How do you know if your mycoplasma IgG was from contracting a respiratory infection (and treated successfully with the antibiotic you were given), or if it is the more insidious tick-borne mycoplasma?
This is one "co-infection" that is truly not always (and perhaps mostly not always) a tick-borne thing.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- The STRAIN of mycoplasma is important and there are various ways to test / assess that. It's really best for one's LLMD to assess the particulars.
Some strains of mycoplasma certainly may be transmitted by ticks more than we might assume - again, many different stains to consider. Be sure to read all you can from Garth Nicolson, the top expert in the field of mycoplasmas. For a start:
Diagnosis and Therapy of Chronic Systemic Co-Infections in Lyme Disease and other Tick-Borne Infectious Diseases
By Prof. Garth L. Nicolson, Ph.D.- October 24, 2001
Excerpts:
. . . We have found that rather common co-infections with Borrelia are various species of mycoplasmas. Approximately 60% of Lyme Disease patients also have mycoplasmal infections
(Mycoplasma fermentans > Mycoplasma hominis > Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. genitalium, M. penetrans, other species).
In some cases multiple mycoplasmal infections . . . .
. . . Like the Borrelia spirochete, the mycoplasmas are found at intracellular locations in various tissues and are only rarely found free in the blood. This can make detection difficult, and some patients cycle in the appearance of Borrelia and various mycoplasmas in their blood cells.
We recommend that mycoplasmal infections be tested for in every case of Lyme Disease using the most sensitive PCR procedures to detect the mycoplasma DNA in white blood cells [5,9].
Mycoplasmal infections can independently cause many of the signs and symptoms found in Lyme Disease, and they may exacerbate the clinical signs and symptoms and complicate treatment of the condition. . . . -
[ 05-31-2016, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- That author's website for up to date detail from the time of the above article:
Evidence for disseminated Mycoplasma fermentans in New Jersey residents with antecedent tick attachment and subsequent musculoskeletal symptoms. -
Posted by yancync (Member # 46999) on :
Well, DS has M. Pneumon. and both his numbers are super high and slowly coming down with extended treatment. He's never had or been treated for lung issues before he was diagnosed with late stage Lyme. Of course there's no way to know for sure, but the timing coincides with all the other tick diseases he has.
Posted by ohioperson22 (Member # 47837) on :
Hmmm, well the species-specific PCR tests aren't even in the LabCorp or Quest registry of tests.
Guess the only thing to do would be to deplete my savings account, paying $3000.00 for the "pan-prokaryotic panel," assuming I could even find a doctor willing to write the order.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- The "only thing to do" is NOT to deplete your savings account with that "pan" test. That is not at all the "only thing" to do.
If you have more questions about testing for mycoplasma, see Nicolson's website. But first things first. Go back to the starting gate:
Excerpt from your post of 17 April, just last month:
. . . WB, which I got through LabCorp. I had been having extreme fatigue and other generalized unpleasant symptoms.
Anyway, IgG was positive for p41 and p39 [End your post]
do you have a LLMD yet? As #39 is borrelia specific, this is key detail even with the fact they do not test all the bands.
Your symptoms, your result certainly call for action regarding lyme. While lyme rarely travels alone, do not get pulled off the path of all the other "what else" questions. Focus on lyme for now.
But I've not yet seen that you have located a LLMD for further assessment. Maybe you have and I missed it, but that is the "only thing to do" at this point in time.
First, consult a true LLMD or LL ND, someone ILADS educated and experienced who can assess you in person. They can best help you move forward with what else might be along for the ride. -
Posted by ohioperson22 (Member # 47837) on :
Keebler, I am under the care of a LLMD. He interprets my IgeneX Lyme WB as positive, and has me on two medicines.
Lyme is not the whole story for me. It can't be.
I just watched a YouTube video of a well-known Lyme person, and he said he drove cross-country to find someone.
I can barely drive to my local pharmacy, and haven't been on an interstate in several months.
Even in "Under Our Skin" two of the people drive cars long distances and take plane flights.
There's more to my puzzle than Lyme, and I'm trying to get to the bottom of it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Lyme may not the whole picture - but it could be a substantial part. It's best to never compare ourselves to others who can do more as even lyme, alone, can be "lyme lite" for some and absolutely devastating for others.
Still, a good LLMD is the best to guide the next steps to assess what else might be in the picture.
Will they soon assess other possible coinfections for you?
I'd hate to see you jump off the deep end "to deplete my savings account, paying $3000.00 for the "pan-prokaryotic panel,"
If your LLMD is not considering other variables, then find one who will. Still, for many patients, starting by treating one thing is the way to go. As long as you know you have a good LLMD who is able to assess the full picture as you move along in treatment. -
Posted by ohioperson22 (Member # 47837) on :
My LLMD tested me for a huge amount of coinfections. He wasn't concerned about the mycoplasma IgG, as the result itself and lack of IgM suggested a past old infection. He did say he'd "recheck" IgG after some time, but that's been put on the back burner for now.
I'm on a cell wall drug for the first time in my whole life. So it should be doing some serious damage to the bacteria.
I like my LLMD, and he is very willing to work with me and my antibiotic restrictions.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Are your numbers coming down over time?
Do you still have symptoms of mycoplasma or do you feel like it was treated successfully?
Posted by ohioperson22 (Member # 47837) on :
I was never treated for mycoplasma. A low IgG was seen on my massive co-infection panel last month. He will retest it in a few months. He doesn't fee it warrants immediate attention.
I don't know what I have symptoms of, as everything overlaps everything.
I do know that a run-of-the-mill summer virus going around my office last summer kicked my a**, and that sleeping with a friend-of-a-friend (and her 16-year old cat) caused more trouble.