I had a CDC positive IgM and a negative IgG (missed being positive by one band being IND) from Igenex.
However, my Western Blot from MDL was negative for both (of course I couldn't see the bands just the results).
My Dot Blot Urine Assay from Igenex was negative as well.
My CD57 level was 23.
Given these results, does this mean I should get a Bowen Test to confirm or deny if I have Lyme? My internist thinks I have it despite some of the negative tests and gave me a diagnosis of chronic Lyme on my paper.
I was on Biaxin and Omnicef and now am switching to Ketek. ugh. I don't want to do these if I don't have this disease! My stomach, gallbladder and liver are already pretty bad off as it is.
What should I do next to get a better idea of whether I have Lyme? My internist is testing me for co-infections in a week.
Thank you guys in advance for your wise counsel.
Posted by quaicheng (Member # 8392) on :
Would not the reaction(s) to ABX be the most telling, as to whether you have an infection?
quai
Posted by vachick (Member # 8353) on :
I don't know...is that what indicates Lyme or other co0infection?
I herxed very badly on abx. In fact, I didn't know what a herx was and after about 6 days on abx I called my doctor and asked if it was possible to get WORSE on abx.
He thinks I have chronic Lyme and maybe neuro Lyme due to my right-sided muscle weakness, tingling, muscle numbness, etc. Those symptoms got much worse on abx.
However, I do have one thing I noticed. Before I took the abx, I used to get this strange rash on my face, neck and chest whenever my immune system was stressed (got a cold/sinus infection, pushed my body too far).
Two weeks ago I got a slight cold and DID NOT get that rash for the FIRST time in 15 years!! It might be a fluke but it certainly is something I will note!
Still not convinced I have Lyme...
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
Hi! Go to TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE LINKS on top of 1st medical screen. Print the links off as you read as there are months of reading & many prompt additions.
Print Dr. B's 05 lyme guidelines...40 pages. You'll learn more from that. Study it carefully.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by vachick: I had a CDC positive IgM and a negative IgG (missed being positive by one band being IND) from Igenex.
Well then, yours is way more positive than my WB was and I KNOW I have Lyme! IND is the same as a weak positive.
The fact that you herxed is another indicator that you indeed have Lyme. You do NOT want to let this very serious illness go untreated. The consequences of that decision would be dire.
I don't know how long you've had Lyme, but each day that goes by and you/we don't do something about it is another day the keets have to infiltrate our organs, our brains, and our hearts.
Get with the program now or you will one day regret your decision not to do anything.
That's really cool about the rash not showing up! Proves to me that you are on the right track! [but I'm not a dr! just an experienced Lymie who's been ill for years]
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi VA
Lyme -Babs - Bart ect-- Are diognosed by symptoms ONLY --
Use test to conferm disease-- Not Rule Out--
The problem is the test are so inaccurate and give False Negitives--(positive)
To many things can sque the results--
False Negitive is Much more likely than Fasle positive--
The test is very complacated to preform-many steps- Has to be done Perfictly--
The test dose not have a clear yes or no answer-
A lab tech looks at a slide that your test was preformed on threw a special hi power micro scope--and grades in degree-
The organisms they are looking for are very small and hard to find--
The test is only a picture in time -- At That Moment Only--
The disease is changing continusly-Germ load up down ect.-
I have a friend who was a lab tech- she explained how the test is preformed- All the steps ect--
After she explained how it is done -- Made me envision a Frankin Stine movie lab test--
Electricty is used to make your antibodies (not germ) go to spefic place on the slide--Many steps-complucated--
The antibodies Have to be there- and coperate completely--
Everything has to be perfict--
Then a lab tech looks at the test slide threw a micro scope-
The tech only gets so much time to look at the slide-- then there off to the Next One- Think production line--
I used to work at a company that made computer chip making machines in a clean room-- The cheapest machines cost $7 millon--
We were paid very well-had training- and they wanted it --Done Right Not Fast-- No pressure to be fast--
Even with work conditions like this people Still screwed thing up All the time --
There was 1200 people in the clean room-- about 75 took the job seriously--
A guy named Danny screwed up almost every thing he touched--
And when he was having problems at home- he some how put a parts on backwards--He had assembled many of these parts before--
After the part was installed backwards the rest of the parts did not fit correctly at all--
Danny was so Zoned out-- he finished assembling the the parts-- Looked like a Rube Goldberg-
The machine was completely trashed- cost 175 Thousand dollars-------
I have Lyme and Babs --No Doubt-
I had a picture perfict Lyme Bullseye bruse 20 yrs ago weeks before I got sick--
About a year ago I had the WB tests done-- Tests came back Indtirminate (IND)
Luckly my LLMD dose not put any faith in the tests --
Now I am getting well now ---
So the morial to the story is--
Dont us tests to Rule Out Desease- ONLY To Conferm--- And Danny is out there working somewhere-- Maybe he is a Lab Tech--Jay--