Got Rash But LLMD Doing Further Testing

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and to the LD world. Just a little background... I had been reading a lot about Lyme in my research around my hypothyroid disorder and adrenal fatigue I developed after my son was born Oct 2014. I believe my hypo started Sep 2016, and I was diagnosed Jun 2018. In Sep 2018 I found out about my underlying low cortisol and low iron (amongst other low nutrients) and bottom line had to begin healing my adrenals (with Adrenal Cortex and other supplements) before I could up my T3 medication to where I now DON'T have fatigue, low temps, brain fog, etc. During that time of my online research I was running into info about Lyme and sending it to my friend with MS and my friend with Fibromyalgia.

Ironically, on Mon 6/17/19 I started to develop a rash around a lesion on my chest. Just 2 days prior I had been at a park here in the Atlanta area, and my son and I had been pulling down some low-hanging Kudzu (invasive Asian vine that chokes out native trees.) In hindsight that wasn't a great idea. As the rash grew over the next couple of days and was circular (with no central clearing) I knew not to mess with that and contacted a local LLMD (that I got from ILADS) and was in her office on Mon 6/24, one week after the rash started to develop. She wanted to start with Western Blot through LabCorp, as well as Mycoplasma IgG/IgM and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever IgM. That blood draw was the next day Tue 6/25.

Two weeks later on Thu 7/11 I was back in her office for my results. I had 1 band: IgM band 23. My understanding from this and another forum is 23 is indicative of Lyme. But she said not only do we not know what strain (of Borrelia?) it is, nor which co-infections I might have, but also that there are different "most effective" treatments for each. She also said this bite/rash might not be when I actually got the infection and that there isn't a particular timeframe when IgM turns to IgG... some people can have IgM for a long time she said.

Let me stress that I have had NO symptoms besides the rash since getting the rash and being in that park. She said she could start treating me right away (I think with Doxy), but of course I would need retesting to see if it's working... because I have no symptoms. She does use IgeneX, but it's not her first choice anymore after getting one or more false negatives with them. After learning first hand (at a seminar by the founder) about Armin Labs in Germany and their multi-pronged testing, including the EliSpot, she now recommends that as the premier testing in the world. It shows you exactly which strain(s) you have and the coinfections. From their website: "In the complexity of tick-borne and opportunistic infections, we are specialized in T-cellular tests (EliSpot), B-cellular tests (IgA, IgM and IgG-antibodies), and NK cell tests (CD57, CD56) for several bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections." It is pricey for the comprehensive test (basically checking all the boxes.) I'm not sure how much cheaper it may be if you order it directly from Armin, but I just assume have her guidance, the phlebotomist she uses to insure it gets to Germany (following all instructions), her interpretation and her recommended treatment.

This is what is making me nervous... am I waiting too long for treatment?? My blood draw for Armin will be Wed 7/17, and at the moment I have no idea how long it will take to get the results, although from another forum post I don't think it will be too long. (I will ask my doctor when I pick up the kit on Mon.) On the one hand I want to know what infection(s) I have before messing that up with antibiotics, but on the other hand I'm starting to worry I'm missing my window for potentially being cured of it before it takes hold in my body. Any thoughts?

bumping for LBCgirl

Hi there! I wanted to double back and give you the results of my Armin Labs tests.

This is what the numbers mean for the EliSpot test (recent infection):
0-1 = negative
2-3 = weak positive
>3 = positive

These are the ones for which I'm positive:
Borrelia b. Full Antigen = 3
Borrelia b. OSP-Mix = 2
Borrelia miyamotoi EliSpot = 2
Mycoplasma pneum. EliSpot = 2

I was negative for Borrelia burgdorferi LFA-1, Ehrlichia & Anaplasma EliSpot, Bartonella EliSpot and Babesien EliSpot. She also ran their Basic Test/Tickplex Plus test, which I think is like the Western Blot. That one appears to have tested 20 different bacteria, all of which were negative for me.

So come to find out that in Georgia, naturopathic doctors can't diagnose nor prescribe. So I think my naturopath LLMD knew I had Lyme even after just my Western Blot test came back with IgM band 23, but the lingo she uses is, "You've been bitten, and it looks Lyme-y." lol She partners with an LLMD MD, who comes into the naturopath's office 2 or more times per month to officially diagnose and prescribe. I'll be seeing her on 8/21. Meanwhile, I'm on Raintree Cat's Claw (which is TOA-free), 2 capsules 2x/day and Raintree Myco, 2 capsules 2x/day. She said the MD will probably prescribe Doxycycline 100mg 2x/day for at least 3 months. So I'm also on Doxy because I had some at my house. ;-) I take the pills at around 12:30pm and 7:30pm after my 2 meals of the day since I'm intermittent fasting (to combat insulin resistance.) Then I take my probiotic before bed.

She also wanted me to use her hyperbaric oxygen chamber to "blast it out", but Hubby's not gonna be down for that expense... when it's probably not needed in my case (recent infection, no symptoms.)

Just wanted to provide this info for others taking the Armin Labs tests, which you can order on your own if need be.

Feeling good, still no symptoms, rash completely faded in about 1.5 weeks back in June.

I will mention 200mg to the MD when I see her on the 21st. Thanks! Right now all I have is 100mg and will run out of it after my 2 doses on the 20th, so I can't double up right now. But I have just 1 week to go, and I'll let you know what she says.