Re-testing

In my experience, I was tested initially (41 IGG) and a second time (41 IGG) about a month later by an IDS. He started me on abx, and then I found a LLMD. I was re-tested by the LLMD approximately 4 weeks after stopping my first 30 days of treatment, and I had IgeneX positive test with several IGG and IGM bands reactive. I can't remember which, but indicated IGM positive. Based on this, I believe starting treatment allowed me to present more antibodies and therefore test positive. I'm not sure how herbs will affect you.

Also, I have come across a few LLMDs who specifically state that they are happy to see patients currently being treated, especially if they don't feel the treatment or experience is as thorough as they would prefer. There are several that appear to have decided to focus soleley on Lyme and co's and are constantly researching and thinking about Lyme. They also seem to understand neurology, rhuematology, psychiatry, and wellness, etc. well enough to help these patients.

I wouldn't lie under any circumstances. If it comes out at some time that you had been, and weren't up front with him, that would make him unhappy and likely drop you. It may seem suspicious to him.

If your reasoning is because he's closer and takes your insurance, that ought to be satisfying enough to him to take you on as a patient.

I know personally an orthopedic surgeon that will not take you if another doctor has treated your injured knee, arm, leg etc. Oh well.... So it does happen with doctors.

I had an llmd and my Igenex was not CDC positive but I did have bands, just not enough for CDC. This llmd said, "since you are off antibiotics now, we can wait and re-test you in 3 weeks."

There was no way I was going to go 3 weeks without treatment! Just my anxiousness coming through. I am not a procrastinator.

I left that llmd and found another. But, obviously there must be something to testing later or he would not have suggested it. I felt he wanted a CDC positive test result even though he was llmd, I had a rash and a bull's eye??????

I'm so sorry, Trader! I do hope your nap helps. We get it, as most of us have been there too. Hang in there. Call the new LLMD and ask about having seen a LLMD previously - just do it anonymously.

I always suggest that people call ahead and get all the information they can from the front desk about the doctor there. This would be no different.

Trader I've been at this almost 2 years tried most things under the sun and still nowhere it feels like a lost battle most days but you never know when the breakthrough will come. We all need to believe that we can get better its what keeps us going.

I cannot tell you how many frustrating days I had while healing. I felt like such a failure as a wife and a contributor to anything.

I didn't do anything but lyme. All day and night it was lyme, lyme, lyme. I was either trying to read a lyme book, eating a lyme diet, detoxing for lyme, or taking herbs for lyme. It was my entire life - lyme. I would have emotional meltdowns because of it. It was so foreign for me to sit and be miserable.

I think it was CD our Moderator that gave me hope to keep on keeping on. She believed in me when I was really down.

I told her once that I needed to write the word Patience on my living room wall and I was so serious. I ran out of patience so often and it was hard to find it many times.

You are not alone in feeling done with it. I think all of us with lyme get there. It isn't an easy battle, that's for sure.

You can do this. If I can, you can!

*

Really trader? I am dismayed at this.

Shame, shame on him.


Trader - if you call back and make an appointment...do they actually ask "Have you seen another ILADS Dr.?"
If they don't ask, and you don't have to answer...then you're not lying.

...but I guess eventually, at the first appointment, they will want to know what you've done for treatment so far...

tough situation.

I've 'left out' information...a few times...but haven't lied yet.
I saw a second LLND awhile back...and then wanted some abx from my original LLND...and I dipsie-doodled around the subject...because I was afraid of him cutting me off.

trader758 said...
Question is, will my previous treatment effect any test results positively or negatively?

from my knowledge herbs will not change the test results. Antibiotics will, you will have to take 1.5m pause in antibiotics treatment before the tests. Not with the herbs. At least thats what i know. Herbs are antibiotics too but the real antibiotics are also immuno-suppressive, so probably thats why you probably need to take a break from abx before the tests, but not herbs. Herbs usually are immuno modulating.