I just got my blood work back and i tested negative for all the co-infections. Is it still possible that I could have them and get a false negative?? Can anyone help on this??
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Yes, it is possible. I had both bart and babs yet tested negative for them. It's a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms. They don't even test all strains of the coinfections, so you could have a strain they don't test for.
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
I dont know what I should do...Should I get tested again for these?? The only symptoms I have is very tired and air hunger. other then that I dont really have any symptoms. Ive been on abx for about 1 1/2 weeks so far.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- What lab was used?
Q: Can anyone help on this?
Your ILADS-educated LLMD is your best guide since many tests, even at the best labs, cannot tell us all we would like to know. It takes an experienced and knowledgeable expert who has treated hundreds, or thousands, of other patients with a variety of tick-borne infections. -
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
Lap corp was used. My LLMD said they were all negative. So I guess hes not worried. I am though. I want to make sure I really dont have the co-infections. So frustrating!
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
My LLMD says there is a method to his madness. And I believe him.
If you have only been treating 2 weeks I would worry more about getting bacteria load down without getting bed ridden.
And then think about what else may pop up. If you have bart.-many get a rash somewhere in treatment. If you have babs. many show signs of
that-RMSF some break out in the rash. Etc. Etc. I would not worry till something pops up or out.
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
First, were you tested at Igenex? Don't trust mainstream labs on these tests, I tested negative at Labcorp, but found the truth, positive for 2 at Igenex.
A good LLMd can help decipher co-infection treatment and many will cycle abx, etc., to cover the co-infections anyway.
If you do not improve over time during LD treatment, a co-infection would be why. There are very few who have LD alone and not co-infections.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Very tired with air hunger point to Babesia. Your LLMD should know this.
Yes, labs can be negative even when you have the infection. Your LLMD should know this.
How experienced is your LLMD?
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
My LLMD had been doin this for 20 years. Im goin to call the office again today and see if I can get some answers. Very tired and air hunger are my only 2 symptoms. Ive been told that the tireness is a sign that the abx is working. Is this true???
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Yes and the air hunger can be helped with replacement of electrolyte drink mixes like they make for vomiting and diarrhea.
They come in dry packages to mix or bottles-more expensive.
Your are killing the bugs and also killing cells that carry the electrolytes. They have to be replaced to feel better-if your body is not doing a great job of that, you can be experiencing those symptoms.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Many LLMD's will do a trial run of meds for coinfections you have symptoms for. You'll know then if you have it or not!!
OR... get tested again thru Fry or Igenex labs. LabCorp is NOT known for it's Lyme or coinfection testing!!!!!!!! ( big understatement! )
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
I called Igenex today and they want $660.00! I cant afford that! What is fry??? I never heard of that before??
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
Well I did get a positive result for Lyme through LabCorp. But i was also tested twice before I got a positive.
Posted by skigal (Member # 7443) on :
Try Clongen lab in MD, they might be cheaper. I believe they offer a wet mount/blood smear for $100.
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
great thank you! i will call them!
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Clinical diagnosis means no lab tests ! ! !
What is the obsession here with having to have body fluids tested
And even if they are tested, false negative results say you don't have it when you do . With this it can happen almost half of the time.
Docs that are not LL - Lyme Literate - think you have to have a test to prove it ! Hello, doc. Know how to read ? ? ?
This obsession takes up lots of time, energy + $$$ ! Why waste all that on something not needed ? Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
If seeing a ILADS LLMD I'll assume he knows what he's doing. If co-infection symptoms show up, he may do a trial of meds, as others mentioned.
And I think the obsession with tests has a lot to do with human nature. Basically people want to know for certain what they have. If they have bartonella, they would like a test that says so in front of them. I'm no different, but it's also important to realize a negative test is sort of meaningless. And you can have the diseases without a positive test.
And in the case of bartonella, it's sort of psychologically helpful to know for certain you have it, if you have to take a quinolone. Due to tendon risks, I think most would like to know they are taking that risk for a reason, at least.
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
I agree with lemon-lyme. I dont want to take all kinds of meds if its unnecessary but also dont want to take a chance getting really sick. I guess im stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
It is human nature for sure.
But.....why stick with the obsession ?
There is so much posting here about this obsession. I will now give all permission to change. www.mercola.com + search EFT. You can work on your reasons, which may be different from others reasons.
Let the EFT rip !
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- EFT can be helpful if emotions are involved in symptoms.
If infection is the cause, anti-infective medicine is required. But EFT can help with the emotions around all this. -
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Many doctors order labs so that when they are investigated by the Department of Health for treating outside of standards of care, they can justify their treatment protocols, keep their licenses and businesses, and continue to treat their very sick Lyme patients.
And, apparently, so we can criticize them.
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Keebs - IME it is all pretty connected. You don't get one without the other.
BoxerMom - it really annoys me that lyme docs have to play Cover Your A$$ when cancer docs can treat away. And charge away. With no real science to show their treatment helps most cancers.
To me that is annoying.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I hear ya, Massman. As long as you treat within the standard of care, it doesn't matter whether your patient lives or dies. You get paid, and have a fine career. I often wonder how these types of doctors live with themselves.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
Massman:
The obsession with testing body fluids is due to the nature of the treatment. Long term antibiotic use is harmful to the body with many risks, not the least being superinfection or antibiotic resistance.
If I am going to undergo long-term treatment with antibiotics AND drain my entire savings account, I want to make darn sure I have what is indicated for treatment.
Perhaps others share the same view.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
p.s. Sometimes the cure can be worse than the disease.
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