I tested positive for Lyme with Igenex testing in July 2009. I have been on abx for seven months, consisting of clarithromycin, augmentin, and adding flagyl around November. The flagyl is kind of tough to take, and I am wondering what to do next. My liver enzymes were slightly elevated; they've gone back into the normal range with milk thistle, but are still high normal.
My doc wants to retest for the Lyme (the only one I tested positive for out of all the Igenex tests) with Igenex and see what that shows. I had a lyme western blot through a local lab, which was negative; she says this is unhelpful, and that test would only have really been useful had it been positive. My CD57 was low (in the 40s) but is now higher and in the normal range, but I don't know exactly where.
What advice is there for retesting? What to do next in general? Main problems are fatigue and weakness (which could be the abx by now), and chilblains on my toes (which could be unrelated).
Igenex tests in July 2009 were: Lyme IgM: + by Igenex and CDC standards Lyme IgG: + by Igenex standards, - CDC b. mycroti IgG and IgM - HME panel (E. chaffeensis) IgG and IgM - b. henselae IgG and IgM -
Local lab tests in July 2009 were: CD57: 40 c. pneumonea - CBC all good liver all good h. pylori -
Posts: 30 | From Seattle, WA | Registered: Jan 2010
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
If you are still having symptoms, then you still need to be on treatment. I wouldn't waste my money with another test.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Another test is not going to help. Just a waste of money. In one of the ILADS seminars from several years ago (on DVD) I saw Dr. B say that you just can't test lyme along the way as you can other (normal) infections. It just does not work that way.
It can take several years to resolve symptoms, even with the best LLMD and the best treatment.
It's not even been one year yet. I wonder why your doctor expects such fast results. Most ILADS LLMDs know it can take much longer than seven months. Most also know that repeat tests are not necessary.
But, looking back at the end of your last post. Did you test positive for Cpn ( c. pneumonea) and h. pylori ? It does not say yes or no on those.
If so, that complicates the picture, especially Cpn.
posted
Thanks. But I don't know if the symptoms are due to the abx or still from lyme.
Also, won't taking the abx possibly stir up other organisms?
Is there something I wasn't tested for that I should be?
Posts: 30 | From Seattle, WA | Registered: Jan 2010
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Main problems are fatigue and weakness (which could be the abx by now), and chilblains on my toes (which could be unrelated).
Sounds like Lyme to me. Are you doing something to prevent yeast and taking something to protect the
bowels? You may have many things that can go with Lyme. Hang in there, it can be very very slow.
-------------------- 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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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
The problem is, the Western Blot does not tell you whether the disease is active, it only tells whether you've been exposed. It's a waste of money to retest. There is no way other than symptoms to tell whether the disease is still active.
It's a clinical diagnosis, treat if you still have symptoms. If you think you are having symptoms from the abx, which I personally doubt, then take a break and see what happens. Use that time for detox.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Retesting is useless. Remember it's not bacteria that is showing up in the test. It's your body producing anti-bodies.
Spend that money are something that will help you feel well. Bodywork, lymph drainage, cranal-sacral to name a few.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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