is lymes disease deceptive?

[chewy1958]

For about 6 weeks now, I have been doctoring due to symptoms of chest pains, feet tingle, hands sleep, severe fatigue, light headedness, and nausea. I've had blood work done, an egd, a nuclear stress test, and yesterday an angiogram. All normal results.  Does anybody have any suggestions? Could it possibly be lymes, and what is the most effective way to find out? Are symptoms of Lymes this deceptive?

[tory2457]

hmm, I think you have a pretty good reason to start reading all you can about Lyme disease, btw there is no "s" in lyme disease.

Here's what I did:
go to lymenet.org
click on Flash Discussions
then Medical Questions  it's a large site filled with lymies and they offer tons and tons of support and info. There's a link called Newbie Links on the Medical Section. I would also suggest you post this very question there.
other sites to visit..ILADS.org  canlyme.com publichealthalert.org to name a few.

I believe understanding this disease is your best bet. The mainstream medical community is imo very much in the dark when it comes to diagnosing and treating lyme.

for me, when tests come back normal yet you have your symptoms and feel lousy, I would keep digging and demanding answers,
I no longer believe in the Auto Immune Disease stuff. What I do believe is my immune system has been incapable to do its wonderful job....it's been compromised!

You ask what's the most effective way to find out. Here's the tricky part. Standard testing for lyme is the ELISA and unless you test positive you will never get a Western Blot. Most of us don't test positive so getting the 2nd tier test doesn't happen. Sadly, the sickest of us test negative (our immune systems are all bound up and can't recognize the bacteria) and go untreated.
You'll find a link called Dr C's explaination of the Western Blot. a must read. It explains testing.

Much to understand and learn. Ask all the questions you have, but educate yourself about this disease.
best to you.
tory

[Steve1906]

You ask what's the most effective way to find out. Here's the tricky part. Standard testing for lyme is the ELISA and unless you test positive you will never get a Western Blot. Most of us don't test positive so getting the 2nd tier test doesn't happen. Sadly, the sickest of us test negative (our immune systems are all bound up and can't recognize the bacteria) and go untreated.

Thats not always true as far as (Standard testing for lyme is the ELISA and unless you test positive you will never get a Western Blot.) My doctor just did a western blot yesterday and I test NEG for ELISA and it did go through my INS.

[tory2457]

That's good to know your doctor ordered a WB.
What lab is doing your WB?

Did you have any positive bands on the ELISA?