I'm hoping someone can help me find an LLMD. Something in Central NJ or Phili PA would be great but I'm open to traveling.
My lyme test was done in 2006 through NJ Quest Labs. The IGG Western Blot read "Reactive A" next to band 18 KD. The other bands for IGG and IGM read "non-reactive.'
According to the test, I was negative because I would need from 2-5 "reactive" bands in order to be lyme positive.
I didn't know anything about lyme at the time and never thought twice about the results (I never had a tick bite...that I knew of).
Last week, after reading an article in Self Magazine called "Ticked Off" (about chronic lyme), something told me to look at my old bloodwork.
I found the 2006 results and googled the Western Blot IGG Band 18, which was my only "reactive" band.
Thats when I found out that many specialists consider this band alone as positive for chronic lyme. IGG band 18 was the only "reactive" band on my bloodwork.
If I have lyme it explains a lot.
I am only 30 and I've always been really sharp (honor student, college scholarship, deans list) but there have been times in the past 2 years when I have felt like I have dementia.
I had chalked my symptoms up to needing to work out my low thyroid levels, but these symptoms persisted after my thyroid leveled out (with medicine, my thyroid levels are now normal on my bloodwork; I'm treated at UPENN in PA)
So then I chalked my symptoms up to stress.
Up until last week, the only thing I knew about lyme was that it starts off with a rash, and that I never had a rash. Now I know that only about 50-60% of people get the rash.
My symptoms are all over the place:
-writing and leaving out letters,
-reversing letters (never did this before),
-reversing words....a lot (put the table on the keys)
-being totally forgetful (left my credit card in stores 3 times last summer but never before during the 11 years I've had a credit card)
- unable to find words (i'm talkative and usually not at a loss 4 words, never had to think about ``finding'' them before)
-having to really think about things that used to be common knowledge
- fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain ( i had assumed this was related to my thyroid, but I still have the symptoms even though my thyroid is now controlled with medicine)
-uncharacteristic forgetfulness
- trouble focusing on blocks of text (i totally relate to the directions about how to space out text on the forum)
-carpal tunnel symptoms but NCV was negative
- dizzy spells
-Redness, swelling, and increase in temp of hands and feet
I'd really like to find out for sure if this is related to lyme. I'm thinking of having my Primary Dr. re-run the lyme test using one of the top 5 labs mentioned on this site.
I'd like to have a more current test before starting treatment, although I'm also concerned about waiting any longer.
Can someone send me the names of the recommended labs and how they went about using them?
Many thanks to the folks who have put together this excellent network of information and support.
Best regards, Kelbee
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[ 01. June 2008, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Kelbee ]
Posts: 5 | From New Jersey | Registered: May 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
welcome kelbee, gld you found us!
i sent you a private messge now with PENN llmds; none for that city in NJ !!
pms are found in my profile and on left side under hello ... did you go to lower left corner and mark for ALL REPLIES BE SENT TO YOU.
if you didn't, go to your top post, click on paper/pencil and go to bottom left corner, click box, and edit send...done!
have you got my newbie package yet?
i list the top 5 labs, and give info galore of what i have ok!!!
copy it to ms word, and delete it from here, lymenet pm; TAKES UP TOO MUCH ROOM FOR LYMENET!!!
do a search, click EDIT, VIEW, and type in IGENEX ... hit enter until you get to my DETAILED INFO on calif. site, etc.
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
If you're in Central NJ, please also have your doctor test for Babesiosis Antibody IGG/IGM.
I can not find my list at the moment, but I can pm you info for a couple of NJ LLMDs.
I hope someone else can give you some others.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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