Could anyone help me out with understanding these results? My Dr. considered the results positive, put me on Doxy for 3 weeks but said she wasn't 100% sold that Lyme was causing my symptoms. Just that I had it at 1 time in my life.
I am fairly new to the site and Lyme disease but with that many IGG bands you are positive even by strict CDC standards!! it is my understanding you do not need to show IGM bands with that many IGG, 3 weeks is NOT enough! please find a LLMD - I know someone here with alot more knowledge will answer soon. DON"T waste your time with this doctor, I made that mistake but wised up fairly quickly. Take Care and keep reading all the info you can find about Lyme and co-infections!!!!
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Hi,
Dr C's western blot explanation is in the link below.
It is long, but if you scroll down to the info that lists the different band #'s you will see that you definitely have lyme specific bands and have a positive IgG (not LgG).
This western blot was likely done at a regular lab and not Igenex, who tests for all bands.
This means that some important bands were not even tested for.
You can still have an active lyme infection and not have showed positive IgM bands.
Many people with lyme never have a positive test because their immune systems are too sick and not producing those antibodies.
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis based on history and symptoms, not a lab test.
If you have a history and symptoms consistent with lyme and then have a positive test to boot, you need a Lyme literate MD.
Have you posted on the Seeking a Doctor board to find a LLMD near you?
3 weeks of doxy will not do much for you. It was probably low dose anyways.
Your Dr is not lyme literate.
You also need evaluated for common coinfections like babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, etc.
Please avoid a complete lifetime of suffering and misery (take it from those of us who have suffered for years!) and find a LLMD asap.
Your Dr will likely tell you that you are cured, you do not need further treatment and your symptoms are due to something else.
Here are Dr B's treatment guidelines that you must read:
Run, don't walk to a LLMD....please.
Posted by snake2502 (Member # 24496) on :
Thanks for your replies! That was what I was thinking but just wanted confirmation. Yes, I am working on an LLMD. Just trying to find the right blend of reccomendations and insurance coverage if at all possible.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
just like it says... late stage Lyme. Find an LLMD asap and ditch the doc who "isn't sure"