posted
Is it possible to have positive IGM bands but not have an active infection? I was on antibiotics for about 3 months, 1 month being IV...
Now I just got retested and still am showing IGM 23 and 41 positive. Nothing has changed. I am also still symptomatic.
Is it possible that my body is still producing antibodies but that my Lyme is eradicated and these are just lingering symptoms...As it can take up to a year for them to be resolved?
Thanks!
Posts: 10 | From King of Prussia, Pa | Registered: Mar 2008
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Dawnee
Unregistered
posted
I don't think so... it is most likely that you have an active infection.. Anyone else have any thoughts..?
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posted
Same thing here, although I got my first positive Westen Blot ( months into treatment. The first 10 weeks included IV rocephin, then orals after that. I think we are still dealing with an active infection. My bands are 23 and 41, too.
-------------------- Mountaingirl
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 138 | From West Virginia | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
Although it is believed IgM antibodies are for active infection, I personally believe IgM can be circulating around even months after the last traces of spirochetes in the bloodstream.
Posts: 655 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2007
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
Bb can hide from the immune system. It has many ways to do this. I believe that once it comes back out of hiding your immune system would say "LOOK a 'NEW' infection", not realizing it's been there all along.
That's just MY speculation.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
IgM antibodies indicate an active infection. However, they can still linger around in your blood stream for 16 months or so. The lenght of time these antibodies are present varies between people, and depends on a lot of different factors.
I would say that the important thing is to treat your symptoms, NOT the test results. If you are still symptomatic, then it seems you need more treatment. Most of the LLMDs treat until you feel well, and after a few months of feeling well, then they stop treatment.
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
Well put Amanda! Posts: 1127 | From atlantic city, nj | Registered: May 2008
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