So, I got my mother to an LLMD. He looked at her Igenex Western Blot IgM, which was negative (see below).
39 kDa..IND 41 kDa..+ 45 kDa..+ 83-93 kDa..IND
So, he suggested she take 3 weeks of minocin (100mg, 2x per day), wait a few days after the 3 weeks were finished, and then re-test the Western Blot IgG and IgM.
I have seen many posts here about people re-testing positive after a year or more on antibiotics.
***Has anyone re-tested positive after only 3 weeks on antibiotics?
Mom is only on Day 10 of her 21 days of antibiotics and feeling crappy (muscle aches, sleeps a lot) and wanting to take her prednisone. Which I have to keep away from her.
And pain meds don't seem to be helping much. At least, she sleeps through a lot of it.
I guess I just want to hear that going through this pain is worth it for her. I would hate for her to have another negative test at the end of this.
Especially as the LLMD didn't really seem positive about whether or not she had lyme (didn't say much one way or another, just that it was possible). I like him, seems like a good doctor. But he seems to be depending on the test, too, to diagnose Mom. And I'm getting nervous.
Anyone have a positive result from a trial run of antibiotics like this?
Mariela
Posts: 23 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Apr 2008
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
yes, that is a rather standard way to prime someone for a western blot. it gets the keets out of hiding so they are more apt to show up on the test.
sounds like she's herxing. that's what happened to me, but still tested negative. hope it works for her.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Yes I did in the beginning, I tested positive after only 2 weeks on abx and then I tested positive again 1.5 years later (never missed a day of abx in that time).
Some people will test positive for years after being in treatment. Even if you test negative, it means very little, Lyme is based on symptoms, a clinical diagnosis.
Since Lyme is a "disease" and there is no cure, diseases are "managed" and we hope for remission.
Abx should never be stopped until you are symptom free + two months.
I guess I just wanted some reassurance that this was standard. Also, that mom is herxing.
Your post actually makes me feel better about all this. Though it still sucks that she is in pain.
lymebytes,
It makes me feel better to know that 2 weeks of antibiotics did it for you. Just wanted to be sure she is on antibiotics long enough to have some effect on her Western blot.
Thank you both for your stories. It really helps to know we're on the right track.
Mariela
Posts: 23 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Apr 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Igenex actually has an antibiotic protocol to give a better chance of positive bands.
It is 28 days of antibiotics, followed by 10 days without and taking blood
On the 10th day and sending it in.
Since Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, my LLMD always says "What are your symptoms?"
My LLMD gives an antibiotic "challenge" to those who may or may not have Lyme.
1500mg of flagyl on one day followed by 1500mg of biaxin.
If you herx.....you start on treatment for Lyme.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi SFL
Is your LLMD Doctor S. in Frisco ?? or NPLLMD- S. in Frisco ??
If it is- I would Trust what they says - they are as Good as it Gets --Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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