Lyme test results...what should we expect

Daa111 said...
My moms test results at 78 years old. Is this a definitive confirmation she has Lyme. Rash on inner elbow and shoulder. On doxycycline for 14 days. Rash is fading but mild shoulder and elbow joint pain. Thanks!

7.50 Lyme total ABS
Western blot. reactive on bands 41, 45, 66, 23

Hi Daa111 -welcome!

Yes the WB is showing positive for Lyme.

But what’s more important is the rash and other symptoms.
When did the rash and other symptoms start?

14 days won’t be enough treatment - even for an acute/recent infection.

I recommend your mom see a LLMD - let them know it’s a recent infection - you want to continue to treat without a break.

Daa111 said...
Wow...we don’t know how or when she was bitten.
Would an infectious disease doc be ok....or best to look for Llmd. Rest stared 2 weeks ago...she finished week 1 of meds...another week to go...I have photos but don’t know how to post images...she feels fine, some redness still and slight burning...no bullseye...said it comes and goes....

Okay - so symptoms including rash started 2 weeks ago.

This is early...she has the best chance to knock this out - but she needs to continue treatment more than two weeks.

Most ID Docs will not give her more treatment. I wouldn't waste time trying to find one that will.
Find a Lyme Literate Dr. and when you call...tell them how recent it is...and hopefully they can get you in within a week or two.

You can start a new thread: "Looking for LLMD in/near_____" and fill in the blank.
Then enable your email option so members can send you names of LLMD's.

You can also email me...I may have one on my list - that's near you.


I can't stress this enough: Treat this until all symptoms are gone.. and a few more weeks after they're gone.

Make sure your mom is taking probiotics. the antibiotics are killing all the good bacteria in her GI tract.


She can take them a couple hours after her last evening dose of antibiotics. She needs to start that now...if she isn't already.

Is she taking 200 mg twice daily of doxy?

Also, is she taking the doxy with food? The doxy can be really hard on the stomach.

Daa111 said...
Yes she is on probiotics. Doxycycline twice a day and another antibiotic (clav) twice a day...no fever, she feels fine, no side effects from meds, just mild joint pain in shoulder and elbow, rash looks better bust slight burning at times...I did send you an email...this is so new to us. Thank you

Sounds like she’s also taking Augmentin which is a combo of amoxicillin plus Clavunate acid.
(I’m not sure if the spelling of the second med)

That’s great that a non LLMD has put her on two abx.