My dr. told me that my lyme test came back as "new lyme" Ive had symptoms for 3yrs and I KNOW I was bite 3yrs ago. (I removed the tick).
She thinks that I was infected recently, not 3 years ago....I disagree.
Can someone help explain what she means by "new lyme" vs "old lyme" ?
Thanks
Posted by mmcmann (Member # 21872) on :
My GP told me the same thing when I was officially diagnosed.
I think it is something to do with IGG vs IGM tests...but right now I cannot recall specifics, sorry
Is your Dr. a LLMD?
When I went to me LLMD, the all important clinical diagnosis was that I have been infected for much longer.
Unfortunately, I think the bottom line is that testing is unreliable. So work with a LLMD to get accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Trust yourself.
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
I forget which one, but either the IgG or the IgM type of antibodies is the first one to be produced a few weeks after a recent infection. After a while, the other type is most prominent, but they take longer to get started.
I know I read somewhere that those early type antibodies can reoccur frequently or continually in people with chronic Lyme, so if the above is the pattern of most bacterial infections, it is different for Lyme. The IgG and IgM do not tell you how long you have been infected.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Near the top of "Medical Questions" is a post called "Quick Links to Popular Topics" and in that post is an explanation of the Western Blot test by Dr. C, a famous lyme doctor.
You need to read the entire explanation of the Western Blot. Here is a section of it that talks about your issue:
"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both." [end of quote]
So, your doctor, not understanding lyme disease, sees that you have a positive IgM result and says you have "new lyme." Meanwhile, you have had lyme for 3 years.
As Dr. C says, your result is the more common result of people sick with lyme disease. We don't know for sure WHY people with lyme keep making IgM antibodies, but that is what happens with most of us. Lyme disease just doesn't follow the general rule.
Suggest you get a doctor who is an expert on lyme disease and start treatment.
The doc is the key to getting rid of this disease. I can't emphasize that enough. The doc is the key. Find a doc who has gotten rid of this disease for at least 3 people. That's the one you want. He has proven that he knows how to get rid of this disease.
Many docs treat lyme disease, but not many know enough to get rid of it for people.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
TF has the answer there!!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Sounds like your doctor does not know much about Lyme. That is true of other infections, but not of the spirochete. Please find a Lyme literate MD!
Posted by LA (Member # 26353) on :
I was told the same thing. I have had symptoms for well over a year. The IgM was positive, the IgG was negative. I just found out last week I had Lyme and am still waiting to get in to see a doctor to treat this thing. I am hoping he can answer some of my questions.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)