Daughter needs Lyme testing

Hi all,

My daughter is almost 4 yrs old. She has been pretty healthy up until about two weeks ago. She has been having periods of horrible lethargy and thinking she will spit up. I know igenex is the best test, but what can Pediatrician run in the mean time. I was thinking western blot, but I know sometimes they don't show you the bands. Any suggestions? Thanks

The hospital I went to did a VlsE/pepc10 ELISA which is supposed to be fairly specific. Of course they still didn't diagnose me as the western blot came back negative. It can take a while for seroconversion to happen so remember it can be negative the first month or two no matter what you pick. But if you have reason to suspect it's Lyme I wouldn't wait around on finding a good doc

If you can get a Western Blot without having to pay for it...may as well have it done...and see what it shows.
Don't get just the screening one (Elisa or IFA)


Then, if nothing, you can always pay for the Igenex ($210) - Lyme WB IgM and IgG.

I think Girlie's suggest about getting a Western Blot if it's covered by insurance makes sense for someone older, but as a mom of a little guy with lyme, I wouldn't recommend any more blood tests than necessary. Having blood drawn can be a scary experience for the little ones, and it doesn't seem wise to add to their stress if the results won't be reliable.

Bluelyme's suggestion is a good one.

My son and I were diagnosed when he was 2. He was fortunate that I was seeing a functional medicine LLMD who also used applied kinesiology. He diagnosed my son clinically and used AK to confirm. Later, our LLMD retired and was replaced by a newer doctor in the practice. He was unsure about my son's diagnosis because he didn't have much experience with Lyme at that time, so he ordered blood tests, which confirmed what we already knew. It was a frustrating experience for both of us, and if I wouldn't do it again.

So sad to hear this. I do hope that she doesn't have it.

Let us know what you decide as far as testing. If you do decide to do a blood test, you could have her stuck only once (filling 2 vials) and send off for testing wherever you decide. At least labcorp/quest would be covered. Then you can decide regarding Igenex, advanced labs, etc.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions.

She went to the pediatrician. My husband took her as I am still so sick from last weeks trip for treatment. I was on the phone the whole time and wrote out a whole list of the events and symptoms.

The doc discovered she has swollen painful lymph nodes under her chin and in her cheeks.

He said possible mumps since it is going around here. She was already vaccinated once at 1 yr old. But booster is after she turns 4 which is in a month.

We explained how I had Lyme and he didn't listen so much but then when I said bartonella and I breastfed for two years...he started to listen. Praise God.

He ordered western blot panel and Lyme panel and RBC and WBC and a few others.

My husband said she was so brave getting the 4 tubes of blood taken. We practiced all morning pretending I was the nurse and she was the nurse and she sees me get it done every other week. Thank God. The nurses said she was better than adults hahaha! Seriously God is carrying us because what we all have to endure is brutal.

I'm praying it's not anything too serious for her and hopefully just viral but it's been three weeks on and off and started after we stayed in a house with mold but only for a week. Which now I'm wondering if I'm so mold ridden maybe I passed that to her too. Poor thing.

I'm so sorry all of you have little ones with this. I pray we have more wisdom for this disease...our children should never ever have to endure what those of us endure.

I'll keep you guys posted. Praying so hard!

If you end up doing additional testing and go the Igenix route, you can submit it to your insurance. I know people that have gotten 50-100% reimbursement.

Thanks everyone for your support. My husband actually wrote the first message today for me while I cuddled her and he was all proud of himself that he was now part of our group lol, but I told him we will learn more info from this forum than at the docs. He's like I'm a blogger....which this isn't even blogging 😂.

I will def do Igenex if need be.

Would bartonella show up Igm if she has the lymph nodes swelling and painful?

By the way, I told my wee one she certainly could be all 3! And she is so bright, she could do it.

Leah that's wonderful that she was a BIG girl today. And kudos to hubby for his role. I still hope and pray that this just viral. Please definitely keep us posted.

Still waiting on mumps and Bartonella test

Poor child. I can picture what you're saying and it is heartbreaking.

Is the Dr. in favor of treating her at all now, with the neg. Elisa?


Mumps probably aren't as fun as they were 60 years ago when your folks would bring you home milk shakes to make your throat feel better. Does she like smoothies? Berry smoothies with Almond Milk and some ice blended in are so good. Maybe with some Stevia added for sweetness?

Couldn't see her appendix or pancreas because they said gas bloating. Not sure why that's not indicative of anything.

I know I feel so bad for her.

Been sleeping for hours now and was so hungry but says she can't swallow it after a few bites. Doc said her lymph nodes didn't feel swollen today.