This is topic Lyme disease results, do i have it?! :o so shocked. in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by Kaseyyy (Member # 43797) on :
 
words cannot explain how happy i am right now.. i finally got my igenex results back and am shocked to have these results!!

what is the difference between igM and igG? here they are.

igM: positive
**23-25 IND
**31 IND
**39 +
**41 +
83-93 +

igG: IND
**31 +
**39 IND
**41 ++
58 +

this really makes me wonder how many people out there actually have lyme disease.. the nurse who called me said i need to see a specialist because they are unsure how to go about this, and aren't sure if i was just exposed to something in the past or if i really have lyme.
 
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
 
One cannot be, "just exposed" to lyme.

That's like saying someone with positive syphillis antibodies has "just been exposed" but may not have it.

The nurse is right, they do not know enough to help you.

Best bet is to find an LLMD near you and begin treatment ASAP.

Congrats on the positive results. Hopefully it will make things easier with your insurance company.
 
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
 
At the top of Medical Questions, there's a thread about important info - you can scroll down a little to read about the meaning of the Western Blot test.

IND can mean a light positive.

IGeneX rules - for both tests, 2 positive double-starred bands; each stands alone with its 2 double-starred positive results.

Per conversation with them - a single-starred band could happen as a cross-reaction so by itself does not mean Lyme.

CDC rules: IgM - 2 positive bands amongst 23-25, 39 and 41 bands; IgG, 5 positive bands.

[ 09-09-2014, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
 
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
 
When I tested positive for band 31 on IgG my LLMD told me I had had it for a long time. He said that particular band doesn't show up until you've had it for a year. I had ++++ on it, so he literally said I had had Lyme for a VERY long time.

I was also happy to have a diagnosis. It took me three years after my diagnosis to beat it and I've been well now for 5 years. Good luck!
 
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
 
Basically, you have Lyme and you've had it for a long time.

Info on IgM and IgG:

"In the usual course of events when our bodies are exposed to pathological infectious agents oour immune system first makes IgM antibodies; but after a period of days or weeks the relatively ineffective IgM antibodies are supplanted by the more effective IgG antibodies. But as I frequently explain to my patients: Lyme does not play by these rules.

Lyme disease is different from other infectious diseases in numerous ways. One of those ways is that infection tends to be associated with production of IgM antibodies and not IgG antibodies."

http://lymemd.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-igm-question-is-it-chronic-lyme.html
 
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
 
Judie - a comment - I was positive via IgG, not IgM, after 25 years. So my results match the initial statement here.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Congrats! No doubts now!

Read this .. print it out for future reference:

Western Blot Explanation
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/42077

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." .. Dr C of MO
 
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
 
Re: "makes me wonder how many people out there actually have Lyme disease"--
All a matter of interpretation, Kasey.

There are MANY out there who've been "exposed" to B.B. (I like to refer to it as "innoculated") & have the critters IN 'em, but have been lucky enough to be asymptomatic (free of any Lyme symptoms) often for *years*!
All depends on your spirochette "load", the virulance of the sub-species (or 2...or 3) that you 'gots', your immune system strength, etc., etc.

More than one study has suggested that over 15% of the German population harbor some B.Burgdorferi, though most don't know it.
I would suspect the same for the population in most of the Northeastern U.S. (from PA up thru the New England states, atleast).

Now, As for your IgM & IgG results- It lQQks to me like you're "Western blots" are indeed + for Lyme-specific bands (see Dr J's explanantion), like that 83-93 + on the test for recent anti-body production (IgM).
YUp... You gots Lyme!

If that nurse did indeed say they are "unsure" as how to proceed, that's a GIANT red flag... making it *mandatory* that you go out & find an LLMD (or 2) within driving distance for ya.
(This, & other Websites, such as ILADS dot org, can help in identifying suitable doctors, as can some Members here.)

I'm sure your doctor's office would be more than hApPy to "refer" you, if that's needed.

But, Be Aware that a lot of the extended therapy for Lyme disease (say, beyond 60 days or so) may not be covered by your insurance plan(s).
It SUCKS, but it's the reality here in the 'good ol' USA... for Now.

Fortunately, many of the oral meds used to treat Lyme (such as "amoxicillun"), are still available at a not-too-ridiculous cost.
Good luck!

[ 09-10-2014, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
 
Posted by Kaseyyy (Member # 43797) on :
 
I can't see a specialist, dr. N in PA until october-november [Frown] Should i ask my family doctor for amoxicillin or whatever in the mean time, and are there any ways that help how you feel besides supplements for energy, etc? Doesnt seem to help much.

I currently take something called energy for adrenal function, d ribose, l tyrosine. Multivitamin, l gluthione, have ginger, ashgwanda, and turmeric. Also, candida support and proenzyme supplements. Not sure if i have gastritis in regards to not taking proenzyme though (has hcl, probiotic blend, etc)

I'm just always really tired. Also feel bleh nauseous a lot. I read you should avoid carbs, sugar, and gluten but gluten is in like everything!

Also, anyone seen dr. N? I saw good reviews on him and he seems to be knowledgable of lyme, and was trained by an llmd.

Or should i go to a farther away doctor like dr. D which is 2 hours from me? Dr. N seems like the best bet and takes insurance.
 
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
 
Well, If you're set up to see Dr. N & your doctor's office believes you *are* suffering from Lyme ("just always really tired" is a key symptom of active Lyme)... you might want to give them a copy of Dr. Burrascano's Guidelines (for Tick borne Diseases) & ask whether they'd be willing to treat you following those recommendations.

If you Do start on amoxicillun:

1) you need to be fully aware that you'll temporarily get worse before getting better (this is called the Jarsch-Herxheimer reaction or "herx"). This happens as the antibiotoics ("abx") start to kill off the B.B. spirochetes. Your body "sees" all the 'kete "pieces" & toxins released & goes "Woah!!".

2) You'll need to be on "amoxy" for a Minimum of 8 weeks (2 growth cycles), as just 10 days to 2 weeks, say, (as recommended by IDSA for "early-stage Lyme") followed by No 'abx' can very well make matters *worse* for folks like you withn "disseminated" Lyme disease... that is, people who've had it (untreated) for months, or longer.
Why? The surviving 'ketes will be more resilient to "amoxy".

3) You might (& your doc's office Will) want to put you on doxycycline, which is a Great drug for *starting* Lyme treatment, but is more expensive now-a-days due to reduced production (Supply & Demand!) in the last couple of years.
{You can read recent Posts on this. Ask your pharmacist to apply any available discounts.}

"Doxy" also "treats" some of the co-infections one can pick up from the tick, along with the Lyme.

If you do go with the "doxy", you'll need to stay out of the sun & take it away from dairy & mineral supplements. Ginger tea or (diet) ginger ale can help w/ any stomach upset you Might get.

*See what your doc's office is willing to do.* That appointment w/ Dr N. is weeks away.
Not that you'll get terribly worse (you *MIGHT*), but it's always better to start treatment sooner than later. Good Luck!!
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Lyme disease is slow-growing, Kasey .. so there is no big rush. There would be a big rush IF you had just gotten bit by a tick yesterday.

Gluten can cause pain .. so if you are in pain, do consider eliminating it.
 
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
 
PM just sent to you Kasey.
 
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
 
Good point, Lymetoo. If "kaseyy" has had Lyme for awhile & isn't going downhill, energy-wise, on a week-to-week basis, there's no rush.

But I recall I WAS... about 4 months after my double tickbite. Still wish I'd started on the abx even a month sooner.
 


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