Best tests to diagnose Lyme??

Hi, I currently have a diagnosis of MS with 4 lesions on my brain and many neuro. symptoms. In '98 I tested positive for Lyme, was placed on 1 week IV antibiotics, then a confirming test showed I was negative.

2 years ago Western Blot test has 1.1 as a result(with <1.0 negative, 1.0-1.1 equivocal, and >1.1 positive)

I want to be retested, which test(s) would be best?
Thank you, Diana

Western Blot is the one commonly used !!!!!!!!!

Blood tests, also known as Lyme titers, cannot diagnose Lyme disease alone, but they are used to confirm a diagnosis. The most common blood test ordered for Lyme disease is the ELISA, with the western blot used as a follow-up test. The ELISA tests for antibodies, the body's defense system against infections; it does not test for the bacteria itself. These anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies may take up to 2 to 6 weeks after infection to appear in the blood. Therefore, a blood test immediately following a tick bite will not be able to determine whether or not a person has been infected since not enough time has passed for antibodies to develop.

Other bacterial infections and diseases may cause an ELISA to be positive when, in fact, the patient does not have Lyme disease. Therefore, the Western Blot, a more accurate test that can be used 6 to 12 weeks after infection, is recommended to confirm all positive or equivocal ELISA results. However, if symptoms and history strongly suggest Lyme disease, a doctor may begin treatment without blood test confirmation. Note that frequent testing without symptoms that suggest infection, even in endemic areas, increases the chance of a test result being positive when a person is not actually infected with Lyme disease.

Hi :

Your story sounds like me. I learned this from the Lyme ASSOC ,

For 4 weeks after exposure to the Lyme bacteria , your body will make antibodies to fight it off .Antibiotics can in some cases eradicate it if treated by a Lyme specialist . After this period your body stops creating the antibodies and the lyme goes into chronic infection and a test that is set to find the antibodies will always come back neg .The Lyme has become chronic and can harm you neurologically .

The only test in the chronic stage that will detect the Bactria is called a "western Blot "

This test detects the DNA of the bacteria that causes Lyme .You can go to a Lyme specialist ( cost you up the behind ) or call the lab and ask them to send you a full panel Lyme test that you can bring to your regular doctor . Instructions for your doctor come with the lab and it takes about two weeks to come back .. then you go to the web to learn how to read the western blot test .

Here is the labs site , email me if you need help walking through this and good luck
http://www.igenex.com/lymeset2.htm

Tests for Lyme are very unreliable and it is a clinically diagnosis.

If you were treated early with antibiotics, this has probably skewed you're antibodies to the bacteria, so you will probably test falsely negative, even if you have the bacteria.

Lyme can cause identicle lesions on the MRI scan to M.S, so it is VERY wise, in my opinion, to go and visit a Lyme-Literate medical doctor who can take you're history, symptoms and test results and make a clinically diagnosis if he needs to.
To find an LLMD (Lyme literate medical doctor) I suggest you visit Lymenet, it's a great support group with many thousands of sufferers: http://flash.lymenet.org/
They have a seeking a doctor section, just say where you are from and they will PM you some details of doctors nearest to you.

The best lab to be tested is Igenex in California: http://www.igenex.com/

They have the most experience and best tests available. If you see an LLMD, he or she can order the correct tests.

I can't stress to you enough how important this is, there is a good change you're M.S is caused by Lyme disease and/or coinfections, so go and get yourself to an LLMD!