posted
Being in Canada, I have a doctor who doesn't believe chronic lyme exists. Looking at my Igenix results, he insisted they showed I was completely negative for lyme because it was mostly negative.
So...I would like to ask you "experts" for your opinion as to how to interpret these results and whether I need to seek a LLD (I've also been sick with lyme-like symptoms for four years. These are the results.
The IFA (Lyme Immunofluorescence Assay) was 40 which is interpreted as "equivocal"
IgM was positive for band 30 (2 positives), band 34 and band 41 (1 positive) and Indeterminate for band 31.
IgG was Indeterminate for bands 31, 41 and 83-93
The Multiplex PCR tests were all negative as was the Bartonella Fish.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Linda
Posts: 5 | From PEI, Canada | Registered: Jun 2011
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
this sounds like a positive test to me, your doctor is using the wrong guidelines. you should definitely post in seeking a doctor and find an llmd.
Posts: 236 | From Zionsville IN | Registered: Jan 2011
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489
posted
Hi Linda:
I'm no MD but the test results do indicate exposure to the LB bacteria.
Band 34 is specific to Lyme (this is one of the bands AS kept out of the CDC analysis as his vaccine work was targeting it).
Band 41 cross reacts with other spirochets but an MD should be able to rule out the others. It does indicate a spirochete bacteria. Even AS indicated this is significant.
I would recommend reading Dr. B's advanced topics in lyme disease, referenced on this site.
IgM, you only need 2 bands to be considered positive.
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Many of the illnesses that are listed in timica's link are commonly found in those with lyme disease or other infections. In addition several of the illnesses listed are commonly misdiagnosed lyme disease such as lupus and Multiple sclerosis.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489
posted
Dr C�s Western Blot explanation is discussed here:
"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.
Since this is a chronic persistent infection, this does not make a lot of sense to me. A newly formed Borrelia burgdorferi should have the same antigen parts as the previous bacteria that produced it.
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
Thanks, Tim. I didn't have time to do that earlier. I hope Linda also read about the bands in the Western Blot explanation link.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
I totally agree with TerryK. Seek out a good lyme literate doctor. Your test surely indicates exposure and most probably also indicates that you have lyme.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
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Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
I would not ask your doctor to rule out the other pathogens Timaca suggests in her link.
You may well have them but they are often part and parcel of a lyme dx. It will only give him the opportunity to pigeonhole you into a chronic fatigue, epstein barr or fibromyalia dx. and that's what most doctors who are not lyme literate want to do. Then they will load you up on drugs such as cymbalta, lyrica and pain killers.
You must find an LLMD to get the proper help, diagnoses and treatment. Place a post in "Seeking a Doctor". Unfortunately, you live in a country where lyme disease is not understood or acknowledged and almost always misdiagnosed.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
No one on this website are so called "experts". LD is a complicated disease. My advice is to consult a LLMD. And you can get advice from DR M in B.C. for free in your country. He may be able to answer your questions and put you in the right direction.
On the left click on Lyme Chat forum and you can post there for Dr M. or you can call him at no charge.
-------------------- HERX is a Four Letter Word! Posts: 716 | From If you're going through hell, keep going......Winston Churchill | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I find it hard to believe that both IgG and IgM band 39 were negative considering the results for other bands.
Posts: 426 | From Berkeley, CA | Registered: Feb 2009
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