So my doctor's office called and said my blood test came back normal after 3 weeks of 200mg of doxy.
But since reading all of these horror stories I am so nervous that it may come back.
I have a copy of the test and it says Western Blot IGG & IGM are both negative.
Should I trust this?
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
It is possible I guess, just know what symptoms to look for and get to a real LLMD quick. Are your symptoms gone ? Some more will be along I am sure.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
Keep going on Meds. It's better to do more than under medicated and literally sick for years.
Posted by imitchy (Member # 30719) on :
well, my main complaint of extremely painful joints in my hands which kept me from working like a normal person seem to be gone.
the weight 20+ pounds has not come off yet.
i am not so full of anger or raging against my coworkers, or crying over crazy thoughts anymore
i guess the waning joint inflammation and tightness in my hands will be permanent
maybe this is it, but i will keep a cautious eye on it because I just can't believe how I could have it for over a year and get cured from 3 weeks of doxy
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
No way you could have it for a year and be cured in 3 wks. Do NOT go by testing to decide when to stop treatment.
Did you have positive bands show up? Was this test through Igenex lab?
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
My husband did the 4 week course of Doxy within weeks of his initial infection. His symptoms resolved. He and his doctor thought he was cured.
Of course, he relapsed. But all the docs said "It can't be Lyme. You were treated."
Fast forward 11 years, and he is finally back in treatment for Lyme, Bart, Babs. He was never treated for co-infections. The Lyme did not resolve after 4 weeks of Doxy.
If he could do it all over, he would see an LLMD and treat adequately for Lyme and all possible co-infections.
The insufficient treatment has amounted to a lot of unnecessary misery and expense.
I'm not trying to scare you. Everyone wants to assume that they will be fine.
You are more likely to be fine if you continue treatment with a doc who understands Lyme and co-infections.
At the very least, be vigilant. And be honest with yourself regarding symptoms. All symptoms are relevant.
Posted by imitchy (Member # 30719) on :
I can't tell if it was an Igenex lab, sorry I am a little ignorant on the terminology used here.
On the first test before treatment I had 2 positive bands on IGM and none on IGG
Now it says none on both
Also test for babs and erchs is negative
I was previously on minocycline for almost a year (low dose) once a day for acne
came off that a few months before I tested pos for Lyme
so maybe between both antib's I am ok now
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
You need to be symptom free for 2 months before considering stopping antibiotics. Doesnt sound like your symptom free yet. How do you feel is the big question.
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
With your history, no. Continue antibiotic therapy if possible. That's my opinion, but I'm not a medical doctor or health care provider in any professional respect.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Well, the mino may have helped.
What are your current symptoms?
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Do not quit antibiotics. You need to continue taking them until ALL of your symptoms are resolved - do not quit until TWO MONTHS SYMPTOM FREE.
See an LLMD ASAP. Ignorant doctors will tell you it is not lyme and you are cured. I would have to say there is something to be scared of if you don't see a doctor that is a LLMD.
Ignorant doctors will label your symptoms everything else under the sun. You will be sent to a rheumatologist for your hands, eventually getting steroid injections that cause the lyme to be untreatable.
You will be sent to a psychiatrist and put on medication to suppress your emotional outbursts. You will lose your job because your will no longer be able to function. Your thinking will become cloudy. You will not even know at times where you are or what you were doing or supposed to be doing.
ALL of us are here because we were not diagnosed correctly and adequately treated. The longer you wait, the harder it is. You need to see someone that can properly identify the co-infections you have and treat everything until you are well.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Um...My llmd says even if you are "cured" and in remission you should still show positive as your body's immune system was exposed to Bb and antibodies are the defense.
People who have chicken pox will still test positive for antibodies for chicken pox (IgG usually).
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
dont stop, your not cured if you still have symptoms period, end of story. and even if your symptoms do go away like mine did, they might come back, like mine did.
Posted by imitchy (Member # 30719) on :
i feel that the pain in my hands is gone waiting to see if i lose any weight
thank you everyone for your feedback my doctor will not prescribe further antibiotics...surprise. i may try to see a llmd, but they are not covered by insurance. i don't have money for it and they seem expensive especially here in dutchess county ny
Posted by imitchy (Member # 30719) on :
lyme in Putnam what llmd do you go to, you can PM me you seem to be the closest to my area
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Of all the things you remember in your Lyme journey, remember this.
What you don't spend now financially, you'll more than make up for in losing everything later. Spend the extra money, accumulate debt -- but do not, and I repeat, do not justify avoiding further treatment under the guise of "can't afford it."
You'll be REALLY sorry. I can't tell you how many people on this forum pulled that stunt and ended up ****s creek.
Posted by redriver (Member # 31156) on :
I have had surgery and needed antibiotics, can a lyme test be done 2 weeks after this and be correct?
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Yes, you can still be tested.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Absolutely agree with MB. Its the one piece of advice I tell everyone when they come to my support group. I tried to be cheap and "lazy" and see a doc that took ins and was close by. I mean I didnt have a lot of money but seriously you need to find it!
The doctor was not aggressive and it really set me back. I was only there a few months thank goodness. People here even warned me but I didnt listen.
Now I have been disabled for 4 years no end in sight, sure I am slightly better off now, but maybe I would have done better had I gone elsewhere. Make sure you get several referrals from happy clients before you pick a llmd
Go to the best possible doctor from the get go.
Posted by Geet3721 (Member # 15751) on :
MB has got it right!!! I completely agree and can honestly say I was one of those to an extent I was an LLMD but I didnt feel like he was taking me seriously because I wasnt a "bad case" and I've stayed with my LLMD despite warning from people on here because I couldnt afford it. But here I am 3 yrs later looking for a new LLMD and feeling crappy.
Just be Careful and feel better!!!!!!!
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
I am not a doctor, but from what I understand three weeks of low-dose Doxy is not even sufficient for a new infection. Some people do not herx until week four of treatment.
If you have had Lyme for a year, you need longer and more aggressive treatment. The sooner you get properly treated, the better.
Posted by imitchy (Member # 30719) on :
thank you all
Lyme in Putnam sent me the name of her llmd and I am going to see what she has to say
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