I know I have posted before, but my WB thru Quest came back with band 23 (igm) reactive. No co-infections, but ANA titers positive. Symptoms include:
arthritis lightheaded/dizzyness palpitations chest discomfort underactive thyroid high cholesterol tennis elbow fatigue droopy eyelid eye floaters stiff neck plus feels like something is crawling around at the base of neck RLS
I was told this morning by a PA that i didn't have Lyme but possibly Rhumatoid arthritis. He is going to refer me to a specialist. With only one band reactive, should I get treatment for Lyme or go down the arthritis road?
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. You should treat based on your symptoms, not based on a test.
Band 23 is a significant band.
Posted by apljack (Member # 14233) on :
You've got a bunch of symptoms that have nothing to do with arthritis. Sounds more like lyme to me but I'm no doctor.
Find Dr. B's lyme treatment guidelines, read it and see what your gut tells you.
Godspeed on your recovery.
Posted by All4twc (Member # 31469) on :
Thank you. I have had these symptoms for quite some time but have always been dismissed by my dr. Since my husbands diagnosis I have done a lot of research on Lyme. I'm not a doctor nor a scientist but I'm no dummy either. This brought me to the decision to get tested. I feel like I know too much and can't accept what my doctor has been telling me about my symptoms. Which include forgetfulness. I'm scared.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
If you feel like something is crawling around at the base of your neck, it probably is. Check the parasite symptom list that GiGi posted recently and consider taking some antiparasitic herbs and maybe doing some salt/c.
Research everything you can about parasites, including doing a search on lymenet.
Gael
Posted by sickmate (Member # 31502) on :
how high was you ana? mine never was above 1:160, which is officially positive, but rather low.
Posted by All4twc (Member # 31469) on :
ANA titer was 1:80.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
Band 23 is specific for lyme. It was the only positive band I had as well...on both IGM and IGG.
Since starting abx, I have seen improvements. If it were me, I would at least try a trial round of abx to see how you react. Jmo.
Posted by lada (Member # 32618) on :
I agree with Philly. I also only had band 23.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Lyme is known to trigger a positive ANA test. Band 23 is a Lyme-specific band. If I were you, I'd go to an LLMD for evaluation.
Posted by All4twc (Member # 31469) on :
I thought the positive ANA is due to arthritis? I just don't want a RA doc to prescribe steroid treatment.
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
all4,
Stay away from a Rhuemy. I too had only IGM band 23 and got positive dx from LLMD and began treatment. The only thing I got from a Rheumy was a nice folder of x-rays showing all joint in my body had inflamation. That may help when I go for SSDI.
Maybe get a CD-57 test from Labcorp. Its pretty cheap (under $100 w/o ins.) Like all tests, its not definitive but a low number under 60 is pretty indicative of a chronic lyme infection given you IMG 23 and symptoms.
gmb
Posted by All4twc (Member # 31469) on :
Thanks GMB. How long did you have arthritis before you got tested for Lyme? The only reason I decided to get tested was because my husband has Lyme and co. So I did a lot of research and it seemed like I was looking into a mirror.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
If you DON'T treat .. you will never know what "could have been" ... could I have GOTTEN WELL???
If you just go with RA treatment and you actually have lyme ... You are "doomed." Steroids will make the lyme go deeper and get worse. (though initially you might feel better on them)