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Testing for Babesia-Need Advice?

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Posted 5/29/2015 3:04 PM (GMT -5)
It is my understanding that insurance companies will not likely approve prescriptions for things like Mepron / Malarone without a positive Babesia test. I can't afford $1k a month for a single med. When I first tested, I tested for Lyme though IGENEX and my co-infections through Quest, including Babesia Microti and Duncani. I had an IGENEX positive for Lyme, but my co-infections turned up negative. I'm well aware that I cannot rely on Quest and that testing for co-infections is difficult.

Has anyone had a positive Babesia test? If so, was it through IGENEX or elsewhere? The IGENEX testing for Babs would cost about $250. Is it worth it to have Babesia tested through IGENEX to boost my odds of getting Mepron / Malarone? Money is a concern.

Has anyone seen good improvement on Mepron / Malarone?

Are there any other Babesia prescriptions that might benefit from a positive Babesia test? As a side note, I have tried Bactrim DS. I put it on the back burner for now. I can't take Azythromycin.

Has anyone gotten these meds approved without a positive Babesia test?

In the meantime, I definitely will add more herbs. But the timing of more herbs depends on whether I'm going to shoot for a positive Babesia test.

I would appreciate any advice! I feel like it's rolling the dice here! I don't want to be sick forever and would like to get the treatment I need. rolleyes I need to kick Babs to the curb so I can take on Bartonella.

As always, thanks! turn
Posted 5/29/2015 4:35 PM (GMT -5)
Hello Lymie Girl,

When I first tested for Babesia though IGENEX the test was negative but the LabCorp test was positive for Babesia Duncani. All my Lyme test were negative.

At the beginning of my treatment I was on Mepron for a little over 2 months then I was on malarone for another 3 months and finally I am on Coartem always convinced with Bactrim DS. I am still in treatment but after 9 months of treatment my symptoms are almost all gone right now I am on antibiotics break for 3 weeks and doing fine.

I guess I was lucky finally getting a positive test because I went few months without treatment, my Lyme test was always negative.
Posted 5/29/2015 4:37 PM (GMT -5)
I wish I had better answers for you, Lymie Girl. All I know is that it's very hard to get a positive test from Quest.

BUT!!! This will serve to bump up this post too!!! That I can help with! :-)
Posted 5/29/2015 9:36 PM (GMT -5)
Csmm~
That's so interesting that you had a positive Babs test, but negative Lyme test. I wonder if Labcorp is better for Babesia than Quest. I know they are both not ideal. Dr. H has mentioned testing for Duncani through Labcorp. He said he gets a significant response through them. Labcorp was not covered with my old insurance. It might have been better.

Did the mepron help you? I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do. Coartem-is that like Artemisinin? Is it expensive?

Lately, it seems like I need to treat Babs to get improvement. I think Babs has aggravated my Lyme symptoms. I think I need to make some more headway on Babs before I start to feel more pain relief. I feel like I'm at a bit of a roadblock - aside from some improvements in my fatigue, congestion and chest pains while I'm taking the Artemisinin.

I'm happy you're doing better. Thanks!

Sayyadina~
Thank you so much for taking the time to type all that. It's very helpful! She is going to ship me the kit and the lab order. I'm very curious which tests she selected. I did not see a Babesia blood smear through IGENEX.

I wish she had told me which tests she picked. I just feel awkward saying anything if it is not the "best" option. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks Trav!
Posted 5/30/2015 1:56 AM (GMT -5)
I did not have a positive test for babesia and I was able to get my insurance to pay for Mepron by getting prior authorizations. The problem is that after a three months, my insurance called and threatened my LLMD and he dropped me as a patient because he was scared of repercussions from the medical board. A lot of insurances do this and they have a physician on staff that determines if you need the medication or not. That physician's bonus is tied directly to how much money the insurance company has to spend on prior authorizations. I spoke with the physician on my insurance's prior authorization unit several times and each time he tried to deny my claim. Each time I was able to provide information where he could not deny my claim. If they can't beat you, they can often beat your doctor or at least scare him into submission.
Posted 5/30/2015 10:10 AM (GMT -5)
I'm sorry you had to go through that GH. How terrible-a total conflict of interest.

Do you think that they would have gone after your doctor if you had a positive test?

I wish the testing was not so expensive and yielded better results. There are so many strains of Babesia and Bab-Lo. I want to go after the Babesia.

I'm not sure if the herbals for Babs work just as well as the pharmaceuticals. I know everyone is different-I'm speaking overall. If they are, then pursuing a positive test might not be worth the costs. So far, I have been very impressed with Artemisinin. I'm trying to put this puzzle together. Thanks!
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