posted
hi! i was recently tested for borrelia antibodies, using the methods ifa and elisa, and both tests are positive. i will soon have western blot method test done as well. my symptoms are: 20 years old migraines,3 years old bad pain the hip from lemonades(i know it sounds funny!), blood in the urine. i am trying to find out if this is lyme.
i am romanian, lyme is not that well known there.
also, my main question is: if it is not lyme, what other interferences could be? i know that these tests ar enot so specific, so it might be another spirochet. do you know what other things could make the tests look positive?
i am asking this because the symptoms are mild and because i don't remember any tick bite. i know that no all the people have that specific bruise from the initial bite, but i still have to think of other posibilities.
thank you!
Posts: 6 | From bucharest | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
What were the test results? Maybe when you get the western blot done, you can post all your results here for comments. False negatives on these tests are much more common than false positives.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
my ifa test is just pozitive, without any numbers. the elisa test is for IgM 2.04 U/ml, this is positive if >1U/ml . the elisa test for IgG is negative. there are 2 of them, it must mean something.
Posts: 6 | From bucharest | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
It sounds to me like you have lyme disease. I don't have any idea how Roumanian doctors are treating this. It is not being handled well elsewhere, which is why there are internet support groups for lyme patients. Generally, doctors do not treat long enough.
The other thing to know is that ticks frequently give people more than one kind of germ. Sometimes they also pass along bartonella, babesia, and ehrlichia. Will you be tested for any of those, I wonder?
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
thank you, Lou! I will try to make these tests as well and to keep in touch with the forum so I can find out more.
Posts: 6 | From bucharest | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
also, right now I am in Pittsburgh. does anyone know a good doctor for lyme here? i don't even know how these doctors are called, i think maybe infectious disease doctors. while i am in US I hope to have more tests done and to get osme advices. Thank you!
Posts: 6 | From bucharest | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by alice1: also, right now I am in Pittsburgh. does anyone know a good doctor for lyme here? i don't even know how these doctors are called, i think maybe infectious disease doctors. [/qb]
Do NOT go looking for infectious disease drs!!!! They are the world's worst at treating Lyme disease. IF you had just gotten bit [like in the past few days or weeks] they would probably treat you for 3-4 wks, and if you weren't well after that, you're on your own!
LLMD's can be from many different areas, like internal medicine, family practice, etc. There are quite a few LLMD's [Lyme Literate MD's] in Pennsylvania.
You can go to Seeking a Doctor on this site for info on drs. I'll even send you info myself, but I'm very busy right now. If I forget, please send me a private message by clicking on the "people and letter" icon next to the date on this post.
With two positive tests you're bound to have it. The Western Blot will tell you more. Please post your results when you get it back. It is your right to receive a copy of the test.
Welcome!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
ok, i will remind you! i will also try to contact the support group here as well, so i can find a good doctor. thank you both!
Posts: 6 | From bucharest | Registered: Mar 2006
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Go to www.lymediseaseassociation.org and complete their online Dr. Search. You can get doctors immediately from that source.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
thank you all for your messeges! I wrote to the support group in Pittsburgh, maybe they know a doctor here, because i dont know how to get to Hermitage without a car. i will ask around, maybe there is a train or something. if not, i will go to any doctor for a recommendation so i can at least make the western blot test. i was puzzled to find out that between borrelia antibodies and antibodies for periodontosis there is a strong cross reactivity.i do have an advanced periodontal disease indeed. I guess it takes a very good doctor to decide, after the tests, if mine is a borrelia or just an oral treponema.
Posts: 6 | From bucharest | Registered: Mar 2006
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