posted
I have Lyme, however I do not know if I have these co-infections you guys all talk about. Should I get tested for all of them, or is the treatment the same (antibiotics/flagyl etc...), so it doesn't matter...
Don't want to spend MORE money testing for these if the treatment is the same anyways.
Thanks!
Posts: 215 | From Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
It's probably wise to test for the co's as many people advocate treating the co's first.
If you just treat Lyme and you have co's, it could stall your overall treatment.
You should probably re-examine your symptoms and see what fits. I recently had an Igenex panel dome because I haven't been making much progress after a year and I've just been targeting Lyme.
The expense--I feel--is secondary to my health and I want all the info. I can get.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
How much is the test for Co-Infections at IgeneX?
Which Co-Infections does the test check for?
Posts: 103 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
llelnino-
Visit the Igenex website. The panel includes the major co's. There is an eastcoast panel. Prices are not listed. Call Igenex or ask your LLMD. I believe the panel runs +/- 700 out-of-pocket.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
So how are the coinfections treated? With a different type of antibiotic than what is used to treat the Lyme?
THANKS!!!!!!!!
Posts: 215 | From Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Babesia is treated differently. It is not a bacteria, it is a parasite, so it will not respond to antibiotics. (I have heard Bactrim may work, however.....but it is not considered the "best" line of treatment)
As far as Bartonella, many would recommend drugs like Levaquin or Rifampin, which an LLMD would not normally use to treat Lyme. If you are on Zithromax or Bactrim (which can be used for Lyme), those may cover Bartonella, but what if it doesn't cover YOUR Bart? You would want to know you have Bart so you can keep Levaquin or Rifampin in mind if you need them later because you're not getting better.
In summation, you will want to know if you have coinfections, especially babesia, since Lyme treatment won't really help it. If you do Igenex, be sure to get the babesia FISH.
Erlichia doesn't seem to be as much as a problem, because many recommend Doxycycline to treat it, which IS often used for Lyme (phew!).
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is more rare, and I am not really sure how it's treated.
I would get the coinfection tests done, especially if you are not responding to treatment in the ways you would like. Not responding to Lyme treatment should be a big warning sign for coinfections.
I know the tests cost a lot of money, but being sick for a long period of time costs money too----lost wages, etc. You may not EVER see the results you want if you don't find out you have some of these infections. If these tests will help you heal quicker, it is worth it.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic