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I called one of the physicians office that was recommended to me in the Chicago area. I got kind of a weird response when asking about the Igenex test.
The woman kept giving me the run around until I nailed her down about it and she said that because they do not deal with them with billing, I would have to order the kit from them directly and send the blood back directly.
Is this test something I can do at home myself? I have a relative that is a nurse and can draw blood if necessary. Does the kit include everything needed? Will Igenex help me interpret the results of the test?
Does anyone know of a Doctor in the Chicago area that DOES work with Igenex?
Posts: 14 | From Chicago | Registered: Nov 2007
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We just took our IgenX test kit to a local free standing lab... they charged a draw fee...$35 I think... then we packaged them and Fedexed them back to IgenX. Needs to be drawn and Fedexed on Monday or Tuesday! There are directions with the kit. Be sure and include the requisition. WILL you doctor at least ORDER the western blot?
-------------------- Susan Posts: 80 | From Queen Creek, AZ | Registered: Nov 2007
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Robert- any doc can get the Igenex test and sign the order.
You should go to the Igenex website and ask the doc to CALL Igenex and request a kit. (Maybe even YOU can call them and ask them to send a kit directly to you). Then all the doc has to do is sign the requisition form so the results will go to that doctor.
I took the Igenex kit to labcorp or quest and they drew the blood for me. The best way to do this is if you have any other blood tests ordered through a lab, they will usually be nice and draw blood for the Igenex kit. Or you can ask them to be nice and just draw your blood and spin it down if needed. The only reason why you may need to go through a lab to draw blood is because the lab has equipment to spin it down.
But you then have to send the Igenex kit yourself. They provide a prepaid stamp and all the info in the kit.
Call Igenex and see if they will send a kit to you. Hope this helps. -Despin
Posts: 163 | From Cleveland, OH | Registered: Sep 2007
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Robert- Igenex is the name of the specialty lab for lyme disease. It offers a variety of tests so you need to dicide what tests to order. It offers several different tests for lyme disease and also for coinfections.
The western blot is a good first test to order. You may also wish to be tested for coinfections. I had the complete lyme and coinfection panel ordered from them.
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robert, yes, you need a DR. to sign this form, date it, show a DIAGNOSIS code as to why it is being ordered, and medicare no. IF you have medicare!
must fill in other stuff, and DR. MUST BE FAXED INFO back, and be sent PAPER copy too; mine was lost for 4 wks!
it's prepay also! dr. is one to diagnose you with lyme, but they won't know how to interpret the numbers even when IGENEX LAB shows positive or negative at top of all the 16 numbers shown!
yes, call them and have them send it to you!
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IGeneX won't really help you with interpreting the results. Your doctor might not, either! But this forum will. When your results come in to your doctor ask for copies of all the sheets (there will be many).
Like many of us, you might be "negative" but there could be significant positive bands.
This is where it gets tricky and where a Lyme friendly PCP or LLMD comes in.
It's a clinical diagnosis so you don't want a doctor that say, "oh, your blood test for Lyme is negative" and walks away.
The results of your Western Blot bands, both positive and IND are very important. Even more important is your symptoms.
Some of the sickest people with Lyme test negative. So again, keep after your doctor.
Track your symptoms in a journal everyday (both old and new ones).
Good luck! Post your results when you get them and this wonderful forum will help you interpret (along with your doctor, of course!).
If you really think you have Lyme, after you get your blood drawn, ask your doc for a month of Doxy while you wait for the results. The sooner you get on the treatment the better.
~megan
Posts: 257 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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But this forum will. When your results come in to your doctor ask for copies of all the sheets (there will be many). 
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