I was tested through for Babesia 6 months ago and it came back negative but I've always thought that I had it (along with Lyme) since I had the recurring fever, air hunger and chest pains. I had read somewhere that the test is only accurate the first two weeks after being infected. I have an appt with a LLMD next week and I know she uses Igenex and was wondering if anyone knows if they have an accurate test for Babs?
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
I can only offer my personal situation. I tested positive for Babesia microti with Igenex.
A year later I retested with Igenex and I was negative.
I struggle with those results b/c I so clearly still have Babs symptoms.
I suppose the thing to keep in mind is that with all TBD testing it is "hit or miss".
Best of luck with your appointment. I hope you find some answers and begin treatment soon.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
For me known meds taken for hit it. So I am hitting it some more....No pos. test.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Dr B says that there are at least 13 species of Babesia, possibly as many as 24...and only tests for 2 species.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dekrator48: Dr B says that there are at least 13 species of Babesia, possibly as many as 24...and only tests for 2 species.
Exactly. A negative test may mean NOTHING.. only that the test couldn't pick it up!
So go ahead and get a test thru Igenex... but if it comes back negative, ask your dr to give you a trial run of babesia meds and see if you herx or get better.
It's very important to get it treated if you have it...otherwise, you won't be able to get over the Lyme.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I never tested positive for babesia, but I clearly had it and felt better on babs meds.
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
positive igenex for babs duncani......but again testing is not accurate.............
Posted by Nan in MD (Member # 25920) on :
I feel certain that they will treat me for babesia as I definitely have the symptoms. What about the drugs used to treat it, did anyone have side effects from them? I know some of the drugs are kind of dangerous.
Posted by Imhis4life (Member # 26581) on :
Nan...we live in Northern VA. Our son was positive for Babesia WA-1 through a Quest test.
Based on symptoms and this test, he is now being treated with Lariam (controversial drug), Plaquenil, Omnicef and Biaxin. This is the 4th week on this combination of meds and so far...so good.
He is no doubt doing worse physically due to die off but nothing that is a huge red flag or that I didn't expect.
PM me if you have any questions you'd like to discuss privately.
Blessings...
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nan in MD: I feel certain that they will treat me for babesia as I definitely have the symptoms. What about the drugs used to treat it, did anyone have side effects from them? I know some of the drugs are kind of dangerous.
I took Mepron for about four months and I don't think I felt much of a difference.
I was also on azithromyacin for about a year and a half. That may have helped with the Babesia too.
Once I went on IV Rocephin for Lyme all my oral abx and treatments for Lyme, Babs and Bart were changed so right now I am not taking anything for the Babesia.
I have read many people that had some sort of reaction with Mepron, but I think I was just too sick with too many other things. When I return to it I may get better results.
Posted by Kirk (Member # 24483) on :
Have been on Mepron and zithro for 2 weeks and no bad side effects yet ( a little loosening of stool, thats about it).
I did get a herx feeling after about 4 or 5 days, symptoms that I hadn't felt for months came back for a couple of days.
Since then I have noticed a slight improvement with my dizziness so I have a lot of hope in this combo right now.
Posted by hcconn22 (Member # 5263) on :
I have tested negative more times than I can count, on every test including the FISH test over and over.
I have no doubt I have it. Not only do I have every symptom, but I respond miraculously to Malarone. However, I did not respond all that well to a year of Mepron (enough response to confirm I had Babs, but didn't get well) nor did I respond at all to Bactrim and Zith.
My two sons and hubby both tested positive in one shot for it. Two with microti, one with duncani.
Go figure. The test is not reliable.
Posted by hcconn22 (Member # 5263) on :
OOPS....did not realize I was logged in under hubby. This is Tracy9.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
I tooK a test on the Asyra machine and I had very high scores for Babesia pantherae.
Even my LLMD who has been doing this for a while was unfamiliar with this strain.
I have never had a positive blood test. I don't know if having this information would help to find the organism in a blood test.