Now I have been on antibiotics for about 2 months, I would like to get tested with Igenex. I have only had one serology before and it wasn't at a Lyme lab and it was just the ELISA test.
Which panel should I have done? I don't really want to spend over $450 as I doubt my insurance will pay for it.
Igenex recommended Panel #6040 which includes: Lyme IFA, IgG and IgM Western Blots, and Lyme PCR.
Which panel did you have done?
Posts: 263 | From UK | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
I have no idea at all if my insurance company will pay or not because I am from the U.K, I will phone them later and ask.
I am seeing an LLMD but he uses the Bowen test, which I have already had done. He lives almost the other side of the country, so it is quite difficult. I do have a consultant who lives about 3 miles away who is very good and interested in Lyme, so he will order it for me. One of the reason's why I am having this done is because I am thinking about going to a private hospital quite near but they don't accept the Bowen test on It's own, they usually do Igenex and sometimes the MELISA test in Germany for further proof. I am doing it myself because I think the hospital charges alot of money to do all the paper work, etc.
I am trying to figure out if the IFA and PCR tests are worth it? I know if I get a positive PCR no one can really argue. I might just get the Igm and IgG western blot's done.
Posts: 263 | From UK | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi Chris.
IGeneX's own Dr. Nick Harris will tell you that your best shot at testing positive would be by going OFF antibiotics for a period of about two weeks prior to testing.
THAT'S something you'd want to discuss with your doctor, of course.
Some people do still test positive despite being on antibiotics. You might be lucky and be one of them!
But depending on how important the test results are to you, I'd talk to my doctor and to IGeneX before sticking out my arm.
Also, if you hadn't been in treatment for two months, I'd say just go with the IgM/IgG. However, since you HAVE been on antibiotics, looking harder is perhaps warranted, so I'd go for the more thorough panel.
Hope that helps!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
Wouldn't it be easier to have the Melissa test? I know you said that you knew lots of people who tested positive with that. Maybe your ins would cover it there.
I was interested in having it done since I am IgeneX neg/ Quest positive. However the test is not available in this country.
Nobel Prize to the person that comes up with winning Lyme and/or Co-infection testing.
Posts: 465 | From New York, NY | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
I think I will phone Igenex and see what Dr. Harris suggests. I don't mind going off antibiotcs for a week or so and I am sure my LLMD wouldn't mind, but I will ask him. It might actually be a good idea for me to stop the ABX for a little while to let the buggers come out again.
If I get just the IgM and IgG, I could get the MELISA test done, too.
I think I just need to try and get some more proof apart from the Bowen tests that some people would take seriously.
Chris
Posts: 263 | From UK | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic