Is this considered lyme?
No way - 0.0% - 0 votes
Possibly - 100.0% - 1 votes
JessieP
New Member
Joined : Sep 2020
Posts : 10
Posted 9/22/2020 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ive been dealing with odd symptoms since March. Was exposed to tics a year ago, no memorable bite. I recently had a western blot and was positive for igg 41 and 66. I have read igenex is the most accurate, im wondering if i should dish out the money and get the igenex test. Also does anyone know what these bands mean??
1yrinVA
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2018
Posts : 160
Posted 9/22/2020 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
In my opinion, a Western Blot test done through a standard lab like Quest, LabCorp, etc. does not provide very useful information in general. False negatives are common. I only had Band 41 positive (IGG) despite being tested 2-3 months after a tick bite/rash, plus having developed nearly all of the "classic" early disseminated Lyme symptoms. Having any positive bands could indicate something is going on (even if the CDC doesn't see it that way).
saraeli
Forum Moderator
Joined : Jan 2019
Posts : 3717
Posted 9/22/2020 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, i.e. based on signs and symptoms, not just test results, but you need a properly-trained doctor to do this. 1yrinVA makes the important point that testing yields a great many false negatives, and your results do indicate possible Lyme. Band 41 indicates that your system contains spirochetes. Unless you have had syphilis or leptospirosis, you most likely have Lyme (or any of the spirochetes in the Borrelia family). Band 66 is less specific, to my knowledge, though it indicates bacterial infection. Clinical diagnosis of Lyme can be made by a Lyme-literate physician (LLMD) but other types of doctors will not have the necessary training to be helpful. I would start with finding a good LLMD, as they might not need further testing to diagnose you.
Start a new thread "LLMD in [name of your city]" to get some recommendations. Sometimes ILADS can be helpful in locating a nearby Lyme specialist for you.
If you are confident that your exposure was in March, then this is still a relatively new infection, and prompt treatment is likely to make a difference. The sooner the better! These infections can be tougher to manage the longer you have them.
Good luck!
JessieP
New Member
Joined : Sep 2020
Posts : 10
Posted 9/22/2020 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Okay thank you. That’s what i wanted to know about the bands. Im going to research a lyme doctor by me and see what they suggest. Thank you for the information.
Girlie
Forum Moderator
Joined : May 2014
Posts : 48365
Posted 9/23/2020 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
While Band 41 isn’t specific to lyme - does represent the flagella (tail) of a spirochete.
As saraeli stated a few other bacteria have flagella - including syphilis, leptospirosis and pintas and yaws.
It’s best to seek out a LLMD or LLND for an evaluation - Chronic lyme is a clinical diagnosis with testing used to back it up.