LymeNet Flash: advice please--is Igenex co-infection testing worthwhile?

This is topic advice please--is Igenex co-infection testing worthwhile? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by santa_pax (Member # 8318) on :

Hi everybody,

Does anyone have any experiences with Igenex co-infection testing (ie, for bartonlla, ehrlichia, rickettsia, RMSF etc)?

Was it useful, worth the expense? Is it superior to other testing?

Any tips on whether any panels or specific type of test give better info. than any others?

Lastly, my LLMD suggested repeating the W. Blot for borreliosis. My first W. Blot had 6 bands positive on IgM and 7 on IgG.

Does anyone know why repeating this test would be useful?

Any comments appreciated very much,

santa_pax [Smile]

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

up for answers; i'll look at my igx and md lab test results tomorrow making sure they agree.

do you have a copy of my NEWBIE LINKS/ADVISE from me? i'll send you a PM now.

many answers are in there; plus it has TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE LINKS ARCHIVE ... so check it out thoroughly; lots of wisdom there! [Wink]

Posted by santa_pax (Member # 8318) on :

Thank-you Betty very much I did get the PM,

I will try my best to read it. It did occur to me the information I'm looking for might be on the site already,

but I often have difficulty reading long pieces of info., so I thought asking some questions was a good plan.

s_pax

Posted by santa_pax (Member # 8318) on :

Thanks cave [Smile]

If insurance covered the testing I would go right ahead...but it doesnt so im trying to get an idea of how helpful this will be.

Any other comments about testing/repeating tests from anyone?

[ 01. March 2007, 12:45 AM: Message edited by: santa_pax ]

Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :

Don't know how long ago your western blot was...

I can imagine an LLMD wanting a fresh look at the state of your antibodies.

Certain bands are known to be evident in late-stage lyme.

He may want to see how many +++'s you have, or indeterminates, etc... these will help him determine how strong your immune system is.

And by the way, IGeneX co-infection tests are definitely a must.

I skipped them (too broke!), only to find a year into treatment that I had babesia WA-1 (though very atypical signs). So I would definitely get that done.

That's MY best guess!

Michelle

Posted by santa_pax (Member # 8318) on :

Those are great tips and comments--thank you Michelle! [hi]

If anyone has more please add 'em. [Smile]

Posted by santa_pax (Member # 8318) on :

Question for Michelle:

Do you mean you had been getting the wrong treatment prior to doing the co-infection testing? Ie, either because you didnt know you had babesia at all, or because you were being treated for the wrong strain?

[hi]

Posted by KKYOUNG (Member # 10024) on :

I have had an Elisa and two western blots - both came back "absent". None of mine were done at Ingenix, they were completed at a lab in South Bend, Indiana. I don't have the money to pay for Ingenix. I have no doubt I have a form of lyme or co-infection. I have all the symptoms, started with a bout of flu, chronic fatigue that comes and goes on a minutes notice, sharp stabbing searing pains all over my body, searing pain in my feet where It hurts so bad I can't put pressure on them. The docs here are of the mindset that if you don't show positive - you don't have it. Go home and ignore it.

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