Hi. My new LLMD (I was referred to him by several on this site, and I thank you!) sent out blood tests for coinfections and to screen out nonLyme causes like rheumatoid arthritis. We decided not to test for Lyme since I saw/removed the tick and had the classic rash (that was immediately recognized by my regular internist). Would there be any reason why I would want/need to have the Lyme tested? (it is out of pocket and the costs are killing me) How long for them to come back from Igenex? My LLMD said we would go over the tests at my next apptmt which is 3 wks from now. Am I right to assume he'll call me if there's anything in them that needs to be treated? or make me wait? thanks, Carol
Posted by 3 limes (Member # 8520) on :
Igenex takes about 10 business days from the point in time they receive your blood. You can call them on their 800# when it gets close to the 10 days and ask them if they are finished and if have they been sent. Sometimes they will fax them if completed to your doctor so you don't have to wait extra days for them to arrive in the mail. Sometimes since I have to FedEx them myself, I have added a note to please fax to my doctor when completed and highlight his number. We often only see our doctor every two months and want test results to be there when we see him so he can prescribe/treat accordingly.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
The rash is diagnostic in itself. The tests are not all that good, even at the best labs, and definitely not much good with very early catches, like yours. It takes time for antibodies to form and this is what the lyme tests are measuring.
So, my opinion is not to bother with lyme testing. But it would have been a good move to photograph the rash.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
The only reason I can think of to do the testing at this point is for insurance purposes. Have no idea what guidelines your insurance company uses. A positive test would be additional ammo to use for negotiating with insurance company over treatment.
If you will be on oral antibiotics the insurance company will probably not be difficult, but if for some reason now or in the future you and your LLMD decide you need to be on IV antibiotics it could get sticky with the insurance company. A lot depends on what state you are in and what insurance company you have.
Is your LLMD local or in the same state you are in? If so, they probably already know the general guidelines of your insurance company regarding Lyme disease treatment.
If your rash comes back at any point during treatment, be sure to get photographs.
Bea Seibert
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
quote:Originally posted by csperanza:
Hi. My new LLMD (I was referred to him by several on this site, and I thank you!) sent out blood tests for coinfections and to screen out nonLyme causes like rheumatoid arthritis.
We decided not to test for Lyme since I saw/removed the tick and had the classic rash (that was immediately recognized by my regular internist ).
Would there be any reason why I would want/need to have the Lyme tested? (it is out of pocket and the costs are killing me)
How long for them to come back from Igenex? My LLMD said we would go over the tests at my next apptmt which is 3 wks from now. Am I right to assume he'll call me if there's anything in them that needs to be treated? or make me wait? thanks, Carol
Carol, medicare will pay for western blot igm/igg. My private state employee BCBS paid only $43 of the $190 charges since it was OUT OF STATE/OUT OF NETWORK!
Also, so far out of pocket expenses for me since 4-20-06 have been $3700 - $3800 for 2 LLMD appts., 15-18 complete body labs which BC/medicare paid majority of, and $700 of supplementals most of them covering ONE MONTH only of taking! Expensive; you bet your bippy!
Haggling with BC since I sent over $1,000 of bills to start with in April 06, & they haven't written, called or DONE ANYTHING. All sent to the billings supr. since it's for "opted out of MEDICARE:" expenses. She had NOT seen one bill; her asst. did/make copies & sent to each state involved! We'll see.
Also, call IGENEX and ask them to FAX your results as they have told me several times; it takes ONE WEEK to do the testing, and then mailing takes around 1 more week!
Fax results & snail mmail paper copy since my clinic LOST my results for 4.5 wks!
Request YOUR MD call you with results: you are positive, negative, etc. Then you can meet with them, and get 2 copies of the results! 1 for yourself & for possible SSDI, SS disability insurance app claim! Bettyg