Hubby's LLMD called us out of the blue and totally confused us a week ago when he said there was a new test for Babesia he wanted hubby to do. He was having a neurologist review some of his files and said that he wasn't sure he could justify using a Lyme diagnosis for hubby unless he had a positive babesia test. We assumed he meant that it would be next to impossible to get a positive Lyme test for hubby but that if he could prove he had babesia then it was safe to assume he also had Lyme.
Needless to say we were upset and moved up our LLMD appointment by 3 weeks to find out what was going on.
Hubby has his appointment next Wednesday.
Per discussion with the F lab today --
The "Advanced staining" uses a proprietary stain. A high percentage of patients have a positive test. 2 photos are provided as with the regular stain.
The problem with the test is that there is no way to identify what organisms are contained within the biofilm -- could be bacteria or protozoa.
Hubby has not had this test done and personally I don't see a need to do it. But if his LLMD insists then I guess we will do it.
In my opinion it is pretty safe to assume that if one has a positive F lab bloodsmear then they also would have a positive test for biofilm.
Bea Seibert
P.S. I think Kelmo said she had posted her daughters new stain on LymeFriends. I am in the process of registering but have not seen her photo.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
How come Fry Labs is getting so many ### on tests that don't have a definitive result and now even promoting a new one they know will not in the beginning? At first I thought it was the ezception and not the norm.
Something just seems wrong with the whole situation when this lab collects $300+ per blood smear. I have no doubt the owner is trying hard, but from a patient viewpoint this doesn't seem acceptable. As I've said many times, this lab needs to offer free follow-up testing at a later time to make good on this. It's backwards logic.
Wow Bea, a LLMD who actually needs a positive test to treat? Very rare. Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Seek,
Not sure yet, but I think hubby's LLMD will still treat him but will no longer use the Lyme diagnosis code. We have had PCP's who will not use a Lyme diagnosis code for insurance purposes before.
Bea Seibert
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I sure wish my docs could use a different code! It's actually very smart.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
bea, very interesting; good luck on this next visit Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Heck maybe they are on to something?
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Up
Anyone else had this test done yet?
Bea Seibert
Posted by minoucat (Member # 5175) on :
Bea, I'm not sure I understand. The test is for a biofilm with the presumption that the biofilm is due to pathogens? But the test doesn't suggest an antibacterial/protozoal/other treatment protocol?
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
He isn't sold on the protocol, he's trying different combos that are safe for long term.
The biofilm is stronger than we thought. I was surprised that it was so easy to find in my daughter's blood after over three years of constant treatment.
I think enzymes might play a big role in breaking them down IMO
My LLMD does not use Lyme as a code either. The insurance company just knows my daughter has a systemic bacterial infection that causes myalgia symptoms.
There has never been a question.
Posted by MarsyNY (Member # 7766) on :
Bea,
My friend just had blood drawn for the "new test" which according to Dr. F shows several results at the same time. This was promped by my question for her for the Dr. "Is this the haemobartonella or the protozoa?" And then he explained that the test is finding several things at the same time(?)
Bea, is this the biofilm test? Which one is that on the list?
I would like to get some tests done but it looks like it would cost alot more than $300 for me.
She will get her results when she goes back in September. She is very patient, has the utmost confidence in the labs work and is very happy that I nudged her for a whole year to go to Dr. F.
Posted by bigdreams87 (Member # 20493) on :
Are you saying watch the Dr. F one? or all?
Posted by bigdreams87 (Member # 20493) on :
Dr. F... no clue what the other ones are.
I think Dr. F's finding are big though. It's very complex and could be why we are all so sick... check it out, it may be it's weight worth in Gold to you.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
As I've said many times, this lab needs to offer free follow-up testing at a later time to make good on this. It's backwards logic.![[Smile]](smile.gif)