New to the forum, not sure if I have Lyme please help, any lyme specialists in the Phoenix Area?

Hi Frank, welcome to our community!

I'm glad you found your way here.

Although band 41 isn't considered lyme 'specific' - it is a band that often (usually) appears for those of us with lyme.
The Western blot testing relies on your immune system to mount a response to produce antibodies in order for the bands to show up.
When we have chronic lyme, our immune system is suppressed and often doesn't produce the antibodies.

You could do another Western Blot at a lab that specializes in tick-borne disease testing: Igenex Lab in California. The Western blot IgM and IgG costs $210 total. You have a better chance getting a positive test result there.

You can call Igenex and order the test kit...get the lab req signed by a Dr. and take to a lab for the blood draw.
Fedex to Igenex...three weeks later you have the results.

The fact that you were bitten by a tick, and got the bulls-eye rash - is enough to diagnose you. You really don't need the test...but I mentioned it...because sometimes we still want to try for a positive test result..to back up the diagnosis.

You should find a LLMD near you and schedule an appointment. Lyme Literate Dr.'s is who you want to treat you..if you choose to be treated with antibiotics.

We can help you find one: Start a new thread: "looking for LLMD in/near____" and fill in the blank.

Then enable your email so members can send you names privately. We don't post the names of our LLMD's here for privacy reasons. We need to protect our Dr.'s

In addition to members recommendations, you can also email me - I will send you names (if I have any) from my list of LLMD's. Although, I don't have experience with any of the Docs on the list.

We do encourage our new members to read through the information in the thread: "New to Lyme?..Start Here!" It's packed full of useful information.

Aww, eldonkey! Although everyone is different , many members here have been infected for as long ( or longer ) than you & have recovered completely.

Opinions differ as to whether you can totally eliminate Lyme or if it just goes into remission, but eaither way , with proper treatment ( of which there are many options) I'm sure you'll be able to get well again.

Good luck!

So I have an appointment with a Dr. The LLMD from a list I found in my area actually sold his practice and is referring out to a nurse practitioner. I spoke with the admin and she says this NP sees many patients with Lyme disease and treats them. My question is, regarding the test that I received it was for the IgG and IgM , and I flagged for the 41KD as positive. The test was performed @ Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease, Inc.
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042 . Do I need to get a second test from Igenex? mayo clinic won't see me without a confirmed positive test.