I am confused about my lab results tho. Out of 10 types of antibodies I only tested positive for 4...P66 Ab, P58 AB, P41 AB and P39 AB. What does this mean? Do you think the treatment I am getting will help me? I am already at the point where my bones and muscles, esp my lower legs, ankles and feet, are in such pain. I also get recurring fever and a host of other symptoms and fatigue. I get retested in 3 mo. I dont ever remember having a tick on me and all of this is very hard for me to believe. Kath

Below is some information based on what you listed in your post:

-39 is a major protein of Bb flagellin, specific for Bb (Borrelia burgdorferi, in other words, Lyme)

-41 flagellin protein of all spirochetes; this is usually the first to appear after a Bb infection and is specific for all Borrelia

-58 may be a heat-shock Bb protein

-66 cross-reactive for all Borrelia, common in all bacteria

Band 41 is usually the first to show up, and yours is positive. Band 39 is also significant. I think that the CDC requires a larger number of pos. bands to be considered a positive test but most people with Lyme do not have that many.

You didn't mention if this was IgG or IgM. The IgM tests for recent infection and the IgG an older one. Does your doctor think that you were bitten recently, or months/years ago? What made him decide to test for Lyme in the first place? I am just surprised that a regular family doctor thought of this and is taking it seriously.

The tests are not that reliable and many, many Lyme sufferers test negative. Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. But if you have symptoms and a positive WB, then I believe you have it. (I am not a doctor or a health care professional, FYI).

As far as your symptoms go, there are so many, and the ones you mentioned definitely fit.

Although I know that your doctor is treating you for this, I think that you should find a specialist (a Lyme Literate MD (LLMD)). That will ensure that you will get the best treatment for the appropriate amount of time.

Again, I’m sorry that someone did not answer you sooner. Many of us are very ill ourselves, and don’t manage to accomplish nearly what we would like. But I’d like to welcome you to our community.

Lori

yes, this forum can be slow sometimes, it's rather new, but some of us "veterans" try to do our best to get to posts with few answers to them.... be patient....

warm regards,

jaime