Anyone heard of False Positives from Igenex?

Again, sorry to post a kind of rhetorical question but I'm just trying to get prepared for my upcoming appt. with my GP who has told me for the last 4 yrs. that I had been tested for Lyme(Elisa) with negative results and that all my symptoms were called "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" -He gave me some Tramacet and said to just live with the (pain, unbearable fatigue, etc., etc.,)
On my own via a LLND in Peterborough we sent blood to Igenex ($1000) and rec'd a positive result for Lyme.
I'm sure my GP will just say it's a "false positive" and blow me off. I just want to be prepared before I jump down his throat.

From what I have read and heard Igenex is the most accurate Lyme testing out there. Do you have a copy of your results. They can be interpreted differently, but there are some bands on there that are just for Lyme. It would be helpful if you posted the exact results.

how about false negatives from Igenex?

Rocky,
Even with my CDC positive test my pcp wasn't going to back down from his stance so be prepared for that. A pcp also doesn't know how to treat Lyme proberly so honestly who cares what he or she thinks.
Here is what each band represents.
Toronto-You can NEVER have a false positive. The test is for our bodies antibody response to Lyme. If there is no Lyme in our systems our body would not create any antibodies. The reason it's so difficult for people to test positive is Lyme creates cysts around itself so our bodies immune system doesn't know it needs to start fighting
18 p18 flagellin fragment
20 cross-reactive for Borrellia
21 unknown
22 specific for Bb, probably really the 23/25 band
23-25 outer surface protein C (OspC), specific for Bb
28 outer surface protein D (OspD); Oms28; specific for Bb
30 OspA substrate binding protein; common in European and one California strain
31 outer surface protein A (OspA), specific for Bb
34 outer surface protein B (OspB); specific for Bb
35 specific for Bb
37 specific for Bb
38 cross-reactive for Bb
39 is a major protein of Bb flagellin; specific for Bb
41 flagellin protein of all spirochetes; this is usually the first to appear after a Bb infection
45 cross-reactive for all Borellia (sometimes people with Lyme who have this band positive also have the co-infection Ehrlichiosis)
50 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
55 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
57 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
58 unknown but may be a heat-shock Bb protein
60 cross reactive for all Borrellia
66 cross-reactive for all Borrelia, common in all bacteria
83 specific antigen for the Lyme bacterium, probably a cytoplasmic membrane
93 unknown, probably the same protein in band 83, just migrates differently in some patients
http://lymetwistontherocks.blogspot.com/2011/01/western-blots-what-do-all-of-those-darn.html
That's the site I used. Traveler has another one.

what I meant was, what are the odds of a false neg on an Igenex complete Lyme panel (w/ PCR)? I know the ELISA has a 50% false neg. rate

Rocky - It is not just Igenex Positive - it is CDC Positive - according to the Igenex sheet I have in front of me.

jrpsf said...
Toronto
How long have you been sick and did you do (I'm assuming it's you) anything to help your bodies immune system recognize the Lyme? By that I mean did you take abx's for 6 weeks or take herbs for a few weeks?

If your body can't see it, it can't create antibodies and the test will be negative.

I took andrographis for a few days, about 7-10 days before my test, and I had a VERY strong reaction. I developed tinnitus that hasn't gone away, and all previous symptoms have gotten worse. Have been using olive leaf extract for some time, and astralagus as well.

Whatever I've got, I'm sure it's active at the moment.

EDIT: have had symptoms for at least a year, maybe several years. It's hard to say exactly because I got sick with EBV in 2012 and have had fatigue ever since. But that fatigue was manageable until mid-2014. Since then I've had rolling bouts of what I can best describe as nearly every single symptom of Lyme.

Thanks everyone for your help and comments. just to clarify- I am not seeing a LLMD but rather a LLND who does have a protocol of supplements and IV treatment if desired(not ABX). My visit to my GP is a routine vist for an Rx refill and will be used to present the positive results from Igenex. His reaction after watching me suffer for 4 yrs. is what I'm trying to prepare for. Should be interesting as I am not a happy camper at this point. I'm just trying to be as informed as possible and have done over 200 hrs. of research on this insidious disease. this forum is invaluable for real life info. Thanks- again, Rocky- Peterborough, ON

Hi Rikky
I think, like folks are saying, we are most likely to run into the ill-informed MD; after my son's results came in I emailed a very "open" family physician who had very kindly worked with us for a few years to try to figure out what was wrong with my son. I emailed him because I thought he'd genuinely be interested in what was wrong all of this time. Surprisingly, I got a curt response back with this link...saying he hoped the results were accurate. See:http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/23/health/policy/unproved-lyme-disease-tests-prompt-warnings.html?_r=0

Sadly, a huge amount of education and change in physician's responses has to happen...soon! So many people are getting sick for far too long.