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Testing for Lymes/Babesia?

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 6/20/2017 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I have not been diagnosed with Lymes or Babesia, but have been experiencing strange symptoms that have not been diagnosed up to now: chronic pain and pressure back of my head, muscle stiffness (especially neck and back), depression/anxiety, weight loss, cherry hemangiomas popping up on my scalp and torso, sebopsoriasis, and lots and lots of hair loss.

I've had extensive blood testing to rule out everything from hepatitis and lupus to thyroid and hormone disorders (although there still may be some of this going on).

The only definitive abnormal test results have been low ferritin, low creatinine and low alkaline phosphatase.

Lymes and Babesia are the next thing to rule out as these symptoms began after a trip to MI when I got sick (vomiting, headache, low grade fever, bad head/neck pain). I had a rash on my back and on my neck for a while, but don't remember a tick bite (although we did go hiking in a state park during tick season and saw a lot of these bugs).

What testing for Lymes/Babesia do you recommend (especially because I became sick 1 year ago)? Or are these symptoms "red flags" for something else you have encountered?

Many thanks in advance! wink
Posted 6/21/2017 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, welcome to HealingWell.

Symptoms that remain after a flu-like illness should always raise suspicion of Lyme and co-infections. The rash and other Lyme-like symptoms should raise even more red flags.

Testing for these infections is very hit and miss however. If you go to your family doctor and get tested for Lyme, the first line test has ~ %25-50 false negative rate. It also doesn't look for any co-infections.

There are some labs that have better accuracy, but it's still far from perfect. Many LLMDs will send bloodwork to Igenex for Lyme testing and/or a full co-infection panel. If you get a western blot, you can interpret the individual bands and see if any that react are Lyme-specific. You can order Igenex tests yourself, but you'll need a doctor of some kind to sign off on them. If wanted, I can let you know the exact tests, I believe they're several hundred dollars. I know there are several other labs that are reputable, but I'm less knowledgeable about them unfortunately.

If you're looking to see a Lyme-literate physician (who could run these tests and/or diagnose on clinical grounds) you can start a new thread called "Looking for a LLMD near _____", and someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

Lastly, if you wanted to skip the tests and skip the doctors, there's a number of people who find success treating with herbals. If you want to go that route more information can be given.

Oh and check out the "New to Lyme" thread stickied in the forum, lots of good information in there!
Posted 6/21/2017 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunnifi, welcome to our community!

Mustard Seed has given you some great information.


The best bang for your buck - re: testing - is the Igenex Lyme Western Blot Igm and IgG - total $210.

Adding co-infection (Bartonella, Babesia...) is up to you - if you want to spend more $$.
Many LLMD's will clinically diagnose the coinfections...others' will treat you for all three (Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia) to cover all bases.

Here is a link to Igenex. You can call them and have them send you a test kit:

www.igenex.com

As Mustard Seed posted - we can help you find a LLMD and you can schedule an appointment for an evaluation.
Posted 6/21/2017 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
I recommend the dna connexions test .no blood no doc needed its a pcr test or direct microscopy.mustard and i have learned to do giemsa staining and babs can be seen rather easily with this method
Posted 6/21/2017 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, all, for your suggestions! Mustard seed, please send me the specific tests you recommend. I cannot get in with a LMDD near me for 9 mos, so unfortunately must find a different way to get testing done since my symptoms are increasing in severity (I almost went to ER last night due to head pain).
I am also interested in herbals as I am currently working with a naturopath. Will check out the new to Lyme's info. Thank you!
Posted 6/21/2017 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunnifi!
Welcome to our community! I"m so glad you found us.

You've been given a lot of really good information, so let us know if you have questions or concerns as you go through this!

For herbal protocols, the main one used by many of the members here is Buhner's. You can gain an understanding of what it entails by taking a look at this site based on his book: buhnerhealinglyme.com/ But he has books you'll want to get as they are packed with a ton of information, including extended protocols to deal with some of the specific symptoms.

There's also Cowden's protocol. We do have several members using this herbal protocol: www.nutramedix.ec/ns/cowden-support-program

We have many others that are using both abx and herbals to heal, and some using different herbal protocols than I listed as well.

Keep asking questions!
Posted 6/21/2017 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, all, for your thoughts! I am so appreciative of this information. 1000Daisies, I have not seen a functional doctor yet, just a naturopath, but it looks like this may be the next logical step, especially so I can get testing done. I was hiking in Ludington State Park, lower peninsula. We found 3 ticks on my son after he brushed against some long grass.
Posted 6/22/2017 3:46 PM (GMT 0)

Sunnifi said...
Thank you, all, for your suggestions! Mustard seed, please send me the specific tests you recommend. I cannot get in with a LMDD near me for 9 mos, so unfortunately must find a different way to get testing done since my symptoms are increasing in severity (I almost went to ER last night due to head pain).
I am also interested in herbals as I am currently working with a naturopath. Will check out the new to Lyme's info. Thank you!

www.igenex.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/IGeneX-Price-List.pdf

The basic Lyme tests are #188 and #189 (on page 5).
If you're ordering tests, you'll for sure want to get both of these.

The basic co-infection panels is #5090.
This covers most of the major co-infections, but the panel is pretty expensive.
If you prefer, you can order individual tests for less money, if you suspect a certain infection and don't want to test for others.

There's also a more expensive #5095 co-infection panel that includes a Bartonella FISH test.

Hope this is helpful.
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