Topic: Possible to have Lyme but NO co-infections?
BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
my lyme test was cdc and igenex positive
I don't have any symptoms of co-infections so my doc doesn't want to treat them at all yet because he bases on symptoms and tests (which are not very accurate). But from what I read here, mostly everyone has co-infections
Should I be concerned with treating them?
I am starting month 3 of Amoxicillin and Zith for the lyme
thanks
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
If you don't have any symptoms of co-infections, and after treatment for Lyme you get all better, I personally wouldn't worry about it.
If after taking antibiotics for a while and if you don't improve, then I would at least suspect co-infections, especially if new symptoms develop. If you ever end up taking Doxy, that should at least kill off ehrlichia. Zith should hit Bartonella some, so if you get heel/calf pain, you can ask to get retested for it.
A good doc will diagnose you with co-infections even if test is negative, but you show symptoms. So... wait and see if symptoms show up?
And I've wondered the opposite: how possible it is to have co-infections and not Lyme... I've found it a lot easier to get positive co-infection test results than CDC positive Lyme tests.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I concur with Lemon-Lyme. Watch for new symptoms, especially ones that are fairly unique to co-infections. Pain in the soles of your feet is unique to Bartonella. Excessive sweating and air hunger are unique to Babesia. I'm not sure what's unique to Ehrlichia.
I wonder about how possible it is to have multiple co-infections without having Lyme too. I was positive for Babesia and Bartonella but not Lyme. It's good news, but I would like to have some way to really rule out Lyme. Would a normal CD-57 count essentially rule out Lyme?
-------------------- Bart and Babesia seropositive Current tx: Rifampin, Biaxin, Bactrim DS, Artemisinin, Resveratrol (japanese knotweed), Red Root, Boneset Posts: 168 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
I don't think there is really anything unique to ehrlichia like the other co-infections, which is why I think most docs start off using Doxy. But since Summer is nearby, I'll assume that is why it wasn't given in this case. Perhaps his doc plans to introduce Doxy later on, maybe.
Not sure if a normal CD-57 would necessarily rule out Lyme. My ILADS doc used to do that test, but doesn't anymore, saying it doesn't tell him much of anything.
Bartonella can be transmitted from fleas, etc, besides ticks, but what about Babesia? I think if a person has any tick based disease and Lyme symptoms, it's smart to consider treating for Lyme regardless of WB.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
It is possible, but not likely. LLMd's cannot neatly categorize symptoms under each infection, the symptoms cross over too much.
As you treat LD, if you become stalled in treatment, co-infections would be why. You cannot get well from LD unless all co-infections are cleared too.
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