I received the report in the mail from Dr. J's office yesterday, and here are the results. Please help me to interpret them!!!
IGM:
Band 31: IND Band 34: IND Band 39: IND Band 41: ++ Band 66: + Band 83-93: IND
It says overall result by IGENEX: NEG It says overall result by CDC: NEG
IGG:
Band 39: + Band 41: +++
It says overall result by IGENEX: POS It says overall result by CDC: NEG
Now, the nurse whom I spoke with yesterday said that my son tested positive for "having been exposed to Lyme" but negative for having "active Lyme."
Is that the difference between IGG and IGM - IGG tests for exposure and IGM tests for Active Lyme?
Was she sugar-coating this for me? I'm really concerned how having seen the results with my own eyes.
I'm really upset and panicing - I feel like my son needs further treatment. Please help a very scared Mommy.. I'm going to fax a note to Dr. J today to ask to speak with him directly.
Also - as the nurse stated, all tests for Co-infections came back Negative. I know this doesn't mean that he doesn't have them.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
[ 04. January 2008, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: JaimeeS ]
Posts: 65 | From Beacon Falls, CT | Registered: May 2007
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
JaimeeS,
Please stop panicing! Nothing to worry about.
You pretty much answered your own questions.
Yes, IGg means at some time in his life your son has been exposed to Bb.
Yes, IGm means whether Bb is an active infection.
To quote your last sentance: " I know this does'nt mean he does'nt have them", or for that matter IT(Bb).
So, if you take these to your llmd he will probably treat your son, according to your son's symptoms and your llmd's interpretation of his symptoms and make his "clinical diagnosis".
So, I really don't know why you should panic at this particular time. Go ahead and take a few deep breaths and relax.
zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I am IgG positive and IgM negative. I had over 45 symptoms of Lyme, so I was considered to have active disease and to need treatment.
A Lyme diagnosis is based on symptoms with a blood test supporting the diagnosis. It is not based on the blood test alone.
You have mentioned that your son was previously treated for Lyme and now shows no symptoms.
I think Dr. J is right, your son most likely does not need treatment. If he's having no symptoms, these tests just show he still has antibodies.
I agree that talking to Dr. J yourself is the best things to do. If he says no treatment is necessary, then ask what you can do to make your son's immune system stronger so it can keep the Lyme in check on it's own, which it looks to me like it is doing.
If he becomes symptomatic later, then call Dr. J again and tell him.
If your son had this blood test and symptoms, I would be fighting to have him treated.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
I agree with Six.
Your son's recent exposure and treatment could produce a test like this even though he might be completely cured.
SO MUCH is reliant on symptoms!! You might be surprised to find that Dr. J would re-treat him with no positive IgM bands IF he had significant symptoms. But it sounds like fortunately, he does not, at least at this time.
You're a wonderful and vigilant mom. Keep up that vigilance but let Dr. J do the worrying for you. I'd take what he says 'to the bank', so vast is his clinical experience with children. I, like you, would feel even better with either a call from him or a note from him personally.
Hugs,
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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I talked again with Dr. J's office, not him directly. The nurse told me that she said down with Dr. J and went through line by line of my son's results.
Dr. J is confident that my son is ok! Even with the swollen lymph node and facial breakouts, Dr. J does not feel that my son warrants any further treatment at this time.
Given that he was treated initally for 24 days and really acts like a happy, healthy toddler, I'm just going to keep a close watch on him and if anything changes then I will call them back.
Thank you so much for the advise that everyone has provided. I very much appreciate it and hope everyone gets healthy very soon!!!
Posts: 65 | From Beacon Falls, CT | Registered: May 2007
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
My son had the same results IgG positive. For me it explained an unexplained illness 10 years prior that nearly killed him but abx cured.
Although this is considered "past exposure" he had sporadic symptoms when I look back, migraines now and then anxiety and then in shortly after the test last Christmas more symptoms seem to come forward, nauseated a lot, insomnia. But nothing super severe.
My LLMD Dr. S in SF said he wouldn't treat an IgG postive that had no symptoms (no symptoms being key) but advise my son should do a 90 day round of Doxy to be sure, which he did and feels great now.
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