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To Believe or Not Believe a Test Result?

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 8/1/2018 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
So, I got my Q Fever (rare co-infection) test done after taking the Alinia for about 3 weeks now. It came back today as negative for both acute and chronic stages. I have to say I'm skeptical as it seems too easy after having the chronic stage for over 3 years. I mean this is an organism that can easily destroy your heart, liver and other organs, and less than 21 days of Alinia dropped it deader than a doornail? My last test a few weeks ago showed a major infection (1:256) and now apparently it is (1:16) which is negative.

I'm asking for another test to confirm. Although it kinda makes sense as for the last week or two I've had new symptoms (nervous system inflamed, muscle twitches, etc...) so I wonder if it is gone and now a previously suppressed infection is roaring to life...?

I have a note into my doc to ask how we maintain this if indeed it is a negative result...
Posted 8/1/2018 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
My advice treat two months past symptoms
Posted 8/1/2018 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Is this an antibody tests? It's not always clear what changes in antibody titres represent. For some diseases they stay high long past clearance. For others they dont. And in some cases treatment impairs the antibody response without actually eradicating the infection
Posted 8/1/2018 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
It is very difficult to determine for sure. It may be that the test was wrong, but it could also be that maybe the pathogen has moved form the circulatory system to an organ or tissue as some of the bugs like to do.

As for the current symptoms, it would not surprise me if another bug has taken its place. That happened to me early on in the infection. I began to feel good when I knocked down lyme but then Bartonella took over and I began to feel sick again but with new/different symptoms.
Posted 8/1/2018 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
It depends on the test...if it's based on your immune system...like the WB (antibodies) - then I don't think it can be trusted....

But, on the other hand - those test results look similar to the Galaxy Lab Bart test...and LLMD RM uses that testing to gauge progress....so maybe?
Posted 8/1/2018 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
I looked in Horowitz's book and he seems to say treatment for Q fever is multi-year. Have you been on other antimicrobial therapies for a while? I don't know much about Q fever and how adequate the testing is for gauging how healed a patient is. Overall I tend to be leery of such an approach, given that most of the testing revolving around these infections leaves something to be desired. But like I said, I know little about Q fever so what I think is pretty low-value.

One thing that makes sense in terms of possibility is what Healing98 mentioned, it could be that the pathogen is isolated in other organs and testing is not picking up titers.
Posted 8/4/2018 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. Yes it is an antibody test. So folks are probably right to take it with a shaker of salt...

Sebreg - I have been treating it since the beginning of 2017 with some breaks.

My sense is regardless of the test to keep on treating. The problem, if you treat until no symptoms, is I also have CIRS so it is hard to differentiate between the two.
Posted 8/4/2018 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
I second what everyone else has said. Antibody tests are meh - but disclaimer...I'm a PCR girl.
Posted 8/4/2018 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure if there is a PCR for Q, but good to think about.
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