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To Treat or Not Treat...Confusing Labs

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 6/9/2015 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
My 13 year old son, with a history of tick bite 1year ago (no bulls eye rash,no treatment ) is now suffering from chronic significant fatigue. That is his only symptom. The first western blot was positive on 4 Lyme specific bands. When re-tested 16 days later at a lyme specialist, western blot came back only positive on band 58? Other tests ruled out mono, ebv, cytomegalovirus, etc. Treatment for Lyme was recommended based on the fatigue and the first western blot.

Do I treat him now? Is it possible that the western blot tests could be so different after 2 weeks with no treatment? I am so confused.

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Posted 6/9/2015 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Treat him.
Rather safe than sorry.
However, I am not a VET here and I am just very vigorously learning about LD (3yo daughter was just diagnosed with Lyme 4 days ago).

You've come to the right place,
Good luck!
Posted 6/9/2015 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I would definitely treat him...the second test came back with only one positive band - probably because the immune system was taxed after two weeks of the bacteria in his body.

Make sure the "lyme specialist" is a LLMD. If not, we can help you find one.
Posted 6/9/2015 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Please treat him!! As a child I was infected and lived with these infections for 40 yrs and it stole my childhood. No one deserves that, believe me.

It's well known that these bacteria can literally change their outer surface proteins so that the immune system can't detect them to produce the antibodies required for a positive test. The first WB was done just at the right time to catch them while replicating - which is the only time they have to be in a form "visible" to the immune system.

Please make sure that the Lyme specialist is ILADS trained to be sure that your son gets the right treatment for the right amount of time so that he doesn't have to live with this slowly taking over his life.
Posted 6/11/2015 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your replies. I did start treating him with protocol given to us by LLMD. He is taking amoxicillin 875 mg 2/day, Zithromax 300 mg 1 per day, and orthobiotic (probiotics) 3 at bedtime. In one week we will add Probenicid 500 mg twice daily. I am not familiar with Probenicid...does anyone have experience with this one?

It's only been 2 days but so far, no issues with meds. Fingers crossed. We will do this for 3 months and then wait 3 weeks and re do blood work.
Posted 6/11/2015 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
With all the abx, you might want to add some kefir to his diet for probiotics :) Hope he starts feeling better.
Posted 6/11/2015 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken Probenicid - when I was on amoxicillin. Because amox has such a short half life (something like an hour) - the Prebenicid is used to keep the blood levels up longer.
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