New here and a bit overwhelmed

Hi I found this site by googling Lyme info and what a wonderful find, just a wealth of information here. I've read so much on the 'new here' thread that it's hard to take it all in but so thankful at the same time.

I had an ant dance attack on my midsection last September which moved to my face where it stayed for the next 7 months. I thought it was some kind of bug/parasite then thought it might be allergy related since I take under the tongue drops.. I just didn't know.
It was the first of April before any more symptoms occurred and I started putting the pieces together. After my hands/arms/feet started feeling numb I got a neurologist appt (which is in Aug) and then talked doc into giving me a Lyme test after even more symptoms - which came back negative. It was the standard (useless) test, although I had voiced my test concerns to her beforehand.

So now I'm here and after reaching out have received LLMD referrals close to my home. I of course don't know any of these doctors and although they are LL how does one know just how informed they really are.

It was lab corp and I couldn't get a clear cut answer over the phone, so I requested results via mail but haven't received yet. I told my doc that I had read about the controversial tests and that I thought western blot was better and to please check on it so I wouldn't be wasting my time/money .. but it evidently fell on deaf ears.

Hi Sweetlife -

I agree w/ dacarte3 -

The ELISA is not at all helpful.

MDs are advised by the CDC to follow a two-tiered approach to testing. The first test is the ELISA, which generally only tells you that your immune system is responding to something but it isn't real specific for Lyme. The Western Blot is the 2nd test but the CDC recommends it is administered ONLY if the ELISA is positive in order to verify the positive.

So if your ELISA is negative, MDs who are not informed won't pursue the more accurate WB test, so you could have Lyme and not know it and not treat for it.

An LLMD will know to administer the WB regardless of the ELISA results or skep the ELISA altogether. They will also be able to evaluate your helath history, exposure and associated Lyme sx to determine your diagnosis, since the tests are so unreliable. THAT is how you know if you're seeing an experienced, qualified and helpful LLMD. We can also help you evaluate your appts to determine this. You're smart to ask that question.

Let us know what comes in the mail!

-p