LymeNet Flash: Testing after antibiotic Tx

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Testing after antibiotic Tx

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Topic: Testing after antibiotic Tx

paul_hest
Member
Member # 8038

posted

Hi all,

I've been on 400mg of Doxycycline for 11 days for suspected Lyme disease (I couldn't afford the test without insurance). I'm returning to New Zealand on November 7 where I can get free testing for Lyme (I really don't know how accurate it'll be). Do the tests still return positive after you've been on treatment, or will it only be positive if I'm still symptomatic at that point?

Thanks,

Paul

Posts: 11 | From New York | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged |

Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200

posted

Hi Paul.

Boy, that's about impossible to know the answer to. No way to know how your tests will turn out. Some people who have Lyme like crazy -- when tested at a bad lab like Quest -- might test negative, even when highly symptomatic. I did! A couple weeks later, I tested CDC positive at Igenex with six bands (some double and triple!) I was not on any antibiotics at the time.

Some people's tests turn negative really fast once on abx; others take longer, depending on their bacterial load.

However, testing negative is definitely NOT a reason to stop antibiotics, especially if you've only been on them for 11 days. If your doc believes you have Lyme, you should remain on abx for at least two months after the resolution of all your symptoms. You don't want it coming back.

A negative test definitely doesn't mean you have killed all the bacteria.

I wish you luck in treatment!

Michelle

Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged |

HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789

posted

I never tested positive over the years at regular labs.

but I was on antibiotics and test positive at MDL Labs and Igenix.

Good Luck,

--------------------
HEATHER

Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged |

beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320

posted

I tested more positive after 5 weeks of Doxy.

Posts: 1452 | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged |

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