I have a question of the group. Today I went and saw my dermitologist for an annual peek at moles. I mentioned to her how sick I am and have been. I then brought up the nasty swear word~ Lyme. She asked me if my initial blood test for Lyme was neg or pos and was it recent. Since I had a Lyme test in the ER n July she said "you can not have Lyme then,it would be present in the blood test by now." Folks reactions to that????? Posted by bigstan (Member # 11699) on :
You went to a dermatologist (no clue what LD is about),you need to see an LLMD enough said.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
She is asking about the ELISA, which will not show antibodies until at least 6 weeks post bite - which means your dermatologist is CLUELESS about Lyme!
Moreover, in folks who have had undiagnosed Lyme for a long time, their bodies are too worn out to even MAKE antibodies, so again, the ELISA will give a FALSE "negative!" Often, after these patients take abx for several months, they will finally get a positive ELISA when their bodies start making antibodies again, with the help of the abx!
It's a vicious cycle. You need the abx to prove the Lyme, but no one will give them to you without the proof. Go figure!
The ELISA is about as reliable as a coin toss - and it is the "standard" test for Lyme. So what does that tell you about the medical community in general?
If you feel lousy, you should seek an LLMD.
Posted by joanthebone (Member # 38407) on :
Hi guys~ just to be clear I did not go to a Dermotologist for my sickness or for Lyme. I went for my annual check of my moles. At any rate I do have an app with an LLD at the end of Sept and I am on a cancellation list too. Thankyou for the info about the Lyme test. I will carry on with my plan which is to see my LLD and to blow off my PCP. I have had it.
Posted by joanthebone (Member # 38407) on :
Also i wanted to add that I believe that I have had Lyme for many years. I am also on meds for UCTD by my Rheumy. He has no clue either about Lyme and just tells me that I do not have Lyme.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Joan, just so that you know, the regular lab test for Lyme misses HALF of the cases that are already known to be positive for Lyme.
Those tests only test for one or two of the many strains of Lyme.
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