HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/11/2014 5:06 PM (GMT -5)
So I get my test results back ( i got further testing). 

So far I have tested positive using testing for Mycoplasma, Anaplasmosis.  Tested negative for bartonella and Lyme. 

I thought with treatment my Lyme test would turn positive and... it didn't!

My Lyme WB in February:  31 IND, 39 IND, 41 ++, 58+.  Now I'm down to just 39IND and 41 +.   And that is it!?

My CD57 went from 36 to 37! So I got 1 full CD57 point on my test score.  That must mean my treatment is progressing.

I also got a highly positive Anaplasmosis.  (Just came back as of today)

I just don't know what to think.  I'm kind of disappointed that the Western Blot didn't go positive with treatment.  Does that mean I don't have Lyme?

I wonder if there is anyone on here who has Lyme that didn't test positive through the Igenex Western Blot?  Could it be possible that I only caught Mycoplasma, Anaplasma, and Bartonella?  All the co-infections, but no Lyme?

Posted 9/11/2014 5:13 PM (GMT -5)
Igenex - even though it's one of the best labs in the US - only tests for 4 or 5 strains out of the 300 strains world wide - so it's more likely that you have a strain that they don't test for, in my opinion.

With that being said,all but band 41 that you tested positive on are Lyme specific, including band 58, which is thought to be Borrelia Afzelii.
Posted 9/11/2014 5:27 PM (GMT -5)
Traveler... But the person I caught this from and got sick from had a Positive Igenex Western Blot. It should go positive with this strain. Also I hear 41 is cross-reactive with viruses?

I was hoping that it would be the moment of truth... But the symptoms have been so pronounced.

What is the difference between Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis?

Also is it possible that I didn't test positive for it since I have been using antibiotics the whole time?
Posted 9/11/2014 5:36 PM (GMT -5)
A positive WB only means that your immune system recognizes the bacteria as an invader and is responding. Remember that Lyme, especially when combined with Bart reduces the immune response. I know that you are resistant to this possibility, but it's possible that you may have had these infections longer than you thought, or got it from another source. Did you take a break from the abx for testing? That may have been an issue - you would have to talk with someone more knowledgeable than me on that. I used herbs and I don't worry about testing, since it's so faulty for the WB.

There's not a lot known about each band, and band 41 is the tail or 'flagellin' of the bacteria. I know that there is speculation that it cross reacts with viruses, but I have not seen any articles that state this outright, and that's what I'm waiting for before I start quoting that. So far all I have seen is that 41 can cross react with other Borellia infections such as Yaws and Pintas, Relapsing Fever and a few others.

And I would encourage you to read this for the difference between Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis:
www.columbia-lyme.org/patients/tbd_ehrli-anapla.html
Posted 9/11/2014 9:35 PM (GMT -5)
Very good article Trav, thanks, I also have been confused since erlichia and anaplasmosis are often used interchangeably.
Posted 9/11/2014 9:44 PM (GMT -5)
Does anyone else have any say on having Lyme with a negative Lyme western blot?

Does a low CD57 always mean Lyme or is it possible it could be something else?
Posted 9/12/2014 3:13 PM (GMT -5)
Traveler... I am 100% sure it wasn't a prior exposure. I know you think that I am resistant to the thought, but it just is what happened. So far now... The germ load and reason why I got so sick so fast. I got Borrelia, Mycoplasma, Anaplasma, and Bartonella all at the same time. It like overwhelmed my immune system.

Anyone else have Lyme with a negative western blot? I think I have 2 bands that are ** . 39 and 41. And I think I just didn't have it long enough, or initiated treatment too soon.

The 39 coming back as IND just really bothers me. I wish it would be either + or -.
Posted 9/12/2014 3:45 PM (GMT -5)
I've been treating aggressively for about 4.5 years. I have never had a positive WB, and I was tested thru Quest when by my PCP when I first got bit in 2005. Retested with PCP when sx appeared in 2008. Both times only had only Igm 23 pos. My first LLMD in March 2010 didn't bother to retest, just started treatment. My second LLMD in March 2011 retested WD and for co's, CD57,Spect, MRI, (big bucks).

I have stopped wasted time/money on tests, only spend $$$ for Tx.
Posted 9/12/2014 3:52 PM (GMT -5)
LymePickle, my tests have been mostly negative for everything, but we're pretty sure I have myco along with Bart. I know as humans we want the tests to tell us what's wrong but with this disease you just can't rely on the tests. They're nearly useless.
Posted 9/12/2014 4:08 PM (GMT -5)
Lyme Pickle, I tested through Igenex 3 times from 2007 to 2009. Despite heavy abx treatment based on clinical diagnosis (different combinations of mino, doxy, biaxin, ceftin, flagyl, and tinadazole), none of the tests were ever positive.

Peripheral neuropathy never went away either, and treatment couldn't be continued because LLMD retired.

Developed drop foot and serious balance issues earlier this year. Found an LLND who is treating with herbals (abx not an option in Alberta), and retested through Igenex. Not only positive this time, but CDC positive on IGM. Absolutely not a reinfection because I can't walk to get to garden.

Persistence pays off?
Posted 9/12/2014 4:10 PM (GMT -5)
Forgot to say that IFA was also positive this time.
Posted 9/12/2014 4:58 PM (GMT -5)
Can you find someone to do dark field microscopy? Or a provider can send you blood to fry labs in Arizona. They might be able to see what is in your blood.
Posted 9/12/2014 5:54 PM (GMT -5)
Hi volyme. Did you say antibiotics is not an option in Alberta? I live in Alberta and all my antibiotics come through the mail from BC. It is still an option.

I have 39 and 41... 39 IND and 41 + so these 2 alone are indicative of Borrelia. They should make band 39 either + or - though! Argh.

Well one thing I can argue with a test but I am sure not going to argue with the way I have felt. I should at least feel blessed I don't have babesia I guess although I got the long list of other microbes.

Louise. I don't know who to ask for the dark field microscopy. To be honest I highly doubt the Lyme will be in my blood much anymore, I think if it is anywhere it would be deep in my tissues.

Thanks Sarah and tick bite for your replies. Ya I got a positive mycoplasma, positive anaplasma, negative bartonella, and negative Lyme test. But a LOW cd57... So that means something.

Ya I think that is the last bit of testing I am going to do. I will have to rely on how I feel as a measure of how I am from now on. I feel like crap lol!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply