posted
I pulled an embedded tick off my son last night (freaking out!). I want to send the tick to get tested. Should I send it to Clongen or Igenex?
Clongen is closer, and may get there sooner, yet, they say that the tick can be dead or alive.
Does Igenex test accuracy depend on whether the tick is alive? Not sure if it will survive the shipping, since I put it in the refrigerator last night, and it looks very lethargic...maybe dying.
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
The tick does not have to be alive. When I pulled mine off, the head stayed in my flesh. Igenex still tested it.
A tick will get lethargic (hibernate) in the cold, so don't worry. The fridge didn't hurt it.
Just put a moist piece of cotton or tissue in with it so that it does not dry out. This is the important thing. They don't want a dried out tick.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks, Tim. I have both forms filled out, just have to package the darn thing, and decide which one to go with.
Posts: 418 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Just know that it took 3 weeks to get the Igenex results when I did it years ago.
What are you going to do during that 3 weeks? Put son on meds?
I recently found out that Quest will also test a tick that is sent in by a doctor. The test is 30280X. It looks for the DNA of lyme in the tick using PCR. A woman got her results from this lab in one week. This way, the test will likely be covered by insurance. But, I don't know how accurate Quest is.
The above is only my opinion, but it is exactly what I would do for my own family if they were bitten in an endemic area. We don't "play" with ticks here. We go for it.
posted
Ok, thanks. I just got back from my doctor and she put him on doxy for 6 wks., and flagyl for the first 6 days. She just got back from a week of training with Dr. H., so I guess this is the protocol they are going by now.
She said not to bother testing the tick, since he is being treated. They would send it to Quest for me, though.
I left with tick in bag, thinking that I would not send it. But, I am having second thoughts, and may send it anyway.
It looks like Clongen tests are more species specific., and they require the tick to be packaged differently. (without damp cotton) I don't understand this because the tick will die and dry out. I don't think that I am going to make it to mail it today. I hope that it will be okay to mail it tomorrow.
Posts: 418 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
Well, I made it, and the tick is on it's way to CA. It may be a waste of money, but, if I had the chance to test what got me sick 11 yrs. ago, maybe I would know more about what has made me sick for so long.
So, I deciided that it was worth the money for a little bit of knowledge. I hope it turns out negative on all tests.
My doctor is also testing my son for all coinfections and lyme up front, to see if he already has something (she will retest in 6 wks).
I noticed some scratch-like marks on his back a few months ago, and thought they looked like bartonella streaks, but, he has no symptoms. So, I figured he must have scraped himself climbing a tree or something.
Anyway, showed it to Dr., and she thinks it's definitely bart. streaks. Great.
Posts: 418 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2007
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