Is There a Definitive Test for Lyme Disease?

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Never saw tick, never saw a bullseye rash but overnight started with symptoms of stiff neck, dizziness, exercise intolerance, extreme fatique, muscle aches so bad it felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife. Just weeks prior to this extremely healthy.
First ELISA negative. Family doctor told me I did not have Lyme. Believed her...I also work in health care. Symptoms continue with second ELISA test few months later & a Western Blot which both were negative (did not show the bands on the report) Infectious disease doc said "At least you don't have Lyme". All lab tests normal other than sinus tachycardia and insiginificant T wave changes.
All this yet when I finally after months of symptoms got tetracycline I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. The antibiotic was hitting something bad. Yes, a "herx". I know that term now because I experienced it.
I am well now. If it was not for a doctor who was willing to do a clinical diagnosis I feel I wouldn't be here right now.
The current lyme tests are not accurate at least for the type of lyme strain or lyme-like bacterial illness that is out there right now. And it is epidemic.
Please start thinking outside the box.

Marie of NH 7:25AM January 11, 2010

The Column by Suzan Mazur
Margulis:Peer Review Or"Cycle of Submission"
The article by Mazur is revealing the ugly truth about science and Lyme Disease
Document:
Destruction of spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi round- body propagules (RBs) by the antibiotic Tigecycline.
PNAS blocking of Williamson and Lyme Disease papers and possible quasi-governmental involvement.When political pathogen infects the National Academy of Science of the United states of America we will all suffer.

Mary of CO 4:08PM January 10, 2010

I challenge this doctor, or any doctor, who thinks lyme disease tests are accurate to allow himself to be bitten by several ticks.
Since so few ticks carry lyme it would probably have to be, at least, 100 ticks to be sure he got lyme.
Then take the test. If the test says he doesn't have lyme then there is no point in treating him.
Works for me!
If you're so sure of the facts, why not?

m of CT 1:56PM January 10, 2010

I had heard great things about you, Dr. Arling, but my opinion has changed. Anyone that devotes about an hour of reserach to the topic knows that Lyme tests - including the Western Blot - are woefully inaccurate. Lyme is a Clinical Diagnosis, and thank goodness there are at least a handful of MDs in the DC area willing to make a clinical diagnosis of this most-awful illness. Read "Cure Unknown" by Pam Weintraub, and see the film, "Under Our Skin." Please. And, please stop spreading falsehoods about Lyme testing.

Helen of DC 12:10AM January 09, 2010

Hoping you can still go to the IDSA web site to listen and see the presenters.
Lots of info there.
Including both sides of the story. You can decide for yourself.

Katherine of AZ 9:14PM January 08, 2010

Get a grip on reality. If you want to give yourself three days of antibiotics and think you have prevented Lyme Disease, that's your business.
Stay out of my life if you want to ignore the facts!
ilads[dot]org
underourskin[dot]org

Lyme for Life of PA 4:50PM January 08, 2010

It seems those posting comments are far better informed than the doctor. Yes there are studies indicating that 6-weeks of one particular antibiotic does not resolve chronic Lyme. Show me a study that demonstrates that a carefully planned cycle of antibiotics for as long as it takes to resolve the symptoms doesn't work. Lyme patients are proof positive that antibiotics can be curative. An earlier post mentioned Amy Tan's struggle with Lyme. She has been on antibiotics for nearly 10 years, I think, and her symptoms return whenever she stops. [See "SLyme Disease" at www.amytan.net]
A elderly gentleman I know presented only with Parkinson's and was found to have acute Lyme disease as well as numerous antibodies for "an indeterminate time in the past." His mainstream doctors were willing to accept a diagnosis of Parkinson's as simply inevitable for many old folks. He is now reponding positively to antibiotic therapy.
An earlier post mentioned Igenex labs. Go to www.igenex.com There is also a lab in Maryland named Clongen. Before you accept a dead-end diagnosis, get yourself to a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor, or LLMD.

Genny of MD 4:44PM January 08, 2010

The ILAD's conference, Cure Unknown, Under Our Skin DVD, and web site are also other good sources of information.
We need more doctor's that are lyme literate. It takes a special person to treat lyme patients.

Katherine of AZ 3:52PM January 08, 2010

Dr. Arling,
Glad you are bringing the topic of lyme disease up. I thought I knew about lyme disease and that the medical field also knew about lyme disease.
I learned that most doctor's get one paragraph on it in med school.
I also learned that testing is inadequate and it is a clinical dx.
I recall hearing Amy Tan present in Sacramento. One of her statements was that she participated in giving her blood to 10 or 12 labs throughout the US. None of the labs came back with the same results. The results were all over the place.
It would help so much if we had better testing since I noticed the medical field seems to go by what is on the paper rather than the persons symptoms.
You might want to go to the Igenex web site and learn more. Or to the ILADS Web site.
Hopefully someone will come along with the exact URL or have all ready as my brain is not functioning right now well enough to find it for you.

Katherine of AZ 3:44PM January 08, 2010

It has been proven that the accuracy rate of Western Blot Igg and IGM is only at best 40% accurate. that is according to the CDC lastest reports! I question the validation of the rest of your article as well. Lyme is know to be associated WITH additional co-infections that ALSO have to be treated along with the Lyme.
This disease is very complex and attacks each person differently. That is why the medical professsional don't want a Lymie in their office... we aren't textbook cases. They actually have to work for their money to help us resume a "normal" lifestyle. They are afriad of the big guns within the ISDA and their friends at the insurance companies! Let the truth really be known.
Lyme is in the blood banks- proven. It is in our communities- even through doctors will tell you otherwise. Look at the CDC reports of tick infections... it's everywhere. You can get it from any ticks, horseflies and other biting insects. Any ingorant doctor who tells you otherwise...should "STUDY" this disease. Try actually try treating some of us with "Chronic Lyme". Then and only then... will you be able to see exactly what this disease does to a person.

fivegreightkids of FL 2:42PM January 08, 2010