So, along the lines of Traveler's article finding... question cause I'm thinking I'm lyme stupid....

If you FINALLY have a blood test - and maybe had lyme and co. a long time.... like 10 + years.

If you have ONE positive band, do you have lyme?


IMO, I'm just being lyme stupid here, but I really need some reaffirmation. This is with regard to my friend of 35 years. She has been sick 10-15 and I thought she was just a hypochondriac until all went down with my son and I researched everything to death the past 2 years. I am sure she has it.

Thanks for anyone's input here. ei

That would depend on the band, and of course, symptoms mean everything especially when the person has had these infections for more than a year or two. If the symptoms can't be easily explained, or it takes 6 or 7 conditions to "explain" why you have these issues, its' time to think of these infections. Also, even if the symptoms can be easily explained, but the person is not responding to the medications, then it's time to think of these infections.

Someone that has had these infections for 10 - 15 years, you know their immune system is much too low to respond to an antibody test that is quite faulty to begin with. I never tested positive for even one band the first time I tested with Labcorp. After a FULL year of abx treatment, I tested fully CDC positive for Lyme and RMSF. I had had these infections for 37 years when I had started treatment.

We can't say that the immune system quits on people that have had these infections for extended periods, otherwise I wouldn't be alive. My immune system was putting up one heck of a fight for 37 years to keep me going much of that time, and for the infections to not completely ravage my body completely.

But even hypochondriacs can get Lyme, and heaven knows how many times I have been accused of being a hypochondriac by doctors. It was even written in my records when I was in my early 20's - which is why and when I quit transferring my records from doctor to doctor.

Can I suggest that you reach out to her? Even if it's just to mention this community or to share my email with her?

That is the problem, I've been telling her for a year now. Gave her tons of info and Trav. was kind enough to give me info for Ct. TWICE when I lost her first email :) - thanks Trav!

So in Fall and Winter, again and again she was finally going to go to an LLMD.

Then spoke to her open minded dr. (who did the lyme test and got the one band), and another dr. friend of theirs who assured her that based on meds she has been on and things that have happened to her, she assuredly does NOT have lyme and co. BINGO. the answer she wanted.

She is 51, my friend since we were 15. But she will listen to anyone and everyone but me.

I forget which band was positive, but when I looked it up, there was no confusion or question that it was indicative.

Symptoms over the years are Blood Pressure, palpitations, thyroid, aches and pains in joints, exhaustion, can't keep up with housework - not even hard stuff, not organized, can't deal with life and other odd things that to me add up to lyme and co.

It's just hard to even speak with her anymore and listen to her complain about symptoms that are so def. not lyme.

Sorry, I have not been on in awhile, but just so you know, have been averaging helping at least on new lyme person a week.

Can't get Andrew better, but can help others.

We are on week 7 of full A Bart and having a nasty blast as always. :(

So we are full doxy rifampin and a bart, detoxes, herbs, and you would THINK, better.

Need a new path, need to try to treat bebesia, seems that might be the key since all else is failing....

THanks for your answers, just wanted to make sure I was not crazy telling my friend what it really is since none of the dr.s can fix it, even the endocronologist - "it's not thyroid... or tick borne" yeah.

And apologies for not being here are NOT necessary!! You have your hands full, and on top of that, you are off helping others!!

If I can be of help with your friend, please do not hesitate to let me know. But never ever forget that you can lead a horse to water, but you may wind up drowning him if he doesn't think he's thirsty.....

And you know it's not a problem for me to email you with information. I'm tickled that you are passing information along!!

My Mom's the same way, she wont' push a doctor and she's 1/2 way across the US from me, so I can't just go to her doc's appt's with her. I have been convinced for over a year that she has low thyroid function as well. I did actually get her talked into trying ashwagandha, she felt such improvements with it, that she's hooked!! She's 77 and has just gone back to work!!

Lovemychildren I would also say if even one band is positive, except 41, it means you were in touch with Borelia.
I heard that only band 41 is not precise, because you have it no matter which bacterial infection you have had.
But of course since tests are not definite, symptoms are much more important.

Traveler, I admire your mum, 77 and still working, she is great :)

I'm so sorry, LMCmom. I know how much time and effort you put into things. I know that diet is a big deal for many, but if you can compromise with him just bit? I also know how hard it is to be a teen with these infections and not being able to be like everyone else.

oh, and I've drowned a few horses in my time too.

BBmuffin - thank you, I call her the "Energizer" Grandma! LOL!! Remember that commercial about the Energizer bunny?