I just got labwork that revealed Igg negative, IgM positive for bands 23 and 41. I had Lyme about 3 years ago, got treated with Doxycycline, and felt better. Over the past two weeks I had such a stiff neck and we had killed some ticks in the house. I'm taking Amoxicillin 500mg TID (I'm also newly pregnant), and am freaking out. Is this a new infection? Is it old? Has the pregnancy activated the Lyme? Will the baby be ok?
What do the lab results mean? My PCP knows nothing about Lyme!
Thanks!
Posts: 17 | From Boston, MA | Registered: May 2010
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"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." -- Dr C of MO
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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