LymeNet Flash: Testing Questions Re antibiotics

This is topic Testing Questions Re antibiotics in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by TheGee44 (Member # 34394) on :

Hi all

I just received my kit in the mail for testing. My questions:
1. I am on rifampin and doxycicline for a "supposed" staph rash. Will this alter the test results?
2. Which panel do I get? The paper is sooo confusing!

Also...since I started the antibiotic, I FEEL HORRIBLE! Is this Herxing?

PLEASE HELPPPP!

Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

judgeing with very little info from your post

and the time of the month...I would guess you're

experiencing a herx....it should let up within

a few days to ten depending on your load level

or amount of spirochetes you have attacking your

body....the rifampin is an old remedy for tuber-

culosis and may have effecacious results for

Bartonella or a neaumochocle involvement some

lymies experience while treating the chetes with

doxi or penecillin....and some llmd's might

recommend being on an abx at time of draw but

some do not....I personally would'nt recommend

being on any abx and then getting a blood draw...

even if pcr testing is in the panel if abx is

also in your blood I don't believe you will get

a positive....

I cannot tell you what panel because I'm not

looking at your test requisition form and I'm

not a doctor. Why not ask your llmd?

I personally have utilized IGENIX lab and req-

uested a western blot specific for borrelia burg-

dorferi spirochetes.

If you're using the new lab that cultures you're

whole blood then they recommend no antibiotics

for a minmum of four weeks....this gives the

little critters at least one gestational period

to reproduce offspring. If abx are in your system

they would kill any bacteria the lab may want

to try to cultivate.

Call the lab itself for instructions on which

panel to choose...

good luck

zman