posted
I tested positive on the WB IGM with Quest labs. (2 out of 3 bands 23 and 41) My doctor repeated the test last week with Quest as well. I don't know exactly which bands or which part of the test but he said one band was positive. He wants me to do the Igenex test. I was on antibiotics when I took the 2nd test. Would that change the results?
I have been off abx since last Monday and he'd like me to retest tommorow with Igenex. I've called the lab and they said that is enough time to be off meds get an accurate result.
My question is would the abx change the result or is it possible that some lyme was killed off and that's why the result has changed? Any comments are welcome.
My doctor also told me I can still have Lyme and test negative. He wants me to continue abx. Is there a reason to take the test that will change my treatment? As you all know it's out of pocket...
Thanks!!!
Posts: 13 | From Staten Island, NY | Registered: Jun 2009
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Hoosiers51
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posted
I would still do the test. I have had CDC positive Western Blots while on antibiotics, although I was only on one antibiotic, Amoxicillin, but it was in high doses.
I would also do the test just to have the test for later, if your symptoms aren't better. It will give you a snapshot into what is going on right now. Igenex is a more sensitive test than Quest.
I would continue the antibiotics until you are symptom-free for awhile (can't remember in Dr. B's guidelines how long that is supposed to be....6 weeks symptom free maybe? maybe longer?)
Your doctor sounds like a smart guy/gal for saying you can still have Lyme and test negative, and for continuing your antibiotics to help prevent problems later on.
Honestly, it would have been nice to not even stop the antibiotics, and just keep going, so I would get back on them as soon as you can.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Thanks for your reply Hoosiers. Does the Western Blot test negative if you are over Lyme (I know, everyone wants to get over it!) or does it always show up on the test?
Posts: 13 | From Staten Island, NY | Registered: Jun 2009
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Hoosiers51
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posted
It definitely won't always show up positive....the Western Blots can be finicky.
If it shows up positive and you no longer have symptoms, I would still treat a little longer....but how long is up to you I guess.
But if the test is negative, that doesn't tell you much if you are still having the symptoms, because false negatives do occur, too often.
The best thing to do is go by symptoms. That is your best indicator to what the disease is doing.
Do you still have symptoms?
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I felt decent when I started the abx and then I felt awful. It stirred everything up. More fatigue, lots of joint and muscle pain, etc, etc. I started to feel a little better after a couple of weeks and then felt a some more anxiety and muscle tension and that seems to have died down and I'm decent again. I stopped taking the abx because he wanted me to switch to Biaxin to keep the blood level up but because I've had so many allergic reactions to meds, I was chicken. The doc was also afraid I might herx on them and my son is graduating and there's lots of activities at the school so I didn't want to be out of commission during this time. I figured maybe it would be good anyhow because I've heard the WB is more accurate when not on them or after a period of being on them and then off for a bit. I'll restart them again after the blood is drawn.
Posts: 13 | From Staten Island, NY | Registered: Jun 2009
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Hoosiers51
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One more question (sorry)....did you start treatment soon after getting infected? Because there is a big difference between starting the anitbiotics early, and catching it later.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
No, I haven't been feeling well for just over 2 years now. Lots of testing revealed nothing including ELISAs in the past. I actually told them NOT to bother testing Lyme as I didn't think it was Lyme at all. A new doc said, "let's just run in just in case." We were both shocked when it came up positive and I was referred to a doctor for treatment.
Posts: 13 | From Staten Island, NY | Registered: Jun 2009
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Hoosiers51
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Treatment can take longer then....I would go back on the Biaxin after you get the new bloodwork sent out. See what the Igenex testing says...it might reveal more bands since you seem to have had this for awhile.
Then, I would just go by the same thing as I said before: treat until your Lyme symptoms are gone. How long you will need to treat probably just depends on how sick you are.
There are many arguments as to how long Lyme can last in the body with antibiotic treatment, and if the continued treatment has benefit.
The people on this site believe that the Lyme continues to exist in the body and that continued antibiotic treatment does have benefits.
A good book to get you started is "The Lyme Disease Solution" by Kenneth Singleton...they have it at amazon.com.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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