IgG band 41 positive - help

Hi I'm new here, and I've been trying to find the true meaning for testing positive only to the IgG band 41, which was indicated on recent blood work. The only thing I have learned is that this band is the "mystery" band. I've been suffering for approximately 10 years with my only Lyme related late stage symptom that I can think of is sleep disturbances in the range of 40 - 50 times per night, every night consistently without relief. I can provide a list of what I've tried to stop the sleep disturbances if someone would like but I can say that I've tried literally everything.

Here's some questions I have:

1) Should I take my blood work to an infectious disease doctor or is this positive IgG band 41 alone a non significant result since it is the only band that I tested positive for on the Western blot?

2) IgG band 41 appears to represent an antibody reaction to one of several strands of bacteria, one of which can by from Lyme disease. Without knowing which bacteria it is, would treatment all be treated the same (high dosage of antibiotics) or would additional testing be required to know how to specifically treat the bacteria that is causing IgG band 41 to be positive? Let's say there's A,B,C,D, & E bacteria related to IgG band 41, would B require different treatment than C, or D, etc.?

3) Are any of the bacteria related to IgG band 41 known to cause sleep disturbances in someone including late stage? (I'm not expecting anyone to know this answer but figured I'd ask just in case someone had a similar experience.)

4) Am I overreacting?

I've been to over 20 doctors this year and so far no help.

Thanks for the help!

hi, I have been seen by two lyme doctors and had two stars by band 41 which they said I have lyme disease. several others stated inconclusive. I have all the symptoms of lyme, had the bull's eye rash and insomnia being one of them. but I would like to know what other bacteria can you have when this band is positive.

I understand your concern. I am worried about taking long term antibiotics, and I am going to see a neurologist for further testing in december because I have a lesion on my spine too. lyme can cause this as well as other problems.

Hi cppoly, there are several members here who tested positive band 41 only and were quite ill. My 8 year old son had headaches for a couple of years and developed nasty sinus infections. Blood work showed positive band 41, LLMD gave abx and headaches ceased, regained stamina and cognitive functioning almost immediately. Hes been on the abx for 2 months and is doing great. He has began to excel in athletics and his schoolwork. You can give the meds a try and look for improvement.

Hi Cppoly! I too am one who would test positive to only band 41 for many years - although I had enough symptoms for those years to get treatment if I had only seen a doc that had been educated enough!

The Western Blot and other blood tests are generally quite poor when it comes to these diseases, and there are many reasons why, even on a "good" blood test, you could test negative and still have Lyme disease! For one, the bacteria can change the proteins on it's surface, go into a cystic form or even hide in a biofilm so that the immune system doesn't recognize it as a threat. So if there's no response by the immune system, then these tests, which look for immune response, of course can't come back with positive results.

Igenex has the best track record for getting positive results, but even they are limited by the test limitations.

Unfortunately, I've spent my time learning about these diseases only, but there are only a few spirochetal infections that can trigger a positive band 41 response on a Western Blot. I do know that those symptoms are typical in a Lyme infection though. A good LLMD will not wait for test results to be positive before treating a patient if other factors (mainly symptoms and exposure history) point to a likely infection.

Actually, that's exactly what I was going to suggest depending on how you answered!

Do remember that herbal approaches will work well also - many of us here are using them and healing well with them.

I also had band 41 in IgG but told I do not have Lyme. Band 41 was IND on IgM. I have been sick with a multitude of symptoms that come and go for years.

Youre welcome. My son had it since kindergarten and hes turning 9 in January. Hes been on antibiotics (omnicef) since October and has shown marked improvement. His only symptoms were headaches and sinus problems and recently the soles of his feet hurt. We were back at the LLMD today and trying another abx for 2 weeks for sinus. Try Omnicef and add amoxicillin 2000 mg if possible. Good luck :)

Its a clinical diagnosis and the tests are reliable 50% (or less of the time). Disease lives in the muscle and tissue more than blood.

If you respond to abx you prob have it. Also if you are on abx it will generate false negatives. I have heard some tests want you to be off abx for 6-9 weeks. Infectious disease dr is going to tell you you do not have it. Try to find a LLMD as soon as possible. Sometime you can try a walk in treatment center or regular md for a short course of meds to get you started and keep looking for a lyme lit physician.

Thanks BarnGurl, I will watch that video.

Hi cppoly. Try to get the antibiotics as soon as possible. Looks like you have Lyme.

Traveler said...

cppoly said...
I just noticed on the test that I tested positive for IgG band 41, I also tested positive on:

Lyme C6 IgG/IgM Ab EIA Result 2.11 Range: <.9
Lyme C6 Ab Interp Positive

Does this have any significance?

As Barngurl said, you have Lyme, that's a positive test result. So please do find a doctor who is well trained in these infections, whether you choose to use a LLMD or a Holistic Medicine doctor.

Also please do get started with eating a "clean" diet - no processed foods (or at least very few as so many of our foods are processed in some way now), no sugar, and tons and tons of veggies and greens.

Drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily will help with not only hydration, but with keeping the liver, kidneys and other detoxing organs flushed. Adding lemon to your water will help even more, but if you are having muscle cramps, spasms, or twitching - adding the lemon could increase those symptoms, so be careful.

We have a lot of great information on detoxing in our "New to Lyme?" thread that sits at the top of the forum.

And don't forget - we are here to help you find your way through!!

Traveler thanks for the tips. I'm hoping these two results are not both false positives and something good comes out of this.

I'm seeing an infectious disease doctor this week, who may or may not be an LLMD. My plan is to start on antibiotics ASAP while being in the process of searching and scheduling a consultation with an LLMD.

Assuming the MD I'm seeing this week is not Lyme literate, is there an antibiotic that that I should request? I'd rather request something as opposed to a doctor guessing.

Traveler, the link to Dr. Burrascano's paper isn't working in the New to Lyme thread.

Should I request to have blood work done for all co-infections and if yes, am I limited to the really high quality labs required for Lyme testing or can co-infections testing typically be useful in standard labs?

Hi Mystery,
When a person has only band 41 positive, it can be other spirochetal infections - what makes only band 41 positive a sure thing for Lyme disease is all the details - symptoms, what other bands you had the inconclusive results on and any history of unexplained rashes.

If you had even the "Ind" on one of the Lyme specific bands, then your likelihood of it being Lyme goes way up - add in symptoms that fit for Lyme disease, and it become a fairly sure thing and treatment will confirm it. So you are on the right track since treatment for these infections is making you feel better!