I was diagnosed last fall, but recently an ID doc ordered a new Western Blot, and it was negative. I have read other posts re: this, but just wanted some more feedback.
I am currently taking zithromax (only thing my body is tolerating) and was on it when the blot was taken. It came back negative. They also used 1.5 week old blood.
Anyone else have experience? Any ideas how to get a second one paid for, and how long do I have to be of abx, or did the zithro not impact the test?
Thanks!
-------------------- Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it. (Mark Twain)
"It's only after you've lost everything," ... "that you're free to do anything." (Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club) Posts: 24 | From somewhere outside Boston, MA | Registered: Feb 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
1. You should be off antibiotics for a couple of weeks before doing a western blot to improve accuracy.
2. Did you neuro use IGeneX? It would be hard to believe if he did. Most other labs don't report on the really important bands. Like the LYME-SPECIFIC BANDS. (Sheesh, the sort-of important ones.) They're not "allowed" to.
3. You need an LLMD. While SOME neuros know about Lyme, they're few and far between. Even if you'd had a positive test, it's unlikely he'd know how to treat you correctly.
Spend a lot of time perusing the newbie links up top. Read Dr. Burrascano's Guidelines - a good starting point. I read your other post but confess ignorance of those tests. Likely your psych-related problems are purely from Lyme; many here have experienced those!
Do call up IGenex (see their website); their doc is brilliant and will help you through the process and answer questions regarding testing over the phone; they'll even send you a test kit and a free FedEx label to ship it back to them.
Hope you are on the path to wellness soon.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
It doesnt matter what the tests show because Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis! Please read up on this! Also, many of us agree that ID doctors are the worst to see for anything Lyme related, dont waste your time or $ on their BS. Okay:)
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Plus The ID duck probaly didnt order the right WB there not all created equill some only look for 5 or seven bands others look for 16.
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