Thank You. There are so many blood test out there that don't give accurate results. My doctor refered to them as the poor man's blood test. After some research I asked him for certain blood test and he added a few. I tested positive for lupus I'm a little over the normal high for this test. I'm not sure what that means but will find out when I see my doctor. I don't understand why they still use these blood test if they know that they're not reliable. I think it stinks to know that we might have gotten better care if they did the blood test that are more reliable instead of waiting years and for us to have to be the ones to ask for these blood test.

Recommendations for Diagnostic Testing



For CFS/ME or FMS or autoimmune disease patients, The Institute for Molecular Medicine suggests the following lab tests (codes are CPT codes):

1. MycoplasmaTest Panel (CPT: 87798x3, 87581)-Mycoplasma species panel of 4 pathogenic mycoplasmas (M. fermentans, M. penumoniae, M. hominis, M. penetrans) by PCR. Alternatively, a Mycoplasma general (all species) test by Qualitative PCR can be substituted. Justification: Almost 60% of CFS/FMS and 50% of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune patients have one or more intracellular, systemic mycoplasmal infections similar to those found in a variety of chronic illnesses [Nicolson et al. Mycoplasmal infections in chronic illnesses: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Gulf War Illness, HIV-AIDS and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Medical Sentinel 1999; 5:172-176]. Ultrasensitive and ultraspecific mycoplasma tests can only be done by a small number of labs, most university or government labs that have been trained by us under a U.S. government contract. Specimen Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Plastic Tube (ACD solution A). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice or immediately stored in a refrigerator until it is shipped in a container containing some wet ice in a plastic bag by overnight air courier to arrive within 24 hours.

2. Chlamydia pneumoniae Test (CPT: 87486)-Chlamydia pneumoniae by Qualitative PCR. Justification: Many CFS, FMS, MS, RA and other patients have this systemic infection along with viral infection(s). We were among the few labs that developed the molecular tests that are now done for this type of infection. The other labs that use these procedures are university labs. Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Plastic Tube (ACD solution A). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice or immediately stored in a refrigerator until it is shipped in a container containing some wet ice in a plastic bag by overnight air courier to arrive within 24 hours.

3. Lyme Borrelia Test (CPT: 87476)-Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) by PCR. Justification: Many CFS, FMS and RA patients have this systemic infection (diagnosed as Lyme Disease) along with other infection(s). Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Lavender top Plastic Tube (EDTA). Specimen Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Plastic Tube (ACD solution A). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice or immediately stored in a refrigerator until it is shipped in a container containing some wet ice in a plastic bag by overnight air courier to arrive within 24 hours.

5. HHV-6 Test (CPT: 87532)-Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) test by Real-Time PCR. Justification: Many CFS and some FMS patients have this systemic viral infection, and it should be tested for in any autoimmune illness. Specimen Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Plastic Tube (ACD solution A). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice or immediately stored in a refrigerator until it is shipped in a container containing some wet ice in a plastic bag by overnight air courier to arrive within 24 hours.

6. CMV Test 07034 (CPT: 87496)-Cytomegalovirus (CMV) test by Qualitative PCR. Justification: Many CFS and FMS patients have this systemic viral infection, and it should be tested for in any autoimmune illness. Specimen Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Plastic Tube (ACD solution A). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice or immediately stored in a refrigerator until it is shipped in a container containing some wet ice in a plastic bag by overnight air courier to arrive within 24 hours.

For best price and highest quality I suggest that the above PCR specialty tests for CFS/FMS patients be ordered through Medical Diagnostics Laboratories, www.mdlab.com at 133 Gaither Drive Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 USA. Tel: 877-269-0090 (Sales). Order forms and additional information are available upon request or from their website: sales@MDLab.com. Tests must be ordered by a physician, and tests must be pre-paid or pre-approved by an insurance carrier (private insurance or Medicare, Medicaid or Medical). The Institute for Molecular Medicine website is www.immed.org. On this site you will find publications and documents on CFS/ME, FMS, autoimmune diseases and other chronic illnesses.

Prof. Garth Nicolson

President & Chief Scientific Officer,

The Institute for Molecular Medicine

thank you for your reply. I unfortuatly have been tested 4 times for lyme but think everyone with fibro should be tested to rule it out

I went to a reliable website and read the symptoms and I have virtually none of them. I don't see that it overlaps all that much with fibro, as fibro is muscular, and that is not the site of most Lyme (not Lymes) disease symptoms.

After reading the symptoms for the acute stage it's hard to see how anyone could have Lyme disease without knowing it, but I guess anything's possible.

I'll agree some symptoms are there, but fms has far more symptoms than lyme, I think most fms people have already explored that, if not, here's their chance.

YOu are very RIGHT! I read that over and over. Lymes disease... the "great imitator" symptoms overlap, especially with CFS.

I have been tested, and it came back positive for about 3 of the markers but not all... Dr. said I probably didnt have it, but if I did, the treatment isnt very successful.

Anyway- I could go on, but I think its good that you mention this- it just may help someone that has never heard of this.

Its really good to hear that someone is improving AND are actually finding the cause of their paticular problem!

That is so surprising. I know that I just had to be put on mrga dose of antibiotics and predisone because I have gotten worse. They said I got a virus out of the lake we went fishing in but th water looked so clean and pure. They said that FM has lower immune system so that is why I picked it up but not Mike. I took Ambien, Ambien CR and now I am trying Lunesta to try and sleep which I haven't done really in years!! Makes you wonder. I guess it is soemthing I will have to discuss with my DR again!!

Someone posted that FIBRO has more symptoms than Lyme. SO WRONG!!!!!! It mimics Fibro, CFS, LUPUS, THYROID DISEASES, , EBV, MS,and to many to list, which I was told by many doctors I had them all! Go to National Lyme Report.com to find a list of some of the symtoms. It affects everything from your muscles to your bones and every organ in your body if not caught like mine. It is nothing like fibro and has many more symptoms. And once again the test that most doctors give especially not a Lyme Literate doc is not relaible enough. You still only can have certain bands show up like me I don't have "all" bands but the ones I do have are only common in Lyme patients. I believe most doctors if they are'nt sure what you have then they call it Fibro because they really don;t have to explain it. The fibro doctor I saw for over 1 1/2 years told me there was no way mine was Lymes but he wasn't GOD. I said thats right My GOD is bigger than you but to appease me gave me antibiotics to take and when I asked the qualified Lymes doctor which I admit are few and far between if I would have taken the meds what would have happened and he said he would have put me in the hospital in very bad shape, so I still believe many fibro patients have Lymes. IGENEX.COM is the most reliable lab in the Country for diagnosing Lymes. If your doctor didn't send it there than you probably won't get an accurate reading anyway.
slrow

We have to question the accuracy of the blood test.

It probably wouldn't hurt to check out the labs reputation where the tests are being sent.

And our insurance should cover the more accurate test because there are so many posibilities for the causes of fibro

Sorry if this is a silly question but dont you have to have been bitten by a tick to get lymes?

Yep,, gotta be bitten by a tick.

NO YOU DO NOT have to be bitten by a tick! I have transmitted it to my daughter when she was in the womb, and my husband may have gotten it from me by being intimate. That is exactly what I am talking about when people give facts that are false! They are also thinking that mosquitoes are transmitting it to. Remember it is a blood pathogen. That is why it passes through the placenta barrier.
I am so tired of people giving false facts that know nothing on the subject especially doctors. The LLMD (Lyme Doc) I see in N.J. said that there are alot of people diagnosed with alot of other diseases that will die eventually from this because their doctors are treating them for the wron thing. That is how many diseases and even mental disorders this can mimic. So many people are being taught that 30 days of antibiotic treatment cures this. Wrong. How do you think I feel knowing I gave this ti my daughter who has no symptoms yet because she has been living with it for 16 years. I was 32 before I got so bad I couldn't move and I have been told I was bi-polar and put on all kinds of antiphsycotics and even had a hysterectomy I didn't need because They thought I had endo and my periods were so painfull I couldn't work. I finally had to quit my job that I love and had for 10 years because of this.
So excuse me when I see somebody giving fasle info. I posted this hoping it would help others who may have this and not known it.
Also how do you think that kids in the inner city was getting Lymes? Not by ticks off of deer because there are no deer. They were contracting it from rats. That is true because I saw the Johns Hopkins University doctor who discovered it was rats.
slrow

Okay... slrow, I'll bow to your expertise, if you'll concede others with fibro don't have lyme's disease. I do not need bulletins on my profile about it,, thank you.

To peppershaker, I only posted this because I thought it might help people who have not gotten any relief from being treated for Fibro and yes I have done my research on a very debilatating disease that can eventually paralyse and take your life! I have been battling this for 15 years and it has not been easy and If I can help one person that I did my job that God gave me!!!! You have no idea what I have been through and what this disease can do and that there is a large percentage of people with Lymes being treated as Fibro! Once again don't say something if you don't have the facts to back it up! It is people like you who apparently think they know everything!! And P.S. I don't want you bowing down to me for anything! The only one I bow down to is my Savior!!!! I will just stay on my Lymes sight from now on because aparrently you are the expert on this site and can direct people where they need to be!! If you take a look alot of others were very nice and respected me for giving another veiw on a debilitatig disease!
Sorry for those of you out there who have been good to me but I am taking my name off this group. Good luck to you all and may God see you through your health crisis. If you want to contact me I will be at the Lymes Support group where I am appreciated for having veiws!!!!!!
slrow

SLROW, GOOD TOPIC I THOUGHT! I TOO WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT CAME FROM TICKS, DEER TICKS BUT LIVING IN AZ I NEVER WORRIED ABOUT IT...YOU MAKE A GOOD ARGUEMENT AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!! THX FOR THE TOPIC!!