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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 17 Jan 2017
Question: Hi. I have posted some questions on here but am getting mixed results. I am 32m, suffering from facial numbess, body pins and tingles, dizzyness, trouble sleeping and a bunch of unexplained things. I saw a psychologist last week, and while i have some anxiety, he does not believe this is the reason for any of my symptoms. Past mris were clear, ruling out MS for now. Blood work shows nothing. The only possible clue i have is a lyme test from igenex, showing lyme exposure. This test is not cdc/fda approved. However we know fda/cdc been wrong on many things. I am not sure what to do. Test attached.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
EIA testing is the first one and than other tests to confirm Lyme disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for asking at HCM

I carefully read your question and understand your concern.

It is true that you have many symptoms that seem unrelated and this might confuse the medical providers to consider anxiety and depression as the cause for it. On the other hand LYME disease can cause non-related neurological symptoms due to affecting different non-related neurological structures at the same time.

The fact that the MRI was negative for MS or other abnormalities is very reassuring due to ruling out brain lesions that might cause the symptoms.

If we suspect that the symptoms you have might be due to Lyme disease than the serologic tests are needed.
The test you have done is IgG immunoblot that is actually done after the first test called EIA (elisa immuno assay) If EIA is done and is negative than there is no need for the immunoblot test. The major limitation of the immunoblot test (the one you had positive) is the high false positive results.

So to conclude I would say:
1. have EIA (elisa immuno assay) test done. If this is negative no more need for testing.
2. If EIA is positive than do the Immonblot test (westernblot test for IgM and IgG) and if EIA positive with westernblot positive for any of IgG or IgM than it is high chance you are having Lyme disease.
3. There are specific tests of the CSF (cerebro spinal fluid) in case the results are not clear yet.
4. If you have Lyme disease than the treatment would be with an antibiotic like doxycycline for 2-4 weeks.
5. If all tests come out negative than you will need to reconsider the diagnosis or anxiety and try to have a good medical care related to it.
6. some general blood tests like TSH, CBC, electrolytes, creatinine, and lipids and sugar levels might be good to be done if you have not had them done till now.

I hope this is helpful and answers to your question.

Kind regards,

DR Antoneta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: EIA testing is the first one and than other tests to confirm Lyme disease Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for asking at HCM I carefully read your question and understand your concern. It is true that you have many symptoms that seem unrelated and this might confuse the medical providers to consider anxiety and depression as the cause for it. On the other hand LYME disease can cause non-related neurological symptoms due to affecting different non-related neurological structures at the same time. The fact that the MRI was negative for MS or other abnormalities is very reassuring due to ruling out brain lesions that might cause the symptoms. If we suspect that the symptoms you have might be due to Lyme disease than the serologic tests are needed. The test you have done is IgG immunoblot that is actually done after the first test called EIA (elisa immuno assay) If EIA is done and is negative than there is no need for the immunoblot test. The major limitation of the immunoblot test (the one you had positive) is the high false positive results. So to conclude I would say: 1. have EIA (elisa immuno assay) test done. If this is negative no more need for testing. 2. If EIA is positive than do the Immonblot test (westernblot test for IgM and IgG) and if EIA positive with westernblot positive for any of IgG or IgM than it is high chance you are having Lyme disease. 3. There are specific tests of the CSF (cerebro spinal fluid) in case the results are not clear yet. 4. If you have Lyme disease than the treatment would be with an antibiotic like doxycycline for 2-4 weeks. 5. If all tests come out negative than you will need to reconsider the diagnosis or anxiety and try to have a good medical care related to it. 6. some general blood tests like TSH, CBC, electrolytes, creatinine, and lipids and sugar levels might be good to be done if you have not had them done till now. I hope this is helpful and answers to your question. Kind regards, DR Antoneta