|||| IND = Band intensity below calibration standard ||||
-------------
Lyme Multiplex PCR, Serum
Genomic - Negative Plasmid - Negative
-------------
Lyme Multiplex PCR, Whole Blood
Genomic - Negative Plasmid - Negative
-------------
B. Microti IFA, G/M
IgA: less than 20 - Negative IgG: less than 40 - Negative
-------------
B. Microti/Duncani PCR
B. Microti: Negative B. Duncani: Negative
-------------
Babesia FISH - Negative
-------------
HME Panel, monocytic
E. chaffeensis IgM: less than 20 - Negative E. chaffeensis IgG: less than 40 - Negative
-------------
PCR, HME, Whole Blood: Negative
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HGA Panel, granulocytic
A. phagocytophilum IgM: less than 20 - Negative A. phagocytophilum IgG: 80 (may not indicate active infection, in patients with previously high titers such titers may indicate resolving infection)
-------------
PCR, HGE, Whole Blood: Negative
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B. Henselae IFA, G/M
IgM: less than 20 - Negative IgG: less than 40 - Negative
Results > 40 to < 160 may not indicate active infection, in patients with previously high titers such titers may indicate resolving infection.
-------------
Rickettsia PCR Panel
R Rickettsii: Negative R Felis/Typhi: Negative
-------------
Well, that's everything, I had a B.Duncani G/M IFA as well but according to the sheet for it, effective 6/4/2014 that test would not be available until further notice. My test was done after that date, so I couldn't get the results of it.
Most of this stuff I have no idea what the results mean. The only thing I am somewhat familiar with is the westernblot since you can look up what the bands mean for that. For the rest I have no clue.
Symptom update, joint and muscle pain is basically non-existent anymore. However, right eyelid twitch remains, but is still very random and non-constant. It also seems to be the only place on my body that has a twitch.
Posts: 65 | From Southern NJ | Registered: May 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Looking back at your posting history for some clues (had to stop after your first thread) . . .
Certainly, the Tetanus booster and the full 4-treatment Rabies series you had in March and April could still be affecting you. Of course, if lyme is in the picture, the effect can be even more pronounced.
Other things, too, like certain food or processed food / additive issues can cause all kinds of symptoms.
Still, you have some positive bands, there. Some are ++. Remember, a negative test cannot rule out lyme. You wouldn't be here or gotten those tests without symptoms so I sure would not drop this. Those + and ++ results don't come out of nowhere.
You say that joint & muscle pain is nearly clear. That's great.
Have you been treating with Rx or direct herbals?
Have you been taking support supplements?
You say: "right eyelid twitch remains, but is still very random and non-constant." (end quote).
Magnesium deficiency can cause this but it could be a sign of lyme, too. So can certain food additives, especially aspartame and MSG.
Did you EVER have a Bulls Eye Rash?
Do you have a good LLMD who has a lot of experience sorting this? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Diagnosing Lyme Disease (&/or whatever else is going on) - See the Western Blot explanations here. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Never had the rash, but from my understanding not everyone gets one. As for the LLMD, I have the opportunity to see a good one and I will be scheduling the appointment.
I wanted to wait for the results on the tests so that I could bring them with me and help the LLMD out a bit.
Plus since my primary doctor ordered basically everything from IGeneX as far as Lyme bloodwork goes it saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars,
since having the same tests ordered by an LLMD would have had to have been paid out of pocket from what I heard from the LLMD's receptionist (since they order them with pre-payment)
Posts: 65 | From Southern NJ | Registered: May 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Mystery,
I could read "never had the rash" and that's when my eyes hit the brick wall of grey.
Many here won't be able to read and reply to your post. I can't even edit it for you. Spasms, nystagmus and other eye issues can make this a swirling sea of grey, not even able to land the cursor.
Maybe someone else can break it up for you . . . or you could go into the edit function and do that. Usually, the max paragragh of 3-4 lines posted(that's about 5-6 lines in the compose / edit mode) works.
For brain help, and to get the replies you need, it's good that each question or new topic gets a fresh start with a new paragraph. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I edited the previous post you mentioned. It's kinda tough for me to judge it cause my desktop resolution is very high so to me, in thread view, it shows up as less lines than it would for someone with a lower desktop resolution.
As for the question on symptoms. I've been on a keto diet ever since my cholesterol test came back high, but I don't know if that has anything to do with the improvement in joint/muscle aches.
Keto is basically a high fat, moderate protein diet with VERY low carbs (less than 40 grams a day) and NO dietary sugar (lactose in dairy products isn't counted as sugar since it's not ADDED sugar).
I haven't been treating with herbals or supplements of any kind. I take a multivitamin once a day but that's it for supplements.
I haven't tried supplementing magnesium of yet, I do however eat a lot of almonds on keto (around 1 to 2 ounces a day).
I don't ingest MSG or Aspartame from any sources. My diet on keto has consisted of mainly eggs, fish, chicken, and green veggies (romaine lettuce, broccoli, and avacados), to go along with extra virgin olive oil, butter, and sour cream in my cooking.
As well as the almonds that I mentioned. Oh, and greek yogurt and occasionally kefir milk.
Posts: 65 | From Southern NJ | Registered: May 2014
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
"since having the same tests ordered by an LLMD would have had to have been paid out of pocket"
Not so, you can fill out an Igenex form to have medicare cover it.
Since a lot of LLMDs don't take medicare, they don't know this. It's a form that comes with the kit for payment and there's an area to fill out for medicare payment.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Hi Mystery,
Looks like there is some proof there of a dirty tick bite... Filthy filthy critters.
Lyme specific bands in IgM...most of us chronics show up in IgM only... Our immune systems are so frazzled we can't get beyond an IgM response for the sneaky lyme bacteria. (Shape shifters I Cal them haha).
Looks like positive also for Anaplasma and also for rikettsia, which can be rocky mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, and several more which escape my mind. So RMSF and typhus group are positive.
The lab puts the disclaimer on the titer values in case those tests are for measurement of treatment, in which case, with suscessful treatment the titers should change with treatment.
Have you been treated for anaplasma or RMSF? First treatment most docs give for those is mostly doxycycline, which makes it tricky in the summer, as one must avoid the sun.
Also important to remember, when you see your LLMD (so glad you have an appt lined up! Good for you), your doc will strictly clinically diagnose, and then use the labs to back up/support the clinical diagnosis if necessary.
Also, babesia and bartonella are notoriously difficult to test for. Don't be surprised if your clinical diagnosis or serostatus for those changes as you treat with an LLMD.
Also, I am finding out that lyme disables the immune system so badly, many of us don't make IgM or IgG well enough to produce antibodies for any test, lyme or otherwise. With treatment the immune system is supposed to get better and sometimes serostatus will change for other bacteria.
So glad you are investigating TBDs, and also glad you have an LL already.
God bless Greta
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When you got the blood drawn for the test, was it done correctly and was it process and shipped promptly, all exactly to the instructions by Igenex?
Was blood drawn on a Thursday or Friday?
You should have the draw date, the shipping date and time and the time that Igenex received it.
It all matters. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Keebler, test was drawn by a hospital on Monday and sent out the same day. They received it on Wednesday of that week. As far as I am aware they followed the instructions on the test kit.
Greta, isn't RMSF basically a death sentence (or at least finding out about it this late after a bite due to needing to treat it quickly)? I have read that it's the most fatal and serious of all tick diseases and needs to be treated promptly. My only tick bite was 5 years ago and I never developed a RMSF rash, so I never treated for it.
So if it needs treated promptly and i've had it 5 years that to me spells possible death sentence due to such late discovery / 5 years of delayed treatment. Edit: Seems like Typhus is also deadly and time sensitive as well... I have both the most fatal and time sensitive tick diseases? Seriously?
No idea what Anaplasma is or how severe it is or how it's treated.
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
I've been infected with RMSF. It's not a death sentence. It should be treated quickly though.
I was not diagnosed quickly and I'm still here.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Hello mystery,
Yes, I know what you mean re RMSF and typhus.
I has RMSF for 12 years before proper dx and treating.
I even had the rash. For 12 years like polka dot skin suit. Haha.
Some of us are chronic with either or both of those.
I wonder if getting a "bacterial cocktail" all at once (from a dirty tick bite) makes some bacteria less potent...just guessing here.
Anaplasma can also be quite dangerous.
Do you have any abnormal results for complete blood panel done?
Best case scenario, your PCP will treat for those right away so you don't have to wait for your LL appt.
Sorry if I scared you there. I forget how desensitized I have become for tick related disease.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
As far as CBC test results. The WBC has been slightly elevated, but still in the normal range reading. To be considered high it has to go up to or above 10.1 according to the lab that I had them done at.
I've had several done recently (within the past 2 months) here were the results of the WBC counts, in order of when I had them done:
7.8, 8.9, 9.1, 8.5.
Everything else seemed to be normal around the middle area between low and high. For example, platelets low is 130 and platelets high is 400. Mine was 307.
Blood pressure had been reading as pre-hypertension before I started my keto diet. Now it's gone back down to normal range the majority of the time when I have it checked.
As for PCP, i'm assuming he'd probably put me on low dose Doxy for it. How long can one take low dose abx like that before it forces Lyme into cyst form? Would it do so before I can get proper medication prescription from the LLMD?
Posts: 65 | From Southern NJ | Registered: May 2014
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droid1226
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34930
posted
I had all negatives, then I went on doxy and flagyl and retested exactly and WHAM! I retested pos for almost everything.
You do have very positive results so far but the unequivocal 39 protein on both is sort of telling. That's lyme specific.
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Don't worry about lyme going into the cyst form. Stop antibiotics for one week and it comes out of cyst form.
So, you see, you can treat the cysts later or any time, or get them to come out of cyst form anytime.
I had lousy lyme treatment for 2 years. Just amoxicillin. That put all my lyme into the cyst form. That is what I was told when I switched doctors. So new doc just had me stop antibiotics for one week (to get lyme out of cyst form), then he hit it with amoxi and flagyl. One or 2 months of that and my lyme was gone.
Take whatever treatment you can get now and try to continue it until you see a lyme doc.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Agree with droid and TF.
Treat the rmsf, typhus and anaplasma as soon as possible.
So glad you had "normal" bloodwork so far, cbc wise.
When do you see your pcp next?
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
I can make an appointment with PCP at any time. The real trick will be getting him to prescribe/treat the Typhus, RMSF, and Ana, without a "positive" test result. I don't have the best PCP in the world. So it might be hard to get him to prescribe based on the results above. I can find out, but I have my doubts.
Another question, before I get to my LLMD. As far as abx, does the abx being generic matter? My medical only seems to fill prescriptions with the generic of that medicine. So any/all abx I'll be on will likely almost always be the generic brand.
Posts: 65 | From Southern NJ | Registered: May 2014
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