posted
Hi - I need a little help here with some test results. I have been experiencing some symptoms recently:
Brain Fog Word Retrieval issues back of neck sore anxiety a little tired/run down at times and dizzyness when I get up at times but not frequently
My primary Dr. suggest I see a Neurologist, which I did and he tested me for the following as I find at least 1-2 ticks on myself every year and live in Northern NJ.
Labcorp
Babesia microti IgG 1:40 (High)
everything else was negative (Babesia microti IgM, Ab/Western Blot Reflex, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, etc.)
Should I be concerned with the Babesia #'s. The Dr. said it just indicated a past infection and not to be concerned.
I am not sure if I should seek a LLMC as none of the ones I have found take insurance and it would be a big out of pocket expense when I am not even sure if I have anything.
Thanks in advance, Steve
Posts: 4 | From sparta | Registered: Nov 2012
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www.igenex.com Test #188 and 189 would be a good place to start
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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droid1226
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34930
posted
RUN to an LLMD. Do not put this off. Google anything about lyme disease and you will find thousands of people who did exactly what you did....waited too long for treatment..and now are extremely sick. A pos. babesia test means you most likely have lyme and babesia minimum. Babesia is a co infection of lyme, so it's safe to assume you have lyme too. Especially WITH symptoms.
Previous exposure??Every mainstream doc says that...You need a specialist. NOW.
Since you tested positive on the IgG for babesiosis, you definitely have babesiosis. The doctor is wrong saying that the IgG indicates a past infection. It isn't past. You got it in the past but since you were never treated for it, it is still very much present. This is a fact, not an opinion. The doctor who made the ridiculous statement that the babesiosis is in the past is the one expressing an opinion--on a subject he knows nothing about.
So, you won't be wasting any money seeing a lyme doctor. If you are the rare bird that has only babesiosis, the lyme doctor will treat you for that.
Please know that babesiosis is very difficult to get rid of, so you really need a doctor who specializes in lyme and its coinfections to be able to return you to health.
It is expensive to see a good lyme doctor. But, this gives you the best chance of getting rid of your diseases.
The symptoms you name are classic lyme symptoms. See them listed on pages 9-10 of the Burrascano Guidelines cited above. You will see:
word search; name block (your word retrieval issues)
Neck creaks and cracks, stiffness, neck pain
Off balance, �tippy� feeling Lightheadedness
Anxiety, panic attacks
Confusion, difficulty thinking Difficulty with concentration, reading, problem absorbing new information
I remember the stiff and sore necks quite well. And the word finding problems. The longer this goes on, the worse the brain fog can get, so for the sake of your brain, get yourself to a very good lyme specialist and get treated for your diseases.
I got rid of lyme, babesiosis, and bartonella over 7 1/2 years ago. I did it by going to a doctor who followed the Burrascano Guidelines. I had 2 other lyme doctors before him. They were not able to get me to wellness. They didn't follow Burrascano.
I have sent friends to doctors who follow the Burrascano Guidelines and at least 3-4 of them got rid of their diseases.
So, in the 10 years that I have been around this disease, what I learned is that many doctors treat lyme and its coinfections, but very few know enough to get rid of it for a person. You must find one of those few.
I know a handful of doctors who have the knowledge. I don't know where sparta is, but if you are willing to travel to the Maryland/DC area, let me know and I can give you some names.
The lyme doctors I recommend all follow the Burrascano Guidelines. I suggest that before you make an appointment with any lyme doctor you find out if he follows Burrascano. If he doesn't, I would not make the appointment.
Do a lot of research on the doctor before going to him because you are going to lay out a lot of cash. Do a whole lot of research--call lyme support groups, ask here on LymeNet for patient reports, current patients, if the doc has cured anybody, etc. See "Support Groups" on left side of page and contact those near you.
Glad you found LymeNet.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Here is a key point for you to notice:
"DIAGNOSTIC HINTS Lyme Borreliosis (LB) is diagnosed clinically, as no currently available test, no matter the source or type, is definitive in ruling in or ruling out infection with these pathogens, or whether these infections are responsible for the patient's symptoms. The entire clinical picture must be taken into account.....
Consideration should be given to tick exposure, rashes (even atypical ones), evolution of typical symptoms in a previously asymptomatic individual, and results of tests for tick-borne pathogens. Another very important factor is response to treatment- presence or absence of Jarisch Herxheimer-like reactions, the classic four-week cycle of waxing and waning of symptoms, and improvement with therapy." (page 7 of Burrascano Guidelines)
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it. I have an appt. with someone on Monday. Hopefully we can get this sorted out.
Posts: 4 | From sparta | Registered: Nov 2012
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
papag,
How did you get an appointment with a LLMD so soon? Most of the good one are booked 3 to 6 months out.
posted
gmb - not one of the know lyme dr's in my area, but someone who accepts insurance. Below is a post about him from another board...
Everyone please listen! The best and the most experienced doctor in this specialty is Dr. XXX. Trust me. He's been helping people for years who have been suffering from Lyme Disease!! Trust me on this. He's seen patients from xxxx and the others.. I don't have enough room to list his credentials. He specializing sports medicine/Internist. He's in the hall of fame, Is the fight doctor for all MMA events, Team doc for eagles, soccer team usa etc, PRP injections, and all very unique disorders..
I will see how it goes and if he doesn't work out I will try one of the big names who don't accept insurance.
Posts: 4 | From sparta | Registered: Nov 2012
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quote:Originally posted by papag: He specializing sports medicine/Internist. He's in the hall of fame, Is the fight doctor for all MMA events, Team doc for eagles, soccer team usa etc, PRP injections, and all very unique disorders..
- Don't see how he would have time for treating Lyme patients if he does all of those things.
Glad you are aware of what you NEED though! Knowing when to move on is critical.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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