CD57?

[Ephedra]

All of my labs are normal except for this CD57 test, which clocked in at a 5.  Is this diagnostic for chronic Lyme, or are there other potential causes for a low CD57?    

[JackieCalifornia]

I just did a quick survey of what's at rxlist [dot] com about those meds and also at a few similar sites, and it's about as clear as mud to me ... but I too came away with the impression that the medication may be an antagonist, as you indicate above, but then again I didn't even take organic chemistry, just chem 101, so I can maybe explain the difference between an atom and a molecule but no further.

If your doc is not forthcoming in a way that gives you understanding and comfort about the situation, you might try talking to your pharmacist.  They know the chemistry and effects in depth and can be very helpful, depending on how good they are at such conversations ... some just aren't people-oriented, but a surprising number of them are.  I would tell the pharmacist I am unclear on the way the medication is supposed to act, and tell him/her what you've been diagnosed with, and would they please explain to you how that med functions, given your diagnosis, and then work into the conversation your specific questions.

You do not in any way "sound like a fool" -- I think you sound very reasonable and wise.  If you talk to the pharmacist, take a list of all meds you are taking (and were taking, if you've stopped some) along with the med in question, and ask if there could be a conflict, esp if you have the particular genetic variation that you've been told you do.  Tell the pharmacist you are just trying to understand and that you know they can't give medical advise -- that may help him/her open up a little.  

If you are still concerned after that effort, consider changing docs.  That can be done adroitly, by quietly finding the new one, getting an initial appointment with the new one, and tell him/her your concerns and confusions that have brought you to them and you need to understand, and if they are willing to speak with you at that level, you would like to be treated by them.  

Then if it's a fit, cut the other doc loose -- and you don't even have to see the other doc or talk to him or her ... your new doc can get the records transferred, and you don't have to do anything but sign a release the new doc prepares, if even that is required for the record transfer -- a phone call from new doc's office to old doc's office might do fine.  (State laws and local practices may vary.)

Again, I think your approach is sensible and careful, and you deserve to be comfortable with what is going on.  Just like everybody you know may like a certain restaurant, but you don't ... it doesn't mean any one of you is wrong -- it's just not a fit.

And PS I've been through bad times with bad docs and with good docs, and that's where I learned to keep moving till I find a good and compatible doc.  The bad ones are only human too, and sometimes they just don't know or don't understand.  

Okay, enough from me.  Let us know what you do and how it goes, and if we can help.  Best wishes to you --

[Ephedra]

The problem here is when I was taking this "synthetic, steroidal antimineralocorticoid"  I can't say I felt much worse....  The problem came when I added this chemotherapy drug for acne.  I began to feel the effects immediately! However, I attributed it to side effects.  But it didn't make a whole lot of sense as I was taking an extremely low dose.  Unfortunately, I don't think my LLMD knows much about the circumstances or this particular drug and I'm finding conflicting information.  

Sorry if I sound like a fool here, but I can't understand the mechanism of action of Aldactone (Spironolactone).  Are all steroids immunosuppressive?  Because wikipediA goes on about how it's a mineralocorticoid antagonist and inhibits this and that steroid.  Kinda making it sound as if it's a steroid antagonist.  I'm not finding anything that suggest any immunosuppressive effects.  And it may not even be considered a steroid by some.  If I could just get over this confusion, I think I could figure out what happened and why.  Maybe it was a combination of both medications.  The chemotherapy drug is fat soluble and has half life of 21 hrs, so I suppose it accumulates and takes longer to get rid of.  Perhaps if I have this genetic defect, it could be more difficult to get rid of.  Does this make sense to anyone?  

Mojogal, is there anything that can be done if you have the mutation?    

I appreciate your help everyone :)

    
  

[mojogal]

Forgot to tell you, if you do go through 23andme you can upload your results into Genetic Genie to get a full description on what your mutations mean.
23andme is the least expensive at $99

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions,  My LLMD explained a lot about it.

[JackieCalifornia]

When you were given steroids, it suppressed your immune system, which is how steroids work .... but if you have a bacterial infection (and Lyme is bacterial) when you take the steroids, then suppressing the immune system lets the Lyme bacteria have a huge house party at your expense, and it will make you feel worse.  Many docs don't understand much at all about Lyme, and so they don't think about it when prescribing steroids.

I don't know how much selection you have among docs where you are, but my own LLMD happened to be an immunologist by training, and that point of view might be very useful in your particular situation too, because the doc would have that extra background to parse what your reactions have been to the treatments given so far.  

Let us know how we can help -- best wishes --

[Ephedra]

Interesting mojogal.

Thanks!

[mojogal]

Hi, I did the testing at 23andme and I have 2 mutations of the MTHFR gene. For some reason, many lymies have the defect.

Good luck!