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Worth Doing a Non IGeneX Test?

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Posted 9/30/2014 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
I'm fully aware of the difficulty of diagnosing this disease but my new insurance is covering all laboratory testing if medically necessary and IGeneX unfortunately doesn't take insurance.

I've been thinking about just doing a Quest lab Lyme panel and seeing what happens. I'm thinking it probably wouldn't exist if it didn't catch it some time and that I might as well get it if it's free.

Thoughts?
Posted 9/30/2014 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
If it's free and it will make you feel better to try, then I'd say go ahead. I don't know what the chances are of getting a correct diagnosis, but it's not as good as Igenex.
Posted 9/30/2014 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
I had two tests through Quest, both came back negative. My last Quest Western blot was drawn the same week as my IGENEX. When I got them both back, it was very interesting that you could put both next to each other and ALL of my Quest IGG band IGM bands were negative (Quest will only have three IGM bands on the lab report). The IGENEX lab report had two of the three same negative Quest IGM bands as positive.

Of course the thought is how can Quest report the same two bands negative that IGENEX reported as positive in the same week. That test could make all the difference to someone. Some say that IGENEX is checking against more than one strain or their techs or procedures are better, etc. etc..I would take the free one as well, but I have also had Dr's hold up the Quest report and tell me I don't have LYME....
Posted 9/30/2014 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
That's basically what I'm worried about is creating an even greater reason to doubt Lyme as a possible diagnosis' for my symptoms (the false negative from Quest). Sort of a double edged sword.

But then I think about the fact that I can't really afford the IGeneX test. I'm not showing many physical signs of Lyme (mild fatigue and fairly substantial cognition/memory issues, I made a thread about it if you want details) and my case would be unique but I'm really running out of ideas. I have an LLMD a mile from my house but initial consultation is $400+ so that's not happening either.

What were your guys' total costs for going through IGeneX?

My more detailed symptoms discussion thread:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3138503
Posted 9/30/2014 8:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi AlmostEasy, some insurance companies cover LLNDs, you just have to pay the co-payment. Igenex has a basic test for $260.00 plus the cost of a lab to draw your blood. I agree with Garden Peace.
Posted 9/30/2014 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
I, too, was concerned about a false negative with Quest. However, I did test CDC positive using Quest.

The problem is that I tested positive only on the IgM side of things (those tricky little bugs), which will make an untrained doctor think it's a false positive.

My suggestion would be to get the Quest labs done while you save for Igenex, you never know...
Posted 9/30/2014 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
$ 200.00 for IGENEX for the basic lyme draw from my Dr. It didn't include the 31 epitope confirmation test to rule out cross reacting viruses. I wish I would have been asked about that as I would have chosen that option as well.

The Dr's office may have added a lab draw fee onto the 200.00, but I had to pay IGENEX direct and the pay the Dr. separately. As stated above, IGENEX will send you a receipt and you can try to get reimbursed. I just sent my receipt into BCBSM to try to get my co-infection and CD57 reimbursed ( $ 534.00 fee from IGENEX) from a second blood draw.
Posted 9/30/2014 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Send it to to SUNY Stony Brook!
Posted 10/6/2014 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting, so you CAN potentially get it covered, but it basically ends up being between you and your insurance company?
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