Topic: I had a Positive SPECT scan. Results inside, a Must See for All !!!
lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
This is the preliminary, but my Dr. confirmed with the photos. I'm getting a PICC line tomorrow now with aggressive IV therapy. This certainly explains alot of my symptoms.
If your having lots of neuro stuff in the head, I would recommend you asking your Dr. for one of these scans. For me, it will be a monitoring tool of my progress besides my subjective reports. If nothing else, my disability insurance can no longer say I have mental health issues.
The blue areas are the areas NOT getting blood flow and the purple areas ARE getting proper blood flow.
Gary
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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djf2005
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posted
This is not that bad of a spect scan actually as far as spect scans go, although it does show there are issues...
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
Where was this done?
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
I would say it is about as reliable as a scan for
thyroid. That being said if it shows something it
is valuable....Glad to hear you are not mental any
more..LOL We know you aren't.
-------------------- 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
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karenl
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Gary,
is this scan done with radiation or like a MRI or is it harmless? Did you need a contrast IV?
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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lpkayak
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Member # 5230
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where was it done-i was told only to have it done at columbia in nyc-but that was a while ago-maybe some other places can do it right now..but i hate it when they say lymes too..esp when it is a do yelling at me that i don't have lymes...
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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The results should not have been a surprise. But I agree that it could have been much worse. I was rather surprised that the results do not attempt to quantify the severity of the hypoperfusion issues. I have read of others having severe hypoperfusion with many more areas of the brain involved.
Hubby's report says -- quoting here "mild to moderate global cortical hypoperfusion with heterogeneity of the bilateral cerebral hemispheres with involvement of both temporal lobes. This perfusion pattern is consistent with encephalitis or vasculitis, such as from infections e.g. lyme disease, autoimmune causes or secondary to some medications.
Periventricular white matter hypoperfusion is also observed suggesting white matter involvement."
Hubby's SPECT was done in June of 2007. Had been sick for 6 years at the time and had just about finished up babesia treatment with primaquine and chloroquine. Since that time he has been aggressively treating bartonella. Plans to repeat his SPECT sometime this year once funds become available.
Haley -- Hubby's SPECT scan only cost about $1600 at Columbia University in New York City (in June 2007). This is cheaper than an MRI and gives much more relevant info in my opinion.
Hubby was able to obtain a copy of the insurance company guidelines for the test because it was initially denied. Anthem BCBS listed 7 reasons for ordering the test -- brain tumor and epilepsy (to identify a seizure focus) were 2 of the reasons. I think number 7 on the bottom of the list was infection or inflammation of the brain -- that was the criteria used to get the test approved.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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lymetwister
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Member # 19590
posted
Medicare covered my test 100%.
Karen, they inject an isotope into your vein. Other than that it is harmless and not bad at all. The machine is open unlike an MRI.
I really think it's where the perfusion is located rather than "mild" vs. "severe". In my case, it's all over my HPA axis.
Kitty, if you read the report again, it doesn't call it Lyme, but rather suggests it as a possibility.
I hope this helps those of you that want this test done.
Gary
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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karenl
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Member # 17753
posted
Thanks Gary,
It is radioactive, they say three times your normal annual radiation.
The text of the findings is exact the same as I got from my EEG and sleep EEG. So I can save the radiation if I look at your photos.
quote:Originally posted by lymetwister: Medicare covered my test 100%.
Karen, they inject an isotope into your vein. Other than that it is harmless and not bad at all. The machine is open unlike an MRI.
I really think it's where the perfusion is located rather than "mild" vs. "severe". In my case, it's all over my HPA axis.
Kitty, if you read the report again, it doesn't call it Lyme, but rather suggests it as a possibility.
I hope this helps those of you that want this test done.
Gary
I meant, that where it does mention the possibility, It is spelled LYMES.
Where was this done? local hospital?
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
"I really think it's where the perfusion is located rather than "mild" vs. "severe". In my case, it's all over my HPA axis."
Excellent point Gary !
Anatomy books, instructors etc. teach that all of us are built exactly the same. IME we are not. I began to realize and see that while dissecting cadavers in chiro college. A percentage of people are "wired different".
Point is that your so called "smaller" areas of hypoperfusion may affect you more than others whose test shows the same areas affected.
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Where did you have our spect done? I was told only place that' knows what they are doing is columbia university.
Posts: 200 | From New England | Registered: Dec 2009
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
Had it done in MD, at a Radiology Center. They do these everywhere. I know for a fact of other facilities that also do this in MD.
I would think NE would be no different.
Gary
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
I think everyone with lyme or chronic illness has vasculitits, even I do. It just ranges from mild to severe.
Posts: 458 | From Miss | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
It's sad that the tech or radiologist doesn't know the difference between "Lymes" and Lyme!
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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massman
Unregistered
posted
Why is everyone so stuck on lyme versus lymes ?
If one is not politically correct then one is wrong ? Perhaps somewhat uneducated, but wrong ?
Some areas of the country speak differently. Soda or pop ? Where is the car or Where is the car at ?
Some of you sound like you are ready to stone them
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
That is a solid Brain SPECT supporting a clinical diagnosis of Lyme Disease. If other serology testing as well as history support the diagnosis, it's a very very strong diagnosis.
Lahey Clinic is worthless when it comes to Lyme Disease (FYI).
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
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