posted
Hubby has been tested for syphillis a couple of times since his symptoms are primarily neurological. The syphillis tests are much more accurate than Lyme tests from my understanding.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
My doctor tested me a few times the first couple years of my illness. I don't know why he did it for sure. Just making sure it wasn't a factor also?
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
yeah, i was tested also. negative.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I was tested for syphillis and I think it was negative. I have tested negative for Lyme a few times and positive for it a few times.
I don't know how likely it would be that your partner would show symptoms, since syphilis is "the great imitator", kind of like Lyme.
If you are in doubt, I'd do a syphilis test too of course. I did the syphilis test to rule it out, before I knew I had Lyme.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
I have read some people test positive for Syphilis and it was Lyme instead.
You used to have to be tested for syphilis before you could get married. Unfortunaltly, if the tests were as bad as they are now it is a wonder they ever found any positives. Which is why I think most states dropped it. http://www.coolnurse.com/marriage_laws2.htm
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
lyme in Putnam
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11561
posted
Found an old test result. Was non reactive in 2005 for syphilis.
-------------------- He took u to it, He'll you through Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
From Scott's notes of recent Lyme Conference:
Dr. Klinghardt believes that comparing Lyme disease to syphilis is misleading. Syphilis has 23 genes where Lyme has over 250. It is like comparing "cabbage with a dog". Borrelia is a far more evolved organism. He posed the question, "What if these bugs could exchange their DNA such that the gene responsible for producing a certain toxin was transferred to harmless bacteria in the oral cavity or in normal gut flora." It becomes clear that these microbes are highly intelligent.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- GiGi,
thanks for that amazing quote. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I actually tested slightly positive (FTA ABS) for syph (results said "low reactivity" or something). I am a virgin. I didn't realize my Dr. had included this in the list of tests he was running at the time (all neuro tests he could think of). Imagine my surprise when the health department called me and told me I had syphilis. Apparently my "wild" ways were a public health threat. Ha!
However, I did get somewhat concerned when I read that you could potentially contract this from oral sex or kissing. Things I should have paid attention to in sex ed I guess, though don't think they ever taught that.
Though highly unlikely (and also tested negative upon re-test), I have off and on been concerned about this. An LLMD once told me that even if I did have it I would now have killed it all. Not sure this is correct though, as I have heard mixed reports about syph being easy or hard to kill... esp once it becomes neuro since I have never been on IV abx.
Also, is it possible at all that someone could "inherit" this from mom or dad, but not really have problems with it until adulthood? Highly doubtful, I would think.
Anyway, good to know I've been saving myself for marriage all these years only to be given a syphilis diagnosis from the health dept. It was a severe understatement to say I was furious with my Dr. for not telling me of this result first.
And while they may be very different types of bacteria, the tests available right now are apparently so crappy that you can test positive or negative for anything and everything and not know what the hell you have when all is said and done, or how to treat it.
Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
VB- Wow, that must be very frustrating for you. I think there's a big possibility that tests can be inaccurate. It may be more than most people realize.
That's really not nice that your doctor didn't discuss with you that he was having you tested for syphilis. I can see why you would be furious...
When AIDS fist became a public health threat, many people were tested & given inaccurate test results. Some people at that time actually committed suicide from having a positive result!
You really have to think twice about any test results or advice from authority figures. Many of us have gotten the run around from various doctors that we paid quite well.
I can see why you would be upset. I would go to a different doctor - if possible.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I went back to my old blood tests and only one doctor tested me-I was mildly reactive for syphillis so now I want to be retested. If I have this I believe treatment may be different than what I have had so far.
I have read that if you are positive you would be positive for life.
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
| 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