posted
I know I have posted before, but my WB thru Quest came back with band 23 (igm) reactive. No co-infections, but ANA titers positive. Symptoms include:
arthritis lightheaded/dizzyness palpitations chest discomfort underactive thyroid high cholesterol tennis elbow fatigue droopy eyelid eye floaters stiff neck plus feels like something is crawling around at the base of neck RLS
I was told this morning by a PA that i didn't have Lyme but possibly Rhumatoid arthritis. He is going to refer me to a specialist. With only one band reactive, should I get treatment for Lyme or go down the arthritis road?
Posts: 182 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. You should treat based on your symptoms, not based on a test.
Band 23 is a significant band.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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jackie51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14233
posted
You've got a bunch of symptoms that have nothing to do with arthritis. Sounds more like lyme to me but I'm no doctor.
Find Dr. B's lyme treatment guidelines, read it and see what your gut tells you.
Godspeed on your recovery.
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thank you. I have had these symptoms for quite some time but have always been dismissed by my dr. Since my husbands diagnosis I have done a lot of research on Lyme. I'm not a doctor nor a scientist but I'm no dummy either. This brought me to the decision to get tested. I feel like I know too much and can't accept what my doctor has been telling me about my symptoms. Which include forgetfulness. I'm scared.
Posts: 182 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
If you feel like something is crawling around at the base of your neck, it probably is. Check the parasite symptom list that GiGi posted recently and consider taking some antiparasitic herbs and maybe doing some salt/c.
Research everything you can about parasites, including doing a search on lymenet.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
how high was you ana? mine never was above 1:160, which is officially positive, but rather low.
Posts: 214 | From Home | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
ANA titer was 1:80.
Posts: 182 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
Band 23 is specific for lyme. It was the only positive band I had as well...on both IGM and IGG.
Since starting abx, I have seen improvements. If it were me, I would at least try a trial round of abx to see how you react. Jmo.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I thought the positive ANA is due to arthritis? I just don't want a RA doc to prescribe steroid treatment.
Posts: 182 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
all4,
Stay away from a Rhuemy. I too had only IGM band 23 and got positive dx from LLMD and began treatment. The only thing I got from a Rheumy was a nice folder of x-rays showing all joint in my body had inflamation. That may help when I go for SSDI.
Maybe get a CD-57 test from Labcorp. Its pretty cheap (under $100 w/o ins.) Like all tests, its not definitive but a low number under 60 is pretty indicative of a chronic lyme infection given you IMG 23 and symptoms.
posted
Thanks GMB. How long did you have arthritis before you got tested for Lyme? The only reason I decided to get tested was because my husband has Lyme and co. So I did a lot of research and it seemed like I was looking into a mirror.
Posts: 182 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
If you DON'T treat .. you will never know what "could have been" ... could I have GOTTEN WELL???
If you just go with RA treatment and you actually have lyme ... You are "doomed." Steroids will make the lyme go deeper and get worse. (though initially you might feel better on them)
I would treat.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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