New to Lyme, please help!

Hi Sardavis!
Welcome to our community! I'm so glad you found us.

If you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more. And this is another good list of possible detoxing routines: www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html

Good news/bad news - you have Lyme at least, and maybe other infections. These infections get passed by a different insects, not just ticks, so many have them.

As for your test results, here is the site that I use to help interpret them:www.oocities.org/hotsprings/oasis/6455/western-blot.txt You can go there to find supporting Pubmed articles showing what these bands represent.

An IgM result means that you have an active infection. It once was thought to mean an 'early' infection, but has since been revised. IgG means that the infection is at a later stage.

The more +'s you have beside a number, the stronger the reaction.

IND means indeterminate - not negative, but not quite strong enough to be "fully positive". But it means that you reacted on those bands and should be considered, especially when they are Lyme specific bands.

A "Lyme specific band" means specific for Borrelia Burgdorferi, sensu stricto - Lyme disease in the strictest sense. There are only two on the over 300 known strains of Lyme that is considered Bb, ss. Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii. Nothing else will turn a Lyme specific band positive other than Lyme disease - - even though there are over 100 different strains of Borrelia in the US that cause human illness.

Bands 18 & 41 (whether in IgM or IgG) are indicative of the tail of the bacteria, which can cross react with other Spirochetal bacteria such as Relapsing Fever, Pintas and Yaws, and Syphilis.

You tested positive on the following significant bands: 31, 34, 39, 83-93
Band 31 indicates OspA - Outer Surface Protein "A" and is Lyme specific.

Band 34 indicates OspB - Outer Surface Protein "B" and is Lyme specific

Band 39 indicates BmpA - Bacterial Membrane Protein "A" and is Lyme specific

Band 83 is a high molecular mass protein that is Lyme specific.

Band 93 is an immunodominant protoplasmic cylinder antigen that is Lyme specific.

So, you can see that there's no chance that you don't have Lyme.

Wow, thank you for responding. Yeah, I have been reading about the different bands and what they mean. I haven't been tested for co-infections, but I'm sure the LLMD will do that. Is there any chance she will say I don't have lyme? I think I'm in denial. All the years of feeling like a crazy person or hypochondriac are making me doubt myself, but I guess it could've all been lyme.

Traveler said...
In an effort to not create really long threads (that I have trouble posting right now due to server issues), here is some more information:

You will want to find a well trained doctor, not one that has self proclaimed themselves as a LLMD or an ID Doc (Infectious Disease Doctor), as ID docs believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme. Go to the ILADS site to read the new (2014) Treatment guidelines to get you started on your healing journey:
www.lymenet.org/BurrGuide200810.pdf

You do have a choice of what modality (types of treatment) that you wish to use though. Both abx (antibiotics) and herbals can help you heal - many use both.

I have also been diagnosed with 2 MTHFR genetic mutations. Have you heard of this?

Traveler said...
A good LLMD won't rely on testing, but on your symptoms and they will make clinical diagnoses and start treatments. Since you have been infected and untreated for a while though, please do remember, this is a journey, not a sprint. You need to have a very healthy diet, exercise if you are able and drink plenty of water.

It sounds like you were searching on Lyme Disease Assoc.'s website, as they only allow you to search 3 times a month, and you must register first.

You can also send me an email by clicking on my screen name or the small blue envelope under my screen name. I may have contact information for some LLMD's in your area as well.​ ​Please include your state (or province) and area that you would like to find a LLMD in and I will be happy to share the names I have.​


You can email the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance at [email protected]​ for LLMD referrals.


ILADS has their own referral system as well:
ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/

And www.LymeDoc.org

Another thing you can do is to start a new thread with the title something like "Looking for a LLMD in ____ (insert your state)" and then let us know the general area of which state you are hoping to find a LLMD in. you will need to enable your email option in your profile in order to receive any recommendations, as we don't allow doctor's names and contact info to be posted on the forum for several reasons. You can enable your email option in your profile, under 'edit profile'. Be sure to click the submit button to actually save your preference.

Also, I have had extreme alcohol intolerance. I haven't been able to drink ONE beer without throwing up hours later with racing heart and shaking. This has never happened to me before.

Many of us have alcohol intolerance.

I'm now having difficulty posting on this thread, sorry!