Can MS cause + western blot Lyme test?

[MeganY24]

I know most of you are interested in the opposite, if your MS diagnoses could actually be Lyme disease, but I have been racking my brain for months and still can not make myself believe that I have Lyme disease. I had a positive western blot (3 IgM bands) back in March and since then it has been a goose chase trying to get answers from anyone. I've been rejected by 10+ infectious disease specialist because I live in Texas where none of the doctors believe we have Lyme. The only reason I was even tested was because I was having tons of different neurological symptoms and my PCP was trying to convince me that it was all a manifestation of anxiety, hence my determination to prove her wrong by requesting every blood test that could *possibly* explain my symptoms. Since my positive test my family and I have been on an endless journey to seek treatment that doesn't seem to exist in this part of the country.

Ok, moving on to my shocking test results, as I said I live in Texas where Lyme disease is unheard of, I've also never been the outdoors type. The most time I spend outside is walking from where I park my car to the building I'm going to. I've never seen a tick in my life and I'm self diagnosed OCD so just the thought of having a tick on my body for 36-48 is very far fetched. I'm also very in tune with my body and my health so I can say with 100% certainty that I never experienced the "bulls-eye rash" that's associated with LD. I know there is a slight possibility that I encountered a tick from a faraway land that happened to attach inside my hair and blah blah blah, but what are the chances. I'm not convinced.

So instead of tracking down a doctor that doesn't exist here in Texas I would like to focus the remainder of my energy on figuring out if there could be another explanation. So my question is: can MS cause false positives on the western blot or just the ELISA?

[Lulu54]

100% of MS patients don't test positive for Lyme.  I know I didn't and my doctor ran every possible test before my MS dx.

Lisa gave you a great explanation of the variations of Lyme.  Remember too, that you can have Lyme disease and MS - one doesn't make us immune from the other.

I'm not sure why any doctor would now say the Lyme problem doesn't exist in their area.  We know that these critters hitchhike on the migratory birds and can also crawl aboard ships without needing a passport,  and have made it all the way to Australia.  I believe they have also arrived in the UK as undocumented tourists.

Good luck with getting answers - the lyme forum here at medhelp has some very knowledgeable people who are helpful with referral information.  You might check them out.

~Laura

[LisaJF]

For some reason, I actually reread your post and now it sunk in.  To answer your question, sllowe answered it correct.

A positive lyme test has nothing to do with MS.  

This is a dangerous thing when you're researching the internet.  You dont always get the correct answers or possibly misinterpret them.  

However, you can have false positive Lyme's test (as well as false negative -- however false negatives are not as common as false positives).  Not all Lyme's tests are reliable.  The ELISA test is beneficial if performed after the first 4 weeks of infection when your body has time to produce antibodies to fight the infection.

You don't always get a "bullseye" rash from ticks.  Normally that is from juvenile ticks who attach and penetrate the skin subcutaneously.  

Because you have had other infectious diseases before (+CMV, +B19/which is parvovirus), that MAY ( and I mean MAY) have interfered with the test.  If you have developed an unknown autoimmune disease, you can be positive for Lyme but it does not mean you're actively infected with Lyme.  

You can be exposed to the spirochete of Lyme and develop antibodies and not be actively infected.  Your immune system kicks in and your lymphocytes tend to produce anti Lyme antibodies.  Again, it doesn't mean you are actively infected.  Hence false positive tests.  

I'm not stating that your Lyme test is, I'm just stating that it MAY be.  This is where the doctor(s) have to be careful in evaluating and diagnosing.

Were you treated for Lyme at all when your test came out positive?

Lisa

[MeganY24]

I'm in the San Antonio area. If you could private message me the info you have for good doctors in the Austin area I would appreciate it. I'm so confused with all the MS/Lyme theories floating around out there. I'm sure you've heard of the "under our skin" documentary where they claimed 100% of MS patients tested positive for Lyme disease. I don't know what to believe anymore.

Also, looking back through my medical history, I have tested positive to almost every virus I've been exposed to. I tested positive (both IgM and IgG) for CMV and (both IgM and IgG) for parvovirus B19. I just can't stop thinking that it there has to be something going on with my immune system.

[sllowe]

Hi there,
Nope - MS has nothing to do with a positive lyme test. That is not to say that Lyme cannot be a complete mimic of MS symptom wise, even though there is a big difference between the two diseases.

I strongly encourage you to visit the lyme forum. There are a lot of pro's over there, and they will be able to direct you to a lyme doc in/near your area.

[LisaJF]

I am curious, did Hurricane Sandy go through Texas?  Why do I ask? Because those darn ticks who do not likely live in Texas (as you say which I find hard to believe that there's not one?) could have been blown out of their normal territory and stayed where they were blown to?

I know we had a higher incidence of Ticks this year during Spring time due to Hurricane Sandy.

Regardless, I think you should go and find a Neurologist, a good one.  

I hate the fact that you're treated as if all your symptoms are anxiety  Well if they experienced those symptoms, they too, would go "WTF"? Right?

I agree with Mikey, if you live near Austin, try out that Neurologist who thinks outside the box.  You never know.  But if you don't ask around...if you have friends that are RNs or family ask about a good Neurologist and see what you can come up with.  

Then if you do find a few to call, you will have to figure out who accepts your health insurance.

I hope I was of some help :D

Welcome to the forums!

[Mikeyslost]

If you live around Austin or Dallas ft. Worth areas I would recommend looking up a dr Kendall Stewart. He is really into biology and neurological issues. I have seen him previously and he test for and treats some more outside of the box diagnosis'. He might be able to help or at least send you in the right direction. Good luck.