Okay. I'm getting to be an old-timer on these boards, being almost 1000 now. I think I should know this, but, alas, I don't.
My PA seemed concerned that I stay on the ABX (as if I wouldn't) because I had a positive blood PCR. He said the Lyme is swimming in my blood.
This isn't my first-ever positive PCR. But I guess I never thought much about this. If there's plenty of Lyme in the blood, does than mean I'm overrun? I believe they like to congregate in the tissues. This was my first positive PCR in years, though I haven't had one in years!
Steph
P.S. I've had little treatment since my '02 diagnosis, due to various issues.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Don't think this necessarily follows. You may have just gotten lucky in having the spirokete in that blood sample.
Posted by Troup Brazelton (Member # 6297) on :
Are you taking a cyst busting drug? Has the doctor changed abx?
Posted by livinlyme (Member # 3773) on :
HEy Star,, if that is the rule of thumb, then it won't explain why my son had PCR positive and no blood tests ever came back with any bands showing..
it is the luck of the draw I think... conventional tests are really lacking in accuracy.. Igenex is more likely the only one I would place a little faith in....on the conventional side of Lyme..
I dont trust the Western blot much since they altered the number of bands and dropped the more sensitive ones in 1990....too many people were coming out positive.. okay so now you know why I support Bowens test....more people have this than know.. and if they tested people with an accurate test I wouldn't be surprise at how high the positive numbers really are.. Rally up people we have work to do!
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
Thanks, folks.
I am taking a cyst-busting drug, Plaquenil. I cannot take Flagyl.
I'm taking new ABX, but not due to a switch, due to finally getting the right treatment.
I see the PA next Tuesday.
Steph
Posted by bpeck (Member # 3235) on :
A positive PCR doesn't mean you are over-run with bacteria... it just means that Lyme bacteria's DNA has been found in your blood.
PCR can't differentiate between live & dead bacteria so. ARE you symptomatic?
How's your IgG response? ANything there?
Barb
You are taking an alkalizing agent (Plaquenil) and an abx - so you're probably damaging or killing intracellular (lyme )bacteria.
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
Barb: Yup, I'm symptomatic. I'm at the beginning of treatment. The test was taken prior to treatment.
He seemed to indicate that I have a high germ load. I have been sick for decades.
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I think I should know this, but, alas, I don't.