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tested negative, then positive...

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 2/2/2009 8:49 AM (GMT -6)
I started abx in September, my doctor tested me again in November and it looked like the lyme was improving. I went off abx at the very end of December. I was feeling fine. I've been working out like crazy and feeling much better. Last week, my doctor wanted to do another blood test for lyme as a check up and also test me for co-infections (this was at my request). I tested negative for any co-infections but tested positive AGAIN for early lyme antibodies. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? He says this would say to him that either it's a false positive OR that I got re-infected (bitten again) sometime over the last 6 weeks. I haven't been walking outside AT ALL and when I am outside, it's cold so I'm all bundled up. I am going back in today to have the blood work re-done in case it was a false positive - but I am genuinely freaking out. I am working out hard 5 days a week, I feel OK, how could this happen again????!!!
Posted 2/2/2009 9:09 AM (GMT -6)
There are many more false negatives than false positives. Sounds like this doc is not very lyme literate. Be careful.......... if your symptoms return get the RIGHT treatment. Be sure it is long enough and strong enough.Blessings
Posted 2/2/2009 10:10 AM (GMT -6)
Even with sucessful treatment, the test may remain positive for a long time.
Posted 2/2/2009 10:26 AM (GMT -6)
Hi abanana07

did you have the Westernblot done with the Elisa to check the positive results? Your immune system could also have been to week to produce any antibodies when you got tested the first time. Was the igm positive or also the igg ?
Mineral brought it to the point recommending to be careful now and whatch out if any symtoms reoccur.
I hope and keep my fingers crossed that you will stay fine! dorit
Posted 2/2/2009 10:27 AM (GMT -6)
Yes - that's what I've been told. But my dr said that I tested positive for "early antibodies" which he said indicates a new infection. What exactly does this mean? Is it possible that "early antibodies" really aren't early at all? That it's just referring to antibodies in general?
Posted 2/2/2009 10:40 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Dorit -
My doctor just called with the results this morning so I'm not sure exactly what bands were positive. He always orders the western blot IgG and IgM. But I just never have heard anyone but my dr. talk about "early antibodies" so that's what I'm confused about. He said that "early antibodies" indicated a new infection. I tested positive in September, negative (but still a few positive bands) in December, and now positive again but I don't know on which bands. I really haven't had any symptoms lately - I've been at the gym 5 times a week trying to get my strength back after the last round of abx. I'm eating well and sleeping well and feeling OK overall. So I was pretty shocked with these results. I don't really understand... I don't know what bands or titers indicate early or acute lyme... does anyone know this so I can check my results to this information?
Posted 2/2/2009 12:46 PM (GMT -6)
Hi abanana07

may this "early antibody" comment refer to positive Igm? I only know that Igm is supposed to indicate an early stage and goes down later (if I remember it right that is because the spirocetes leave the blood and go into tissue, muscles etc but I am not sure if I got this corect) IgG goes up later and may remain positive for a long time;

May be you should get more detail on the results, which bands were positive, etc. Wath does your doc recommend to do now?
Please remember that with these testings everything seems to be possible and that therefore Lyme should be dxed by clinical symptoms;
trust your common senses if you feel good right now and do not panic; you might start feeling bad or ill just form being shocked and afraid!!
I feel with you!! keep us informed about more details of the test! dorit
Posted 2/2/2009 1:06 PM (GMT -6)
"IgM antibodies appear first and are followed by IgG and IgA. Levels of IgM (early) antibodies usually peak 3 to 6 weeks after infection. IgG antibodies appear somewhat later, becoming detectable several weeks after infection and continuing to develop for several months. The IgG antibodies generally persist for years."

I found this online - so yes, the IgM are the early antibodies. When I was first diagnosed, 2 of the 3 IgM bands were positive. In November they were all negative. Now 2 are positive again. So IgG antibodies can show up positive for a long time but IgM should not (this is just based on what I've read on the internet). This is why he thinks that i may have been re-infected. Although I think this is impossible since I'm never outside anymore.

Is there anythign else that a returning IgM band could signify?

Thanks for the encouragement Dorit!!! Sometimes it is really helpful just hearing the reassurance that clinical symptoms should be the better indicator.
Posted 2/2/2009 1:24 PM (GMT -6)

This is from the IgeneX website:

IgM Western Blot

"This test is a very sensitive indicator of exposure to B. burgdorferi. It may be positive as early as one week after a tick bite, and will usually remain positive for six to eight weeks after initial exposure. A positive IgM result with clinical history can indicate early Lyme disease, or even persistent infection in otherwise serologically negative individuals"

This is from the ILADS website:

"It must also be kept in mind that these antibody tests are not static but in fact change over time. Thus, a patient negative by the Western blot may seroconvert to a positive blot with treatment. Conversely, a patient positive for IgG response may develop another IgM response, suggestive of a recurrent infection. "

 

My interpretation:

 

If the IGM becomes positive, it could be due to the immune system recognizing the antigen again. If the organism was evading the immune system, there would be no IgM. When the immune system "sees" the bug again, after it comes out of it's "hiding" places, the body may make IgM and it will appear as a new infection, when, in reality, it is just a recurrence of the old infection.

 

~Kitty

Posted 2/2/2009 4:04 PM (GMT -6)
My 2 cents,

Keep the hope that it is a false positive. However, while you are waiting for test results, add any natural antibiotic's back into your mix.

These buggers go into dormancy and when they re-immerge, they appear to be new to your body. You could be flushing them out, right now, by working out. Keep doing what your doing and in addition, do natural antibiotics and also boost your arsenal with immune building supplements and herbs.

Good luck,

L J
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