Eliza tests

[Rene Bodkin]

for 4 months I've been in really suffering with lots of back/spinal pain,
and light fevers, and most frighteningly, concentration problems, joint
and muscle pain. Sometimes I have slurring speech, which can date back
to the paralysis I had when I first got Lyme from a bug bite. Today I
got the results of my eliza test back, and only the borelliose values
were 'borderline', the rest negative. My doctor told me I probably have
just a spinal problem and that physical therapy will help. I really
don't believe this, in that the way I feel is the way I felt when I first
became sick. True, I had six spinal taps within eight weeks, and two of
those were everything BUT professionally done. It could very well be
that I have some damage that is coming late. On the other other hand,
am feeling very distrustful of what I should think Does anyone have any
suggestions about Elisa tests or information? Would be thankful for a
reply....

[Joel Feldman]

In <31A4FF...@computerhaus.at> Rene Bodkin <re...@computerhaus.at>
writes:

>reply....

Dear Rene;
Although it is impossible to determine whether your symptoms are caused
by Lyme over this newsgroup, (we can only speculate)it definitely
warrants further investigation.

The Elisa test measures specific antibodies which our bodies produce,
which are in response to antigens on the surface of the Borrelia
burgdorferi bacteria. There are a few difficulties with this test
as it relates to the diagnosis of Lyme disease. First, different labs
may have different criteria for what they consider borderline, or
positive. Sometimes the same blood samples have been sent to different
labs with different results. Also, there are different strains of
Borrelia, and the test can detect antibodies against one strain, and
not another. There are two kinds of antibodies to be tested here using
the Elisa (IGM which is the earliest antibody) and (IGG which is the
later antibody response.)Thus one can test positive on the IGM (like I
did) and not the IGG response. Many doctors do not think of ordering
both Elisa tests. In addition, many Lyme patients (even those who
actually pulled out a tick and developed a rash) do not test positive
because they do not make an adequate antibody response.

You did not say whether you ever have been treated with antibiotics.
Also it is unclear what you mean by your spinal taps not being
profesionally done. Even negative spinal taps are not always
justification to rule out Lyme. For instance, one could have a Lyme
infection which has not penetrated their central nervous system and the
spinal tap would be negative.

I recommend that you find a doctor who is well informed about the
diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Such a doctor will treat on
the basis of clinical symptoms if Lyme is suspected and will not base
their decision to treat on test results which are not trustworthy.
Sorry that there is no easy answer.

I hope this helps clarify. Let us know how you do.

Betsy Leib-Feldman MSW

[TheSuz41]

In article <31A4FF...@computerhaus.at>, Rene Bodkin
<re...@computerhaus.at> writes:

> True, I had six spinal taps within eight weeks

Who on earth would order/allow this excessiviness? Not to mention the
trauma to your body. WOW! If this was ordered by one doctor OR your
primary agreed with this.
Find another............ Please!!!!
Good luck and keep us posted.
Suz

[Joe Burke]

When I hear stories like this, it makes my head spin....

There is NO test that accurately diagnoses Lyme disease. NONE!!!!

Your physician to put it mildly is incompetent when it comes to
understanding Lyme, Lyme diagnostic tests, etc..

One does not make a Lyme diagnosis based on the results of the
tests. Studies have proven that they are no better than the flip of a
coin....

You can sure bet if it was his kid or himself who was
suffering what you were going thru, antibiotic would be given/taken
immediately...

The only way you can discount Lyme is if you are given
antibiotics for at 2 months and experience no improvement in your
symptoms...

Take a plane to NJ or NY and go see Dr. Drulle, Dr.
Buonicontro, Dr. DeMarco, Dr. Lionetti, Dr. Burrascano... etc...

DOn't sit on this.....the longer you wait the worse you
will get.....
also send an e-mail to Phyllis maybe she knows somone
in your area that's competent in treating Lyme...

Most docs aren't...... JOE