Can anyone tell me, does this mean I may have actual pneumonia?
My IgG is 1:128 IgM is 1:80 (positive for active infection)
I have been well from lyme for a while. In the past I had a positive IgG. Never had a positive IgM until now.
I've had several throat infections in the past 6 months and have been very, very ill and on and off abx. So badly that i'm scheduled for a tonsillectomy at the end of the month.
Just got these results and wondering if I need to see my regular doc. (not currently seeing a lyme doc)
Thanks for any feedback!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Do you have a deep, spastic cough? Wheezing? Sharp lung pain when breathing? Fever?
If not, I'd just talk to the doctor who ordered your tests.
for Cpn - Did you happen to get a test for the IgA, too? About that tonsil surgery, is the doctor doing that recommended by your former LLMD? That would be best.
There are some considerations, such as steroids that are usually prescribed during or after surgery. That can be a complication for someone with a lyme history - or someone who might have chronic Cpn. Of course, most regular doctors do not "believe" in chronic Cpn (sound familiar?).
[ 08-12-2014, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by blinkie1 (Member # 42790) on :
I first had a "cold", but was very ill. Fever, lots of sputum, mild cough but very run down. Very bad sore throat. Got well with Amoxicillin.
Two weeks later, it was back. Took ceftin...got well...
One month later, it was back...it did not respond to keflex. I got the test done prior to starting azithromycin and flagyl (flagyl for the c diff I have to take it with abx).
Got well with a higher and longer dose of zith. But, alas, it's been 6 weeks and its baaaack!
This is what led my ENT to say, tonsils need to go. And I have tonsil stones now.
But, I can't find any info online as to what CPN positive IgM means. I think it means active atypical pneumonia.
I will not be seeing the doc that ordered the test. He's a fibro doc but I really don't like him. Can't afford to see a LLMD after 5 years of treating lyme. Must take this to a regular medical doc.
Just wondering if anyone knows what a positive igM means on this test. They ran igA but it was negative. thanks!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Topic: what do STEROIDS actually do to those with lyme? Risks, long term damage discussed. Links.
This would apply to any other chronic infections as well. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Do you have "crimson crescents"? in the back / side just before your tonsils? Red arches? Those can be common with lyme & Co. and if you have them, most regular doctors just don't even see them or know there is likely more to the story.
I don't have all the details on that but do explore if you have them. In addition:
Sometimes, doctors fail to consider the influence of certain foods on the tonsils, etc. I hope they've suggested avoiding:
gluten, dairy, corn, soy, peanuts
* Environment: free of all fuzzy textiles in your bedroom?
Free of bath rugs, too. Best to use a cork bath mat. A good allergy website can help here. Anything fuzzy can be a breeding ground for allergy provoking microbes.
Avoid any "dusting" powders or spray products, too.
Scented products can also cause tonsil irritation, although, it's more likely an extra load than the cause. -
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
You could use triphala to attack biofilm, I've had good luck with it. You could also try mucinex or liposomal vitamin C. Along with all the other things you are doing.
Posted by blinkie1 (Member # 42790) on :
I just found an article on medscape that said that IgM positive is pneumoniae.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You ask if you "need to see your regular doctor"
Didn't the doctor who did that test follow up with you? Ask that doctor first. If you have acute symptoms, of course, that would need to be addressed.
But I'm not sure we are talking about the same piece of the puzzle.
What I wrote above about IgA is in reference to Cpn - persistent. The best site is www.cpnhelp.org
It's the IgA that is of most importance with looking at persistent / chronic. All results can tell you something, of course, and testing may never be perfect for anything. Symptoms, your history, your clinical presentation all matter to someone well trained to look.
As for pneumonia (the garden variety), we are talking about very different things than when, in a regular doctors office, someone coughing and ill is told they have pneumonia.
If you have a case of active coughing, etc. that would be an immediate action and meds for 10 days to a couple weeks. And that would be it.
Only you and your doctor can say if you have pneumonia right now and need treatment. The lung X-Ray is of great help.
But the topic really changes in the broader picture with those who find certain infections may not be so easily treated and can have different symptoms, later on.
Both chlamydia pneumonia and mycoplasma pneumonia, in the expanded knowledge, various strains . . . well, the experts can explain it better: