IGENEX *always* positive?

[pixiesmommy]

Has anyone had IGENEX lyme testing and had it turn out negative?

 

I ask because we have had Western Blot and they were negative (though it has been several years now.)

 

Just curious. I am going to see a Lyme specialist for myself and Pixie in a couple of weeks (starting with me) and they do the IGENEX.

 

Thanks!

Manda

[justinekno]

There was a thread on the PANDAS board a while back and I believe people did post about having a negative IGenex result. Maybe you could search IGenex on that board?

 

Has anyone had IGENEX lyme testing and had it turn out negative?

 

I ask because we have had Western Blot and they were negative (though it has been several years now.)

 

Just curious. I am going to see a Lyme specialist for myself and Pixie in a couple of weeks (starting with me) and they do the IGENEX.

 

Thanks!

Manda

[lyme_mom]

Has anyone had IGENEX lyme testing and had it turn out negative?

 

I ask because we have had Western Blot and they were negative (though it has been several years now.)

 

Just curious. I am going to see a Lyme specialist for myself and Pixie in a couple of weeks (starting with me) and they do the IGENEX.

 

Thanks!

Manda

My first Igenex test was negative but I had indeterminate bands for lyme specific antibodies. I later tested positive. I think I was tested too early. Igenex will reveal lyme exposure that other tests do not show b/c the igenex test is more thorough. It is hard for people to believe that lyme is this pervasive. I have heard this many times before-is anyone ever negative on Igenex or does your llmd ever think someone doesn't have lyme? I think anyone with health problems needs to consider lyme b/c we have an epidemic of lyme. Someone recently told me it is a plague and that is a good description. The number of persons sick with lyme is growing exponentially every year b/c the number of sick ticks is growing and little is being done to protect children from the ticks that carry these diseases. So even when the igenex is technically negative there is a decent chance that the person could have lyme or another tickborne illness. Its the symptoms that matter most. Great that you are going to see a lyme doctor!

[mama2alex]

I tested negative on the Igenex test (with two "IND" bands) 5 years ago and did not pursue any additional testing. My son tested negative for Lyme a year ago (with two Lyme-specific bands "IND" plus a couple of others), but postive for Bartonella (IgG). The doctor who did these tests felt that we both have Lyme, but it just wasn't showing up on the tests. Given both of our symptoms over the years and my undiagnosed rash some years ago, we are now looking into it further with a new LLMD(wanted a second opinion). The more I read about Lyme, the more suspicious I am that we both have it.

Edited September 22, 2010 by mama2alex

[pixiesmommy]

Thank you! This is what I was wanting to know. Also thank you to everyone who responded privately.

[pixiesmommy]

Looks like we may be taken on by an infectious disease dr here as well as the LLMD. He's waiting for our history from Dr K and our family Dr before he will make an appt with us, but I'm definitely going to bring up Lyme as well as try to pick his brain for who may be our strep carrier.