posted
Today I scheduled an appt to see a LLMD and will see her for testing next week.
Does anyone know if herbs/ supplements can influence results? For the last month or so I've been taking tinctures of Cat's Claw, Oil of Oregano, Red Clover and some anti-Candida capsules in an effort to help with my fatigue, headaches, and "hangover" feeling etc.
Also, I am not sure if/how my history will effect the testing .In 1991, I got "the flu" in the middle of summer. I went to a Dr and expressed concern about Lyme b/cause I had been hiking in Vermont but was told there was no way I could have Lyme.
Several weeks later, I developed a large bullseye rash- and tested positive in the ER. It was so long ago I can't remember the antibiotic prescribed or the duration of treatment but I believe it was 3 wks.
It wasn't until very recently that I considered the possibility that this incident could be contributing to the "unexplained fatigue" and other health problems I've been having for the last 6 yrs or so. The few doctors I've mentioned it to have dismissed it.
In 2004 after 2 surgeries for Endometriosis, I had hoped my fatigue and related symptoms would clear up as I claimed victory and recovered. I assumed it was to blame for everything- I consider myself extremely lucky to have overcome that battle but I'm still having a lot of days where I can't function b/cause of muscle and joint pain, dizziness, sore throat/ glands and worst of all the headache and confusion! I really hate those days!
Thanks
Sara
Posts: 6 | From san francisco | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
If you do not have a copy of the previous Lyme test, the first thing I would do is see if you can track it down.
As for testing, in my opinion I don't think the herbs would have much affect. Actually could be beneficial if they have activated your immune system.
Since you do have a positive test even though it is several years old you are already one up on lots of people here. Plus the history of the rash.
Any LLMD would most likely say retreat and see if that helps your symptoms. As you know there is no test that absolutely proves the Lyme is gone. It may have just gone dormant after the initial treatment.
Welcome to LymeNet!!!!!
Sorry you are sick, but you have come to the right place for help. Lots of friendly helpful people here.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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i have had a few days where i have felt "normal" for the first time since i can't remember when since i started taking them- but then just like a light switch it goes off and i feel sick and tired again.
i'll just be sure to list everthing for my appt
Posts: 6 | From san francisco | Registered: Aug 2006
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most of the information i have read directs people to stay away from all abx for 14 days prior to testing. you can look at the igenex and mdl web sites ---
sara - there is some good information regarding what you can take prior to testing ... some of the wonderful people on lyme net helped me with this
from what i understand - you would like the spirocytes and other partners in crime to become uncomfortable and enter the blood stream
this is not medical advise - but i did take niacin, lecithn, and kept lots of layers of clothes on ( keep the body temp up) excercise ( (barely), tested during menses (if the ovaries are still with you- watching the cycle will help.
hope you get better
mags ------- this is from one of the star posters here on lymenet
good information written by Dr C of Missouri. written around 1999 or 2000. an updated version below
"Antibiotics may actually help with the laboratory diagnosis. But patients need to be off antibiotics about 10 to 14 days before the Western blot is repeated. This sounds like a contradiction. Antibiotics may help convert the test to positive, but patients need to be off antibiotics when the specimen is drawn.
It is well documented in medical literature that the presence of antibiotics may cause false negative borreliosis testing. Therefore, your system should be free of all antibiotics for an accurate blot result.
When the Lyme borrelia are alive, they are geniuses at avoiding the immune system. They may do things like go inside your white blood cells, and come out enclosed by the cell membrane of your own white blood cells! This may partly explain why antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi are often not found when patients are tested.
What may happen when patients are given 4 weeks of tetracycline (or other antibiotics) is that some of the bacteria die. When Borrelia burgdorferi dies, it is less efficient at avoiding the immune system. That's when antibodies may be formed against Borrelia burgdorferi, converting the negative or equivocal Western blot to positive, in about 36% of cases.
Posts: 259 | From California | Registered: Mar 2006
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