LymeNet Flash: LLMD in Central MA

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Posted by elknco (Member # 18327) on :

I recently had a negative ELISA. I was on Elizabeth Islands in early June and was besieged by ticks. Never had an EM rash but have a host of other symptoms including: stiff neck, migrating joint pain, ear pain, vertigo, tinnitus, gastroenteritis, fatigue, night sweats, tingling and the list continues depending on the day. My PCP was not thrilled about doing any more testing. She said a negative is a negative. Seems to me a positive is the only definite. Any suggestions on a literate MD would be great. Thanks! [email protected]

Posted by 22dreams (Member # 17846) on :

Welcome to the board.
I am sorry to hear you are suffering....

May I ask what your doctor attributes your symptoms to?

Elizabeth Islands is a hotbed, isn't it?
Well, so is the city for that matter.

Just because you didn't present with the bull's

eye rash, doesn't mean that you weren't bitten,

nor that you don't have lyme.

Many people never recall seeing "the rash". If

indeed we all do get it, it could be easily in a

spot we can't see (under hair for instance) or be

atypical (light, un-colored).

Diagnosis is a CLINICAL one with Lyme. Meaning,

it's based on exposure & SYMPTOMS.

IOW: a negative ELISA means NOTHING as far as

whether you have lyme or not. My PCP didn't even

use the ELISA when he tested me, he used Western

Blot and even then just for surveillance not as

part of determining diagnosis (I know, lucky me).

Testing is not used in diagnosis of lyme. It can

help support a diagnosis but it not part of the

dx criteria.

Differential diagnosis is always important.

It's also important (esp. given your night sweats

& that you were beseiged by ticks) that you see a

MD who is familiar with other Tick-Borne Diseases

(TBD), such as babesia, Ehrlichiosis, bartonella,

mycoplasma. Again, not a test-driven diagnosis

for these either.

I will email the names of LLMDs in MA to you.

Unfortunately they are not down the street from

you.

Best to you,
Sharon