Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
Someone called today asking if taking Prednisone could have an effect on Lyme disease tests.
Does anyone have any information on that?
My gut reaction is that prednisone might actually enhance the chance of catching spirochetes in the blood, because they really like steroids and grow like crazy on them.
david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
I read a vet paper some time ago where it was claimed that using prednisone in dogs infected with bb resulted in the organism returning to the blood stream and causeing further disemmination. I have tried to locate to paper again but I have not had any luck.
While that might be better for PCR, it is not so good for wb or indirect elisa testing.
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
Thanks, David! I am still confused about it. Does anyone else have any ideas?
hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
A man on Yahoo Lymestrategies who uses the salt/C protocol also takes steroids (Idon't remember which one). He says after 16 months on the salt/C protocol he is 80% well. Whether the steroid helps or not is not known, but he feels it helped his adrenals and that helped in the fight against Lyme. Again, this is not medical advice suggesting you try prednisone, just an anecdote. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8943 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
My absolute worst flareup/herx was when my ENT put me on prednisone for a sinus infection.
I ended up in the ER. When I finally found an LLMD, she said they never, ever give their Lyme patients steroids. I think there are some other threads here on that.
Posts: 67 | From Fredericksburg, VA USA | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Ann-OH: Someone called today asking if taking Prednisone could have an effect on Lyme disease tests.
Does anyone have any information on that?
Other than PCR, tests for Lyme look at antibodies. Prednisone, in sufficient doses, suppresses the immune system in general and the production of antibodies in particular. Thus, it reduces the antibodies available for testing, and thus the sensitivity of the test. You're much more likely to test negative as a consequence.
As an aside, due to severe asthma, I'm on prednisone with some frequency. When I'm on it and for 1-2 months afterwards, I test negative on Lyme tests (both elisa and WBs). When not on it and having been off of it for a while, I test positive on those tests.
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Steroids are acidic.
Acids (normally lots) deplete minerals. Acids react with minerals to produce hydrogen.
Anything that depletes Mg further increases virulence of gram negative pathogens.
Need me to find that link?
Posts: 9426 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I'm currently debating the prednisone question myself. It does help with my symptoms of swelling, inflammation, etc. but I know in my heart it harms me long term.
It is since I have read here about the negative effects of steroids that I have pretty much quit taking them. That includes my beloved steroid nasal spray.
My face is puffy and swollen from springtime pollen and I'm researching herbs that have the same effect as prednisone.
If anyone knows of an herbal remedy similiar to prednisone, please share.
I see my LLMD this week and I will ask him about steroids and post it here.
Thanks!
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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