best way to test for bartonella?

[aidansmom]

I am having my family tested for Lyme as soon as I get the test kits from IGenex (as I have discussed in a previous post).

 

Aidan's LLMD suspects possible bartonella although his IGenex results were neg. for it. (but IGenex IGG positive on Western Blot) I have started to wonder if I should test the siblings and parents for Bartnonella also.

 

1. Is Igenex the best lab to teat for this? Or is there a lab that would be more easily covered by insurance that would be just as good?

 

2. What is the best test to order for this?

 

3. How often do bartonella tests have false negatives?

 

4. should I start with Western blot and can they run Bart. later?

 

As a side note - Aidan's brother keeps having stomach aches/nausea every few days and is fine in between. He had a stomach virus on March 21st that didn't go away completely. ON the 24th he tested positive for strep. IF I remember correctly he did not have stomach aches during his 10 days of amox. for the strep but they started back up a day or 2 or 3 after he stopped amox. Strep tests negative taken on April 6th. He also has heel and ankle pain but so do a lot of boys on the track team and he is growing quite a bit so that could be explained away.

 

MichaelTampa - I just remembered your previous advice about trying ART. I have some questions for you regarding this. Perhaps I will PM you later when I have more time.