I am new to the group. I have received a list of LLMD in MN from ILADS and TBDA (formerly turning the corner) but am looking for any other recommendations, specifically if anyone has had a good experience with a particular LLMD in MN.
History: I am a 37 year old female who, aside from a broken ankle at age 16, was perfectly healthy until 2009. I had two minor surgeries to remove fibroids in 2009 and was also bitten by a tick in the back of my head, which I did not find until the next day after having been for a walk in the woods with my dogs. I was tested for LD (well, screened with ELISA screening) three times in 2009 and 2010 but all came back negative.
Have been dealing with debilitating fatigue, headaches, low-grade fevers, flu-like sx, low blood pressure, dizziness, TMJ, knee clicking/stiffness, vision issues since 2009. Was dx with CFS and FM in 2012 by CFS/FM specialist in NC. Some recent developments have me wondering about the Western Blot my CFS specialist ran in 2012. It had one positive IGM band (23), which I recently learned is supposed to be Lyme-specific. He said the WB was negative and I didn't question it at the time but now I am.
Thank you for this wonderful resource and any insights/recommendations!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sending info!! You may want to post your story in Medical so people can reply to the specifics of your case. Not many show up over here!!
You need to be evaluated and treated by a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD). Non LLMDs have no clue about this horrible disease or its complex treatment!
The fact that you were bitten by a tick (even though not all ticks carry Lyme disease) and are exhibiting classic Lyme symptoms speaks volumes!
'IgM' means an active infection ('IgG' means an infection which has gone). Band 23 is the outer surface protein C (Osp C) for the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.
Btw - please break up your posts into 2-3 sentence paragraphs, as there are people on Lymenet who cannot read large blocks of text due to neurological problems from Lyme. Thanks.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
From the link hopingandpraying gave you above...
"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa." --Dr C of MO