back with 18, 23, 39, 41, 66. I showed 93 on Igenex (not sure if SB tests that one, and don't think they test 31 or 34).
I also had IND's on my IgM where there weren't +'s, and many IND's on my IgG. But anyways, I think yours is probably positive....I had more faith in Igenex once Stony Brook came back with a similar result.
Posted by bonafidejason (Member # 24472) on :
I was so used to being critical of all the test results and doctors opinions that when i got a CDC positive for Lyme, I was still like, "hmm... maybe not" Being critical is exactly what got me so far. It got me diagnosed when everyone told me it was impossible i had Lyme. But there comes a time when you have to accept a diagnosis and a treatment if you are going to get better. It looks like you have Lyme, and I would get ready for a LOOOONG treatment. Don't expect a rapid recovery, but you will get better, and there are lots of people ready to support you.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymebytes:
You need to be tested for all co-infections as well, now that you know you have Lyme without a doubt, co-infections are common in most of us. [/QB]
Yes.
Hoosiers... I sure HOPE Stonybrook checks for the DNA OF THE Bb!!!
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It's like a lamp leading the way.
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