Is my Lyme active?

Hello,

I had Lyme when I was five years old and was treated with antibiotics. I am now 22 years old and am dealing with CFS from co-infections. I have high titers of HHV-6 and Parvovirus B19. Also have thyroid hormone resistance (now fixed through medication.)

I am treating with the anti-viral Valcyte and am hopefully going to be starting IVIG treatments through a hematologist very soon to treat the Parvo.

My symptoms (mainly fatigue and cognitive issues) began five years ago and gradually worsened. Before that I had no issues. I am working with a CFS doctor who is knowledgable with Lyme but not sure if I would consider a LLMD. There are some things I don't like about him unfortunately, but he is the closest doc to me at only 20 minutes away so I'd rather not switch right now.

Because of this I'm not sure if I should get a second opinion on whether my Lyme is active now and if I should be treating it too. He said it isn't, as well as a general practitioner (obviously not LLMD). But because of the issues I've been dealing with and the co-infections I know it reactivated at some point.

My western blot results are below. I'm having a hard time understanding how to interpret whether there is an active vs. dormant infection after already having it. Thank you for any insight and advice ahead of time.


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Lyme Igm Wb Interp. Negative
Igm P23 Ab. Absent
Igm P39 Ab. Absent
Igm P41 Ab. Present
Lyme Igg Wb Interp. Negative
Igg P18 Ab. Present
Igg P23 Ab. Absent
Igg P28 Ab. Absent
Igg P30 Ab. Absent
Igg P39 Ab. Absent
Igg P41 Ab. Absent
Igg P45 Ab. Absent
Igg P58 Ab. Present
Igg P66 Ab. Absent
Igg P93 Ab. Absent
Lyme Igg/Igm Ab 1.41 0.00-0.90 ISR

I have the same question, Jess. I'm starting a new thread about it with questions about White Blood Cell Count.

But basically your test shows on IgM (current or recent infection) that you have 1 band present. That isn't enough by CDC standards to say you have it, but many people on this forum would argue that even 1 band (if it' specific to Lyme) means you do have a current or recent infection.

The IgG part of the test (long-standing or old infection) could indicate that you have antibodies from the past (meaning you've been exposed long ago), or that your body has been fighting it for a long time. You have 2 of the required 5 bands present. Again, the CDC says you need 5 to be positive by their standards but most members on here would beg to differ.

Anyone with more experience, feel free to correct my basic explanation please. Thanks!

mauihawaii said...


But basically your test shows on IgM (current or recent infection) that you have 1 band present. That isn't enough by CDC standards to say you have it, but many people on this forum would argue that even 1 band (if it' specific to Lyme) means you do have a current or recent infection.

The IgG part of the test (long-standing or old infection) could indicate that you have antibodies from the past (meaning you've been exposed long ago), or that your body has been fighting it for a long time. You have 2 of the required 5 bands present. Again, the CDC says you need 5 to be positive by their standards but most members on here would beg to differ.

That makes sense, thanks for clearing it up.

I've sent in a referral request through the ILADS site for LLMD's in my area. Hopefully there is one covered by insurance (not sure if it's common that they aren't?) not too far from me. I can't afford two doctors that don't take insurance.

There is definitely a wealth of information on this site and I've been reading a lot. I've read that IVIG can be an effective treatment for the Lyme as well so maybe it will knock it back into remission if it is active.?

I do have some symptoms of Lyme which I just assumed were part of the CFS and other issues.

If there is not a suitable doctor near me I will pursue the herbal treatments.

Thanks for the help!