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Lyme or something else?? At the end of the rope..

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Posted 8/22/2014 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Never thought I would post such personal medical issues on the internet, but I'm so close to giving up on chasing down what's wrong with me. I've run an expensive gamut of doctors over the last couple of years, all amounting to "you're fine." What's worse, the more the symptoms pile on the more I see the docs' eyes glaze over as I read them all off. I swear, Western medicine seems to be fantastic with its focus towards keeping people ALIVE, not necessarily healthy. Anyways...

The biggest problems I've been dealing with are fatigue and brain fog. I can sleep 12-15 hours a day if I let myself, but often times the fatigue happens when I'm in the middle of trying to work, and it's like someone drops an anchor attached to my brain-- all of a sudden I can't keep my eyes open and I need to lie down for a few hours. I've noticed this isn't always tied to eating, although that can make it worse.

The brain fog I've been dealing with for the last 8-9 years. It takes me a while to find the right words, I have to pause and rewind videos/movies often to hear and understand dialogue, and it's like my mind's set to go to screen saver after just one second of pausing. Originally I thought this was due to alcohol-- it only really happened after I started drinking, which was in college (9 years ago), but I took a 2 year hiatus and nothing changed... also, every doctor I've asked about long term effects said that most of those with permanent damage are basically raging alcoholics who drink a handle every day.

Here are my other symptoms that developed over the years, that I found from the (daunting) list in the intro thread which led me to believe this might be Lyme:

Abnormal sensitivity to hot or cold (cold all the time)
Allergies (nasal, other; new, increased or worsening) (postnasal drip often, found a minor cyst in my sinuses)
Cold hands and feet
Extreme fatigue after minimal exertion (not minimal, but I DID stop going to the gym because of this)
Feeling hot or cold often
Hair loss (alopecia)
Low blood pressure (below 110/70)
Low body temperature (below 97.5) (often 96 +- 0.5 )
Thirst, increased ( always thirsty)

CARDIOPULMONARY/RESPIRATORY/CIRCULATORY:
Cough (after deep inhalation)
Dyspnea (out of breath) or shortness of breath (air hunger) after minimal or no exertion ( pulmonary lung function tested low normal a year or two ago)
Sighing, frequent, not related to mental/emotional state
Stroke

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM/NEUROLOGIAL/NEUROPATHIC/OTOLOGIC:
"Brainfog"; inability to think clearly
Diminished or absent reflexes ( takes a second to feel hot/cold, also neurologist was concerned with my reaction to the "follow the light with your eyes" test (don't remember what it's called). A cop also once thought I was drunk driving for failing a similar test)
Hearing fluctuations (sounds fade then return)
Libido (decreased)
Light-headedness, feeling spaced-out
Muscle twitching ( sometimes eyelid
Severe muscle weakness (sometimes my leg will suddenly feel really painful and weak, but goes away after 10-20 minutes)
Tinnitus (ringing/noises in one or both ears)
Tremors, trembling ( in hands)

COGNITIVE FUNCTION:
Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving (don't remember where anything is around hometown despite having grown up there for 20 years )
Difficulty expressing ideas in words
Difficulty making decisions
Difficulty remembering names of people
Difficulty recognizing faces ( I've met some people 4-5 times-- by the last time they got really upset )
Difficulty following complicated oral (spoken) instructions
Difficulty integrating information (putting ideas together to form a complete picture or concept)
Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence
Difficulty paying attention
Difficulty following a conversation when background noise is present
Difficulty making and/or retrieving memories (long/short-term memory deficits)
Difficulty understanding what you read (I can eventually do it if I read EXTREMELY slow )
Easily distracted during a task
Forgetting how to get to familiar places
Impaired ability to concentrate
Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence
Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next)
Word-finding difficulty

DIGESTIVE/HEPATIC:
Bloating; intestinal gas
Decreased appetite
Esophageal reflux; heartburn ( was diagnosed with bile reflux and GERD )
Frequent constipation
Food cravings (especially carbohydrates, sweets) ( I tend to crave salty though?)
IBS
Liver function impaired; mild abnormalities ( bile reflux)
Stomach ache, cramps

HEAD/NECK/MOUTH:
Bruxism (grinding/clenching teeth) (dentist noticed grinding)
Dry chronic cough
Sinus infections (diagnosed with chronic sinusitis)

MUSCULOSKELETAL:
Arthritic pain that migrates from joint to joint
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Joint aches (arthralgia)
Joint pain, without redness or swelling (comes and goes suddenly, also tennis elbow. all joints in my body started clicking/cracking in the last few months only))
Morning stiffness
Muscle pain, stiffness, weakness
Reduced range of motion (wrist on tennis elbow arm)

PAIN SYMPTOMS:
Pain that migrates from joint to joint
Shooting or stabbing pains ( thought this was GERD but nooo idea

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS/MOOD/EMOTIONS:
Abrupt/Unpredictable mood swings (can suddenly feel sad or angry)
Anxiety or fear for no obvious reason (diagnosed with anxiety)
Decreased self-esteem
Depression or depressed mood (diagnosed with depression)
Feeling helpless and/or hopeless
Feeling worthless
Frequent crying for no reason
Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities
Irritability; over-reaction
Personality changes (labile, irritable, anxious, confused, forgetful)
Phobias (irrational fears)
Rage attacks; anger outbursts for little or no reason
Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

SENSITIVITIES:
Chemicals (alcohol, medications; lower tolerance for) 1-2 drinks can make me feel very drunk

SKIN/NAILS:
Dry, itchy skin ([dry especially extremities)

SLEEP SYMPTOMS:
Altered sleep/wake patterns (alert/energetic late at night, sleepy during day
Hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
Unrefreshing/Non-restorative sleep

UROGENITAL/REPRODUCTIVE:
Decreased libido
Frequent urination
Impotence

OTHER:
Changes in sweat odor/body odor ( either this or breath has definitely changed for the worse )
Fatigue, prolonged, disabling, made worse by exertion or stress
Hair loss (not related to age, hormones, diet, medication)
Periods of concentrated thinking causes physical and mental exhaustion, increases pain
Sore throat ( used to constantly get strep throat)
Symptoms change focus from time to time, like infection is moving through the body



I've tested for thyroid problems (including free T3 and T4), adrenal, and celiac; had an MRI on my brain, lung x-ray, did all the basic allergy testing, a sleep study, EEG, and blood tests. All normal, except slightly low vitamin D. I went gluten free for 6 months, and no significant change after reintroducing gluten (I DID feel a difference but it wasn't negative). Casually added probiotics to my diet-- haven't been super aggressive with that, but I'm not sure candida can cause the joint problems too... went to a few psychiatrists and tried a few SSRIs, all making me simply more spaced out.

Basically the only thing I haven't tested yet is Lyme or fibromylagia, but I can't think of any time before all of this started that I could've been bitten... Also, with such a crazy list of symptoms it's hard to tell if one thing is causing it all or it's a combination... OR I'm not considering another elusive disease.

The only LLMD I could find online in my area charges $700 a visit not including lab work (and doesn't take insurance). I wanted to consult you guys to see if this really sounds like Lyme or something else before I make the investment, because my financial situation is somewhat dire right now. If there are any comprehensive lists of LLMDs by location then PLEASE let me know.

Last question, are there any somewhat cheap places to get the proper testing (international standard) done? I might be looking in the wrong places but everything I've seen so far costs up to a thousand dollars.

I'm sorry this post ended up being a mini novel, but if only one person reads and comments then I would sincerely be grateful for it!
Posted 8/22/2014 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I read online somewhere that there are a handful of things that can make you unbearably sick assuming all else is normal and that is lyme, mold and candidia.
Posted 8/22/2014 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely get tested! But remember, normal labs are horrible. It's worth trying them, because insurance pays, but if it's negative, test through Igenex. Labcorps testing just got even worse. If I were tested by them with their new guidelines, I wouldn't have even suspected lyme! And I'm CDC positive through IGeneX.
Posted 8/22/2014 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, we can't list LLMDs. But if you start a post with "LLMD needed in (whatever area), we will try to help through email. The moderators do have lists, and members have personal experiences with doctors to share. You don't need to tell us exactly where you live, just a general area, or where you're willing to travel.

LLMDS first visit is often higher than rechecks. Mine was more than double. My insurance pays for routine blood tests and oral meds, but the doctor fees do hurt! Especially since Lyme put me on disability. But there isn't much choice.

Some people do herbal protocols and say they work. I haven't tried that yet, but I sure haven't ruled it out. Herbal treatment can be much less expensive, but it's still better to have a doc or ND guiding you.
Posted 8/22/2014 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. Seriously thought I was the only person with so many issues. Very lonely and isolating feeling. I'm only 37 and have just about all the symptoms you list and things have progressed over the last 6-8 years, with some variations, but eerily similar. I, unfortunately, even have additional symptoms like plantar fasciitis and multiple hernias (inguenal, umbilical, hiatal) that have all "popped up" over the last year. I feel like my body is wasting away. Not too long ago I wrote out all my symptoms and all the physicians/specialists that I have seen over the years where "everything was normal" - but I tell my wife, "SOMETHING is just simply wrong - this cannot be 'getting older'". It was terrifying to read what I had written down all in one place and have so many specialists tell me "just stay calm". I think I have just been ignoring many of the symptoms as well. I do vary a bit from typical Lyme posts in that I feel much better (or at least I tell myself that I do) after working out, but the next day I am disproportionately sore for what exertion I have done. I'll play soccer with my boys and feel good getting the blood going - I can't play for long, but wrote that off as "getting older" so it seems even my exercise tolerance is probably affected. However, the next day my muscles will feel like I ran a marathon, not just played 30 minutes of soccer against a 6 and 8 year old.

I literally just sent off for the basic lyme panel through Igenex last week. Hope to receive results soon.

I am a little un-nerved by the research I have done on herx reactions - if indeed I end up positive for Lyme. Not sure I can endure "getting worse". Any suggestions on mitigating the herx reaction? Any suggestions on herbal literature/web sites?
Posted 8/22/2014 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Check out the new to Lyme thread. There is information about Igenex and other testing there.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1606610

I would look into seeing a LLMD (people here can help you) and getting tested. Your wide range of symptoms makes me think you might have it.

Posted 8/22/2014 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Don't make the same mistake I made: Get your Igenex test done right away. I put it off for months...and now regret it.

I know that it's a clinical diagnosis, not necessarily based on the testing, but if you get it done and it's positive...then you will be confident about your diagnosis. Even if it's not positive, at least you've started the process...got the ball rolling.

I wish I hadn't delayed...
Posted 8/22/2014 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, thank you so much for all the replies!

berean: I forgot to add plantar fasciitis to the list too! At the moment, it's usually the sole of my foot that gets sore, but at one point, my entire foot was painful and swollen. The problem is everything gets treated in isolation-- treated, not cured. "Put this cream on your foot, wear this brace on your arm, take this pill for your stomach." The body feeling like it's wasting away is a great way of putting it. Since you share so many of the symptoms, I'm definitely curious what your lab results are... definitely keep us updated!

Louise74: I thought about mold, but figured symptoms would come and go if it was location based, but it stays with me even when traveling. Either way, I just moved out of my house for a few months to rule it out for sure. Candida is another thing that's been hard to chase down, particularly because there's so much misinformation about it online. But I did see an ND about it and got tested, and he said my good bacteria count actually wasn't that bad. Are there any other conditions that I could be forgetting to check?

It sounds like most everyone thinks this could definitely be Lyme? I want to re-emphasize the biggest problems are the brain fog, fatigue, digestive system gone haywire and popping/cracking joints all over my body (and randomly painful joints/muscles).

Since finances are a problem right now, maybe I could order the Igenex test(s) myself and then meet with an LLMD if anything comes up positive? Or do they only accept lab orders from doctors? Is Igenex basically the best bet for testing in the US? (sorry, I couldn't find this info in the new member thread)

I will make a new thread requesting an LLMD in my area. Thanks again for the help everyone!
Posted 8/22/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
You have to call and order the kit and get the form signed by a doctor. They have to have a doctor's signature, and they will only send results to a doctor.

My primary doc signed off on it, then I took my results to a LLMD. I thought it would be nice to be sure when I went to the LLMD. I figured it would waste less time that way. But you can wait and have the LLMD sign if you have to.
Posted 8/23/2014 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Chadwick
I have both lyme and mold issues. If you have money you could get the air quality in your house tested. I couldn't see any mold but I had a super toxic house, because it can grow behind walls and secret toxins in the air. I have left my house for 3 weeks and I still don't feel right. A normal spore count is under 500, I had 110k. It was crazy. I can't even tell you how sick I am. The mold guy told me it could take months or years to detox the mold and feel better.

But for you sounds like you are leaning more towards lyme. I think you have to find a LLMD and order an IGENEX test. I think it's about $300 without any confection testing. I'm not sure that you can order it without a doc. I know IGENEX won't release results to a patient. I think they only send results to a provider.

Good luck
Posted 8/23/2014 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Chadwick45, Im sorry you are feeling so bad and can certainly understand your frustration.

Please keep in mind if you do get tested for lyme, no test is 100% accurate and it has to be a "clinical diagnosis" overall going off your symptoms by a lyme literate medical doctor.

Just curious, do you recall ever being bitten by anything (tick, spider, mosquito, fleas) of this nature? Most people have been bitten by something in life obviously, but, did your symptoms start shortly following the bite? ..or did you have any sort of rash following a bug bite (not just the tell-tale lyme bulls-eye rash), the rash could present differently and vary in form and size for lyme, STARI, bartonella, rocky mountain spotted fever, etc.

I ask because until you get to a LLMD, these factors could be strongly indicative in leading to your diagnosis.

Although, these factors are helpful...but not all people recall any rash or even a bite sometimes.

Based on your "myriad" of multi-system symptoms and the fact you say your joint pain and symptoms "migrate", this is strong indication of lyme and possibly co-infections if you ask me.

Also, Have you taken any antibiotics since your symptoms started? How did they make you feel? Did your symptoms worsen in any way? This could have been an indicative factor as well to consider if the abx made you feel bad. You could have been experiencing what is referred to as a herxheimer reaction, a die-off of the bacteria.

It is possible that there may be another LLMD in your area although it is hard to find one who accepts insurance for the visit (however your insurance can still cover the tests and meds thankfully). There are different resources online to dig a little deeper that you may even find another llmd possibly closer in distance or less costly in price.

Best of health & Hope you feel better soon

-Courtney
Posted 8/23/2014 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Louise74: Wow that's crazy! It's a good thing you found that out. Do you have housemates? Another reason I didn't think it was mold for me is because my housemates aren't sick at all (although I guess I could be sensitive to something they are not).. also I've moved a few times over the last several years. I will definitely revisit that as a possibility though!

Courtney: unfortunately the only major bite I remember was something in the countryside maybe 5-6 years ago that left a big red spot, but this was long before I knew anything about lyme and never bothered to inspect the area for ticks or look for the characteristic bullseye. Also, I only remember it being itchy and sore-- no fever or anything like that. The symptoms began a year or two before this, so I'm thinking that wasn't the one-- although they've only gotten worse with time, so its possible.

I've had antibiotics for various sinus infections, strep throat etc. but they were all short runs (no more than 10 days). I haven't had any for a while. During the courses, sometimes they would feel a little worse before they got better.. Can sinsus/strep die off cause herxheimer? This is rather hard to quantify too, because sometimes the illness (especially a horrible sinus infection) would be extremely debilitating by the time a doc finally gave me abx.

I guess I'm a little confused on timespan and lyme symptoms too. My symptoms started 8 years ago and slowly got worse with time. Does that sound reasonable for Lyme, or is it more of a sudden "I'm DEFINITELY sick" kind of thing? I know there are three stages, but I wasn't sure if the three occur in one year or 8 years (or different for different people).

One more question-- will the tests still be effective even though this has been ongoing for so long? Someone told me the test is only good for acute lyme, but I couldn't find anything online to verify that claim.

Thanks again for all your help here-- it's very encouraging to have a group of people actually listen to what's going on with me!
Posted 8/23/2014 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Chadwick many of your symptoms are also typical for mold exposure. Find a dr. who will test you for HLA and MTHFR genetic mutations. HLA is a gene that directs the way we get rid of mold and MTHFR directs how our bodies use vitamins B9 and B12. I have both genetic mutations. I went to Sponaugle Wellness and was diagnosed and treated there. I was crawling on the floor in excruciating pain unable to function before I went. I spent 5 weeks there. Now I can hold a full time job and I have recently started exercising on top of going to work (MAJOR improvement!). I feel like with time and continued treatment I will be at my optimum level of health. As far as testing, I had my blood flown to Germany to Infectolab. That was done through Igenex and it is supposedly the best test in the world. I came positive with Ehrlichia and Chlamydia Pneumoniae. I was further diagnosed with Babesia and Protomyxzoa through the Fry test (highly recommended!) and I would have never gotten better without this diagnosis. I was first bitten when I was 8 years old, rebitten at 39. I am 42 now. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Posted 9/3/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Just got my Igenex results. I posted them on a new post entitled "LLMD in Dallas / North Texas".

Any insight is appreciated.
Posted 10/6/2014 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Bump.

I ended up seeing an endocrinologist who ordered tons of tests for me, including the basic Lyme screening. It ended up being negative for antibodies, but I think I may not have done the right one?? This is so confusing.

The test says: "Lyme Disease Abs, Rflx to Blot(fd)"
is this the infamous western blot that I should have avoided all along?
Posted 10/7/2014 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
In a span of 4 months i had five lyme tests. One elisa on blood, one western blott on blood, one spinal fluid pcr, and one unknown lyme type test from a high ranking state university. All were negative. I did a 200.00 igenex blood draw and was lab and cdc positive.

I had many of your bolded symptoms as well as tested positive for bartonella and a low cd57. It is confusing however igenex is your best bet as i had nothing to loose and a bunch to gain if they are right....
Posted 10/7/2014 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Joey911

Has your diagnosis led to a treatment that ended up relieving you of symptoms? Can I ask which of the igenex tests you went for?

I ask because I finally found one LLMD near me that tests with igenex, but he's requesting something like $600 worth of testing (and charges a lot for a visit himself). Unfortunately that's a lot for me to pay right now!
Posted 10/7/2014 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Chadwick - You can get the Western Blot test - it costs $200. (Igenex) It is the best one to get if you don't want, or can't afford the full panel.

That is the one I did, and many others on this forum just do that one.
Posted 10/7/2014 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
I would also say to check your thyroid labs. Make sure your FT3 and FT4 are at the top of their range. Being "normal" is not good enough. You want to be "optimal".
Posted 10/7/2014 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
It may be a bit hard to read like this, but this is the current price list and test codes. I had the basic IGM and IGG westernblot for 200.00 This was paid directly to the lab and the Dr. was paid their visit and draw fee.

As far as the symptoms, since being on meds many of my symptoms have gone, however, others have surfaced or gotten a bit worse. I have only been on meds for two months but I have severe neuro involvement IF its lyme with heart, joint, and brain lesions. My treatment has been oral meds when arguably it should have been IV to start with Neuro lyme. Im hopefully starting next week with IV, but no other Dr's have come up with an answer so taking the meds based on symptoms and the IGENEX test is all the hope I have anyways. My Dr. has treated over 3k lyme patients including his own wife. He swears by IGENEX. I think the test and maybe some oral meds may be something I would at least try in your situation to see if it helps.

IGeneX, Inc. Reference Laboratory
795/797 San Antonio Road ● Palo Alto ● CA 94303 ● Tel: (800) 832-3200
PRICE LIST – OCTOBER 2013
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IGeneX, Inc. accepts personal checks, money orders, Visa Card, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
For Canadian/ International Residents: Visa Card, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or Money Order in US Dollars. NO Personal Checks.
** Not yet available for NY Residents
PREPAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TESTING
The following Panels are offered for price savings. All samples required for the panel must be received at the same time.
PREPAY COST
LYME IFA PANELS
BASIC LYME PANEL**
$260.00
4090
Western Blot IgG, Western Blot IgM, Lyme IgG/IgM/IgA Screen (IFA)**
COMPLETE LYME PANEL**
$475.00
6050
Western Blot IgG, Western Blot IgM, Lyme IgG/IgM/IgA Screen (IFA)**, Lyme PCR- Serum,
Lyme PCR- Whole Blood
INITIAL LYME PANEL
$410.00
5010
Western Blot IgG, Western Blot IgM, Lyme PCR- Serum, Lyme PCR- Whole Blood
NEWBORN PANEL (Cord Blood)
$235.00
477
Lyme PCR- Serum (SST) and Lyme PCR- Whole Blood (EDTA)
FOLLOW-UP LYME TESTS
875
Lyme DOT BLOT and PCR Panel for B. burgdorferi**
$400.00
Includes LDA – 3 samples (Test#805) and PCR on pooled samples (#465)
COMPLETE CO-INFECTIONS PANELS
5080
WESTERN REGIONAL COMPLETE CO-INFECTION PANEL**
$660.00
B. duncani IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HME IgG & IgM, HGA IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
5085
NEW WESTERN REGIONAL COMPLETE CO-INFECTION PANEL**(includes Bartonella FISH)
$780.00
B. duncani IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HME IgG & IgM, HGA IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
Bartonella FISH
5090
COMPLETE CO-INFECTION PANEL
$660.00
B. microti IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HME IgG & IgM, HGA IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
5095
NEW COMPLETE CO-INFECTION PANEL**(includes Bartonella FISH)
$780.00
B. microti IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HME IgG & IgM, HGA IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
Bartonella FISH
INITIAL REGIONAL CO-INFECTIONS PANELS
5020
MID-WEST/EASTERN REGIONAL PANEL………………………………………………………………………...…
$540.00
B. microti IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HGA IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
5025
(Add Bartonella FISH** to Panel 5020)……………………………………………………………………………….
$660.00
5030
SUPPLEMENTAL MID-WEST/EASTERN PANEL……………………………………………………………………
$540.00
HME IgG & IgM, HME PCR, HGA PCR
5035
(Add Bartonella FISH** to Panel 5030)…………………………………………………………….…………………
$660.00
5040
WESTERN REGIONAL PANEL**……………………………………………………………………………………….
$540.00
B. duncani IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HGA IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
5045
(Add Bartonella FISH** to Panel 5040) …………………………………………………………….………………...
$660.00
5050
SOUTHERN REGIONAL PANEL……………………………………………………………………………………….
$540.00
B. microti IgG & IgM, Babesia FISH, HME IgG & IgM, Bartonella IgG & IgM
5055
(Add Bartonella FISH** to Panel 5050) …………………………………………………………….………………...
$660.00
BABESIA PANEL
670
COMPREHENSIVE BABESIA PANEL (B. microti)
$475.00
B. microti IgG & IgM, Babesia PCR Panel, Babesia FISH
690
WEST COAST BABESIA PANEL** (B. duncani)
$475.00
B. duncani IgG & IgM, Babesia PCR Panel, Babesia FISH
695
COMPLETE BABESIA PANEL** (B. duncani and B. microti)
$550.00
B. microti IgG & IgM, B. duncani IgG & IgM, Babesia PCR Panel, Babesia FISH
RICKETTSIA PANEL
995
COMPLETE RICKETTSIA PANEL
$290.00
Rickettsia ricketsii/typhi IgG Antibody, Rickettsia PCR Panel (Only R. rickettsii PCR will be reported for NY residents**)
Page 1 of 2
BS-F-030 Version 002 REV. 10-23-13
IGeneX, Inc. Reference Laboratory
795/797 San Antonio Road ● Palo Alto ● CA 94303 ● Tel: (800) 832-3200
PRICE LIST – OCTOBER 2013
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IGeneX, Inc. accepts personal checks, money orders, Visa Card, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
For Canadian/ International Residents: Visa Card, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or Money Order in US Dollars. NO Personal Checks.
** Not yet available for NY Residents
INDIVIDUAL TESTS AVAILABLE
Patient Prepay/
Test # Description (Name) CPT Code Client Price
IMMUNOLOGY
275 CD57** 86356 $138.00
295 Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG ELISA** 86631 $ 70.00
296 Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgA ELISA** 86631 $ 70.00
LYME TESTS (Borrelia burgdorferi)
230 *B. burgdorferi G/M/A IFA Screen** 86618 $ 70.00
183 *Lyme Serology IgG/IgM 86618 $ 70.00
195 *Lyme Serology IgM 86618 $ 70.00
170 C6 Peptide – B. burgdorferi 86618 $108.00
* Only performed in conjunction with Western Blots.
188 Lyme Western Blot IgM 86617 $100.00
189 Lyme Western Blot IgG 86617 $100.00
488 31 kDa Epitope Test IgM** 86617 $100.00
489 31 kDa Epitope Test IgG** 86617 $100.00
Multiplex PCR (B. Burgdorferi) (includes confirmation by Southern Blot)
456 Whole Blood 87800,87801 $235.00
453 Serum 87800,87801 $235.00
450 Urine 87800,87801 $235.00
465 Urine (pooled from 3 samples) 87800,87801 $235.00
459 Cerebral Spinal Fluid 87800,87801 $265.00
462 Miscellaneous (Tissue, Breast Milk, etc.)** 87800,87801 $265.00
800 Lyme DOT BLOT Assay (LDA) for antigen ** 87449 $ 70.00
802 Lyme DOT BLOT Assay (LDA) 2-Sample ** 87449 x 2 $140.00
805 Lyme DOT BLOT Assay (LDA) 3-Sample ** 87449 x 3 $210.00
140 TICK TEST by PCR for B. burgdorferi $ 65.00
BARTONELLA TESTS
285 Bartonella henselae IgG & IgM Antibody 86611 x 2 $135.00
289 Bartonella FISH** 88365 $198.00
280 Bartonella henselae PCR – Whole Blood 87471 $207.00
290 TICK TEST by PCR for Bartonella henselae $ 65.00
BABESIOSIS TESTS
200 B. microti IgG & IgM Antibody 86317 X 2 $135.00
663 Babesia PCR Panel for B. microti and B. duncani 87797,87798 x 2 $207.00
640 Babesia FISH (RNA) 88365 $198.00
720 B. duncani IgG & IgM Antibody ** 86317 x 2 $135.00
689 TICK TEST by PCR for B. microti and B. duncani $ 65.00
EHRLICHIOSIS TESTS
203 HME (Monocytic) IgG & IgM Antibody 86666 x 2 $135.00
770 HME (Monocytic) PCR – Whole Blood 87797,87798 $207.00
206 HGA (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) IgG & IgM Antibody 86666 X 2 $135.00
775 HGA (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) PCR – Whole Blood 87797,87798 $207.00
148 TICK TEST by PCR for Ehrlichia $ 65.00
RICKETTSIA TESTS (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever)
965 Rickettsia rickettsii/typhi IgG Antibody 86757 x 2 $135.00
998 Rickettsia rickettsii and felis/typhi PCR Panel – Whole Blood 87797, 87798 x 2 $207.00
(Only R. rickettsii PCR will be reported for NY residents**)
975 TICK TEST by PCR for Rickettsia $ 65.00
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (Cerebral Spinal Fluid)
810 Lyme DOT BLOT Assay - CSF ** 87449 $ 85.00
459 Multiplex PCR - CSF 87800,87801 $265.00
281 Bartonella henselae PCR - CSF 87471 $265.00
986 Rickettsia rickettsii and felis/typhi PCR Panel – CSF 87797,87798 x2 $207.00
(Only R. rickettsii PCR will be reported for NY residents**)
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BS-F-030 Version 002 REV. 10-23-13
Posted 10/7/2014 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Joey911-- Thanks for the list! I will definitely look into this and see if my current doctor will place an order for me. Sounds like you have a great doctor. I will post to see if I can find someone that great near me!

Meds are typically antibiotics, right? Are there any alternative/herbal or lifestyle treatments I can try out while I'm undiagnosed that might alleviate symptoms and further raise suspicion of this being a lyme infection? Because I definitely don't want to go on antibiotics if I'm not positive that this is lyme...
Posted 10/7/2014 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Utahgal-- Good call, and I'm actually trying to deal with that issue as well. I just started a thread in the thyroid forum.

My FT4 level has been on the low side of the normal range, and my FT3 has been in the upper mid of the range.

FT4: 0.98 (0.82-1.77)
FT3: 3.2 (2.0-4.4)

They did, however, find a goiter which will be biopsied in a few days. I'm curious if this could be tampering with the other thyroid values somehow.
Posted 10/8/2014 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Dr. Bruscanno's treatment guidelines, hints, etc. has some good info in it as far as suggested antibiotics and supplements, etc. Also, many of these things can be found on this forum or in the "new to lime" section at the top of the LYME section here. I'm fairly new to Lyme myself but due to my progressive symptioms have had to learn as quick as possible and wanted to use antibiotics to cut the symptoms asap. As far as diet, I was told to cut out all processed foods and sugars. High in veggies, some fruits, and lean protein. No pop, caffeine, dairy, wheat, etc.. Basically a gluten free diet if possible. Sugar feeds the yeast that may take ahold if you go on antibiotics. Most of the antibiotics (if you go that route) are anti-bacterial with a few cyst busters that may work for parasites or other organisms. I'm not familiar enough with herbs and alternatives to give out advice.

I am on a bunch of supps. that one LLMD has given me that do things such as support the immune system, vitamin C, B complex, B-12, multi-vitamin, magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid, Cq10, curcuim, Corvalene Ribose powder, and others. Some are for inflammation and brain protection since my symptoms are nuero, but other people may have had success with others. The best thing I can say is if you cannot find a good LLMD after your test, explore this forum, ILADS site, Bruscanno's or other related ILADS MD's sites, and buy some books. I found "the lyme disease solution" and "beating Lyme" to be a few good books with some therapy and nutritional information as well.
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