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mict55
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Hi, sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. Like you I only had the 41 band on a Labcorp WB. But having read and read about Lyme saw a LLMD who ran the Igenex test and I had 5 bands positive including 18 which was negative on the first one (I had taken Doxycycline inbetween.) Like you I have had a myriad of symptoms most of which were ignored by my PCP and neurologist. My LLMD had me fill out a symptom list before I saw him, it was quite an eyeopener and helped him recognize the coinfections that come along with Lyme. If yours hasn't you might find one online to fill out to give to him or her. Hang in there!!! Chris |
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sciteacher
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should IgM bands be present and not IgG if I was infected 8 years ago. This is a bit confusing. Rachel I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 _________________ Take time each day to laugh, even if its at yourself.  _________________ We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen for the soul. --George M. Adams _________________ Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed. --Joseph P. Dooley |
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fluffyluggage
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I can't really answer your question, because the IgG and IgM always confuse me. However, I think we all need to remember that really, Lyme should be a clinical diagnosis and backed up by lab tests, not the other way around! I also think it's important to remember that just because you were first infected 8 years ago doesn't mean you can't have been re-infected again just recently. So, given all of that, IgG vs. IgM doesn't really mean much in the whole scope of things, IMHO...JMO, that's all I'm sayin. You have a diagnosis, so does all of that really matter? It may be confusing, of course, as with all the rest of the stuff that IS Lyme! LOL But besides it just being incidentally confusing, is it essentially going to affect how you are treated? Because I guess unless it will, I don't see that it would matter. JMO...And I'm really, seriously not trying to be difficult, just kind of trying to point out that with all the difficulties with testing, all the unreliability of tests, honestly, for me, if I had a positive, I'd be so thrilled, I'd jump up and down, dance around, and do as much as I was physically able to, then I'd shove the test in every doctor's face who has told me everything was in my head and who said they didn't believe I had LD! Sorry, just how I'd be! LOL  Just because it's impossible doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm not a doc, so anything I say is my opinion only. Nothing I say is meant as offense, I offer what I can as help.
I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else with do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps I truly am insane for expecting these docs to listen to me when I say the same things repeatedly to no avail? LOL. I am tired of seeking out new docs and getting the same result time and again...Forgive me if I seem bitter some days. |
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smileanyway
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I live in New Mexico, but contracted lyme disease in Texas. I had the bull's eye, but didn't know what it was at the time. Then months later I got I ton of LD symptoms. I can't seem to get a doc to believe I have lyme disease because it doesn't happen out here. But in my heart of hearts I believe this is what I have and every test they give me is normal. If I mention that I think I have lyme disease then I get ignored. How do I get someone to believe me? How do I get out of this hell that I'm in? How do I get proper treatment? What can I do? Can anyone help me? I'm scared. |
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fluffyluggage
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First off, let me just tell you, smileanyway, docs will tell you where ever you are in the country that "lyme ain't here" but that's a load of bull. It doesn't matter where you live, if there's a tick present, you can get LD, period. If you're interested in more info on LD, I've collected a bunch of links, thanks to the help of a bunch of other members here on the forum, and I'd be glad to share them with you. Just send me a PM, and I'll give them all to you. Second, you really need to find an LLMD. You should contact a group leader. You can do so by clicking on the "group leaders" tabs at the top of the page, and it will take you to the page. All 4 of them are listed. I believe the person who has the most current list is going to be Jaime. Send her a PM, tell her where you are located, and let her know you need to find an LLMD (lyme literate Medical Doc). Don't fool around with this anymore. The reason you should see about checking out the list of links I have is they are extremely reputable, and they will give you more info that you ever thought you'd get! You can bookmark them, print some stuff out (some of them are pdf's), and you can come back to them at your leisure. Some have checklists you can print out and take to your appts, etc... The reason you need an LLMD is you need to find someone who knows what they are talking about and who can give you the care you need and get you proper treatment, period. You can't mess around with your health. You may have had this longer than you thought. I didn't know I had it for 14 years, but it's been a little over 14 years, and I only recently figured it out. I still can't get a doctor to acknowledge that I have it. So, I'm following a natural protocol, without a doctor's knowledge or consent, which is not really the best way to do it, but I refuse to lie down and die, which is what my previous doc would have me do. Don't be scared. Just get up and take control of your healthcare! PM me if you want more info, and I'll be glad to help. *hugs* jen Just because it's impossible doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm not a doc, so anything I say is my opinion only. Nothing I say is meant as offense, I offer what I can as help.
I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else with do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps I truly am insane for expecting these docs to listen to me when I say the same things repeatedly to no avail? LOL. I am tired of seeking out new docs and getting the same result time and again...Forgive me if I seem bitter some days. |
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sciteacher
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I went to the LLMD in central la on december 1st. He ran an IGENEX lab test and I haven't gotten the results yet. On the other test I tested positive for Lymes and Lupus which I found out on Mon. All I was given was a bunch of things to help me sleep at night. When the test comes back he will add meds for lymes. Which according to my symptoms he said I do have Lymes, but needs to rule out other things, is that a normal course of action????I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 _________________ Take time each day to laugh, even if its at yourself. _________________ We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen for the soul. --George M. Adams _________________ Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed. --Joseph P. Dooley |
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sciteacher
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Will your doctor even run a test to see if it comes back positive?? If you don't get a response from your doctor try a new one. For 8 years I have been fighting symptoms, never thought about asking the doc if lymes was a possibility, eventhough i had been bit by a tick. Shows you that most doctors don't even consider it unless you mention it and give evidence. I had to do a lot of research and I brought it to my doctor and they connected the dots with my symptoms and when I requested the test be done they knew it could be a possibility. If you would like the number of my LLMD send me a personal message, I know he treats many people in various states. Rachel I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 _________________ Take time each day to laugh, even if its at yourself. _________________ We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen for the soul. --George M. Adams _________________ Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed. --Joseph P. Dooley |
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dharma79
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Smile- Don't be scared. "The only thing to fear, is fear itself!" You will find an LLMD, with help here, and you will start to feel better soon. This disease can be crippling on so many levels...don't give it any help. You do not have to feel alone or scared anymore but you DO NEED to get proactive and educate yourself and take responsibilty for your health out of the hands of ignorant docs and into your own by finding a doctor that you trust and feel comfortable with... If at anytime, one of them tries to make you feel stupid or worse, crazy...just smile anyway and say "Thank you for your time, but I do not believe that you are going to be able to help me." And walk your smiling butt right out the office door...And don't pay the bill! LOL Maybe if they start losing paying patients they'll go back and do a little more research as to how best to help their patients. Knowing is half the battle...so think how far you've come already... Here for you if you need! |
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fluffyluggage
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I agree 100% with dharma, and a great way to say it all! Kudos, girl!! Sciteacher, you brought up something that I do really want to address. It's very important that you know that lupus and Lyme share so many symptoms. You should question your doctor as to the possibility of a false positive for lupus. Just about any LLMD will tell you that if you come up positive for lupus, you should probably be tested for Lyme. So, I would suggest you ask a lot of questions where the lupus is concerned. My doc kept trying to tell me I had it, but we know too many people who legitimately have it for me OR my family to believe that I did. Knowing you actually DO have Lyme would really ring a bell in my head if it were me to ask some serious questions and see if it was an accurate test, especially given that Lyme can present as so many different things. I'd really ask if it was accurate and legitimate. Just wanted to put that out there for you, so you can be assured that you DO have lupus as well as Lyme and not JUST Lyme, cuz I'd be very tempted if it were me to dismiss the lupus diagnosis outright... Just a thought for you, and good luck on your upcoming treatment! I'm really glad you're getting some help! That's excellent. Smileanyway, keep up the faith. dharma, great post! *hugs* to you all, Jen Just because it's impossible doesn't mean it can't happen.
I'm not a doc, so anything I say is my opinion only. Nothing I say is meant as offense, I offer what I can as help.
I believe in educating myself on all my medical issues and being my own advocate, for no one else with do that on my behalf. I recommend we all do the same!
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps I truly am insane for expecting these docs to listen to me when I say the same things repeatedly to no avail? LOL. I am tired of seeking out new docs and getting the same result time and again...Forgive me if I seem bitter some days. |
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sciteacher
Posts: 194
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Fluffyluggage, my doctor is rerunning both tests as well as others. He told me that a person with lymes will generally test positive for lupus also, that is a common thing. Let me understand what you said: did you mean that not only would I have lymes, but also lupus, or just lymes or lupus???? As you can see my brain fog is thick!!!! Thanks I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 _________________ Take time each day to laugh, even if its at yourself. _________________ We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen for the soul. --George M. Adams _________________ Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed. --Joseph P. Dooley |
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"MD Junction is my second home, Where my friends are always ready with advise , compassion and a kind word or two. Where I can always be myself never having to put on a brave face or smile if I don't feel like it.
