Posted by Cole_B on December 19, 2004, at 16:45:53
In reply to Re: Depression - Night and Day » Cole_B, posted by Phillipa on December 19, 2004, at 16:07:38
> When I see the infection control Md he runs a Western Blot Reflex, Lyme PCR, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Lyme AB, and complete blood profile, as well as ANA. The ANA is very elevated when the disease is very active. I've had Cerebral Spinal Fluid tested, and Brain MRI. I don't think they can detect where damage is done though. Do you know of a way? It sounds like you have done a lot of research or seen a lot of docs. I was first dx'd 7 years ago, but since I'm originally from Ct where it is extremely widespread I really don't know how long it has been. I never had a Bullseye rash that I'm aware of. Do you know of meds for anxiety/depression that are supposed to help? Oh, my spinal fluid was clear, and MRI then was negative. Just the lab work was positive. Thanks, Phillipa
The Bb PCR could theoretically be useful if it comes up positive, since that would be a sign of continuing infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Unfortunately PCR is a very low yield test in Lyme disease, because there are so few organisms involved. It is quite possible to have ongoing infection and a negative PCR, simply because there were no bacteria in the sample drawn.
There is a lot of controversy in Lyme over whether ongoing symptoms after "appropriate" treatment is due to ongoing infection or post-infectious immune processes. It's probably different things in different people; it is a very complicated infection.
As for psych meds, it's pretty much the usual suspects for anxiety and depression; there don't seem to be any particular psych meds for Lyme per se.
You don't say where you are geographically now. One useful test to assess the brain is SPECT, which looks at blood perfusion in the brain. Lyme patients tend to have moderate global hypoperfusion, a sign of either vasculitis or mild encephalitis. Columbia University has a good SPECT machine and a number of physicians (neuros and psychs) who know Lyme pretty well. If you Google "Lyme" and "Columbia," you will likely get some helpful info. Also, do a search on "Brian Fallon."
But still, SPECT is a pretty crude measurement. I mean, a positive finding is significant, but it won't be useful for pinpointing exact brain damage in a way that is likely to influence your therapy. If you have anxiety and/or depression, they have to be treated as such.
Wish I could give you something more definitive. (Wish I could give myself something more definitive!)
poster:Cole_B
thread:431351
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041217/msgs/431754.html