Just got news that I tested +ANA (autoimune) and have low white blood count? I am being treated by LLMD for 9 months and feeling great. Surpirsed by these 2 results...Was told Lyme can throw these tests off?? is this true? retesting next week. Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Many things can cause a positive ANA, even Lyme. I also tested positive once on an ANA then negative later. ANA shows inflammation, but doesn't help to explain why.
Low WBC can indicate co-infections. From Dr. Burrascano's guidelines:
EHRLICHIA/ANAPLASMA- � Rapid onset of initial illness with fever, headache, prostration. � Headaches are sharp, knife-like, and often behind the eyes. � Muscle pain, not joint pain, and can be mild or severe. � Low WBC count, elevated liver enzymes, and (rarely) inclusions seen in the WBCs. � Rarely see diffuse vasculitic rash, including palms and soles (less than 10%). � Rapid response to treatment.
DNA VIRUSES (HHV-6, EBV, CMV) � Persistent fatigue, made worse with exercise. � Sore throat, lymphadenopathy, and other viral-like complaints. � May see elevated liver enzymes and low WBC counts. � Autonomic dysfunction.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Taking lyme meds can cause a low white blood cell count. It happened to me. My lyme doc gave me Transfer Factor and in 2 weeks it brought my white count back up to normal so I did not have to stop meds.
Evidently, after we are on antibiotics for some time, the body can get the message that it doesn't have to make white blood cells anymore. White blood cells fight infection. Our antibiotics are doing it for us.
The Transfer Factor I took was bovine colostrum. It worked great. When my white blood count went low again, my doc said to just stay on the Transfer Factor this time until I was finished with treatment--which was a few more months.
So, since you have been treating 9 months and feeling great, I would guess that it is a natural reaction of the body to your continuous antibiotic use.
I am happy for you that you are experiencing feeling well. It has been 5 years since I completed my lyme treatment and I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life--the same life I had before lyme disease. And, I went undiagnosed for 10 years.
Waiting for the day you tell us your success story!!
Posted by jenn (Member # 21687) on :
TF, You are my Success story! thanks for sharing! I think it has to do with abx. What exactly is Transfer Factor~ bovine colostrum? never heard of it. Please more info! Is it pills? How long did treatment last for you after going undiagnosed for 10yrs? I myself undiagnosed 3 months~till treatment started with LLMD. Your my inspiration~need more stories like yours! jen
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
"Bovine" means "cow" and colostrum is the first milk a mother produces. That milk transfers to the newborn the immunities of the mother. That's why it is considered very important for a mother to nurse her newborn at least at first.
Why not google "transfer factor" and see your results. I have heard that some studies have given Transfer Factor to cancer patients also.
There are many brands of it. They are pills or capsules sold at health food stores. I believe my lyme doc carried the ones he preferred, or else he told me what to buy. I may have bought it at the Vitamin Shoppe. Can't remember.
It worked so quickly and so well for me. There are threads on LymeNet on it also if you do a LymeNet search.
I had 2 years of lousy lyme treatment, then I switched to a Burrascano type doctor and he got me well in one year. He is the one that knew to give me Transfer Factor. Talk to your doc about it.
Posted by jenn (Member # 21687) on :
White blood count back to normal and ANA double strained DNA antibody test (Neg) Whooo-Hoooo! Thanks everyone for your advise and support!
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
Yes, the first time I tested neg. Second time tested positive ANA with speckled pattern and my PCP thought Lupus or Scleroderma. Totally freaked me out until my LLMD told me to not worry about it. That people with Lyme often get positive ANAs and then it goes back to Neg. after treatment.
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