posted
Just curious if you have to be off abx for lyme test (western blot) or if it doesn't matter?
My son ended his meds almost 2 weeks ago and the doctor wanted him to wait two weeks for an updated western blot. Is this to get the abx out of his system and let body produce any needed antibodies?
Hopefully all those little bugs are GONE!! Anybody familiar with interaction of abx and testing? Thanks!
Posts: 24 | From Virginia | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
You don't HAVE TO BE .. but I would prefer it for myself.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Antibiotics help your body create antibodies for Lyme, so it can convert a negative test to positive.
I got a positive CDC result while on antibiotics and a negative CDC result when I was off (Igenex positive though).
You can always retest if it comes out negative (that's what I'm doing, it'll be interesting to see the results now that I'm on antibiotics again).
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
I believe Igenex recommends going off for 10-14 days. My LLMD always said the same thing.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
That's a good idea. You should give Igenex a call. They were able to answer my question about antibiotics regarding testing for a co-infection.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
No.
My WB was positive while on abx.
I think coinfections are different.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
I just spoke to the doctor's office.
Still CDC negative even while taking antibiotics, BUT Igenex positive both times (with and without antibiotics).
The test is TOTALLY messed up. I had a bulls-eye rash and tested during the ideal test period.
Right now I'm HATING the CDC guidelines.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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