Going to ask for IGeneX tests, but need help on which ones (Burning feet)

 

Just started looking into the IGenex tests, even called them to get their opinion and cost.  The receptionist sounded like she was 16 years old, lol  Nice, but not a lot of input, which I suppose is by design.  If she recommened the wrong test to someone, I can see them getting upset.

Anyway, my symptoms are mostly burning related. 

 - Burning feet is by far the worst. 

 - Burning hands off and on, more on lately

 - A warm, lower intensity burning feeling almost all over (inner chest, thighs, groin area, shoulders, face)

 - Some dizziness/wooziness, but that may or may not be from the Alpha Lipiac Acid or Nurietin?

 - Sleep disorders, waking up and can't get back to sleep for hours, which is not the worst thing in the world but new to me since this started.

 - Strange almost electrical nervy feeling in left armpit, and down left arm a little.

I took the Quest test for Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, and two other coinfections (cant remember the names, dang it).  Everything was negative except 41 IgG, which I thought was still a good sign of finding something, but my PCP shot that right down, saying it was negative and the 41 IgG would show anything, even some infection you had as a child, like chicken pox.

I still want to get the IGenex tests as many have said they have tested negative on some tests, but positive on IGenex?

And, what do I do if these IGenex tests come back negative?  Do I still seek out a LLMD?  I plan to, since I have absolutely no other leads as to what's causing my symptoms.

If you have any suggestions on what IGeneX tests to ask for, please let me know. Sounds like there's quite a few out there, like 50+.  Three for just Bartenella for example.  How do I know which one to ask for?

And, has anyone tested negatively on these IGenex tests, still went to a LLMD and treated, and come out with nice results?

A few people here thought my symptoms sound like Bartenella, so I want to really make sure I get the right test for that.  And that I may or may not have Lyme?  I don't seem to have the same symptoms as most people here.

Oh, I'm hoping I can get some reimbursement from my insurance on these tests, so that makes me want to really make sure I go after the right tests and not leave something out.  Basically, if I'm going to do this, I don't want to leave something out if someone here thinks I should test for it.

I'm assuming my PCP will have some input, but he mentioned that the Quest test and IGenex were pretty much the same, so he may or may not be for this.  So he may have some input, but he may not.

Thanks, sorry for the long post.

I would say be absolutely sure to test for Lyme and Bartonella with your symptoms. And yes, if they come back negative, you still need to see a LLMD. A negative test does not mean you don't have the infection - it only means your body isn't producing antibodies at that point in time, and there could be a number of explanations for that.

Many on here started treatments with a negative Lyme test, I did. I didn't heal using abx though, as I was an abx failure - but I did heal!! And that's what's most important.

I'm so sorry your doctor is so misinformed about these issues - it doesn't make him a bad doctor, just not one to talk to about these issues. You wouldn't want to discuss your upcoming brain surgery with a Dermatologist! Quest is the worst lab to use for testing for tick-borne diseases - they don't even use the right testing medium! Igenex is the "gold standard" - they use the proper equipment, the proper testing techniques and they even train their employees - there's a new twist!! Ha!

I prefer to recommend that a person get the "Initial Lyme Panel" as it includes not only the Western Blot- which gives the bands that you test positive or negative for (& we can help interpret), but the PCR tests which look for DNA pieces of the bacteria. But, even if both of those are negative, it still doesn't mean that you don't have Lyme disease as they aren't very accurate.

And, if I was in your position, I would order the "New Complete Co-infections Panel" if I had the money. Again, just because those results come back negative, it doesn't mean you don't have the infections.

Do the Initial Lyme Panel or just the Western Blot. That way you can tell if you have Lyme. When you find a LLMD, they will be able to clinically diagnose bartonella. Unless you have money to spare, then by all means, order them all.