My first LLND thought I had ehrlichia when I first showed up with brain fire, ie CNS inflammation. I was a newbie and was confused by his assumption that there HAD to be a coinfection. We started the doxy @ 400mgs a day. Three weeks later the Igenex tests came back and while there were low titers that indicated Lyme (it was officially an equivocal reading,) ehrlichia came up clear. However , the Igg on the babesia (microti) was 1:20 which from what I understand means that I may (may!) have been infected with babesia. I had no chills, night sweats or fevers at any time.
So, one would assume, based on this idea that there must be a coinfection to account for such early acute neurological symptoms, he prescribed the mepron/zith combo. As some of you know, i couldn't tolerate the mepron as it turned my vision yellow (Its finally starting to clear up!)
At that point he put me on the Artemisinin/zith @ 400mgs but it made my brain explode to the point where if this was a herx, it was going to be the death of me. Maybe I should've backed off and stuck with the Artemisinin, but I had just met a woman who nearly died from the stuff and was wary. I discontinued the Art for the time being, staying a a bi weekly colloidal silver drip, which I seem to like a lot. I always feel great afterwards.

I saw another LLMD for a second opinion, as I really need to be treating in some way. He looked at the Igenex results and said "Where's the positive for Babesia?" He was looking at it at the time! He ordered the Igenex Fish test, which I have heard mixed reviews of. But it would seem like the logical thing to do would be to try to pinpoint as to whether or not i really have babesia, at least to pursue it further.

Here's my dilemma: He wants me to go back on the doxy @ 400mg for three months and then go to flagyl/ceftin for a couple of months, anyway something like that. I can't remember exactly. If I start the doxy I intend to stick with the program this time, no matter what happens. But what if the babs test comes back with a more solid positive? Would I switch again? I forgot to ask the new doc what his game plan would be in that event, but he implied that there was controversy about having to treat babs first, so i would guess he would continue the doxy route etc. After all, many people got better before they knew about coinfections. Some of those people probably had them.

I know it's a complex situation. I'm just curious as to what the general consensus is with some of you folks. I'm still a relative newbie, having only been infected in April of this year. I am almost 100% positive that this is my first infection, so I am working with the idea that I'm four months out from the infection now.

Any ideas?

PS: thanks to all the good people of lymenet who have answered my questions before.

I dont have an answer to your question, but i also had a 1:20 babs test from Igenex.

My LLMD started me on the mepron/zithro right away. Thankfully, i dont seem to have too much of a problem with these ABX. I did have some GI issues but i think it was a reaction from trying artemisinin.

I was wondering if anybody had any info on the babs test from Igenex? What have your experineces been?

Thanks,

Jordan