Western Blot - Still confused - Lyme Disease Message Board

MajorCatasrophe · 10-20-2003, 12:24 PM

I just saw the neurologist on Friday. He was going to do a LP, but because I am basically symptom-free at the moment (except for the forever tingle in the left hand), he decided the LP would give not give him any definitive results so decided to wait (no argument from me!). He's still looking at MS and did an evoked potentials test. I asked him what the results were and he said they were good - then said that that told him nothing either (since when did passing a test not count for something?!).

He said the results from the Western Blot came back negative, but I keep seeing references on this list to Band 41. I asked for a copy of the report that he had and it shows p30, p41, and p45 as present*. The interpretive criteria says that FIVE (their emphasis) bands have to be positive to get a positive result. It says "Abnormal Flag Code: A" I guess to refer the * to that notation but I don't have that reference material. Could this be indicative of an old infection coming back to haunt?

He's referred me to another MS specialist for a second opinion. I asked him again why so many people are suddenly being diagnosed with MS (a coworker of my sister was diagnosed with MS last week in another part of the country) when you seldom heard of it before and he said it was because they have better diagnostics tools now - HA!

Okay, do these Western Blot results show something or am I still trying to find a zebra trotting by when common sense is saying it's a horse since we don't live in Africa? (doc's example not mine!) Personally I'm now starting to look for the mule.....

Thanks all for being here!

ticker · 11-05-2003, 11:41 AM

MajorCatasrophe many people who have Lyme do not test positive by CDC standards. Most Lyme doctors look at which bands show (not how many) because some are specific for Lyme.

The IgM Western Blot tests for a more recent infection and the IgG tests for a longer-standing infection. It is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. You have band 45 positive which can indicate having the co-infection Ehrlichiosis (there are two types). I had band 45 positive and have Ehrlichiosis.

Many people who have Lyme were first diagnosed with MS, ALS, Chronic Fatiuge, and/or Fibromyalgia. Lyme is known as the great imitator.

We may not live in Africa, but zebras abound here anyway! I think your doctor is barking up the wrong tree. Please get to a knowledgable doctor.