testing while taking antibiotics?

[hypermom]

Hi. I've had many symptoms for years now. At one point, a doc ordered a Lyme's test. It was negative, but I was taking doxycycllin (sp?) when they drew my blood. Would that affect the test results by any chance?

I did test "low positive" for Rocky mountain spotted fever, but my regular doc and an infectious disease doc both said that it couldn't be RMSF because the results would be higher...so I wonder why they even have "low positive" as a result since only "high positive" counts?:rolleyes:

Anyway, my doc is going to be running some labs on me to try to figure out what is going on. I was just wondering if maybe I should ask her to retest me for Lymes.

[tmptmp]

If memory serves, Lyme testing should not be done
while on antibiotics. Best check with your doctor
to find exactly out how long you should be antibibic
free before the test.

[Erin]

I've been reading that it's 4-6 weeks.

I was going to get tested for co-infections this week...but the bacteria in my body had other ideas...I got a visit from the UTI/Bladder/Possible Kidney Infection Troll, and he brought his friends...the Yeastie Beasties with him.

I had a gross disgusting weekend.


Sorry if I gave out too much information.

Do the lyme bacterias have anything to do with a lot of recurrent UTI's?


I just hope I can get my body back to having the useful bacterias and yeasts long enough to get the antibiotics out of my system to get a co-infection test done. Seems like everytime I want to get tested, I get a bacterial infection. Maybe I do have lyme, and the little spirochetes are trying to keep me from getting diagnosed?

[Buttons2]

First to answer your question,being on anti-biotics when the first test was done would have suppressed the bugs-somewhat.

I'd try to have my system free of vits/herbs/any drugs you can do without for a day or so,so your blood will be a clean as possible for the tests.

Are you gonna go through Igenex? Test for co-infections? You might want to consider doing all the tests possible & get it over with.

I have to admit I can't understand the low-positive stuff myself,seems to me if any amount shows up it must be in your system right? I figure they just want to appear to know it all,and never forget they don't like to answer questions that might put a dent in their ego!

Also make sure the blood draw is early in the week!

Good luck,Buttons

[Buttons2]

Erin you must have been typing right when I was!

About the UTI's yes I'd say these are buggie attacks,and what has the doc said about diet? Are you staying away from all yeast? Drinking cranberry juice? Drinking lots of water?

Have you been on the anti-biotics long enough to have a Herx yet? I hope you are keeping a journal of daily symptoms,it just might come in very handy!

Also, keep in mind that some vits have yeast in them! going yeast free isn't an easy thing to do but I suggest to make every effort cause a yeast infection can mimmick Lyme symptoms also!

Buttons

[blimeyitslymie]

WE should all be taking probiotics daily ... putting back the good flora in our intestines. They can be purchased at health food stores, whole foods, etc. The refridgerated types seem to have the most live probiotics. Make sure it includes more than just acidopholus.

Also plain yogurt; plain kefir can be bought from supermarket. Stay away from alcohol and sugars.

So hard to do. Good luck.

[lymebytes]

Hi hypermom. I am sorry you have been sick for so long.

What Lyme test did you have done? It is my understanding that the ELISA or titer is the least reliable test and the one most doctors run first. No test is completely reliable, and results can vary by lab.

I cannot understand why they are not treating you when you had a positive RMSF test. This makes no sense to me.

When Lyme disease is a possibility, it is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols. No test is completely reliable, and results can vary by lab. Lyme needs continuous, aggressive treatment.

Besides Lyme, ticks can also transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, two types of Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected. It may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA.

If you need a doctor recommendation, you can send me a private message or email me at ko_@bellsouth.net

It is also important to learn as much as possible. I recommend reading Dr. Joseph Burrascano's 2005 Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines For Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses at http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_0905.html He is one of the top Lyme doctors in the country, and many Lyme doctors follow his protocols. I also recommend the book "Everything You Need To Know About Lyme Disease (2nd edition)" by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner.

[hypermom]

Thanks everyone! The docs here are pretty ignorant about Lymes. Evidentally they think there is a sign right outside of town that inform the infected tics to turn around and leave LOL Seriously...they act as if it doesn't exist here! I live in West TX. The last couple of years, there have been warnings in the newspaper each summer warning everyone that "tic fever" is killing dogs around here...ummm, ok...so these tics don't get on people, or what???:rolleyes: Whatever!

I don't know what test I had done. Maybe a titer? Not sure, it was too long ago...back when I still thought docs were smart:p

Thanks for your help everyone! I will request another test! Western blot, right?

The reason I was on antibiotics when I had the 1st test ran was because the glands in my neck were HUGE! The doc I saw said the only times she had ever seen lymph glands swollen that larger were with one patient w/lymphoma, and another w/a "vector" disease. That's why she tested me for all of that...I guess she tried, but I wish she had known better than to give me the antibiotics AFTER they drew the blood!

[Buttons2]

OK, let me say this in defense of your doctor ( a rare statement from me I assure you!). She most likely put you on the anti-biotics over alarm with seeing the swollen glands,her first inclination was to go after the swelling.

Lymph glands being swollen is a symptom of Lyme.

You said this was many years ago? Are you aware the buggies can be dormant for years? And if you think back real hard (assuming you have your memory intact), you just might be able to connect the dots on issues over the years that perhaps seemed benign at the time. Pain here & there,issues that came & went,vague discomfort that you just learned to deal with,etc.

Sometimes Lyme rears up after a trauma,surgery,etc. And of course people do not build up an immunity! You can be reinfected over & over!

Now, my brain works on half speed but I think there's a critter called the Lone Star Tick in Texas? Maybe someone here is from TX & can join in?

I suggest you get informed of tests,send to Igenex for the kit,have your current doc draw the blood,then get a referral to a LLMD close to you. Unless your current doc is willing to risk her license to help you that is (and has a strong desire to get educated about Lyme & co-infections).

And pay attention to the advice we keep throwing out to Erin about low carb diet,no sugar,alcohol and drinking plenty of water to flush toxins.

good luck,Buttons

[Erin]

And pay attention to the advice we keep throwing out to Erin about low carb diet,no sugar,alcohol and drinking plenty of water to flush toxins.



Too bad the only bit of advice that I've managed to actually take is the drinking water. I love chocolate so much that it's really hard to quit that cold turkey.

as for the swollen glands symptom...I've had swollen glands in my neck for years! (at least since I had mono in 96) They've been swollen a lot the past week or two too.

[Sonsie]

Lyme testing should not be done while on antibiotics.
My LLMD never has me stop treatment to get tested. But, by all means, verify instructions for your testing with your LLMD.

[lymebytes]

Hi hypermom. There is a lot of Lyme disease in Texas. A senator there got Lyme a few years back and tried to pass legislation regarding treatment.

Lyme and the co-infection Bartonella can cause swollen glands.

Getting a Western Blot would be a starting place, but it would be best to be tested at a Lyme lab such as IgeneX.