If a person has a CDC positive western blot test with 6 IgG bands, no IgM bands, is treatment recommended ?
Is it possible to have a positive western blot and not need to be treated if symptoms are not present ?
My father law had the lyme test because he had a swollen knee from an infectious bakers cyst. Other than the cyst he has shoulder pain which he attributes to overuse.
He has been bite by ticks in the past. He lives in PA.
He has had a bulls eye 6 years ago and was treated (not sure with what).
Not sure if treatment is warranted in this case? Or if he should seek treatment when he denies having other symptoms and his knee is improving?
(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
[ 12-18-2016, 02:05 AM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
My understanding is that the knee bakers cyst is a Lyme symptom. So he's treating his knee and it's getting better?
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
6 IGG bands is CDC positive, and the CDC has insanely restrictive guidelines to meet positive surveillance guidelines.
Tons of people with Lyme don't test CDC positive, so the fact your father in law did says a lot.
Your father in law needs treatment from a LLMD as soon as possible.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
YES!!!!! It does not matter if it IgG or IgM, it's POSITIVE! .. get treated!
He was put on doxy for 7 days for the bakers cyst in his knee
When the family doc got the western blot test results they extended the course of doxy to 25 days
Robin123, yes, He started to fill better on the doxy
From my understanding of chronic lyme, 25 days of doxy won't cut it
It is difficult to tell him to go get more treatment when his doctor just gave him less than a month of one antibiotic and has not planned for any followup
thank you again for the information
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
No, it won't be enough. Begin your search for an LLMD... I'm so sorry for him if he is also in Texas.
Your friend does not want to wait on this. The longer one goes untreated, the more devastating the effects are and the harder it is to get well. There is a LLMD who can most likely see him/her within a few weeks if your friend can travel.
Let me know if you want the info for this LLMD and I can send you the info.
Thank you for helping your friend.
Please have your friend watch Under Our Skin and try to emphasize that you don't want to mess around with this disease.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
He lives in Pa. and it is jkb's father in law.
If your father in law feels better on the doxy and then gets worse again when he finishes the doxy, then he will listen to you.
So, talk to him then if he won't listen now.
There is a really good doc in Maryland, near D.C. He would only have to appear in person once every 3 months. Other months, he can have telephone appointments. Let me know if you want the name.
Posted by jkb185 (Member # 47478) on :
Thank you lymetoo, me and TF.
I am so grateful for your advice, kindness and advocacy.
TF , I think I know the of the docs you may be refereeing to, but please send them to me again just in case.