Blood Tests Came Back - amazing results and month five symptom Free!

Ok, so Feb 2014:

I tested positive for IGM bands 18,37,58,93,41
Be reminded that I was already on doxycycline which is why I believe I was not CDC positive.

These were the following abnormal results:
CD57 - 45 (low)
CD57/CD8% lymphs - 1.7 (low
compliment c4a - 881 (high)
neutrophils - 7.5 (high)
Vit D 26 (low)
Alk. Phos 37 (low)
Bilirubin 1.1 (high)

Yesterday's results - only positive to IGM band 93
CD57 - 37 (lower)!
everything else was within the normal range

So in conclusion my Western Blot shows 1 band vs 5, which is awesome
My compliment C4a is normal (this is a major marker MY LLMD uses), it represents the general inflammation of the body - if this was still elevated, she would have put me back on lyme herbs. My Cd57 however, is lower = this didn't make sense. She said that it really isn't that reliable. She also said that it doesn't correspond to my presentation. If I was still exhibiting symptoms, she would then be concerned.

So in closing, and in short, I am still symptom free. Haven't herxed in months, only have 3 remaining issues - occasional twitching (nerve damage), leftover pinched nerve in my shoulder which rarely gives me trouble now, and tingling on the soles of my feet when I first get up in the morning. I am going on month 5 without abx or herbs.

My current protocol - just vitamins (New Chapter) and Probiotics

I am officially announcing that I am a Lyme Survivor!

Thanks bryan. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere! The forum needs peple who have healed to remain on the forum and I assure you that I will be one of them!! =]

Chapelle:

Congrats! I was well also for 4+ years, until my son got sick. No meds or herbs for 4+ years. And then a lot of barto symptoms returned--not full swing but about 25%. I take propolis and Vit C now plus my thyroid meds.

I'm thinking that maybe if I continued taking a couple of herbs I would have stayed symptom free. With what I am taking now, I am 98-100% symptom free--depending on the day. So healing is possible but without eliminating stress, it may come back, in my opinion and I wanted to share this with you. Still, I am happy I do not need to go back to abx :)

My LLMD doesn't trust CD57 and never tested me for it. He said is not a reliable test.

That's fantastic news Chapelle! I'm so happy for you.

I wish you continued success! :)

Chapelle, any idea why the CD57 is still low?

My LLMD said there is no clear science on what causes the low CD57, and it could actually be a number if different infections. Also could it be found in bartonella?

My bart is still causing me minor symptoms :(. So I can't declare myself symptom free yet. Also I'm probably too nitpicky about my symptoms.

LOL - interesting question Lymepickle, if you had my remaining symptoms, would you consider yourself symptom free or no?

Fantastic news Chapelle!! CONGRATS!

Thanks for all of the good wishes everyone!

Congrats, Chapelle!!!

May it long continue (like for the rest of your life ;)

Wonderful news, Chapelle!! Congratulations!!!
I do hope this is happy dance time for you!!!

The first thing we have to remember is that you just went through a very traumatic event - a miscarriage. So it will have an effect on your body.

While symptoms plus a low CD57 can indicate a Lyme infection - no one knows what makes the CD57 low, so it can't be tied to anything when there are no Lyme symptoms since no one knows what else may affect it. Some Lyme researchers discovered that some Lyme patients had low CD57 results - not all. As a matter of fact, they went so far as to say that some very ill Lyme patients CD57 levels were just fine - so it's not even a marker of how sick you are with Lyme. So this is something I surely wouldn't concern myself with - other than the curiosity that it is.

According to lab tests online (labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/bilirubin/tab/test/) a high bilirubin count can be from liver issues - which a miscarriage could certainly affect, especially in a post Lyme patient. But, I would encourage you to keep an eye on your liver function just to be sure.

According to medfriendly.com (www.medfriendly.com/neutrophil-neutropenia.html) high Neutrophils can be from stress - and you certainly have had your fair share of that lately! The things you have been through lately are definitely stressful on the body.

And as far as you still testing positive on band 93 - that's interesting. Since these are antibody tests, your body is still producing antibodies to the flagellen - the tail of the bacteria - but it could be from any spirochetal bacteria - or none. As far as I have seen, there have been no studies for what bands may stay positive after treatments have been successful - gotten a person to the point of being symptom-free. We know that not every single Lyme bacteria can be eradicated from the body, although you can get them to low enough levels to remain "in remission" (to borrow a term) for the rest of your life. It's assumed that without significant numbers of the "right type" of Lyme bacteria, there won't be an active infection.

And as for the nerve issues you mention, those seem pretty minor and most certainly could be from nerve sheath (myelin) damage that has yet to heal. Nerves can take up to 7 years to completely heal, so give it some time. If no other symptoms pop up, then I'd say you are in the clear... as long as you continue to take really good care of yourself!!!

So all in all, being symptom free for 5 months without any abx or Lyme herbs says a lot!! You've been under significant enough stress (both physically and emotionally) to have brought out any remaining symptoms, yet there seem to be none! Just don't hesitate to jump on those Lyme herbs if you start to see too many other Lyme symptoms creep back in - don't wait too long!

But, please learn from my mistakes - no more stress!!! LOL!! And be sure to be on some sort of preventative for Lyme disease. The only thing I know of is herbs, but I have to admit, I haven't looked any further either.

So - again, Congratulations!!!! Happy Dance Time!!!!

And - a HUGE thank you for wanting to stick around to help out!! We need some that have healed to be here - I mean besides goofy me!!! People really like talking with those that have made it back to health.

"Interesting Simela - any idea what brought on the Bart symptoms again?

How long were you sick before you started treatment the first time?"

I don't know when I got bit. And I wasn't really sick, either. I had a couple of episodes of blured vision, a couple of episodes when I tried to get up from the computer and I could not--I thought I spent too much time sitting so I didn't pay attention, and then a few episodes (maybe 10 with sharp pain migrating through the body). I was tested by my PCP because he kept asking me if there is anything bothering me, so I told him--only because he asked! I was fully functional.

My PCP tested me and to my shock, I tested + for Lyme. He gave me 1 mo of doxy which I didn't tolerate; he switched me to amox; fine after that for about 2 yrs

Then, I was given steroids due to a car accident and that is when I got really, really sick. I was in a lot of pain from car accident and lyme + barto. Went to a LLMD, and started to treat me but I got pregnant; he treated me for 1 year with multiple abx for Lyme and then Barto (for which I tested negative but had the symptoms); fine after that for over 4 yrs; daughter was born perfectly fine--she is now 5.

Then last year my son got very ill. He was bit the year before; same thing, right? got a mo of doxy

So, last year he got sick. He started to fall while he was walking; had seizures; Pain everywhere; I didn't sleep for nights at the time because I had to watch him; my symptoms were crippling in little by little; first a pain in the soles of my feet; then little patches on top of my head; the top of me feet. Still no brain fog. Then the pain in the left hand--the worse; I have less strenght in that hand since I got lyme and/or car accident? according to a neuro test.

But they kept getting worse to the point that I was in pain 10% , than 20%, than 30% of the time, than 40% (on SOME days). Not severe pain like I've had when I went to see the LLMD, but pain consistent enough to make me understand barto is back!

BUT: I decided I won't go back to abx, so I will try some herbs. I am doing fantastic with the propolis, but I am not sure is enough. Why? It is supposed to be an anti-inflammatory and a natural abx. BUT what if it is working great as an anti-inflamatory and just masking the symptoms and the bacteria is flourishing and eventually will explode in growth again? OR: is propolis sufficient as a natural abx for me? I wish I knew!

While I am so happy that you stopped treatment, I wanted to warn you about what happened to me. My son was a healthy boy for 9 years. among the top of his class. Now he is a bit of a mess but still not too bad compared to what he's been through. The grand mal seizures are no picnic for a mother to watch in the middle of the night :( I could do NOTHING to help him! BUT he was given abx for a sinus infection and his seizures stopped! He was getting seizures every 2 weeks. Now, none in 2 months!

So I do believe that his seizures are tick borne related and we detox him now and give him propolis. He is 50% better but still has some neuro problems, rages, can't fall asleep without milatonin (forgot the spelling) 2-3 nights per week, forgetful (forgot how to spell words that he's known for years), tired (but no longer exhausted)

So, I was probably in the same shape as you before this happened. I do intend to not let it take over my life ever again. I bought some herbs and I will keep it in check. Because it sneaked up on me not once but TWICE! So, while I am in a good place right now, I am not willing to find out what happens if I don't take anything at all for bacterial infections. A herb or two a few times a week--that's what I have in mind.

Maybe you are better than me at this :) but after 2 mo of seeing my son get worse and worse, it did hit me. It's not gone! Will it ever be? I don't know. I think is better to be cautious than sorry. I put it out of my mind TWICE, but it was still in my body and that, I could not control!

Sorry for the long message, and I hope it helps! It is not to scare you, but to help you make the right decision. You are a pharmacist and you know what is in the abx better than me. :) I do not think I need more abx. I think I need a few herbs to continue to strengthen immune function that have antibacterial properties as well--my conclusion :)

Chapelle what lab did you use for retesting?

Chapelle:

I'm so glad you didn't misunderstand me! Congratulations again and good luck with getting rid of the residual symptoms! Also, thanks for letting me know about your kids! So glad that they are well :)