Update on Two Year old

I have the IGeneX test results. My son was positive for:

1) Plasmid - B Burgdorferi (confirmed by southern dot blot)
2) E. chaffeensis IgG - 80

We started the four week doxy treatment on Friday for the ehrlichia, which will be followed up with herbs to treat the lyme. I have been pretty nervous today about our ability to beat the diseases. Two years old is so young to have a chronic condition.

My wife also sent some blood to IGeneX today as she has had some symptoms that may be nothing but we want to know for sure.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on the test results and prognosis?

Thanks PeteZa. We caught it relatively early but I don't know what we will do if the treatment does not work...

Thanks girlie - the tests were the full IGeneX menu...cost $1,125.

The first one is actually named Multiplex B Burgdorferi.

The second one is HME panel (monocytic).

Are those familiar?

I have some comments to share about the test results but respectfully request that you answer a couple of questions first....

What motivated you to have these tests run??

Does your son have any symptoms?

And, no matter what, I completely understand your concern. So sorry you're dealing with this!!

Hi Girlie - The full tests were:

1) Lyme IgM Western Blot - Negative (only the band 41 was IND)
2) Lyme IgG Western Blot - Negative (only the band 41 was ++)
3) Multiplex B. Burgdorferi Serum - Genomic B (negative); Plasmid B (positive)
4) Multiplex B Burgdorferi Whole Blood - Negative
5) B microti IFA - Negative
6) Babesia Fish (RNA) - Negative
7) HME Panel (monocytic) - E. chaffeensis IgM (negative); E chaffeensis IgG (80, which is positive)
8) HGA Panel (granulocytic) - Negative
9) B. henselge IFA (G/M) - Negative

So the bullseye rash is diagnostic for Lyme disease. Were you asked to do the test?

I wouldn't put too much stock in the test...he has symptoms and had a bullseye rash, but unfortunately wasn't treated long enough.

Im glad your son will be back in treatment...
Hang in there!

Hi klustpooh

Sorry I couldn't get back on here until this morning.

I thought I remembered your story but it's too important to not clarify. As Girlie mentioned, the bullseye rash is diagnostic for Lyme so I must admit I don't understand why more Lyme testing was done...it won't tell you if your son is still dealing with Lyme, unfortunately.

Active disease can only be diagnosed clinically - based upon symptoms.

Believe it or not, many people are walking around with asymptomatic infections....and not just Lyme infections.

Now that you've shared your son's issues (so very sorry), it does sound like *some*thing is going on.

I think I can understand the doctor's recommendation to treat for Erlichia in light of the IgG result which can sometimes mean a chronic infection (many of us have IgG antibodies for stuff and we don't have active infection). It is obviously hard to figure this stuff out - testing is far from optimal.

Here's some info:

www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/symptoms/

I hope his doctor is making treatment recommendations based upon symptoms and not just test results.

I say this because testing for these infections leaves MUCH to be desired. Heck, we don't even have tests for ALL the strains of Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella that are out there.

Therefore, testing negative on a test for a particular strain of Lyme, Babesia or Bartonella doesn't necessarily mean the person isn't dealing with an infection caused by another strain.

We once again come back to that clinical diagnosis which isn't easy since many symptoms overlap among the infections.

Do you know just yet what herbs he'll be taking to treat Lyme? Would you be inclined to expand the herbal protocol to possibly address coinfections? I share your desire for your son to beat whatever he has.

And, have you been advised to give your son probiotics? This will help restore his immune system which needs to be in top shape to beat the bugs and prevent relapse.

Home-made kefir provides the largest number of probiotic strains and organisms and can be made into a nice smoothie that could appeal to a 2 y/o (that's how I get my 2 y/o granddaughter to drink kefir ;)

Please be comforted in knowing that children have a great potential for healing. We'll be rooting for you and your family!!!

Thanks for the clarification, klustpooh.

I truly hope the doxy takes care of things. Please keep us posted.

Happy to hear about the pre and pro biotic recommendations. Same for the food sensitivity tests. Lyme can cause issues such as those. The doctor seems on top of things - kudos to you for finding him.

Believe it or not, there are hardly any herbs that actually kill Lyme bacteria yet herbal protocols can be very effective. They incorporate cytokine remediation, inflammation reduction, organ health and immune support - the things most required for healing.

I wish you and your family nothing but the best as you venture forward!!

klustpooh, please be aware that the food sensitivity tests will only show a sensitivity to foods your son is currently eating.

The tests I looked at "suggest" that you eat the foods being tested for a period of time before the testing. For example, one test had a long list of foods and wanted you to eat each of the foods for a period of 4 days before having the blood draw.

The reason for this is the test is looking for antibodies to that food. If your body hasn't been exposed to a food it won't develop antibodies. So if the test results show up as negative that doesn't mean that food is safe.

So for example, if the tests checked for a sensitivity to tapioca and your son doesn't eat tapioca a negative test result tells you nothing. If your son does eat tapioca and the test is positive, then you need to remove it from his diet. If your son does eat tapioca and the test is negative, then its safe.

As far as having a sensitivity to dairy and eggs, those are the two most common allergies (or sensitivities) in children under two so this isn't unusual. Dairy and eggs are plentiful in our food even you don't drink milk or eat eggs.

Removing dairy and eggs from your son's diet is the way to handle it, but it is harder than you think. Eggs especially hide in everything. My nephew had an egg allergy and there were very few things he could eat. Most foods we buy have traces of eggs.

I also think 3 months is a very short time. Most kids will eventually grow out of the sensitivity. Adults also can usually add these foods back in after their body has had a chance to recover. But usually it is recommended that you wait a year.

With kids their body is continuing to be introduced to new things and their immune systems are still developing it. One way to handle things is to only introduce new foods on a schedule. I had a doctor recommend that I not introduce a new food more often than every four days (for me as an adult).

If your son is truly allergic to eggs, you should talk to your pediatrician about vaccines. I am in no way saying that your child should not get vaccines. As a matter of fact, I am in favor of vaccines. But some vaccines are still grown using egg and if your son has an allergy the pediatrician needs to know.

I would also suggest that you carry a bottle of children's Benadryl. My sister in law does because when my nephew has a new food, if he starts getting flush that can be a symptom of a reaction. Taking the Benadryl can head off the reaction. As an adult with food sensitivities, I carry it with me as well. The liquid version gets into the blood stream faster.

One last thing, rowingmom's advice is invaluable. She went through this with her daughter and has brought her through it and kept detailed records of the treatment. There are also other moms on here who have experience and will usually chime in.

Wish you well,
Kim