posted
Ok, I appologise in advance for asking this but I'm gaving trouble getting my brain around this so I was hoping someone could help me understand this.
I've been reading all the recommended literature I can get my hands on on here and there is a lot of talk of false negative Elisa tests which go on to positive Western Blots.
Everything says that the Elisa is a low sensitive test which accounts for these false negatives.
But nowhere have I found anything that explains false positive tests.
In my mind if the test is such low sensitivity that would mean that a positive test would be even more significant, right? Or am I not understanding what it means to be low sensitive.
I'm trying to figure this out not only for my own information but also so I can present this to my dr. tomorrow.
I have the information I need on the Western Blot test that shows the bands that are positive are specific to lyme regardless of what the cdc says.
But I'm just having trouble understanding the ELisa test. Sorry, I'm just one of those people that have to work things out piece by piece.
Thank you for any assistance you can give me.
Posts: 115 | From Central PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
Lots of testing is worthless, useless BS.
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. This means a detailed history, symptoms and physical exam.
It has evolved into an organism that hides itself really well - so well we often can't find it.
If your docs do not realize this get some new ones.
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Just trying one last time to plead my case with my pcp (who I'm probably going to replace in the near future) to try to get something started till I see the LLMD in mid May.
Am also taking pictures of my rash (he wasn't treating me then) and anything I can find from when I was treated to show him.
I'm hoping with all the pieces and documentation in front of him he'll change his mind.
Long shot but I feel I must try.
Not to mention I just want to understnad for myself.
Posts: 115 | From Central PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Please don't waste energy pleading your case. I hate to burst your bubble but it will get you no where. Its sad but true. Don't put so much emphasis on the test.
Lyme Disease is a "clinical diagnosis". End of story. Thats what you need to understand. Thats what you PCP needs to understand. Test are only used to back up the clinical diagnosis.
This is why only a lyme literate medical doctor is going to be useful to you if you think you have LD.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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I feel like I should be doing something. I hate feeling helpless and like I'm just waiting around.
I am trying to start some of the stuff pointed out in the guidelines but I'm worried with some of it because of all the meds I'm on for all my medical issues. I'd feel much better having a doctor oversee all of it.
Oh well.
Posts: 115 | From Central PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I agree with you that a positive Elisa is more significant because it is a low sensitivity test.
The argument for the Elisa not being an important test are for those people that test negative.
I believe if you have a positive Elisa you have been exposed, unless you have Syphillis, I suppose that could also show a positive result.
Do you know what number you got on the Elisa test?
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Haley...when I was tested the first time back in June it was 3.88
My most recent one was 1.74.
To my knowledge I don't have syphillis.
Posts: 115 | From Central PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
3.88 is high and I believe that 1.74 is also a positive result. You have 2 positive tests. IMO it's very unlikely that that is a false result.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Thanks Haley, that's pretty much my take on it too.
Now if I could only get my doctor to agree with that. lol. Unfortunately my western blots don't come out cdc positive and that's what he's taking.
I dug up the pictures of the rash I had at the time of the first draw and am taking them in for him to see. Knowing him, he'll probably tell me it was something else but at least I can say I gave it my best shot.
I should be getting the packet of info from the llmd soon too so I'm hoping that there will be some good info in it as well as test orders.
Posts: 115 | From Central PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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