So, I did this microscopy thing few months back, and I was wondering if anyone can see anything, the lady who did it for me didn't explain it very well. So, if any of you are familiar with this....
I hope the link works, there is a total of three photo.
Also, here are my lyme test results that I did maybe around four years ago. Is it a positive for sure? I don't understand this test either, heh.
IGM was the only thing that showed some postive bands, everything else was negative.
18 Kda ... + ** 31 Kda... IND ** 34kda.... + ** 39 kda.... IND ** 41kda.... +++ 66kda... + ** 83-93... +
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
Well I can't help with interpreting the photo, but your western blot results are pretty clear.
You are showing activity on several significant Lyme-specific bands (83-93, 39, 34, 31, 18). You should be VERY confident in a Lyme diagnosis based on that result.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Your IgM is positive by CDC standards...and you have more than one Lyme-specific band positive (18, 31, 34, 39, 83-93).
Not sure what all I'm seeing in those pictures, but your red blood cells are clumped, which may indicate inflammation.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Band 83-93 is the DNA of the Bb. I have no idea what it shows in the slide.
Posted by luvema (Member # 26650) on :
Thanks guys.
What is the difference between IGM and IGG...
This test was done four years ago btw.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
In the case of lyme disease, there is no difference between IGG and IGM.
In the case of other diseases, one indicates a past exposure to the disease or long-term infection and the other indicates a recent exposure or recent infection.
But, all that is out the window when it comes to lyme. With lyme, if either IgG or IgM is positive, you are positive for lyme. Lyme is capable of making the past exposure one positive the entire time you have lyme disease.
Posted by LAXlover (Member # 25518) on :
Did she mention parasites by chance? I BELIEVE in the one (middle) pic that the dark, long, pointy stick-type things are charcot-layden crystals which, for us, meant parasites, but maybe not always.
IgM is more likely to show positive in chronic Lyme.
Posted by susank (Member # 22150) on :
Ema - nothing on IGG bands?
That might mean something else as well.
Have you had your total Immunoglobulin levels checked?
Perhaps you don't make enough Imm G - which could maybe explain no IGG bands.
ie Hypogammaglobulinemia or CVID.
HypoG/CVID folks can be very sick and need supplement IGG ie IVIG. And have more trouble recovering from Lyme and other illnesses.
I am on Gammagard.
Note my sig line where I showed more IGM bands than IGG bands.
Something for you to look into if you have not been tested for this.
ie IGG IGM and IGA total serum and subclasses.
[ 05-26-2013, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: susank ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- From the photo, it appears possible Rouleaux (ru low) - this can be very common with lyme. "Sticky Blood" is one term, fibrinogen levels should be checked.
I assume your LLMD is addressing this. In addition to lyme, there can be other causes but, again, since lyme can do this, it's important that your LLMD discuss with you how to get those red blood cells to loosen up their grip on each other.
Antioxidants, certain enzymes can help but there are also other considerations.
Rouleaux (singular is rouleau) are stacks of red blood cells (RBCs) which form because of the unique discoid shape of the cells in vertebrates. The flat surface of the discoid RBCs give them a large surface area to make contact and stick to each other; thus, forming a rouleau.
They occur when the plasma protein concentration is high, and because of them the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is also increased. This is a non-specific indicator of the presence of disease. [1]
Conditions which cause rouleaux formation include infections, . . . .
. . . Acute phase proteins, particularly fibrinogen, interact with sialic acid on the surface of RBCs to facilitate the formation of rouleaux.
An increase in the ratio of RBCs to plasma volume, as seen in the setting of anaemia and hypovolemia, increases rouleaux formation and accelerates sedimentation. Rouleaux formation is retarded by albumin proteins. . . . -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Just a start to learning more about this (still, your LLMD should already be on this and guiding you with steps to address it).
Lyme Rouleaux: Covert symptom or clue to something more? - by P J Langhoff
Photo of Rouleaux & Article -
Posted by luvema (Member # 26650) on :
Wow keebler,
Thank you so much for the information. Very informative.
I have an alpha thalasemia trait. Which means smaller red blood cells than normal.
I am not sure if that has anything to do with it.
Okay, can those bands be positive due to other diseases or infections?!
And yes, I had no positive bands on igg... Everything was negative.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Although it's possible that you might be low in IgG subclasses, and therefore be eligible for IVIG, you might well have small fiber
neuropathy, which would make you eligible for IVIG for that, which is a much higher dosage and more frequent (every week usually).
But the first thing would be to get a good LLMD and treatment for the infections, which I know is a tremendous challenge financially. IVIG would come later, due to triage!
Posted by luvema (Member # 26650) on :