Need Input on Drop in CD-57 Numbers

General
,
1

Hi Guys,

So, I'd like to ask your guys' opinion on something. I have been on treatments for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia for a year. I started out only on oral antibiotics and then added IV antibiotics to the regimen about 6 months ago. I had some labs done a couple weeks ago and I just got the results yesterday...it shows that my CD-57 is 11. These same labs were done in March of 2014 and my CD-57 was 29 at that point. I am really unnerved right now. I expected to see that number rise, not continue to drop. I won't see my Lyme doc until the end of the month and his office just told me to wait until then to discuss it with him.

I am nervous that my Lyme is still running uncontrolled (or worse, that there's another as of yet not found infection present). The specimens were collected at the same time of day so that didn't impact the numbers. If I was feeling better, I don't think that I'd be harping on these test results, but the thing is that I am not doing well at all...my physical & psychiatric symptoms are really quite bad. My Psych issues are to the point that I have to go to Residential Psychiatric Treatment. I have been struggling a lot the last 2 to 4 months. I know that with Lyme treatment it gets worse before it gets better, but it's been pretty ridiculous lately. I'm tired of having to deal with everything.

Have you guys experienced a drop in numbers like this? What could it mean? I really would appreciate any input or advice you guys might have to offer.

Thanks,

Megan

2

This study cast doubt on the CD57 test as a significant marker of lyme disease activity: http://cvi.asm.org/content/16/8/1249.full

See also more on this issue from this forum: http://www.lymeneteurope.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2607

Instead of focusing on the numbers, how are you feeling these days, Megan?

3

You need to get to a real doctor very quickly, The main reason for a drop like that is drug induced hemolytic anemia. There are variations of the disease and not all cases are full blown. What has happened is the large amount of excess antibiotics you have taken has caused your immune system to turn on itself and attack not only your white blood cells but at some point possibly your red blood cells as well. The liver is not far behind. mental illness is a common result. The process can be stopped but not always reversed.

I can not stress enough how serious this situation is. There has been more than one prosecution of "lyme doctors" for manslaughter.

The CD57 is anecdotal at the best in terms of meaning and specificity. It simply is a white blood count of a small subset of white blood cells. For the "lyme Doctors," it is voodoo science used to suck money out of your pocket. They may be sincere but they are believing and selling a lie. Please get yourself to a good hematologist and/or liver specialist before your lyme docs kill you. It may not be too late to fix the damage.