Is it worth while to save the tick in a piece of tape to send in for positive and accurate testing for Lyme Disease?
Where would one send the tick?
Does anyone have any idea of the cost of testing?
Thank you.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I am sure you could find a closer place but out here we use igenex.com!!
Put the tick in a baggie with a damp cottonball so it doesn't become too desiccated for testing-!!
DON'T TOUCH the tick with your fingers because even touching a tick infected with RMSF can transmit the disease and this vector is unknown in regards to other rickettsia-
Be sure to get it tested for not just Lyme but also babesiosis and both kinds of Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis!!!
Best wishes, Sarah in CA
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I sent a tick to Igenex 2 yrs ago and it came back negative for Lyme and babesia. Cost me $110.
BEFORE the test came back I was already ill from the tick. Thankfully, I began treatment the same day as the tick bite.
Personally, I will not pay again for a test when the best thing to do is TREAT immediately.
It's $55 for each test, so if you test for all coinfections, that's pretty expensive in my book. Even then, the tick could have given you SOMETHING that needs to be treated.
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing 2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain 3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Unexplained hair loss 5. Swollen glands: list areas____ 6. Sore throat 7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain 8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity 9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain 10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction 11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido 12.Upset stomach 13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea 14.Chest pain or rib soreness 15.Shortness of breath, cough 16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block 17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 22.Headache 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains 25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity 28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance 29.Lightheadedness, wooziness 30.Tremor 31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking 32.Diffculty with concentration, reading 33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory 34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places 35.Difficulty with speech or writing 36.Mood swings, irritability, depression 37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening 38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
I totally agree with saving the tick for testing...
for more than one reason, firstly, you can get a positive I.D. on the type of tick that bit you......(for me, it was a Lonestar)((which carry alot of other stuff in addition to what Deer Ticks carry...)
My tick was put in a vial from the LLMD, who put alcohol in it, and then the tickmonster was put in there..
then off to the lab he went.
I know alot of labs won't take LIVE ticks.
I used Quest Labs, as my ins. paid for it ...and of course, the bugger tested NEG for LYME which I do NOT believe.
that's my story and i'm stickin' to it.
GOOD LUCK
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by LONESTAR: I used Quest Labs, as my ins. paid for it ...and of course, the bugger tested NEG for LYME which I do NOT believe.
Exactly why I won't send anymore in. All ticks can carry all diseases.
