Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
I am halfway through the wonderful book Cure Unknown.
I have a question, though.
The author states (or I think she states) that if a person has ever been on antibiotics at any point in their lives for anything (acne, this or that infection, etc.) there is a possibility they will never test positive for Lyme.
I received my clinical diagnosis last week and am awaiting my Igenex report. I was on low dose Tetracycline for about 10 years as a teen and young adult due to acne.
Do you think this will have a bearing on my Lyme and co-infections testing?
I am experiencing a whole new realm of fear now.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I guess it would make sense that the antibiotics would lower the immune response..but I've been on and off antibiotics my whole life for various things, especially recurring strep & tonsillitis. and I've repeatedly tested positive for lyme through a couple different labs.
Posts: 16 | From new england | Registered: May 2008
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posted
It wasn't true in my case. I have been tons of antibiotics for bladder infections all my life. But, I still tested Igenex IgG and IgM positive.
Posts: 495 | From SF Bay area, CA | Registered: Dec 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I was on antibiotics for years for rheumatic fever (from 2nd grade until 9th grade, off and on) and I tested positive for lyme through LabCorp and then Igenex.
You say Pam says "there is a possibility they will never test positive for lyme."
There is that possibility for us all I would say, because of how our immune systems can be fooled by the lyme. Doesn't matter whether or not we have been on antibiotics long term.
I don't think you have anything to worry about. You got a clinical diagnosis, so you are on your way!
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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SForsgren
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Member # 7686
posted
That doesn't sound right to me. Almost everyone has been on antibiotics at some point and many test positive.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Lyme Disease is a clinical dx.
I listened to a person speak from Igenex and she talked about how they miss a certain percentage of cases via testing so it is important to see a doctor who is lyme literate.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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TerryK
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Member # 8552
posted
I know that even my State pages on lyme disease have stated that if one gets abx treatment right after they are infected, they may never test positive for lyme. Perhaps that is what she is talking about??
Do you have a page number?
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
quote: Do you have a page number?
Terry
Hi Terry,
I will go through the book later today and get the exact quote and page number. That's a great idea. That may help put the idea in a different context.
It is a relief to know that I may still get a positive result on my blood work.
Although I believe I have Lyme (have actually thought so for years and years), my husband is skeptical. He said he won't believe it completely until he sees a positive blood result.
For me personally, that's why I so desperately need the antibiotics I used to take not to interfere with my results. It is very important to me that he validates my illness.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Leelee,
It is important to realize the sorry truth about blood tests for lyme disease; for everyone, they can miss true positive cases.
The blood tests are inaccurate at least 50% of the time; many say more often. This is because the tests are grossly insensitive, and they just will not pick up true lyme cases, whether you have had antibiotics or not.
That is why, like Kam said, lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis which factors in your history, exposures, symptoms, and lots of tests that a lyme literate doctor will give, including physical examinations and blood tests.
But since false negatives are common, no knowledgeable doctor or patient should put much emphasis on this test.
I read on one government website (British) that listed up reasons why a lyme blood test might be negative when the person actually has lyme disease. One of the reasons was that if a person takes antibiotics soon after the tick bite that gives them lyme, then they may not test positive.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
My daughter had been on abx for 6 weeks and tested positive immediately after that with Igenex.
Posts: 499 | From Malta, NY | Registered: Dec 2008
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