posted
I know I need to contact the doctor at IGENEX to find out interpretation but i am impatient. I had 2 positive results on the CDC and the Igenex standard test. Basically the bacteria results didn't show up as positive but antibodies were found? does this qualify as a diagnosis?
I have been slowly getting sicker and sicker for the last 8 years, i'm 26. and if i DO have lyme, i got infected around the time that i was already on DOXYCYCLINE. the doc had me on that for 3 years for acne. would this explain why i never got the rash or violently sick?
I don't know whether to be happy about the test results or discouraged, still in limbo.
Thanks guys. J
Posts: 32 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2010
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
j57401 asked: does this qualify as a diagnosis?
No.
J57401 asked: would this explain why i never got the rash or violently sick?
Possibly. Not everyone who is newly infected gets a rash and not everyone gets sick right away.
j57401 wrote: I don't know whether to be happy about the test results or discouraged, still in limbo.
Your test results don't tell you anything one way or the other in my non-professional opinion.
Edited to add: Please post your results here for us to see. If you only show antibodies in the form of IND then that's not going to tell you much but if you have + signs behind some bands, that may tell you something but we need to know which bands. Some are specific to borrelia (the bacteria that causes lyme diseasae).
It is well known that it is unlikely that one will ever have a positive test if abx is taken immediately after a bite. Being on abx at the time of the bite probably has the same effect. My very conservative State even mentions this in their documentation on Lyme disease.
You need an ILADS LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) to look at the whole picture for you because tests are unreliable which is why Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. You may need an abx challenge if that is appropriate in your situation but more importantly, you need an expert who knows what to look for and can test you for not only lyme disease but common co-infections that often get passed at the time of a bite.
Please go to the seeking doctor section of this website, put your location in the subject line and ask for an ILADS LLMD.
I'll try to come back later with some links for you.
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
ILADS is a group of physicians who specialize in treating chronic lyme disease. You will often hear them referred to as LLMD's (Lyme Literate Medical Doctors) http://www.ilads.org/
Not unlike the history of many other diseases, there are battles going on regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease. Even the existence of chronic infection is being disputed.
Most doctors who are NOT members of ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) use the IDSA guidelines to diagnose (or not) and treat Lyme Disease. Many who end up at lymenet with chronic lyme disease are the result of the IDSA guidelines.
To learn more about some of the issues, the book "Cure Unknown" will be helpful. Written by a respected science journalist who has first hand experience with lyme and co-infections. Her book is well researched and revealing. Here is a brief look at parts of the book as presented in Psychology Today blogs - written by the author of Cure Unknown http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emerging-diseasesPosts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
IGeneX will explain your test results to you.
You can also go read what the antibody bands mean in Medical Questions; click on the popular topics thread at the top, and then on the thread on the meaning of the Western blot.
You could also post your results here and folks can tell you what it means. It sounds like you're saying you got positive results?
IGeneX looks for 2 or more double-starred antibody bands to be positive in both the IgM and IgG antibody tests.
The CDC wants 2 positive double starred bands in a specific band list in the IgM, and 5 bands in a particular band list to be positive for the IgG. Plus they left out some key bands.
So it's harder to get a CDC positive result than an IGeneX result. A positive IGeneX result means positive.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Thank you both. I am traveling and got my results over the phone but as soon as i get back and pick up the results i will post.
I know for sure the Igenex and CDC lines on the test read positive, according to my chiropractor who read me the results over the phone.
Also, being 26 and feelings completely stiff from head to toe when waking up in the morning... i am really hoping that means i have lyme. it would explain everything. i take really good care of myself but can only stick to a exercise regimen no longer than 3 weeks before my body just shuts down on me. can't gain any weight. my memory is absolutely terrible. and my emotional state has gotten quite severe, but the homeopathics are helping that.
i have been under homeopathic care for the last year and have been recently getting a LOT of firework twitching on the last remedy (all over). on an electral dermal screen once the bacteria BB itself did show up, but the last time i tested (1 month ago) that way it showed up in the spine and heart.
thanks to both of you again. I will repost later today with results.
Posts: 32 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2010
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TerryK
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posted
I'm totally confused.
You said in your first post "Basically the bacteria results didn't show up as positive but antibodies were found? does this qualify as a diagnosis?"
Then in your next post "I know for sure the Igenex and CDC lines on the test read positive, according to my chiropractor who read me the results over the phone."
If the IgeneX and CDC lines state "Positive", then you are positive for exposure to lyme.
Will know more once you post your results but no matter what the results, I would urge you see an LLMD for a full evaulation given your history and symptoms.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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B Burgdorferi was negative on genomic and pasmid. the only time the BB bacteria showed up in my electral dermal screening was in December 2009.
Posts: 32 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
PS. @ Terry...sorry, i was in Chicago yesterday when i posted and had gotten the results via phone, my chiropractor didn't know how to interpret and neither did i so i pretty much didn't know what i was talking about. I just got home and grabbed the faxed results, i posted the results.
Posts: 32 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2010
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TerryK
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Member # 8552
posted
No worries j - WOW, there is NO doubt in my mind that you have lyme. Technically this shows exposure but not necessarily active infection but I'll eat my hat if it's not lyme causing your problems.
Please get to an LLMD ASAP and get treated. You are on the right track! Take heart that you will get better.
posted
Lit up like a christmas tree! One of the most convincing WB's I've ever saw. Were identical on the IgG except I don't have the 34kda.
Well now you know so start treating, it's a long road good luck to you.
-------------------- HERX is a Four Letter Word! Posts: 716 | From If you're going through hell, keep going......Winston Churchill | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I am SOOOOOOO HAPPY to hear you guys say this!!!! I could absolutely cry and I am sure I will when I don't have people around me! haha. After all the years of people thinking I'm nuts, I have found so much support and understanding on this Lyme forum alone. The lyme community is somethin else, so supportive, i am so grateful for this site and you all
I will call the doc and have him confirm interpretation and let you all know what he says.
Many thanks to you all again, I am now going into calling the doc on Monday a LOT more hopeful for a positive interpretation.
Posts: 32 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2010
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t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489
posted
Looks positive to me, a lot of lyme specific bands.
Now the question of co infections has to be addressed.
I would recommend reading Dr. B's Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease and seeing a LLMD.
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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seekhelp
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Member # 15067
posted
We've almost got exactly the same WB results. I'm not CDC postitive on the IgM side, but so close. I agree...consider treating AND pay attention to coinfections.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Maybe the next test you should do is a cd-57 test done at Lab Corp. A lot of controversy with this test but I find it's right on track for tracking my illness.
-------------------- HERX is a Four Letter Word! Posts: 716 | From If you're going through hell, keep going......Winston Churchill | Registered: Apr 2007
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I will follow up with looking into all of these suggestions and I will track my progress.
For anyone out there having issues with Lyme, I have been treating it with classical homeopathy. I've had herx while on some remedies, so I know there is progress being made.
Last year i had allergies (had allergies for the last 5 years when i NEVER had ANY before 8 years ago when i think i was infected).... This year I've had zero allergies.
Posts: 32 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2010
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