Traveler said...
Band 39 doesn't need a conformation test, as it's a Lyme specific band - meaning if you have band 39 show up as IND or positive, you have Lyme as no other infection will make that band positive. Band 39 indicates BmpA - Bacterial Membrane Protein "A" of the Lyme bacteria.
Band 31 is a bit more confusing, and it's hard to find information on it. It's a band that was 'created' in a lab, not found "naturally" in ticks and other insects. So, when it's positive or IND, it needs to be double checked. That's about all I have been able to find on this though, but I do have to admit I haven't had the time needed to really track down the information on this.
But, even the CDC admits that diagnosis is "diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods."
/www.cdc.gov/lyme/
So, do you have any symptoms of Lyme?
Yes, confusing indeed :-( I did cancel the appointment today in haste, as it costs $750 to even get in the door...and if I don't have Lyme, I was going to skip at. After considering things further, he doesn't only treat Lyme, so I am going to call back and reschedule unless, perhaps I need to see someone like an Infectious Disease doctor? That would be cheaper and covered by insurance if that is the case....
I do have "lyme" symptoms, which also could be symptoms of CFS, MS, RA, arthritis, etc, etc, etc..... My illness started very acutely in July of 1987 when I was 15 with typical flu like symptoms (high fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, trouble walking, significant weight loss from being so sick for so long). Was tested for mono and leukemia, nothing was ever found wrong. about
6 weeks after I fell ill, I had a hellacious migraine that lasted for days. After that initial illness, every month or 2 I would relapse with what I referred to as an "episode" once I realized they had a pattern and were never contagious to anyone else-- a fever, sore throat, aches, etc for 1-2 days, then I'd be fine. The panic attacks and anxiety started about
7-9 months after my illness. The depression started shortly after that, followed by GI issues (severe nausea, IBS and anorexia due to nausea)
in my 20's, followed by extreme fatigue and weight gain in my 30s. At this point, I cleaned up my diet and started working out and felt pretty good and got in great shape from about
2008-2014. Fatigue episodes would still sideline me at times, and panic/anxiety still there, but otherwise seemed to be doing pretty well.
Then into my 40s (I am 45 and this started in earnest in spring of 2013) I began experiencing heart issues (was diagnosed with 3 leaky heart valves- no family history), breathing issues (trouble breathing/shortness of breath, air hunger-- all pulmonary function tests were normal, I've never been a smoker, don't have asthma), and now my joints ache, I am always sore/achy, I have days where I have trouble walking and slur my words, I have "brain zaps", dizziness, weight gain, seizure like episodes.
I was diagnosed a few months ago with fibromyalgia.