Igenex

[RKF55]

Hello,

So, I have been geting treated by an LLMD now for 3 months doing antibiotics and herbals. I went to her yesterday for my three month visit and she pulled some blood to check my CD 57 and liver functions. She said she knows that CD 57 is not the great saviour test it was once hoped to be, but it tells her what she needs to know about my immunity system. She also did a swab to check my MTHFR??

Anyway my question is this. She wants to do an Igenex test on my blood so I have to go give them some next week. Should I ask for any specific testing since I am paying for the test anyway? Is there any panel or test that you think would be more helpful than others? She wants to do the test for Lyme and Bartonella. I asked her about Babiosis (spelling ?) and she said that since I have never had night sweats she didnt think that was a necessary test to pay for.

And is it really worth it at this point? I asked her if using that particular test lab will help her tailor my treatment she said absolutly 100%, they have a lot of faith in the Igenex lab. But what I am wondering is, since I have been on antibiotics for three months, will that skew the test results? And yes I still have all the same symptons I have had now since Ocotber 2013, some days are a lot better and some are a lot worse but they are still with me.

As always thank you very much  

[JackieCalifornia]

This is sounding like good progress!  Your doc is best positioned to know which tests should be run based on your symptoms, so I would go with the doc's recommendations.

It is true that a W.blot is a W.blot no matter who does it (assuming it is a reputable lab), but it is still useful data to a knowledgeable doc.  My LLMD ran Wblot and the companion ELISA tests on us, and also IGeneX.  More data points are good to have.  (Parallel situation:  If you have an expensive sports car, you can take it to the corner gas station for an oil change, but the mechanics may not know enough about the car or have the right oil and tools to deal with the car properly.)

Keep us posted!

[RKF55]

Thank you for the advice and input. It always helps me when you offer encouragment.

The doc gave me a sheet showing all the test that Igenex offers (like an    a-la-carte menu) and she highlighted the two she wanted to do which was the Lyme and Bartonella. There was whole bunch of other test on there also, so that is why I was asking about any specific test that might be helpful.

I have read on here before that the Ignex testing is better because it looks for the DNA not the antibodys, but isnt a Western Blot a Western Blot no matter who does it?

Thanks

[mojogal]

Feel free to call igenex, they will answer questions but I would get the Lyme Western Blot and the co-infection test, I don't believe that you can chose just Bartonella unless they have changed

[JackieCalifornia]

Greetings -- good to hear you are still out there fighting the good fight!

I'm not medically trained, so take my comments with a grain of salt ...

You say:  "[My Lyme doc] wants to do an Igenex test on my blood ... Should I ask for any specific testing since I am paying for the test anyway?"  Others here may have recommendations, but it is a medical question based on your symptoms and history.  Bottom line:  I dunno.

You say:  "Is there any panel or test that you think would be more helpful than others?"  It depends on your history and symptoms, and that's something the doc usually knows best on which way to go.

You say:  "She wants to do the test for Lyme and Bartonella. I asked her about Babiosis (spelling ? -- "babesiosis") and she said that since I have never had night sweats she didnt think that was a necessary test to pay for."  That's a judgment call.  I had babesia along with Lyme, but at this point do not remember if I had night sweats.  You could ask your doc this question directly and see what she says.

You say:  "And is it really worth it at this point?"  It may well be worth doing -- Lyme and its various co-infections are sometimes hard to identify because of the subtle symptoms entwined among the various infections.  As treatment goes on, sometimes a new symptom will show up, and that's what the doc is looking for -- hidden infections that need treating just as much as the more obvious ailments.  In this situation, I would be inclined to get tested -- it beats having an infection that lingers and won't go away without doing more treatment later.

You say:  "I asked her if using that particular test lab will help her tailor my treatment she said absolutely 100%, they have a lot of faith in the Igenex lab.  But what I am wondering is, since I have been on antibiotics for three months, will that skew the test results?"  I would think the doc is wanting to check how effective the treatment has been so far, and that won't skew the results of the bacteria being killed of -- it will get rid of them.  I don't know that results regarding other infections you may have could be compromised.

You say:  "I still have all the same symptons I have had now since Ocotber 2013, some days are a lot better and some are a lot worse but they are still with me."  It takes time, esp. with more than one or two infections, and some lyme-related ailments require longer treatment than others.  For example, I had Lyme plus one co-infection, and the doc treated the co-infection (babesiosis) first, then when that was gone, started treatment against Lyme.  Even after treatment is over entirely, it may take time (as in months) for your body to rebuild to its former swashbuckling ways.  Be kind to your body, and it will be kind to you.

You say:  "As always thank you very much" -- and you are very welcome!  Your questions are all good ones, and I would ask them of your doc.  She would know and can explain her views.  Not all patients are interested or capable of dealing with all the data (esp. when 'brain fog' is in play), but do ask the doc whenever you have any questions.

Best wishes, and keep us posted --