Reactive to 41 IgG ??

Hi everyone! Finally got my test results back from Quest. Of course, it says negative, but also says reactive to band 41 IgG. I know quest is not very reliable so I'm taking it with a grain of salt and trying to figure out my next step while I wait to hear from the doctor.

Does anyone have any insight about this band 41? What does it mean that I only tested reactive to one? If not Lyme, anyone know what else it could be?

As always, thanks a million

Zach

Quest is a very unreliable lab for testing as PeteZa mentioned.

Remember, a good llmd will treat on symptoms, regardless of test results.

Kda 41 IgG is reactive to the flagella. As girlie has reminded us more than once - "What good bug has a tail?" Use the clinical symptoms as the guide. Look at the alternative bacteria that might contribute to the #41 reaction and determine which ones you are okay with NOT treating. The old adage of "When you hear hoof beats, you think horses, not zebras" still applies, but both of them will leave piles to clean up. What exposures have you had? What symptoms? What other tests -Babesia, EBV, mycoplasma, RMSF, bartonella, ehrlichia, anaplasma? Too many drs have tunnel vision and have been taught that you can only have one disease at a time. BULLFEATHERS! These critters rarely travel alone. If any show up you can be 99% sure that you have others. Fortunately there is some commonality in treatments, at least enough to point out a direction if the LLMD is diligent enough to look for them. Testing is far from adequate but some are relatively accurate. Time to start doing your homework.

My first Lyme test was reactive for 41 and 18.. was treated for 6 weeks based of of symptoms. 4 months later I feel terrible so had them test me again. Now it's showing 93igg and 23igm as well as the 18 and 41 bands. I've read that treatment can basically reactiveate the infection. This is why the 23igm is now showing as a newer infection. I would be curious to see your test results after treatment. I started feeling worse after about 3 days into it. I would continue treatment and have them follow up with another test a few weeks after your done. But if anything don't ignore your body. That's the biggest indicator that something's not right!!

Girlie: Sorry 'bout that! Memory isn't a very strong point for me these days. But whether it was you or blue, it is still valid!

Considering the list that Traveler provided, I can't think of any of them that I would want to have. All of them respond to the penicillin/tetracycline groups of abx. Or you can just wait to see what body parts fall off....

The response that some doctors have is like going to the er with a gunshot wound and the staff won't treat it until they determine the caliber and manufacturer of the gun.

The admonition to "First do no harm" isn't part of the Hippocractic Oath, it is simply a mantra for treatment. Which is more harmful - doing something that is likely to improve things - or doing nothing?

Traveler: I went to a very well respected hospital for a "mysterious" ailment that 28 years later was determined to be a spinal torsion from overly contracted muscles. After many orthopods, neurosurgeons and others failed to find a solution, two treatments from a knowledgeable DC fixed me. While in the hospital one of the many different drs admitted that they would likely only find the cause with a post mortem. I declined the investigation. I never went back to that hospital, either.

Another question; anyone have experience being treated by a psychiatrist? I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety and am on medication from a psychiatrist but have never mentioned Lyme to him. Since it's doubtful that my GP will treat me and I likely can't afford a LLMD, is it worth asking my psychiatrist what he thinks about the mysterious band 41?

Girlie said...
zach - I guess it won't hurt to ask...but i highly doubt he will see any significance with band 41 and your symptoms.

Just to clarify, in your opinion, would a LLMD see any significance with band 41 and my symptoms?

What do people do who can't afford out of network doctors? Honestly I don't know how much longer I can take feeling like this.

zachxcastle said...
What do people do who can't afford out of network doctors? Honestly I don't know how much longer I can take feeling like this.

First: learn about lyme and coinfections, two books I would recommend:
/www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982322526/
/www.amazon.com/Healing-Lyme-Prevention-Borreliosis-Coinfections/dp/0970869630
Second: start using herbs and other alternative methods you can afford to heal.
If you will herx it means you are infected with some nasty bugs and the therapy is working. Then learn how to detox so you will survive all herxing
Prepare for a long battle, recovering from this is like a marathon... or a ten marathons