I'm new here, and the more I do research, the more confused I am. I am on a tight budget (like all of us who don't have the energy or strength to work much) and I don't want to have the Western Blot Igenex test if it rarely shows anything in untreated cases. Best I can remember the bite was in Fall of '85, which would be 23 years ago. I thought it was a spider bite and no one was talking about lyme's back then. Is it worth it to have the test or should I ask my DR for another idea?
Thanks, Jeanne
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
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Order the kit for free... then take it to your GP or local lab and get the blood drawn. Do it early in the week so the blood does not sit around in the post office over the weekend.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Hi, I just got tested for Lyme and co from IGENEX. I'd been sick for over 12 years and I came back Igm positive and IFA borderline. I've never been treated. So yes, you can get a positive even if you've never been treated. There are others here who were sick longer than me (around the time you've been sick) who also got a positive.
However if you test negative, it doesn't mean that you don't have it. A good LLMD will treat you based on a clinical diagnoses, and later if you want to retest again, you may test positive after some treatment.
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
By the way Lymetutu,
I'm so glad that I've never donated. I got sick right before my senior year in highschool and the red cross came to school later that year. I was so sick (but had been told I had 'mono' like 8 months before and was supposedly 'well' now, I had tons of neuro symptoms, severe depression), and my friends were all donating.
They talked me into it, I didn't care either way, I was too sick to care. Thank the Lord they took my temp and of course I had a fever so I could not donate. I had a fever almost constantly that year.
Anyhow, you are right and glad you brought up that point!!
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Hi!
I was sick for 15-18 years untreated and undiagnosed.
Was tested by Igenex in Aug. 2007 and came up CDC pos. IgM. I showed 9 bands positive, several were ++ or +++. All were Bb specific.
So, yes, you can go all of those years and still come up positive. Lyme is a chronic infection and you can show positive antibodies after many, many, years.
Best of luck to you, Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I used to be a regular bolld donor.Then I got Lyme. I will never give blood again.
Posts: 175 | From Venice, FL USA | Registered: Feb 2002
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Blood tests for Lyme came back negative this summer. LLMD had said tests would probably be negative due to antibiotic use through the years.
Dr. is treating me based on history, and I just started treatment two months ago. (Thank God)
It's important you are seeing a LLMD for proper diagnosis and treatment. There are great resources on this site!!
Praying for your health and happiness.
-------------------- Wishing You Showers Of Blessings! Lyme since Fall 1983 = Diagnosed Summer 2008 IV Rocephin 7 weeks Stopped due to drug fever Now doxycycline "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 430 | From Sunny South | Registered: Jul 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
If money is tight, maybe wait till Monday.
That way you can be assured your blood sample makes it to Ca.
Doesn't sit over the weekend.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Ocean.... I've had Lyme probably 50 yrs. I gave blood once about 25 yrs ago. They screwed up a nerve in my arm [the needle was VERY large and I'm tiny].....
So as a result, I never gave blood again. Never allowed anyone to draw blood there for about 15 yrs. The nerve still bothered me a long time.
It saved a lot of people from getting Lymed by my blood!!! Happy mistake !
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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