my test results

[KaraM]

Hi,

 

I had my physical last week and asked my GP to order some Lyme tests. I didn't insist on IgeneX. I figured I'd start with what he recommended and what was covered by insurance. He's been very understanding and accomodating regarding my daughter and my requests for strep tests on my and my dh, but I could tell, when I showed him the page from Dr. J. about understanding Western Blots, that he was a little skeptical.

 

Anyway, I had him test me on Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella and Lyme, since those are the infections my dd and ds have shown positive or equivocal results on.

 

My Ehrlichiosis results look suspicious. My IGG was normal (<1:64, reference range <1:64). But my IgM looked high (1:80, reference range <1:20). The test says "due to a low/negative IgG and positive IgM, the presnece of a recent/current infection should be confirmed by running acute and convalescent sera in parallel and an increasing IgG value detected."

 

So, I guess that means I should aske to be tested again? The thing that's wierd is symptom wise, this is the last thing I would look to (for either my dd who was positive or for me).

 

As for Bartonella: both IgG and IgM were <1:128 (ref range <1:128). So those look normal. The test looks like it was performed or referred by Mayo Medical Labs.

 

The Lyme IgG and IgM say negative. But then the IgG Bands p66 and p41 were noted. So I'm guessing that means something showed on those bands, but they aren't enough to meet CDC criteria. IgM showed just p41.

 

Looking at Dr. Jones note on understanding Western Blots, p41 and p66 are not any of those Borellia specific bands. Should I be worried? Could these be indicative of something else?

 

Thanks for sharing any thoughts you may have.

 

Kara

[LNN]

I guess my first question is how you're feeling. Do you have symptoms that suggest you should pursue?

As I'm now reading up on heavy metals for DS, I see myself in the literature. Tons of things match. But for now, I feel pretty good and tho I may be a walking time bomb, I'm ok right now. So I'll focus on the kids and then, if/when they're finally done with pills and doctors, I may revisit my own situation.

 

But with metals, if they're stored and not causing problems, you can back-burner the issue without making it worse (tho upcoming menopause may change that). But with an active infection of lyme & co, you may not have the same luxury. So I guess it depends on how you're feeling. If it's still bugging you in a few weeks, maybe consider an Igenex test if you think the GP would humor you and sign off. It could be that you're positive for those bands not yet tested and that would change the picture considerably.

 

BTW - how are the kids doing?

[KaraM]

Thanks LLM...I can always count on you!

 

Kids are doing pretty well...esp. dd the last few days. I'm going to bump her up to 90% DS seems pretty good, too, but can still get moody...

 

So, as for my symptoms, they morph (suggesting Lyme, I guess). Of course hormones can always be to blame. But the list includes at different times (some coming and going):

 

Depression, anxiety, sleep issues (night waking, can't ever seem to get enough), hip pain, skin issues (out of the blue changes that stay for a few years, then change...so rosacea for a while, acne on my back, and, more recently excema...even in my eyes), itchy eyes, eye vision changes (I needed glasses at one point in my twenties for distance...but not when I was younger and no longer); I can remember having numb feet in the mornings (but no longer); arthritis in my hands (but no longer).

 

In the past, I chalked a lot of this up to age, hormones, being a working mom, then being a mom to a sick child. But some of it began before motherhood.

 

Right now, I definitely have the mood swings (sometimes very down, sometimes very irritable...almost a bubbling rage-like feeling that I know is way more of a response to a situation than what is called for), sometimes have anxiety, often have sleep issues, always have the excema and itchy eyes, sometimes have the hip pain. There are some days when I feel great, too. Especially when dd is doing well....

 

I can argue both sides of this... why it might make sense or other reasons that can explain it all...

Edited September 18, 2011 by KaraM

[LNN]

Soo glad the kids are on the upswing! Such a contrast to last winter/spring, eh?! Let's hope you never, ever have to go there again!

As for you, probably worth coughing up the cash for an Igenex test so you can know for "sure". Too many maybes in the picture...

IMHO...