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Igenex Test & Pain from Bart?

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Posted 5/21/2018 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

My LLMD wants me to do the Igenex Lyme test, and I wanted to ask you all if you think it is worth it? All of my ELISA tests have been negative and I had a Western Blot from Quest with not even one positive band. I have active Bartonella which I've been treating for almost 2 months with Doxy. My LLMD thinks I definitely have Lyme because I'm in so much pain, which he says can't be explained solely by the Bart. Is this true, and do you think it makes sense to spend the $370 on the Igenex? Is it that different from the regular Western Blot?

Also, is anyone here that ONLY has Bart in a lot of pain. Honestly, I felt better before starting treatment. I can't believe how much pain I am experiencing, and it's all over and constant.

Thanks for the help!smile
Posted 5/21/2018 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Elisa isn't a good enough test, and the Quest WB is not a very good lab for lyme testing.


If your LLMD wants you to test for lyme via Igenex, I think you should do it.

But, all you need is the Lyme WB IgM and IgG for $250.

Igenex is better - it's a facility that specializes in tick-borne disease testing. The tests are more sensitive than 'regular' labs.

I doubt if anyone is here with just Bartonella.

Generally bartonella is a self-limiting disease..but when you have something else that affects your immune system (i.e. lyme for example), bartonella now becomes an issue.

I have bart (and lyme) and I also have a lot of pain.

So you are already treating Bart? What with? As if you're on abx for bart, usually lyme will be covered.
You may need something for the lyme cysts and biofilms though.

What has your treatment been so far?

I do think it's a reasonable request for your LLMD to want a lyme WB from an reputable lyme testing facility.
Not sure how your treatment to date for bart will affect the results though.
Posted 5/21/2018 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Girlie.

I've been treating Bart for almost 2 months now with Doxycycline. At first 100mg 2x a day, now 200 mg 2x a day. And LLMD told me to add UPM 750 Monolaurin, Super B Complex, and Glutathione, which I am also taking for about a week now. He advised me to take Kratom for my pain, but I read up on it and I'm not really comfortable taking it. So, for now I'll just live with it.

I think the Igenex IGM and IGG has increased to $371 this year. My LLMD quoted that and then I looked on their website too. It's not the money, I just feel like it'll come back negative too. But I'll do it and see, it'll be good to know for sure...
Posted 5/21/2018 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
no, that would be probably the lyme panel.
It did increase recently to $125 each

From their website:

188
Lyme Western Blot IgM
86617
$125.00


189
Lyme Western Blot IgG
86617
$125.00


I see for $371 it's a Lyme pcr panel.

is that what she wants? A PCR test?
Lots of false negatives with that test. They need to be able to identify the dna of the bacteria in the relatively small sample you give.

The WB goes by antibodies.

/igenex.com/wp-content/uploads/IGenex-PriceSheet.pdf
Posted 5/21/2018 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi are you doing any detoxing currently? It may help. Epsom salt baths, drinking lemon juice in water daily.

If you are able to tolerate milk thistle, standardized capsules that may help also.

Sorry you are having Bartonella pain and i hope you get some relief soon.
Posted 5/21/2018 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
NYVegasMom,

There is a member here who has bartonella only. Her name is Dollface29. Search her posts. I believe she has her email enabled, so you can email her. She's been a great resource about bartonella but hasn't been on recently that I'm aware of.

I do not agree with your doctor's underestimation of the pain that bartonella can cause, with or without Lyme, IMO. I have positive DNA for Lyme and ehrlichia but have had lifelong signs and symptoms of bartonella. Pain of various kinds is my main symptom along with muscle weakness, GI issues, and chemical and mold sensitivities.

According to this doctor's description, PAIN is one of the hallmark features of bartonella. Take a look.

/www.prohealth.com/library/a-deep-look-at-the-symptoms-of-six-major-lyme-related-infections-41139
Posted 5/21/2018 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie - what he said was the Igenex test would look for "antigens" not "antibodies." He said that it's a more sensitive test. I'm new to this so I really don't understand the difference yet. They had the box to take the sample already at my LLMD's office. I didn't do it because I wanted to talk with my husband first, told them I'd do it next visit. So it's probably the PCR test you're mentioning. I'll ask about just doing the IgG and IgM...

goshawk - I did epsom salt baths and hated them, so now I do just a foot soak with the salts. I've been drinking a ton of water, but I didn't know about the lemon. Thanks for mentioning that, I'll definitely add it...

Thank you both smile
Posted 5/21/2018 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
WalkingByFaith - Thank you so much for that! I will look at the article immediately! I hate thinking something that I keep testing negative for is actually causing all this pain, meanwhile the thing I test actively positive for, even after months on antibiotics, they tell me isn't responsible for my symptoms. It's confusing and makes no sense! So thank you so much for your reply, and I will definitely search for that other member! smile
Posted 5/22/2018 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Dollface actually had Typhus as well at the time she was infected with Bart from a cat bite. (Or was it a scratch)
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