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Some validation with positive test results

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 4/2/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I went and picked up my Western blot results today. This is the standard Labcorp version, not Igenex.

IgG was negative, but bands 23 and 41 of IgM were "Present Abnormal" and the Quant IgM was 1.17 (High). I haven't had much time to dig into what these mean, but it seems like there's a big debate about which "matters"--the CDC says IgM shows up in the short-term and should fade over time while IgG is more long-term and is also related to immunity. Am I correct in this? So since I am positive for IgM nine months out, the CDC would say this is not Lyme (or at least not chronic), correct?

I think the long and the short of it is that I'm going to start taking the doxycycline again and call a local LLMD. As someone who has dealt with a lot of "mystery" illnesses over the last decade, I'm glad that this gives me at least *some* answers.
Posted 4/2/2015 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Vitaka,

Any positive Lyme test should be taken seriously since it is so difficult for people with Lyme to produce antibodies due to a suppressed immune system. It does not matter whether it is IGG or IGM. An IGM tends to indicate an active infection. However, any response is significant since it is so hard to produce the antibodies.

There are a number of other reasons why someone will test negative. There may not be any antibodies in the particular blood sample. It represents a particular snapshot in time. The lab may not be adequate. Labcorp and Quest are considered very poor labs for Lyme testing. Many people with Lyme Disease do not test positive there. IGENEX is considered the best tick borne lab in the world right now.

http://www.mentalhealthandillness.com/seronegativelymedisease.html

We don't go by the CDC standards since they are extremely restrictive. They say that Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, which is clearly not the case.

Any positive Lyme test is considered significant. You had a positive ELISA. Your Lyme antibodies were high. I had a positive ELISA, but no bands. Then, I tested positive on the Western Blot through IGENEX.

IGENEX has a good explanation of the Western Blot:


http://www.igenex.com/labtest.htm

Here's some other info:

http://lymemd.blogspot.com/2009/12/igm-question-is-it-chronic-lyme-disease.html


Have you had any luck in getting a response regarding LLMD's in your area?
Posted 4/2/2015 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! I have an appointment scheduled for next Tuesday, so hopefully I'll be getting more answers soon.

One question I have that I was unsure about is whether it would be good to start taking Doxy again now (I have some from my last round of treatment) or wait until after i see the LLMD. I guess I was wondering if five days of antibiotics would potentially mask any symptoms, in which case I would assume I should wait until Tuesday to see.
Posted 4/2/2015 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yay! I hope so too!

If you're appointment is this coming Tuesday, I would probably wait to see what the doctor wants to do. Starting and stopping antibiotics is not ideal. Your doc may want to put you on something else. If you're appointment was in 3-4 weeks, I would probably say go for it with the doxy. Obviously, it is up to you. If it were me, I would wait.

You may get some different opinions.

In the meantime, check out the "New to Lyme" thread at the top of the forum and read up. Maybe you have already checked it out since you said you read up.

Probiotics are key. My LLMD recommends something with at least 50 billion units. You can also start detoxing if you have not already done so. If you need help with ideas, feel free to ask. There are a lot of good detox threads here.

I would also recommend reading Dr. B's Guidelines if you have not already.

http://www.lymenet.org/BurrGuide200810.pdf

Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted 4/2/2015 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
vitaka - I'm glad you're going to see a LLMD. When I read what illnesses you have had in your signature...I wonder if it could all be lyme related. That is a lot of health stuff you've been going through.

Good luck!
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