Lyme Test Snapshot - Acute or Chronic? What do I do next?

My naturopath tested me for Lyme and these are the test results (see link to image at bottom of post) that came back (Quest). I was pretty shocked as it was a random test she threw in along with a bunch of others that I wasn't worried about in the least. Not a big outdoors person and live in suburban Southern CA. I went to the doctor about 3 - 4 months ago due to my neck randomly swelling, feeling exhausted, brain fog, all sorts of stuff. They biopsied my thyroid (results atypical, awaiting second next month) and also diagnosed me with Hashimoto's based on thyroid antibodies. In addition, evidence of a recent or re-surging Epstein-Barr infection. So...was not super excited when the Lyme came back positive and added to this fun pile.

My question is if there is a way to tell from the test results if this is an acute or chronic infection? My naturopath says acute. I seemed to have lots of the Lyme symptoms about 3 - 4 months ago, but have no clue if that could have also been the Hashimoto's, Epsein-Barr, etc. so am trying to narrow in on how long I have possibly had it. She has me on doxycycline, 21 days, 100mg 2x a day. Is this long enough?

Also, is there anything else I should be doing immediately besides asking my doctor to test for co-infections? If so, which test is the most reliable for these? Also, which test is the most reliable to re-test for Lyme after the antibiotics? I've read the blot test that I tested positive for is unreliable? So many questions! I don't even know where to start. I did read the info in the introduction post.

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Hi and welcome to our forum sunvsmoon,

Glad that you have found us but sorry that you have Lyme and the other illness you mentioned.

Igenix labs is in California and is one of the best labs to have testing done for Lyme and co-infections.

Since you did test positive and are treating, you should add some detoxing in.

Warm Epsom salt baths
Drinking water with Lemon juice
Dry Brushing
Milk thistle

All will help to keep moving the toxins that you will get from the die off of the bacteria when you are treating.

100 mg 2x a day of doxy is not usually enough, the dose should be 200 mg 2x daily.

You can check out the treatment guidelines at ilads.org

Make sure to take probiotics since you are on ABX.

We do encourage all new members to read our "New to Lyme"start here thread at the top of the page.

It has great info on Lyme, detoxing, testing, symptoms and more.

Others should be along soon to chime in.

Take care and I wish you the best of healing.

goshawk said...
Hi and welcome to our forum sunvsmoon,

Glad that you have found us but sorry that you have Lyme and the other illness you mentioned.

Igenix labs is in California and is one of the best labs to have testing done for Lyme and co-infections.

Since you did test positive and are treating, you should add some detoxing in.

Warm Epsom salt baths
Drinking water with Lemon juice
Dry Brushing
Milk thistle

All will help to keep moving the toxins that you will get from the die off of the bacteria when you are treating.

100 mg 2x a day of doxy is not usually enough, the dose should be 200 mg 2x daily.

You can check out the treatment guidelines at ilads.org

Make sure to take probiotics since you are on ABX.

We do encourage all new members to read our "New to Lyme"start here thread at the top of the page.

It has great info on Lyme, detoxing, testing, symptoms and more.

Others should be along soon to chime in.

Take care and I wish you the best of healing.

Thank you for the welcome! Even though I've had the initial testing for Lyme through Quest, should I do the Lyme test with Igenix as well when I test for co-infections? Does it offer more accurate information about Lyme than the Quest/blot test that was done?

As for the doxy, I have about 6 days left. I read an article on ilads.org and it does recommend the 200mg 2x per day so am pretty worried that I am not being treated correctly at 100mg 2x per day for 21 days. Any recommendations? Should I finish up this round, take a week break, and then go back on again at a stronger dose?

torontolyme said...
How are your symptoms? Do you feel better? I'd personally stay on the doxy if you can. I finished mine and relapsed a week after. Back on it again.

Not really. I've felt pretty tired the past couple of days with a lot of body aches. Swollen lymph nodes which have been there for about 3 months when all of this started. 6 days left out of 21. How much and for how long did you take it for? How long are you taking it for now?