Jordana
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45305
posted
Since I had a t cell immunity response to EBV and CMV from Armin labs I convinced the infectious disease specialist to do a conventional test for these two markers to see if they were active.
These are traditional, IGG and IGM deals where the IGG is positive and the IGM is negative.
THE EBNA was positive also but the test interpretation said that both of these were consistent with a past but no current infection.
Is it really negative then?
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
There are two types of antibodies. IgM is the first to be created by the body, and after that IgG. It takes several weeks before enough antibodies are created to show up in a test.
IgM usually disappears after a few months. It can also happen that an IgM that disappeared after some time becomes positive again (reactivation). IgM is, according to some experts, indicative of a persistent active infection, because it is produced only if there was recent contact with the antigen (the bacterium/virus), because the cells that produce IgM don't have an 'immunological memory'.
IgG however can remain detectable in the body for years, even after the bacterium/virus has disappeared from the body. A positive test for IgG can be indicative of a long-standing active infection, or a cured infection.
If there is a negative result it is called seronegativity. It is demonstrated that seronegativity with an active infection can occur.
In many cases, only a combination of test results and clinical data may lead to the (most probable) diagnosis.
To my knowledge the Elispot test that is used by Arminlabs has only been approved for tuberculosis. So in the case of EBV (and also Borrelia) the results aren't accepted by 'mainstream doctors'. So it's complicated, unfortunately.
Posts: 109 | From The Netherlands | Registered: May 2014
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Jordana
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45305
posted
Thanks
I've been trying to figure out if I really have Lyme for about a year. I'm negative in a lot of ways on so many tests, but since the viral panels were active in the Armin test I thought that was definitely indicative of Lyme.
The negatives are less scary I guess, since it's one more virus I don't have to worry that's eating me.
Unfortunately I still think I have Lyme.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
You can have these viruses without having Lyme disease. They are in fact very common in the general population. A healthy immune system will keep them dormant.
They can reactivate if your immune system is weakened. Lyme disease is only one of many causes of a weak immune system.
Treating these viruses is a challenge though. There is no curative medication, so it is key to strengthen you immune system, so that it can keep the viruses under control. Sometimes antiviral drugs are used experimentally, but these are, as far as I know, not reimbursed and quite expensive.
It is best to find a good LLMD who can see the big picture. If you are thoroughly tested and evaluated and you don't have Lyme disease, there may be other options.
Posts: 109 | From The Netherlands | Registered: May 2014
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Jordana
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45305
posted
This is where I was going with the EBV/CMV titers.
The only test I could get for Lyme that was not labcorp or quest without a doctor was a test from Armin Labs. That test showed reactivity/activity for EBV and CMV. I spent a couple months trying to get an ID specialist here to try to replicate that test to see if I really had both of those things going on at the same time, because the only explanation for that that made any sense was Lyme.
But now,they're negative, so according to traditional/conventional testing, I do not have active EBV or CMV.
Other things I don't have:
A positive Elisa A positive c6 peptide Elisa Any active bands on any western blot (out of three) except band 41 Reversal of vitamin d expression Any positive or borderline positive for any co-infection
Things I do have:
A nightmare list of symptoms Jaw, neck, shoulder pain "Internal shaking" Eye blurriness, floaters, ocular migraines Positive ANA Positive anti-ssb Positive anti-achr antibodies exhaustion and fatigue Ability to sleep 17 hours per day tender bladder night sweats flushing and day sweats aseptic meningitis (resolved) facial palsy ( resolved) Endless gastrointestinal symptoms Upper arm pain like I've been punched muscle twitching ( mostly resolved) Vertigo, confusion, feeling drunk Jaw pain and stiffness
This all came on very suddenly and has been going on for one year.
It HAS to be Lyme and co. I just keep looking for the tie-breaker that tells me, yep, you're right.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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