hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Hello Lyme fighters,
I had an appointment with my PCP today. He's an internal medicine physician.
He was very concerned because my CD4 was quite low. He told me he only sees numbers this low in HIV patients. He almost apologized as he hinted around that he'd like to do an HIV test.
I thought it was kind of funny, so I told him I didn't mind him doing the test....it's just another virus/disease to rule out.
I informed him Lyme is immunosupressive.
I hope Lyme doesn't cause a false positive HIV test.
He diagnosed my odd heart sensations as palpitations and arrhythmia. I go for an echocardiogram next week. That's pretty fast.
I noticed he wrote "Lyme in remission" in my chart. I told him I was feeling the best I've felt since getting bit by the tick, although I still have some unresolved symptoms.
I wonder how he determined Lyme was in remission??? He must know of a special test that I should share with all of you.
Lyme can induce insulin resistance, so I'll be tested for C-peptide...a marker for insulin resistance. He said if it was high he'd put me on glucophage or metformin, rather than Actos for insulin resistance. He said it should help me keep my weight under control if I'm insulin resistant. That would be great. He wrote "metablolic syndrome" in my chart.
This was a good visit overall. He cares about my health and he takes me seriously. He is not Lyme literate, but he realizes I have Lyme disease. That's a big step for around here.
This is the physician who put a copy of the state map of endemic counties in my chart. I had all the Lyme case counts on it and marked which counties were endemic, and which were only one case away from being considered endemic by the CDC.
He is learning about the effect of Lyme & coninfections.
Keep talking, someone will listen. You never know who will listen until you open your mouth.
[ 21. November 2007, 06:03 AM: Message edited by: hshbmom ]
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Stop worrying RIGHT now HsbMom because the way that the CD57 test was discovered was because the doctor who found a correlation was an HIV+ doctor who began treating LYme (Doc S of SF) who noticed that his Lymie patients had low levels of certain killer cells- so don't worry!! No, it won't cause a false positive HIV+ test but Lyme DOES affect T cells and other cells that HIV also affects-!!! So don't worry overmuch!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Psychic hugs to you- S.
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Yeah, I had an HIV test this summer that was a big old negative even though my body is most likely teeming with Lyme.
No worries! Unlike Lyme tests, HIV tests tend to be very accurate...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 36 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
That's a big relief to know Lyme doesn't have an effect on the HIV testing.
I'm actually glad he's testing me for insulin resistance. I hope the c-peptide is a good test. I feel insulin resistance may be one factor with my weight. ...in addition to Lyme fatigue and lack of stamina.
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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My daughter was high on marker for insulin resitence. That was just aother reason I tested her for Lyme!! We re ran and she was in normal range, but her symptoms had subsided as well when it was ran the 2nd time.
So certain it would come up high again as symptoms increase.
Fortunately for me, her Endochronologist is a Northerner, so when I asked her if this could be Lyme related as I too have it and suspicious for other symptoms she is having, she didnt even balk or hesitate signing the test order!
Believe me, rare in my area!!!! And she faxed the results to me the same day she received them.
Positive - Igenex positive that is.
As for remission - interesting that he would claim that! But I guess because of the statement you used:
"I fell better than I have in some time!"
I have palps too. They were terrible, terrible, terrible in 04-05! I mean off the wall! I had echo, stress test, blood works, you name it, all was "normal" what gave me the best medical "check" to assure this wasnt too serious (althgouh anytime our hearts do this I still wonder!!) I did the 30 day heart monitor.
It was a pain in th e tush! BUT as you know, they dont happen all the time and catching it is not easy in one echo test or stress test. Neither caught the episode and even a 24 hour monitor didnt catch one!
The 30 day caught a bunch of them becuase I could push that button and record as soon as it started! Mine were junctional issues - mis fires so I had PJC's and a few PAC's but only 2 PVCs which are the bad ones, all the others were/are considered benign".
Hope things go well on your tests, keep us posted!
-------------------- Seeking renewed health & vitality. --------------------------------- Do not take anything I say as medical advice - I am NOT a dr! Posts: 830 | From TN | Registered: Aug 2007
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