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Do I have Lymes? (Igenex test results included)

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Posted 2/21/2012 5:50 PM (GMT -5)
My doctor (LLMD) isn't sure I have it, I am curious to what you all think...

IGENEX
----------------

IGM

18 - negative
22 - negative
23-25 - Indeterminate
28 - negative
30 - negative
31 - negative
34 - negative
39 - Indeterminate
41 - 2+
45 - 2+
58 - negative
66 - 1+
73 - negative
83-93 - 1+

Igenex IGM Results - Positive
CDC/NYS Result - Negative

IGG

18 - negative
22 - negative
23-25 - negative
28 - negative
30 - +2
31 - negative
34 - negative
39 - Indeterminate
41 - 2+
45 - negative
58 - +2
66 - negative
73 - negative
83-93 - negative

Igenex-IGG-Result - Negative
CDC/NYS - Result - Negative

IFA, B BURGDORFERI G/M/A RESULT - 1:40 TITER - INDETERMINATE


Based on this my LLMD is not convinced that I have lymes and that it may be something else. When I had this test, if i was indeed infected with lymes i would have contracted it a long time ago, not just around the time when I had my tests.

What do these results mean to you
Posted 2/21/2012 6:38 PM (GMT -5)
Hi there complicated name person,

I guess I don't understand why your LLMD is relying on test results for a diagnosis. An ILADS certified doctor knows that Lyme is to be diagnosed clinically -- actually even the CDC states this quite clearly.

Your history and current symptoms should provide the bulk of the information leading to a diagnosis, with test results being just a small piece of information.

The problem with using testing to detect a long-held infection is that the disease itself suppresses the immune system. Your body simply will not be producing the antibodies that the test is designed to detect. Some LLMD's start treating on the basis of symptoms and confirm their diagnosis on the basis of the patients reaction or by retesting after the body starts to produce antibodies.
Posted 2/21/2012 8:21 PM (GMT -5)
Back when I had this test done I had fatigue (not out of the norm for me and my fatigue isn't extreme.. i climbed a mountain, and walked 100 miles in 10 days), tremor in hands, legs (when I would raise my heel), unhealing ankle injury, fasiculations and tingling everywhere. Eye lid twitching. And I no longer remember what else. Took antibiotics for a couple months. I don't recall ever having any herx's on the antibiotics. I eventually stopped the antibiotics due to Candida issues and just ignored my symptoms

My symptoms went away and i was symptom free for about 3 years. Now suddenly, having tingling in hands, feet, legs...even on the abdomen. A return of heartburn and new upper right quadrant abdominal pain (gallbladder?). Achy joints (started in left foot..small toes) and now hands, fingers, and toes (mostly on the left - very rarely the right) ache. Jaw aches intermittantly. These pains and tingles have been going on now for about a week and a half. And now it feels like I'm coming down with a cold too/sinus drainage. And started shaking a bit again today.
Posted 2/21/2012 8:55 PM (GMT -5)
 

Hi irhxcbcziuzxs - I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well! Can you think of anything that might've triggered these symptoms all of a sudden? If it is Lyme and a "relapse," there's often some kind of major stress that goes along with that.

Like achievinggrace said test results really aren't the most accurate indication of whether you have an active infection or not. Are you saying that you were treated 3 years ago for Lyme and got better with antibiotics? The test results you posted - are they recent or are they from when you originally got treated?

If you've had Lyme in the past, and are suddenly feeling sick again, it would make sense to look back into Lyme, although I understand being confused about whether that's what was causing your symptoms in the first place - this, and all the similiar illnesses, can be so confusing!

Just keep in mind that not everyone herxes while on treatment with antibiotics - a lack of a herx doesn't necessarily mean you don't have Lyme. It does seem odd that an LLMD would say it's not Lyme based on test results, especially with a past history of it. Is it the same doctor who treated you originally?

Posted 2/21/2012 9:14 PM (GMT -5)
Ive had alot of big stresses in the past 3 years... including my grandmother passing a few weeks back (few weeks before this started), but i dealt with all of them normally. When my foot started aching before i was participating in legal "illegal activities" ... but I got a panic attack and thats when that started, during the panic attack). Also not new ... during other times with legal "illegal activities" I have had panic attacks.

3 years ago, I had those test results I posted and based on those test results and my symptoms I guess, my LLMD wasn't convinced I had Lyme Disease. He put me on antibiotics anyways and I noticed no change from the ABX and after I stopped, I ignored the symptoms and eventually they went away, and havent had anything like this for 3 years.

I haven't been to a doctor about it recently as, honestly.. I really don't have the money to do so.

Post Edited (irhxcbcziuzxs) : 2/21/2012 7:30:42 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/21/2012 9:21 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry I had to edit your post. The forum rules do not allow the discussion of illegal activities.

Thanks for your understanding.
Posted 2/21/2012 9:26 PM (GMT -5)
I understand, but also keep in mind that what I mentioned is very much legal where I live, and I am a medical patient for such things.
Posted 2/21/2012 9:44 PM (GMT -5)
How long were you on antibiotics for??

If you are feeling worse, I would be tempted to do whatever you can to get antibiotics just in case- to see how it feels. I was in a simlar position to you recently (got Lyme, went undiagnosed for 2 years, was treated for 2 years, thought I was better. Stopped antibiotics and got worse. A non-LLMD doctor who was at least willing to consider Lyme wasn't sure it was lyme and wasted a lot of time re-doing tests for other things and waiting. If the doctor isn't an ILADS trained doctor, they may be REALLy hesitant to treat Lyme, and might wait when an LLMD would not.
Posted 2/21/2012 9:51 PM (GMT -5)
My doctor definately is a LLMD, and resides in Saginaw, Michigan. I'm sure a google search would let you know who that is. I'm done with antibiotics, my system can't take them, if i DO in fact have lymes, then ill be looking at herbal / natureopath and homeopathic treatments.
Posted 2/21/2012 10:36 PM (GMT -5)
Unfortunately it really is tough to determine whether or not you have Lyme - usually it's the fact that treatment works that is the deciding factor, but of course, that's after the fact.

I can understand not wanting to go to a doctor until it's absolutely necessary, but I am going to suggest you keep an eye on your symptoms - from past experience I have to say it's usually better to nip things in the bud before they get worse, but of course it's up to you. In the meantime, though, some of your symptoms might be relieved - whether they're being caused by Lyme or not - by some of the detoxing strategies we have listed in the "New to Lyme?" thread - such as dry skin brushing, detox baths, etc. Might be worth a try!

I do hope you feel better soon - and remember we're here for all the questions you have!
Posted 2/21/2012 11:01 PM (GMT -5)
I must say that your reply is much needed relief.. on some other forums that I have been on are saying that because i was IgM positive, I had lymes disease and I had to be treated.. antibiotics neither made me feel better or worse from what I remember.

the aching seems to be subsiding today, and so is the tingling - perhaps ive been coming down with something, as my throat started hurting the other day, and i seem to be getting sinus headaches.
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