Lyme-disease question

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Patty - 20 Jul 2007 04:36 GMT

Hello,

I have some symptoms of Lyme disease. My doctor has ordered me a test, and
I've posted the results here:

http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/7606/bb3sc1.jpg

It's been over a month since that test was ordered, and I still have
symptoms. I'm wondering, should I request additional testing now? The lab
report says the test should be "followed up", but I don't understand what
that means?

Thank you,
Patty

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Robert1 - 20 Jul 2007 07:48 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Thank you,
> Patty

It states on the report that it has a low negative predictive value
when it is negative and used in detecting an early infection.
The follow is a repeat test to check again to see if antibodies have
formed within that time.

The complete guidelines for lyme disease diagnosis and treatment are
posted at the CDC website.

Treatment is usually initiated when there is a high suspicion of
infection and not based on antibody testing for initiation of
antibiotic therapy. The obvious reason for that is the delay in
waiting for confirmation of seroconversion which can take weeks,
months for that to occur.

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David Rind - 21 Jul 2007 03:14 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Thank you,
> Patty

Tests for Lyme disease can be negative when performed soon after
infection. So a test done while somone has the rash of Lyme disease is
more often negative than positive.

We don't know why the doctor ordered the test, how long you were felt to
have been infected, or what symptoms you had, so there's no way to know
whether this test needs to be followed up with a repeat test. In most
people with symptoms that occur after the rash (such as neurologic
symptoms or arthritis), a single negative test is sufficient.

Signature

David Rind
drind@caregroup.harvard.edu

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Patty - 25 Jul 2007 05:16 GMT

>> Hello,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> people with symptoms that occur after the rash (such as neurologic
> symptoms or arthritis), a single negative test is sufficient.

I have had the symptoms for ten years:

fatigue
chills and fever (not so much anymore)
muscle and joint aches
swollen lymph nodes
severe headaches and neck stiffness
heart palpitations
pain that moves from joint to joint
intermittent bouts of arthritis
shooting pains
numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
problems with concentration and short term memory
muscle and joint pains
cognitive defects
sleep disturbance

Thank you,
Patty

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David Rind - 25 Jul 2007 11:14 GMT

>>>Hello,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> Thank you,
> Patty

When the lab wrote it's standard language that negative tests should be
followed up, they did not mean in people who had had symptoms for 10
years. They were giving a warning about recent infections.

Signature

David Rind
drind@caregroup.harvard.edu

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Patty - 25 Jul 2007 20:16 GMT

>>>>Hello,
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
> followed up, they did not mean in people who had had symptoms for 10
> years. They were giving a warning about recent infections.

My doctor had not bothered to explain that to me, even when I
asked her what my results meant. Thank you for clearing it up.

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Patty - 27 Jul 2007 01:03 GMT

>>>>Hello,
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> followed up, they did not mean in people who had had symptoms for 10
> years. They were giving a warning about recent infections.

Dear caregroup.harvard.edu,

Thanks again for clearing up the Lyme-test issue. Your reply was
uncommonly sensible; so now I'm wondering, can caregroup.harvard.edu offer
any defense for the perverted wording of the APA's DSM-IV-TR? For example
(though I find many more in the DSM-IV-TR), the perverted wordings
enumerated here:

http://www.domain357.info/DrDre.html

Can caregroup.harvard.edu offer any defense for the doctors who -- at the
disrespect of patients, veterans, taxpayers, the ideals of science,
justice, and common sense -- follow the APA's perverted advice?

What does caregroup.harvard.edu think is the expectable and culturally
sanctioned response of an Armed Citizenry abused and defrauded
(gigantically) by the American Psychiatric Association, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (including NIH and the CDC), and
various universities and hospitals, and certain State health departments,
and their collaborators?

Thank you once again,
Patty

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