Help Interpreting Test Results please

[marcia135]

I would really appreciate any opinions on my Lyme results please.  It was done by IGeneX.

Lyme IgG/IgM Serology  0.36 LIV

Igenex Western Blot IGM result Negative
CDC/NYS result Negative
30kDa  +
39kDa  IND
41kDa  ++
83-93kDa  IND

Igenex Western Blot IGG result  Negative
CDC/NYS result   Negative
34kDa  IND
39kDa  IND
41kDa ++

I have had ME/CFS for 20 years and hypothyroidism for 11 years.  I don't remember a tick bite but it is entirely possible as I was living and working in rural areas at the time I fell ill.
Would you recommend any further tests, like ELISA?

[marcia135]

cave76, How long did you do the IV for?  
Even if I only do 2 or 3 weeks IV to start, will that be a reasonable start?
Thanks mojogal.  I'd like some herx to show it was working - but nothing too severe!  We'll see how it goes.

[marcia135]

It's a great idea but I doubt it would work in my case, because it would only be if it was sanctioned by a GP and my GP is very anti private medicine, which is what I'm going for.  I will speak to him but I'm pretty sure I won't get anywhere.  The couple of Lyme tests I had done on the NHS came back negative, so they will only go on that result.  I spoke to him about getting blood taken for those tests I've just had done, and he refused, even when I offered to pay to get it done.  And he implied that I couldn't trust the lab because he'd never heard of them (more a reflection of his ignorance than on the reputation of the lab ;-) )  Only if the Lyme tests had been done on the NHS and they had prescribed the treatment, would I be able to ask for that nurse service, I think.  I will ask, thanks for the tip, but not holding out much hope!

[JackieCalifornia]

"... without any medical help here, ... I doubt that I could do IV from then on" after returning home.

You are in the UK, yes?  Here in the States, I believe there are 'visiting nurse' arrangements where the IV management is done by a well trained registered nurse who comes in at regular intervals to check on the set up and be sure all is operating smoothly, to change dressings, or whatever is needed.  I would think the UK is even more advanced in that regard, from what I have read about the NHS being more home-focused, but I may be wrong.  A few phone calls might give you the data you need.

Best wishes!  Keep us posted.

[cave76]

Don't avoid IV abx if that's what your doctor thinks might be best for you.

I had IV, had multiple co-infections and I had been sick for a long time and my herx wasn't bad at all, as herxes go.

Each person will react differently and, unfortunately, you won't know until YOU try it. :(

[mojogal]

I was bit over 20 years before getting diagnosed. Even with orals the first few months of herxes were bad but don't let that stop you, that means bugs are being killed.

[marcia135]

Thanks again for your help and encouragement.  You were all very helpful with my first enquiry, and you are being very helpful again!

I was hoping to go to the BCA clinic in Germany for several weeks to start treatment, and then would have to continue it myself at home, under their guidance and with drugs prescribed by them, but without any medical help here, so I doubt that I could do IV from then on.  I'd always thought that IV abx were more powerful, but not necessarily from what you are saying.  Obviously the doctors there will recommend what to do when I go, but I'd thought of blasting it for a few weeks there with IV abx (although Ricobord's comment of "Going straight to IV with a long term infection and multiple coinfections can trigger some brutal herxing." is a bit offputting...)