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What initial tests to request?

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 7/2/2017 6:42 PM (GMT -5)
I have browsed the forum for some time and joined today as we are about to start our 16 year old daughter's Lyme protocol. I wanted quick access to the collective wisdom here for when issues arise with her.

Separately I have a laundry list of symptoms myself, dating back for years. I've been exposed to ticks many, many times and couldn't possibly pinpoint a particular bite date. I've also had bullseye rashes which the doctors attributed to spider bites.

My insurance just changed and I can now go to the only general practitioner that I've ever trusted. He knows I dislike the medical system in general so when I speak to him about something, he takes me quite seriously.

He will order any test I request and will verify that insurance will cover it so I don't get stuck with a bill. I can then be referred to the LLMD that my daughter sees, but since it takes months to get into his office, I can have my GP run many tests ahead of time.

What do I request?

Thank you!
Posted 7/2/2017 7:04 PM (GMT -5)
The Western Blot test IgM and IgG. The best place to get tested is through Igenex Lab in CA. They test for more bands. I think that would cost around $220. You can try through your lab and see what happens.

I am so sorry you and your daughter are going through this ordeal. I always worry about my grandchildren getting bit as they are in a prime target area here in PA.

Welcome to the forum.

Patty
Posted 7/3/2017 12:13 AM (GMT -5)
Hi MichelleWI!-

Welcome to our community. I am so sorry to hear that your daughter has Lyme. And that you might have it also.

If you haven't already, please take a look at the "New to Lyme?....Start Here!" thread at the top of this forum. There is a lot of great information on the 2 pages.

I hope that you stay around. There are a lot of knowledgeable and friendly people here. We all try our best to help each other.

The forum might be a little slow right now due to the 4th of July.

Some people spend money on testing for co infections (Babesia and Bartonella). I personally did test for both of these through IGENEX. I was negative for both. But, I was clinically diagnosed by my LLMD due to my symptoms.

Lyme and co infections should be diagnosed from patients symptoms since the tests are not always reliable.

Summer16 gave some great information about the western blot for Lyme.

Best Wishes!
Posted 7/3/2017 12:14 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Michelle - welcome !


As summer16 said - the best lab is Igenex Lab in CA. The Lyme WB IgM and IgG would be the best bang for your buck.

But, you've got nothing to lose by using a lab that's covered by your insurance first and seeing what you get.

Then you can proceed with the Igenex. You call them and they will send you a test kit.

www.igenex.com
Posted 7/3/2017 9:57 AM (GMT -5)
Just stopping by to say Hi! And welcome to our community!

Please do be sure to ask questions and share your concerns!!
Posted 7/5/2017 7:31 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you, everyone, for the warm welcome.

We have decent insurance so I'm going to request the Western Blot through them. I'm aware from my experience with my daughter's tests that I'm going to have to specifically request the printed results or else they'll just call and say "negative" or "false positive due to past exposure".

I'm hopeful that they can also test for co-infections. If anyone has a list of those to request, that would be super helpful. I know "Bartonella" and "Babesia".

Thank you, Little Bear, for pointing me to the "New to Lyme" post. I saved the symptom list and highlighted all of the symptoms that I have. I'm going to take that to my MD.

1000Daisies, that is a fabulous list and I will print it for my MD to consider. Since our insurance change, we no longer have to fight with our obnoxious HMO so hopefully the road ahead will be easier.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I'm just now starting to feel human again after a whopper of a migraine. Now to re-read most of what I studied for the two days prior, since my short-term memory is useless following a migraine. mad
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