posted
About 3 weeks ago I tested positive on the Elisa & the #41 & 23 bands on the Western blot were reactive. At that time my doctors said to wait another 4 weeks since I had no clinical symptoms. I had 2 spotty itchy rashes 2 months ago with mild sore throat with one & mild fever with another, but no symptoms now that I know of.
I am being advised to have my blood draw sent to Igenex but given the prior Western blot with the reactive 23 & 41 bands, is there any poini in undergoing that expense? Should I just go ahead & start treatment?
posted
I was first bitten sometime in May. I never saw the bug. It turned into a blotchy large rash on my thigh that itched like mad. Didn't look at all like the Lyme's online rash pictures tho. At the time I remember having a mild sore throat. That went away in a few weeks & almost right away I got bitten again on my chest. Same looking bite, same looking rash, horribly itchy. I had been told by the clinic here locally that I had to wait to be tested so I did that end of June. Elisa was positive; Western blot showed bands #23 & 41 reactive.
BUT I have had Cdiff since September (which dictates not taking any antibiotics unless absolutely necessary). Given that the doctors wanted to wait again & retest to be sure because going on antibiotics could cause a relapse of the Cdiff & that would be bad. I'm not sure which would be worse though.
Anyway, having been doing a lot of reading & getting recommendations to have this sample tested at Igenex, I just wonder if I shouldn't just bite the bullet & go ahead & treat. Start tomorrow. I would do the retest but I don't see the point necessarily in going through all the hassle of getting a test kit from Igenex & all that expense if so far things SEEM to point to my having LD.
What to do? I am 69 & have already been through hell with Cdiff. Lost 30 pounds in 2 months & just about lived on the couch. Don't want to go back to that but don't want all the horrible things of untreated Lyme's either.
posted
pam, were YOU the one i talked to in last 2 days who had the western blot igm/igg tested at MAYO CLINIC?
if yes, i told you i had reservations about your tests as the person who wrote me typed out what was on their sheet, and many QUESTIONABLE things i noticed.
i talk to so many folks daily; i can't keep you all straight! sorry; neuro lyme brain!
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