Igenex - Ontario, Canada Resident

Hello All,

So I've just received my Igenex lab testing kit and I now have to choose precisely what tests I'd like to have done. If there is anyone familiar with their process I'd really appreciate any advice on this question...

I live in Southern Ontario, so I'm not entirely sure what co-infections I am more likely to be exposed to, but I can say that region-wise, it will most likely land under Eastern region.

I've decided to do at least the Lyme basic IgG, IgM panels which would equal $200 for both. Some of the additional symptoms I've been dealing with include heal pain, shortness of breath (periods of gasping to satisfy breath), slight lymph node enlargement, and spleen pain + slight enlargement i.e. 13.1 cm.

Seeing as I am restricted in my spending for these labs, which co-infection labs should I include, if any?


Anyone with experience in dealing with Igenex, especially residents of Ontario, is more than welcome to pitch their advice. I'd gladly appreciate it!


Thanks!

Yeah, that seems right. Igenex charges $260 for a basic lyme panel, which includes the IgG, IgM ($100 each) and IFA ($60) tests. However, from what I have read, the IFA is even less accurate and inferior to the ELISA screening, so I might skip that and order only the IgG and IgM Western Blot...

As for co-infections, I would say it's merely a guessing game and I am not in the position to self-evaluate effectively enough to gauge which test I should do. I have seen the bullseye rash on my arm when I suspect I was bitten, and that is enough to warrant me being testing for lyme. Anything else would be speculation so I'll just have to wait and see.

Hi there,

Would someone kindly PM me the name of the doctor in Buffalo?  I'm looking for advice for my 8.5 year old daughter.  I suspect that she was infected 3 years ago, as I just today saw photos of the classic EM lesions of Lyme...and am comparing them with a photo of a lesion she had that looked the same 3 years ago...that we didn't think twice about (assumed it was just an interesting bug bite  ).

Many thanks,

Tam

sayersn,

I'm popping in very briefly, mostly because I wanted to say "hi". If you are seeing an LLMD in Buffalo, I believe he or she would be the best person to ask about co-infection testing.

The ID specialist I was referred to in 2010 did order some co-infection tests through the provincial (Ontario) and national lab (in Winnipeg, I believe), so I fortunately didn't have to pay for those. What is disappointing to me (in retrospect) is that he failed to test me for Babesiosis and Bartonella -- two commonly-encountered co-infections based on feedback from other Lyme disease patients in Ontario and one doctor in New York state who sees many patients from Ontario.

Unfortunately, I don't know enough about the various strains of Babesiosis or Bartonella to advise you regarding the Igenex testing, but I do know there are multiple strains -- with no commercially-available tests for some of them. That's why doctors are sometimes forced to diagnosis based on signs and symptoms alone.

I didn't know about the LLMD in Buffalo until I read your post, and I'm sure folks in southwestern and southern Ontario would love to know more.

Take care,

Rita

 

Post Edited (RitaA) : 6/22/2012 9:29:33 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Sayersn,

I was diagnosed with Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella clincially by my LLMD in Plattsburgh, NY.  They suggested just running hte Lyme Igenex tests as she was positive that based on my symptoms that I had Babesia and Bartonella too.  My symptoms for those sound exactly like your additional symptoms in your first post.

One of my first really bothersome symptoms was heal pain which my GP thought was Plantar Fascitis, I've had the shortness of breath (periods of gasping to satisfy breath) for as long as I can remember... climbing stairs was the worst... felt like I was going to black out.  I've also had the slight lymph node enlargement, mostly in my underarms and around my throat, and severe left and right, but prodominently left rib pain... right over the spleen.  There was a lot of pain and swelling there.... that my dear is indicitave of Babesia, in fact most of these symptoms are indicative of Babesia, and Bartonella.

When you see your LLMD, I would discuss with them.  They can't effectly treat the Lyme until the co-infections are dealt with, and Babesia is a nasty parasite... and can cause permanent damage to the heart if left untreated.  Don't want to scare you, just wanted to let you know that those symptoms are ones worth getting looked at a.s.a.p. with your LLMD.

Good luck :)

Kristo