Does a "normal" SPECT scan indicate I don't have LD? I have so many neurological symptoms, including depression, mental fog, no memory, etc. But the results from the brain SPECT are supposedly normal.
I'm been newly clinically diagnosed (bite mark was back in '99). Awaiting blood test results to hopefully get insurance on board. Spirochetes were detected on darkfield microbiology. Have or have had almost every Lyme symptom.
I don't want this disease, but it sure would explain a lot of weird symptoms since 1999.
Thanks for your help, Paige
P.S. I'm also fighting a jawbone infection, which also is potentially fatal. I'm only 38....
Does a "normal" SPECT scan indicate I don't have LD? I have so many neurological symptoms, including depression, mental fog, no memory, etc. But the results from the brain SPECT are supposedly normal.
I'm been newly clinically diagnosed (bite mark was back in '99). Awaiting blood test results to hopefully get insurance on board. Spirochetes were detected on darkfield microbiology. Have or have had almost every Lyme symptom.
I don't want this disease, but it sure would explain a lot of weird symptoms since 1999.
Thanks for your help, Paige
P.S. I'm also fighting a jawbone infection, which also is potentially fatal. I'm only 38....
Hi Paige, No you don't have to have a normal spect scan to have lyme.
That test is very sensitve, and if you don't have a tech. that knows how to read it read it right, then it would be wise to get a copy to show your llmd.
Are you on any antibiotics now? I hope that helps your jaw infection. That has got to be very painful. Rhonda
tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
Hi Paige,
Welcome
I've read some comments previously that the SPECT scan needs to be read by someone who knows about Lyme and it's effects. And that it is possible for it to be interpreted incorrectly otherwise.
Not sure. I could be confusing the SPECT with some other scan. Hopefully others will be along with some answers.
If you had the rash, and all those symptoms, it sure sounds like Lyme. Did you happen to get a photo of the rash?
------------------ Tabby
Posts: 2098 | From San Diego, CA, USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
Nope, didn't get a photo, I was healthy at the time, didn't see a tick and thought a spider had bitten me overnight. Two LD tests several years ago were (-), which I now know doesn't mean anything. I remember looking at the bite and thinking "what a weird spider bite". It was small (on the back of my hand), red around the outside, clear in the middle, with a little indentation in the middle about the size of the head of a pin. I remember the bite being sore and/or itchy and hot. An avalanche of physical/mental/emotional symptoms started 1-3 months afterwards. All tests were negative, so I got branded as an anxiety ridden female and was placed on anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds.
I've been on so many rounds of oral abx. I also was on IV abx for 8 weeks several years ago for the jaw. Oral infections can also cause systemic symptoms, so I assumed the complete remission of ALL my symptoms while on IV was due to the jaw infection being zapped. I now wonder if it was also the LD.
Thanks for your input on the SPECT test. My confidence in radiologists is not very high, as all the imaging of my jaw done here in Chicago was also "normal". Only in sending the films to specialists in NY and Reno did I get the correct diagnosis for the jaw.
posted
Someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that Lyme and who knows what other bacteria can hide out in the jawbone.
Cavitations is a "hot" issue. Some doctors don't believe in this. There is a technical term -- something about necrosis-- I think.
Dr C in Missouri has a list of dentists who have the cavitat machine -- a very specialized dental ultrasound machine I think. Treatment is very expensive and may not be covered by insurance -- it would depend on whether it was considered dental or medical.
My husband talked to one of the doctors on the list and got the impression that if he found an infection with the cavitat machine he would do surgery. We have not followed up on this as we aren't really sure what to think and we can't afford it right now.
Some ACAM physicians are using ozone therapy to help treat jawbone infections.
By the way a normal SPECT doesn't really mean anything unless it is read by someone who is Lyme literate. The same goes for a normal MRI.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
A spec scan measures blood flow to the various parts of your brain. WHile "diminished profusion", lower than expected blood flow, could be a reason for neuro symptoms, there are other reasons, other things that also cause neuro symptoms.
Anyway, not everyone with lyme has blood flow problems in their brain, just some of us.
You still have lyme, and now get to try and figure out what else is causing your particular neuro symptoms.
Try doing a question thread, asking what have you heard of that can cause nuero symptoms in lyme patients besides dinished profusion.
I'll bet there's lots of options out there
Good luck narrowing it down
Posts: 222 | From Santa Cruz Mountains, CA USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Good evening Paige1,
Very strong neuro symptoms always throw up a red flag for possible bartonella exposure.
Have you been tested or treated for co-infections?
A "normal" SPECT is great! But, doesn't really mean that you do not have LD. As metioned above, it only means that no bloodflow problems were detected.
Neuro problems are still caused by inflamation, and simply, the bacteria thriving in your brain.
Yes, it is always best to have a qualified person who is well versed in LD to look over your SPECT results.
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