If I really do have Lymes Disease....

[sam6386]

If I really do have Lymes Disease, and caught it late, lets say 6 months after, could it be too late for antibiotics to work? When is it too late for anti-biotics to work, associated with Lymes disease, (Doxycycline) (I am not sure If I spelled it right.) And yesterday I had bad jaw pains (have been on and off for a few weeks) and both sides of my head have been hurting (close to the temple, on each side) I have also been very achy from knee down. Any advice on anything? Or opinions? I would be so greatful. I just started medicine recently...

[sam6386]

ok so I read it again it says 41 is present in both the IgM and the IgG band and 23 is present only in the IgM band NOT the IgG band...does this make sense to anyone? can anyone help me with this? I wasn't sure if I was reading it right before, but now I am. And this was through a Western Blot test, done by North Shore LIJ Laboratories. Thank you all in advance.

[sam6386]

I believe they use North Shore LIJ Laboratories...does any of this informantion help? can anyone help me?

[Hope75]

What lab did your blood test?  I don't know if you posted that part.  It does matter which lab did the testing.

[sam6386]

My doctor gave me the paper work and it shows bands 41 and 23 being positive in the Western Blot test. It also says IgM band Result IgG band Result I am not exactly sure how to read it but that is what I get from it and what she had told me on the top where the numbers are lined up it says 41 is present both times and that 23 is only present once? this is a little confusing and on the bottom it says (41,23 Western Blot by CDC/ASTPHLD criteria. A negative result should not be used as sole basis for exculding B. burgdorferi as the cause of illness. Because the present of even specific antibodies to B. burgdorferi does not always indicate current infection, a positive result can support but not establish clinical diagnosis of Lyme Disease. A positive IgM anti-B burgdorferi result alone is not adequate for supporting a diagnosis of Lyme in a persons with illness of greater that one month duration.) Hopefully this will help you help me. Thanks again!

[margypops]

Yes I believe it goes into remission then returns whatever they say, 20 years later I ahve all the symptoms you describe, I am taking natural supplements to help myslef as the Doctors dont help.not here anyway

[SOONERMOM]

Ask for copies of your test results.  Many doctors don't believe in chronic lyme disease, like my GP.  
As far as symptoms, they are different for everyone.  I don't know exactly when I was infected.  It can go dormant and come out again or be more constant with changing or worsening symptoms over years.

There are people that have been cured.  There are also people that think it is more of a chronic  condition with remissions.  It is so controversial and it seems that everyone is different.  Unless your doctor has treated many lyme patients, they might not be able to accurately answer your  questions.  A lot of times they want to tell you that you have "something else" if the month or two of antibiotic doesn't cure you.