Dr. said pos Lyme from W. Blot but wants more blood ASAP?

[bluebird4500]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick question.

So, this past week my doctors office called about my western blot results. The secretary said the doctor says it looks like I am positive for Lyme as some bands appear (not sure which ones or how many) to be positive.

But she said the doctor wants me to come in for immediate blood work ASAP this week (I was scheduled to see him in 2 weeks) to take my blood so they can overnight it to a Lyme lab he trusts that my insurance will cover.

My questions are:

1) Why would he want such 'immediate' blood work. Kind or worrisome.

2) Why does he want another test? Does that mean some of the bands that are positive are..what? Borderline/ inconclusive? But then why say some were positive?

I am sorry if I am ignorant about the whole Lyme band thing. This week I plan to start my research on that, but for now I know very little.

I would be grateful for any advice. Thank you so much guys!

[dolfnlvr]

DO ask for a copy of your original western blot though--and when this new test comes in, get a copy of that as well.  It's important, because the CDC is so picky that you may be 95% positive (which is really positive) but according to the CDC you would be referred to as "negative."  It's a long story...but just be sure to get copies of all your blood work.

That you are showing positive on your initial blood work is GOOD.  That means that (hopefully) it has been caught early, will be treated promptly, and you won't have any major/lasting problems.

Keep us informed.

[mojogal]

I agree with Jackie, this is a good thing. Before putting you on a Lyme protocol,he wants to make sure so that is a good thing.
It is confusing for everyone so don;t worry about that. Hang in let us know what happens.

[nutrinut_bob]

Maybe he doesn't have more blots in mind, could be something a bit more accurate like PCR testing, which looks for actual DNA.

[JackieCalifornia]

and PS, asking questions and trying to figure out what is going on is a healthy thing to do.  It means you are, as the engineers say, 'working the problem' -- puzzling things over, reading, thinking, trying things, and keep on doing that till you fix whatever is wrong.

It's a good sign that you are pressing ahead to figure out what's up -- it's people who roll over and give up who have a much harder time getting well.

"Never, never, never give up."  -- Winston Churchill

[JackieCalifornia]

You're welcome!  It's been a while since I read up on the details of the tests and how they should be read, so I really can't say what the concerns are.  Because it's a complex set of data, and each doc might see it differently, there's no hard-and-fast answer.  

The test give indications, not answers.  The doc develops an answer, and then a treatment plan, and then will revise the treatment plan depending on your reaction.

Think of it like working with a mechanic on your car:  Something in the engine isn't working right, but it's hard to tell which part is causing the problems, so it takes some testing and then replacing a few parts to see what makes the problem go away.  That's kind of like diagnosing and treating Lyme:  a complex system with lots of possible things that can go wrong.  

I know it's hard not to worry -- Lyme has biochemical effects on the mind and the endocrine system, which strongly affects mood, so anxiety is just part of the nasty little gift the bugs have brought.  When you're well, that will go away.  

[bluebird4500]

Thank you so much for your answer Jackie! Very comforting.

So for the Western Blot, would you say he is perhaps hoping the other test would show the same bands, only stronger? Thus giving confirmation?

Or would another test show other positive bands? Thus giving me more bands that are positive, and that showing a higher likelihood I'm infected?

I really need to research this all. lol. Know idea how this work.

so much to learn!!

Thank you for your answer :-)

[JackieCalifornia]

Rather than worry, I would be *comforted* by this pro-active approach by your doc.

I am guessing he wants to blood draw asap so that there will be time to send it out and get the results back before you appointment, so that he has the information he needs to be most effective for your sake.

The Western blot and ELISA tests (if those are the ones he's redoing) are wobbly.  They are a reflection of your immune system activity, which fluctuates day to day just because nothing in nature (including humans) are steady-state.  

I am guessing (just a guess!) that he wants to see what another sample looks like, to give him one more set of data points so he has a better idea of what's going on.  This is a GOOD thing, that he's being so careful.  A nonLLMD might look at the results already in hand and say, 'Well, it's not clear that you have an infection, so that means good luck and best wishes, bye.'

Again:  the tests are lousy, but that's the state of the art. There are some other tests that your doc might use, but he's trying to nail down whatever he's looking at for reason I don't know.  He's the doc.

Having certain bands positive is a stronger indication of infection; having them be VERY strongly positive is an even stronger indication of infection.  It's not like a +/- pregnancy test.  

I'd go with the doc on this, and try not to worry.  That he is doing this means he is being careful and bold at the same time.  That's a great combo in a Lyme doc.

Hang on!  You're moving in the right direction!  Keep us posted.