How Long For Test Results For

[ptkds]

I went to see my PCP on friday cuz I have been suffering from joint achiness in the morning, severe fatigue, etc. He is testing my for Lupus, RA, and Fibro. I am really scared it is Lupus because I have lots of symptoms. Anyway, they did the bloodwork on Friday, so when will they be back? I just didn't know if they would be back pretty quick, or if I am in for a long wait.

Thanks!

ptkds

[happygirl]

To my knowledge, there isn't a blood test for fibromyalgia...it is dx'ed after ruling out other things (like lupus, ra, ms, etc) and a physical exam, tender points, etc.

It depends on who does the bloodwork...do they use an outside lab (like LabCorp, Quest, etc.) or if they do it themselves.

Are they calling you with results (and if so, do they only call if positive, or do they call if its negative, also) or will you be informed at your next appointment?

Might be worth it to call and clarify the above points.

Best of luck and I hope you find some answers.

[Rachel--24]

You might want to consider a Lyme test as well. All of those conditions are frequently confused with Lyme and misdiagnoses are common.

The standard labs are unreliable...Igenex has a higher sensitivity and more reliable results.

You can read more about this lab and Lyme testing in my posts on the recent Fibromyalgia thread in this forum.

Good luck!!

[ptkds]

  Rachel--24 said:

You might want to consider a Lyme test as well. All of those conditions are frequently confused with Lyme and misdiagnoses are common.

The standard labs are unreliable...Igenex has a higher sensitivity and more reliable results.

You can read more about this lab and Lyme testing in my posts on the recent Fibromyalgia thread in this forum.

Good luck!!

Don't I have to be bitten by a tick to get Lyme? Or is there some other way to get it. I KNOW I have NEVER had a tick on me. So I have never really considered Lyme becaus of that.

Thanks!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

When I was tested for Lupus and RA, it took nearly 2 weeks to get the results, but I don't know if that was just red tape or if the test really took that long.

I would consider Lyme as well. Most who test positive for Lyme do not recall a tick anywhere near them, and it does masquerade as nearly everything you can think of, including RA, lupus, and MS. Also, doctors are notoriously uneducated about Lyme--you would need to find a "Lyme-literate" doctor. You can do a Lyme search on this board and also check out Lymenet for more info, but Rachel here is probably the most well-researched source you will find!

[Rachel--24]

  ptkds said:

Don't I have to be bitten by a tick to get Lyme? Or is there some other way to get it. I KNOW I have NEVER had a tick on me. So I have never really considered Lyme becaus of that.

Thanks!

I actually never saw a tick on me either. I didnt even know what they looked like!

I do have Lyme and one co-infection (that we know of at this time).

In getting tested for all of the possible contributers...these things came up but dont seem to be the primary cause of my symptoms. I dont have the RA, Lupus, or Fibro type symptoms....although I was tested for those things early on. I was NOT tested for Lyme even though I requested it at that time. I was denied the testing.

I later switched insurance...left my HMO and went to better Dr.'s. In the first 10 minutes spent with my new Dr. he asked if I'd been tested for Lyme....I told him I had not and he had the nurses draw blood to be sent to Igenex that same day.

Alot of people with Lyme were never aware of having been exposed. Its something like 30% of infected people that actually had a rash and were aware of the bite.

I did have Fibro symptoms early on but they improved with diet changes as well as avoidance of chemicals.

My symptoms were brought on by heavy metals and fungal issues....Lyme is somewhere in the mix and its being treated so that it does not get out of hand as my immune system is quite overwhelmed right now.

Many people who have been exposed to Lyme are asymptomatic but those who are having symptoms of chronic illness should be tested....especially since Lyme does mimick (or cause) Fibro, RA, Lupus, MS, CFS, etc.

  Quote

Lyme has been identified in medical journals as a probable cause of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer

[Fiddle-Faddle]

  Rachel--24 said:

Many people who have been exposed to Lyme are asymptomatic but those who are having symptoms of chronic illness should be tested....especially since Lyme does mimick (or cause) Fibro, RA, Lupus, MS, CFS, etc.

Question: I suppose asymptomatic people don't get tested--but if they are asymptomatic, should they be treated? I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but Peter Duesberg has proven that AIDS deaths were caused not by the AIDS virus, but by AZT, which means that not all infections necessarily need to be treated. But do we know that people can remain symptom-free from Lyme but still be infected?

Sorry, I'm tired--I know I'm not being very clear here...

[Rachel--24]

  Fiddle-Faddle said:

Question: I suppose asymptomatic people don't get tested--but if they are asymptomatic, should they be treated? I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but Peter Duesberg has proven that AIDS deaths were caused not by the AIDS virus, but by AZT, which means that not all infections necessarily need to be treated. But do we know that people can remain symptom-free from Lyme but still be infected?

Sorry, I'm tired--I know I'm not being very clear here...

I dont believe an asymptomatic person needs treatment....if they are not sick it means that their immune system is doing a good job of keeping it under control. Of course that can change over time....especially while a person is under stress or aquiring additional infections or toxins.

Personally, I dont think its necessary to treat in the absence of symptoms since some people *can* remain symptom-free while infected. Everything depends on the state of the immune system.

To me the biggest concern in not treating would be the possibility of a mother passing it on to her child....which is not uncommon and the majority of ASD kids test positive for Lyme.

But yeah....people who are not symptomatic have no reason to be tested. Not all of the moms are asymptomatic....many have autoimmune diseases, Fibro, etc. They just arent aware that they also have Lyme.