u/DMarieHeins

I originally got Lyme about 10 years ago (tested positive through Igenex), but at that time, Babesia and Bartonella both came back negative.

I recently had a newer co-infection panel through Igenex, and my results were:
- Babesia IGM = Negative
- Babesia spp. IGG = Positive

**-Bartonella spp. IGM = IND (**note is "detected only 1 Bartonella genus or species-specific antibody)
-Bartonella IGG = Negative

I never knew I had Babesia until this recent test and have never treated for it. Does the IGG Positive just mean that I've had it but because it's been there so long, it's not IGM? I still have symptoms and we never really treated it so I'm thinking I still have it?

My biggest question is on Bartonella. Suddenly, 10 years after being diagnosed and testing negative for Bartonella, I'm showing an "IND" on IGM, but negative on IGG. First of all, I don't understand the IND results. If they suspected 1 genus/antibody, wouldn't that technically mean I have something? Even though they require detecting 2 in order to call it a positive?

And why after all this time would that show up as IGM instead of IGG?

I'm so bad at this stuff, so any input would be greatly appreciated! :)

I’m new to learning about this stuff but I’d like to get tested for this. I think I’d rather buy a kit that isn’t Ancestry.com or anything like that.

I’ve seen some other kits online. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good one and what exactly I need to make sure it includes in the test?

Thanks!

I started with a new LLMD almost 2 years ago (I had already previously tested positive for Lyme with Igenex). At my first appointment with this new doctor, she had me test for co-infections through Igenex, which came back positive for Babesia and IND for Bartonella (negative for the other infections listed).

Long story short, I took a break from treating (barely treated) and had an appointment with her today to start back up. She told me I needed to have ALL of my Igenex tests re-run (Lyme AND all the co-infections). She doesn't want to prescribe medication again until she sees new Igenex results. She made a comment about "maybe Babesia will come back negative and show that you cleared it and it's not an issue".

Based on what I know (or think I know), this feels off to me. 2 years ago I tested positive, we BARELY did any treatment, and none of my symptoms are gone. Should I really have to re-test for all of this even though we have all my previous test results? I'm just confused and not feeling very confident in this plan.

I can understand doing other lab work for other stuff, but why should we have to check for Lyme & Co again and not just treat clinically and based on what my tests already show?

She said "if the test doesn't pick it up, it's probably not a problem anymore". She also said it can tell us if I have an "active or inactive" infection (which I know about IGM and IGG) but she acted like if it is inactive, we don't need to treat.

This doesn't feel right to me. Any thoughts?

Hi Everyone. I've seen anxiety listed as a symptom of Lyme and co-infections, but I'm trying to figure out if mine could be related. I tested positive for Lyme and Babesia and tested "IND" for Bartonella (though my doctor clinically diagnosed me with Bart). I've had the infections for a while and haven't been great with treatment but am going to start up again and be better about it.

Before I got sick, I had mild anxiety (very manageable). Ever since getting sick though, the anxiety has been at an extremely different level. The thing is, I can go a long time without being anxious at all, but then something in my life will happen that scares me and the anxiety/fear comes with a vengeance – way more intense than it should be, uncontrollable, 24/7 for months sometimes. Even when the actual "trigger" that set me off kind of goes away or shouldn't be causing me concern anymore. It's like once it's triggered, it's stuck and can take months and months to go away and nothing specific helps. This has only started happening since Lyme.

Does this happen to anyone else? I have an appt with my LLMD coming up and I'll talk to her about it. I just never connected this with Lyme before but the more I think about it, the more it might make sense.

I'd really love to hear other people's experiences if they are anything like mine.

Hi all – my dr. just prescribed me Gabapentin yesterday to help with anxiety. I've only taken one pill last night and one this morning. How is this supposed to work (regarding timing)? I've seen so many different things. Some say all their anxiety was gone right after one pill, some say it helped after a few days of taking, some info says weeks. Which is it? Just different based on the person? I do notice it making me feel a little weird/spacey...but no anxiety effect yet.

Any experiences appreciated.