Went to see my LLMD again today and I got my third Igenex test back. My doc was very happy and, as a result of the results, seems to feel that Lyme is not my main problem anymore.
I'm skeptical and I was wondering what y'all think.
As you can see, my latest IGM results (on the right) are a lot better than the previous one lasy year (middle). They are even better than my initial test (left) way back before I knew I had Lyme.
The IGG looks a little better, but it's my understanding that this never really changes all that much and it's the IGM that tells the tale of how you're doing against the disease.
LLMD says the fact that (A) my IGenex tests are better, and (B) my symptoms haven't really gotten any worse in the 1+ year I've been off any sort of treatment is a pretty clear sign that there's something else going on.
He suspects lead (I have a lot) or neurotoxins or some other undetermined instigator. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks! CT
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
what about the bart? what are you doing to treat that, and could it be the cause of your symptoms? Bart is not to be underestimated, IMO.
Don't know what to make of your test either. I thought I was told once that the LLMDs look for the IGM to completely go away and don't care about the IGG. So if that is the case, then yeah I can see why he is happy.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think you need to go by symptoms. How are you doing? Are you well?
Do you have symptoms of bart?
Posted by Chronic Triathlete (Member # 15245) on :
I need to ask my LLMD about the Bart. Personally, I feel that it was never treated completely and since most of my remaining symptoms are neuro it could be the culprit.
I'm not 100%, but maybe 80% on most days. The biggest issue is, and has always been, brain fog and the emotional roller coaster. It's a real impedance to my day-to-day functioning at times. Beyond that, I have minor tingling/numbness that comes and goes, general fatigue that makes me feel like I pulled an all nighter and very occasional heart palps. All of which I could live with if I could just get my head on straight.
Thanks! CT
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
sounds like bart to me. This is a tough bug--do you know what strain you have? Take high dose buoloke to strip off the biofilms if you go back on abx.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
from the above link:
"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa."
