CDC Positive Western Blot

I came home this past Wednesday from my second trip to San Francisco to see my LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor). She’s the one who gave me a clinical diagnosis for Lyme Disease four weeks ago.

During this visit I got my blood tests results back and I am VERY positive for Lyme Disease, even based on the ridiculously narrow CDC guidelines (for both past and present infection). You don’t need a positive antibody test to be diagnosed with Lyme (because Lyme is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and history, not lab results), but I feel vindicated to have it show up in labs.

I’m surprised by the fact that I’m still making the antibody after being sick for so long – it shows that my immune system is still trying to fend off the bug. I’m surprised because it’s more common for the immune system to just shut down so that no antibody is present (which is one of the reasons there are so many false negative Lyme Disease lab results).

I also tested positive for Bartonella (a common co-infection found in people who have Lyme). My LLMD suspects I have other co-infections as well, including Babiosis and Erlichiosis. In addition, she found two unrelated infections: H. Pylori (the bacteria that is related to ulcers), and shingles!

Next week I’ll start taking a combination of antibiotics and Prilosec to kill off the H. Pylori. Then I’ll continue with the antibiotics, which will hopefully knock out the Bartinella and other co-infections, as well as the Lyme bacteria.

The next confirmation of Lyme infection will be when I respond to the antibiotics, either by feeling better, or by experiencing a Jarisch-Herxheimer (or “Herx”) reaction. A Herx happens when the bacteria dies-off and releases poisons into the body, temporarily making symptoms worse. Oh joy. I may have a reaction either way immediately, or it could be months. I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I have a TER-rible cold, and I’m tracking my Lyme symptoms (there are 47 on my list), and reading, spinning, knitting, and writing when I have the energy.

I’ll try to post an update once per week, in case you want to check up on me. 😉