posted
I recently had a Lyme test sent to IGeneX, and it came back "negative". But my physician told me that some doctors would read my results as positive and start me on treatment. I don't know the exact results, but on the IGG, I had 4 positive points and 2 that were IND. I've been having numerous, continuous neurological symptoms for over 10 months now, and I'm just not sure what to do. Three neurologists dismissed Lyme, and I still haven't gotten a "positive" blood test. My question is, if I decide to get treatment, is there any way I could take another antibiotic other than IV to "test" and see if they will have any effect? I'm a poor student with little insurance and I can't afford IV treatment only to find out that it isn't the problem. I should say that I don't recall being bit by a tick, and if these neuro symptoms ARE caused by Lyme, would I just start to have neuro symptoms right off the bat?? Thanks.
Posts: 23 | From wyoming | Registered: May 2006
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
I split up your post to make it more readable to Lyme brains.
My comment follows. [quote] I recently had a Lyme test sent to IGeneX, and it came back "negative".
But my physician told me that some doctors would read my results as positive and start me on treatment. I don't know the exact results, but on the IGG, I had 4 positive points and 2 that were IND.
I've been having numerous, continuous neurological symptoms for over 10 months now, and I'm just not sure what to do.
Three neurologists dismissed Lyme, and I still haven't gotten a "positive" blood test.
My question is, if I decide to get treatment, is there any way I could take another antibiotic other than IV to "test" and see if they will have any effect?
I'm a poor student with little insurance and I can't afford IV treatment only to find out that it isn't the problem.
I should say that I don't recall being bit by a tick, and if these neuro symptoms ARE caused by Lyme, would I just start to have neuro symptoms right off the bat??
Thanks. [end quote]
Yes, you can take oral meds. IV meds are not absolutely needed. You could start with something as simple and cheap as amoxicillin in a fairly high dose for a month and see if you reacted. Some doctors who treat Lyme disease do this.
There are oral antibiotics that cross the blood-brain barrier and aren't too expensive. Maybe your doc would help you out with samples.
You might be able to get the meds cheaper by buying them in Canada etc.
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Many people choose to start on orals because some think it is harder to treat Lyme if you fail with IV. I don't understand the science behind it. But I have just done oral.
As far as needing treatment, think about it this way. If you don't treat yourself for Lyme or other coinfections, what are your other options?
Any other diagnosis by a neurologist will probably be one that will result in treating symptoms not a cause. Because nobody knows the causes of the other diagnoses. If it's possible you have Lyme, don't you want to give treatment a chance?
I know costs can be difficult. But money is money is your health is you.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
If you were lucky enough to find a doc who uses Igenex and is willing to start treatment, AND you are sick ,
AND that took you to a doc to question a lyme diagnosis,
I would say now is the time to start treatment. IV is NOT necessary ( even for full blown neuro lyme, which I have and never touched IV's.. and got better)
-------------------- You want your life back? Take it. Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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quote:Originally posted by patsmad: . Three neurologists dismissed Lyme, and I still haven't gotten a "positive" blood test. My question is, if I decide to get treatment, is there any way I could take another antibiotic other than IV to "test" and see if they will have any effect? [/QB]
You're listening to the wrong docs. Most neurologists know next to NOTHING about Lyme disease. They are certainly not well versed in reading test results for Lyme, I'll guarantee you!
Yes, you could take any oral antibiotics that work against Lyme and wait for a "herx."
And I agree with "Crime"... YOu don't need IV to get well!
Print off the links then check them off as you read as you could spend several months reading all of this. While there, check for link on NEEDING FINANCIAL HELP FOR MEDS...something to that effect; it's in there!
print & read Dr. Burrascono's 2005 info first; you will come back to this often.
Extensive info in Treepatrol''s newbie links about the meaning of WESTERN BLOT IGM/IGG test results from Igenex! Be sure to read or print this info IF Igenex tested you ok!
Also, see Cheryl''s extensive web sites on: LD DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT ... wonderful! Read the area on CO-INFECTIONS! You could have from 1-12 other illnesses that tick is carrying...lyme, malaria, etc.
If you are showing symptoms of co-infections, I would like to suggest being tested for co-infections when you have LYME western blots done. It isn''t cheap!! But if you are positive, you can treat the co-infections first, and then work on LYME symptoms.
mention you have lyme and marshall protocol, they will give you 20% off!
Also they have been kind enough to replace the SCRATCHED LENSES & BROKEN BOWS! How's that for service?
I don't drive often at night, but I can wear NOIR's 901 lenses at night while driving; it creates soft candle lights coming at me...tolerable. NOT to wear in town with all the action of people crossing where they shouldn't be, etc.
from LOU to Betty on LONG web links and Thank You Lou!: "If you hit the return key in the middle of a link, I don't think it will be clickable anymore. An alternative that maybe Betty should be telling people about is the tiny url website. I have it on my tool bar at the top of the page and use it for those incredablylongwebsiteaddresses.
All you have to do is ask tiny url to produce a short version, which it will do with a unique address, which you then use instead in your post. Works just the same when clicked! Here is the website, spread the word!
3-1-06, fyi, I tried dragging tinyurl to my toolbar without success, so that''s why I currently have LONG addresses vs. short tiny ones! I''ll keep trying.
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