I'm testing lyme through Igenex and was wondering if I am supposed to be off antibiotics at the time I send in my blood. I've been on antibiotics for 5 weeks now.
Word on the street is that you're supposed to be off antibiotics for two weeks before sending in your blood, but my doctor said it did not matter. It's an expensive test so I want it to be as accurate as possible so what do you guys think. Should I go off the antibiotics or stay on them?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Personally, I would go off. Just increases the chances of a positive test.
Posted by Knight33 (Member # 22028) on :
how long do you think I should be off of them before they draw the blood?
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
My prior LLMD used to give me Western Blots while I was still on antibiotics. He didn't seem to think it mattered....or if he did, he didn't think going off antibiotics was worth it in my case. And I would still test positive, with many bands. My understanding is that since the WB is checking for your immune system's antibodies and not the bacteria itself, it shouldn't matter. But I am not a doctor, and I don't treat patients, so don't take my word for it.
I am not sure if going off the abx would make it any more likely that you would test positive or not. You could always call Igenex and ask them.
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
I heard it was a good idea to go off. I did. I was off for three weeks. My inital WB was through Mayo (ugh) and I tested neg for all but 41. Then after the "antibiotic challenge" I tested with the results below.
I wasn't to make sure I didn't do anything to mess up the results I wanted it to be right.
Posted by TN Kim (Member # 26729) on :
My LLMD said being on abx made it better and my Igenex results were VERY positive.
I think it wakes things up with the spirochetes and gets them to "come and out play'! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Knight33: [QB] how long do you think I should be off of them before they draw the blood?
Two weeks
Antibiotics cause the spirochetes to hide. What IS good is going on abx for a month, then going off for 2 wks. Being on the abx WILL make more bands show up in most cases. Your body will produce more antibodies that way....But most LLMD's recommend going OFF for the 2 wks prior to testing.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
I never went off of antibiotics for testing through IgeneX.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I was off for 3 days. Came up VERY positive with bands below.
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