Very good site Just print your labwork and go to local lab to draw blood.
So glad someone showed me this today.
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
Yes! this is an awesome resource. They have an on-staff doctor who basically orders whatever tests you ask for, and you get the results by email or mail or whatever. it's cheap. They just use Labcorp and a bunch of other reputable labs.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Yes, I've been using them for years. They are very good.
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
This is a notice on their website:
"State law prohibits direct access testing in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island."
I think I am going to scream!!!!! Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
I notice they don't do a Western Blot?
Why would this be omitted?
I live in an Lyme infested area and I can't get a doctor to do a W.B. because they don't know how to spot L.D.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
No, they do offer a western blot. In fact, I've had one done using Direct Labs. It is done through Lap Corp.
The site itself is a little quirky and less than user-friendly, but they do offer good basic testing.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
The Lyme WB appears much cheaper on this site (not sure if there are any reporting differences that account for the cost difference).
Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
Lymeorsomething, did you test positive on the WB you had done?
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
I think all the Labcorp tests are going to be the same as if you'd ordered them through a doctor's office. Here's why they're cheaper: -Labcorp and places like that have a low rate for insurance companies and for clinics that have negotiated a special rate for their patients. -dealing with labsdirect seems to get you that rate.
This sort of place is a good way for people who are self-treating to be able to get tests done, such as liver monitoring tests, and it's a good way for people whose non-Lyme-literate doctors won't order certain tests. If you already have an LLMD the prices at labsdirect may or may not be cheaper, depending on the rates that your LLMD negotiated with Labcorp directly.
Labsdirect also deals iwth other labs besides Labcorp. I think some of the 'good' parasite labs are on their list, as are some other places where Lyme patients might get specialty bloodwork.
Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :
I'm confused....is (DirectLabs) an online lab where you never need a doctor's orders, and can actually order whatever test you wish, and they will give you your results?
If so, I'm for it, as I would really like to get an H. Pylori test and parasite test.
I no longer have an LLMD, and most other doctors don't recognize parasite testing at all that I'm aware of.
It would be wonderful to just be tested without the hassle of trying to convince any doctor of the need.
I am hoping to use Rife for anything found.
Thanks for this info.
lifeline
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
lifeline,
Yes it is. They EMAIL you the results too. Quickly.
In regards to H Pylori - I think you're wasting your money testing for it.
I've been told (by numerous Docs in the know) that at least 50% of America has H Pylori.
Guess what recommended treatment is? Amoxi, Doxy, Clarythromycin
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
quote:Originally posted by lifeline: I'm confused....is (DirectLabs) an online lab where you never need a doctor's orders, and can actually order whatever test you wish, and they will give you your results?
Yes, that's right. They're not actually a lab, they're just a middleman who contracts with Labcorp just like a doctor would. It's totally legal and the same tests are run. You go into a Labcorp office near you and the Labcorp techs do the blood draw, just as if your doctor had ordered this.
They do h. pylorii, I believe. Check their menu of tests.
Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :
Wow, I'm impressed. I think I'll do it.
Thanks canefan and Maria.
Is there any other treatment for H. Pylori besides abx? Hopefully, I just need more digestive enzymes. And I imagine just about all Lymies have parasites. Guess I don't even need to test for that...just buy Humaworm and hopefully Rife them away.
lifeline
P.S. MariaA, congratulations for being symptom free. That's hard work!
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
I've read garlic and mastic gum for H Pylori
Also avoid stress at all costs (that's a given for anything though)
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
psano2, I was positive for 2 Igg bands (41, 58) on the LapCorp blot. At the time, it seems they only screened Igm bands 23, 39, 41. In contrast, my Igenex blot picked up Igm positives for 31 and 34, which are known to show more frequently with longstanding infection.
Nevertheless, I was impressed that this blot picked up anything. So it is a useful test as far as I'm concerned but not definitive by any stretch.
lifeline, I'd use the abx for HP as it can be tough to eradicate. Since lymies treat with many abx, including the macrolides, I feel this may confer resistance to the HP of lyme patients more so than the general pop...just a guess.
Marnie mentioned in another post that Ranitidine bismuth citrate works well. It needs to be combined with clarithromycin usually and probably a proton pump inhibitor. Keep in mind that treating HP should not take nearly as long as lyme and co's unless you have an especially resistant batch of HP...
Good luck. And, yes, being able to order up your own bloodwork is a good thing, especially when some hammerhead doc tells you there's nothing wrong with you.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
I knew H Pylori was eradicated when my massive Acid Reflux went away.
It was so bad at one point.
Posted by lifeline (Member # 3445) on :
canefan17,
How did your Acid Reflux go away? I've been on Nexium, now generic Prevacid instead, for a while now, and would do anything to get off. I have the kind that causes coughing/constant sore throats, but no heartburn (LPR).
I know it's bad to be on the reflux drugs and really want to get off.
Stress...that's a hard one. I'm a constant worrier. But, the Mastic gum I could try. Been on Garlinase for years now.
Lymeorsomething, I've never heard of Ranitidine bismuth citrate, but could try. Is it OTC or an RX. But, I would have to find something besides abx as I don't have a doctor that would understand why I wanted to try it. Our world...sad sometimes.
lifeline
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Just wanted to report a success story with a Lab Corp. WB...
I ordered one last week through one of the above sites and just received the results today (very quick I may add).
I got my first CDC positive WB (2 of 3 Igm bands). I had always been Igenex positive because they test 31 and 34 as well but this is my first CDC pos.
It's sad when you're happy about a pos test but in this case I am.
I was also pos on the H Pylori blood test (Igm).
So just wanted to report these small successes (??) using standard lab testing.
I have a LLMD fortunately but for those without a good doc nearby sometimes ordering up your own tests does help to identify/confirm probs.
Best.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
lifeline,
They put me on nexium and all orts of other junk.
Imo get off that crap and treat the disease.
It's ultimately the only way you'll get better
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
I know mastic gum did not work for me.
HP in lymies will most likely be resistant because of the heavy abx use so novel approaches may have to be used (Ranitidine bismuth citrate combined with the typical HP meds for instance)...
Posted by annier1071 (Member # 28977) on :
lymeorsomething
I tested postive 41 and 58 two weeks ago by igenex and my llmd said that it is not cdc positive. you need 5 bands for cdc and 3 for igenex to state positive. For this reason i have been denied IV rocephin by my insurance company. These two bands do not seem to have much significance and cd57 was negative also? what do do?
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