I remember being bit by several bugs about 24 years ago when I was at a party in a heavily wooded area. Within a week a rash came about that is still there today,but faded. The rash is on both ankles and looks blotchy, like blood under the skin. Do any of you experts think this could be related to Lyme? I started getting Lyme symptoms after the birth of my 1st son (13yrs ago). Most of my sxs are neuro such as; ataxia,balance issues, neuropathy, vertigo, etc. Just thinking (always) about where I could have acquired this disease. Let me know what you think and thanks alot.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
for starters...have you seen doctors and been worked up for your neuro symptoms? Have you had any lab testing done for lyme?
by the way....welcome...
Timaca
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
I have seen 5 different neuro docs and many other physicians regarding these sxs over the past 2 years. Lyme has always been in the differential diagnosis but the dx was never pursued because I tested negative to the Elisa. The neuros told me that it was reliable and very accurate. Now I know otherwise, thanks to all of you here on Lymenet. I recently was referred to a LLMD in the area and he's working with my PCP on my case. He ordered the Western Blot which I had just yesterday but it's going thru Quest. Above I asked about the rash that's on my ankles....could this be an EM rash??????
Posted by geniveve (Member # 8646) on :
just my opinion, but i would not rely on quest nor labcorp. both did tests and said they were negative.
only igenex (in my opinion) is competent to diagnose lyme. there might be others but i'm not aware of any.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by tic chick: Above I asked about the rash that's on my ankles....could this be an EM rash??????
Absolutely!!!! Quest is PATHETIC for lyme testing. Please find a dr who knows how to DIAGNOSE AND TREAT chronic Lyme!!! Your quality of life and possibly life itself is at stake!
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
LLMD, Dr D is working together with my PCP although I have not had an appt to see him yet. How long does the Western Blot take to get the results?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
About 3 weeks if thru Igenex.
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
The Western Blot was run thru the Quest Lab and I got a negative result today. I called Quest to find out if they go by the CDC guidelines, knowing that they are strict and miss many people with LD, and the person I asked said "yes, we absolutely go by CDC standards." The results were faxed to my LLMD. I wish they had run the test thru Igenex. Now what happens were the WB was negative?
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
My PC Doctor ran the titer and so I made a few calls and had blood drawn again to have the WB and PC called today and said it was negative and that she would fax the results to Dr D (LLMD). This WB was done by Quest. Will the LLMD be able to properly interpret the results? Why would they even run these tests if Lyme is a clinical diagnosis? I don't know what to do and am very discouraged.
Posted by YorktownNL (Member # 7657) on :
Your LLMD won't put much faith in the results from Quest and should dx based on symptoms. Will likely send off serum to Igenex too. As well as a ton of other bloodwork.
I went through a run around a year ago too and was finally able to point my PCP to the right guidelines despite the negative results from the run of the mill labs. He eventually tried abx which proved very effective confirming his clinical diagnosis.
After a year of treatment I'm finally on board with an LLMD who was surprised my PCP treated as aggressively as he did...I was lucky but I didn't take now for an answer. But I was called looney by a few ducks too!!
Hang in there and take charge or your situation. You've learned alot here, get to a doctor that will help you!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)