Hi AZez15 -
What matters, as far as your testing is concerned, is that you had a positive reaction to band 23 --it matters not whether it's IgM or IgG. The immune system doesn't respond very reliably to the Lyme microbe so the IgM and IgG do not indicate latent/new infection, as they should.
The importance of Band 23 is that it is Borrelia DNA so nothing else would cause your immune system to react to it. That's definitive.
The CDC governs the testing criteria for Lyme, which includes a requirement of a minimum number of specific IgG and IgM bands for positive results. Unfortunately, it was designed as disease surveillance, not for diagnostic purposes. There is a disclaimer on the CDC's website indicating that the tests should not be used solely for diagnosis but diagnosis should instead be a clinical evaluation (exposure, symptomology). Some states now require a statement to be placed on lab results.
Step 1 in diagnosis:
Generally, if you are reactive to Lyme-specific bands, and 23 is one of them, your immune system has reacted to the Borrelia microbe so it's in your body.
Step 2 in diagnosis:
Evaluation of your Lyme & Co-related symptoms (which you have) would indicate that the Lyme microbe has manifested into Lyme Disease.
Most neurologist should know all this and be able to explain to you that yes, you liekly have a clinical diagnosis of Lyme. Regardless, you likely need a Lyme specialist to treat you appropriately - neurologists won't be able to treat and most can't even diagnose you properly. It's likely she'll tell you that she doesn't know if you have Lyme or that no, you don't. You need a specialist.
Please visit the "New to Lyme?" thread to learn more about
Lyme and the testing and how to find a specialist.
Please email one of our top mods
Traveler or
Girlie for a specific list of Lyme specialists in your area to consider (please activate your email as well - under "My Profile.") There are a couple other mods here too -I'm also a mod but not around as consistently but will help however I can.
Here are a few more resources Traveler likes to share:
You can go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link:
www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74You can email the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance at:
[email protected]
ILADS has their own referral system as well:
ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/And
www.LymeDoc.orgYou will want to find an ILADS trained doctor, as ID Docs (Infectious Disease Doctors) as well as many others, 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.ilads.org/lyme/treatment-guideline.phpPlease don't hesitate to ask any questions that come up!
-p
Post Edited (Pirouette) : 6/1/2017 7:09:58 PM (GMT-6)