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Posted 1/15/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
So, I am about to max out our credit card for Igenex testing for Lyme. My DO ordered the kit and just let me know that it has arrived.
I have not been diagnosed...
I'm tired, confused and just wanting to get well already!

I have read elsewhere that sometimes doctors have patients go on antibiotics before Lyme testing... Anyone know anything about this? Does it help to do that? Is it worth it? Should I try to do that before shelling out the money?

Thanks
Posted 1/15/2015 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
I think it would be smart to go on antibiotics before testing (since it is pricey and the antibiotics can help get your immune system to produce a positive test). I don't know the details of how long you should be on the antibiotics and then how long off of them before the test...I know other people here will have that info for you!

But I would definitely suggest doing that to make it worth your money and give you the best chances. I think it helped me when I tested. I was on antibiotics for 2 weeks for something, and then I was off of them for about 3 or 4 weeks before I got my test. I got a crazy positive...
Posted 1/15/2015 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
I think my LLND has people on ABX for 2 weeks then tests.
Posted 1/15/2015 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was 16 months post bullseye.

My first IGeneX IGM test came back
18 +
23-25 +
41 IND
83-93 IND

The second test after 3 weeks of antibiotics came back CDC positive
18 +
23-25 IND
31 +
34 +
39 +
41 +
66 +
83-93 IND
Posted 1/15/2015 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, being on abx for a short time - 6- 8 weeks- before testing will help the body produce the antibodies that are being tested for. Then you must be off the abx for 2 weeks - then have blood drawn and follow the Igenex instructions (even question the lab to be sure they will follow as well) exactly. There is a time limit for how long the blood sample will be good for testing.
Posted 1/15/2015 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure your right Traveler but I wasn't off abx when my second test was done. My LLMD practice's main Dr is the Clinical Consultant and his brother is the Pres of IGeneX. Weird huh? I'm moving with an LLND who is leaving that group and I think is terrific.

Lab work has to be mailed by Tuesday before noon. My second draw was done at a Quest. I only live about a half hour away from IGenex but I believe that the instructions were standard regardless of location.
Posted 1/16/2015 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Well, interesting anyway, jrpsf! What I said was for the majority of people to get the best test results is all. There will be those that don't follow those suggestion, yet still get the positive test result because of the uniqueness of these bacteria as they interact with unique bodies - and how long a person has been infected.

I had to be on high dose abx for a full year before testing positive.
Posted 1/16/2015 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Very interesting jrpsf—
My LLMD told me Quest was not desirable. ;)

But agree with the timing- "Lab work has to be mailed by Tuesday before noon." You do not want samples sitting over the weekend.

An alternative to abx is Olive Leaf Extract! But 3-4wks is usually the minimum time frame for provocation due to the microorganism lifecycle.

-p
Posted 1/16/2015 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Pirouette-Quest only did the draw (there are only a few labs that will do the draws) so I didn't have to drive to my LLMD's office. They had given me the kit for IGenex at my last appt.

I've seen the same thing. That Quest is one of the worst when it comes to Lyme testing.
Posted 1/17/2015 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
My 1st appointment with my LLMD was 5 PM, Friday afternoon. And since it lasted an hour and a half, my blood was drawn after 6:30 PM. One test was neg, the other ind.
Posted 1/18/2015 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Mississippi Jane if they 2 day fedex'd your sample Saturday morning then it would have gotten to IGenex on Monday and that would have been A OK.
Posted 1/18/2015 7:12 AM (GMT 0)
quest is hit or miss. I got 3+ tests and 2 - tests. Seems that if you do it, it's better do it on Monday.
Posted 1/18/2015 7:41 AM (GMT 0)
and that s how igenex is making milions of dollars..
Posted 1/20/2015 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Why is Igenex making so much money, Burnoutfree? Because they take the time to train their Techs and choose to buy a more expensive medium in which to test samples so that we get more reliable test results????

They have to make enough money to pay those that are willing to do the job enough to keep them there or we won't get the more reliable test results.

They have to make enough money to keep their training programs for those techs running, for buying the proper medium in order to run these tests - or we end up with the same poor results as Labcorp and Quest give us.
Posted 1/20/2015 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
And...other labs are making just as much money as Igenex, but they aren't even delivering accurate results.
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