Mycoplasma testing

[Guest guest]

I was a patient of Dr. Ferre's and they sent the blood

to Immuonscience Lab. My insurance did cover it. If

you have a doctor willing to work with you, you can

always have them send it to the lab. You can also

contact the lab for a doctor referral in your area.

_________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Mycoplasma testing does not have high reliability -- often 3-4 tests

are required to get the first positive results, at least according to

the Mycoplasma registry folks.

Because of the wide variety and number of bacterias that can all

induce similar symptoms, I personally favor the testing by herxheimer

reaction (Jadin deem it a good prognostic). The gotcha is that some

species are resistant to some antibiotics.... hence is you are doing

a mono-antibiotic routine than testing is almost required... but if

you are doing a rotating antibiotic routine then the issue disappears.

Ken

>

> Steve and others,

> Two years ago I tested positive for mycoplasma arthrititis with

> the lab in Melbourne.

> Recently I decided to re test myself because I was getting closer

> to making a decision to start a trial with antibiotics.

> This time around the test came back negative?I have not used any

> antibiotic regime for the treatment of mycoplasma.

> What to make of this?Is it possible the first result was a false

> positive?

> I can't say there has been any improvement in my health.

> Feedback appreciated,cheers R

[Guest guest]

To mjenny and the group,

I don't believe that Great Smokies does any testing for mycoplasmas.

That test is a blood test. The testing from Great Smokies Lab is

on stool samples. They are testing for a different type of pathogenic

bacteria or pathogenic yeast found in the intestinal tract--not mycoplasmas.

There are several types of infections found in the intestines (and also

some types of urinary infections) that are associated with joint inflammation

and arthritis. Most of these infections do not respond to the tetracycline

family of drugs. They also tend to be difficult to clear up and need

longer term treatment than the usual type of infection, but they require

an additional antibiotic. The process whereby an autoimmune response

attacks the proteins in the collagen of joint tissue is called micro mirroring,

and it is caused by the incredible similarity between certain body tissues

and the surface protein of the offending bacteria. The studies that

I have read have been conducted to find a cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis

and Rheumatoid Arthritis, but there is speculation that a similar process

is involved in other autoimmune diseases that attack different parts of

the body. Therefore I strongly encourage everyone to get tested.

If you have been on antibiotics for a while and you still continue to experience

flares or you feel that your progress has discontinued, it may be that

there is an additional infection that is not being treated. It can

also be due to Candida overgrowth, which can cause a host of problems in

the body including joint inflammation. Some of the drugs given to

treat Candida are toxic to the liver, so you don't want to use them unless

you have positive proof of yeast overgrowth and you have run out of alternatives.

The Great Smokies Lab tests not only determine exactly what strain of bacteria

or yeast is present, but they can run sensitivity tests to determine how

best to treat it. My son's doctor runs tests for both Mycoplasmas

and intestinal infections before she begins treatment. She made him

stop using antibiotics for two weeks before he did the stool analysis.

In his case, the combination of antibiotics is working. In just

a month he started getting very positive results. However, his doctor

doesn't exactly follow the protocol. I think she has essentially

designed a protocol specific to the patient and based on his individual

test results. She also treats for Leaky Gut Syndrom and believes that you

cannot have a lasting cure from antibiotics unless you also treat for LGS.

In fact, she actually feels that long term treatment with antibiotics is

dangerous unless you also treat for LGS. If you didn't have a leaky

gut to begin with, you are just about guaranteed to have one in time with

prolonged use of antibiotics unless you treat it simultaneously.

LGS will cause serious immune system problems. It's like opening

Pandora's Box directly into your bloodstream with many of the nasty toxic

and infectious substances that exist in human feces pouring in. The

walls of your intestines are your first line of defense and your immune

system is the second line of defense to attack anything that gets through.

If you open the doors of toxic infection with LGS you will exhaust the

immune system and also create circumstances for more potential autoimmune

responses.

There's one other added benefit to treating LGS, and that is that some

of the supplements taken for LGS also reduce inflammation. You are

treating both simultaneously and getting double the benefit. One

of the other AP doctors I've read about on the internet, also recommends

to his patients to take high doses of MaxEPA and GLA (I believe he uses

Evening Primrose Oil for GLA), and he has noted that they have faster and

better progress than the ones who don't take those supplements. These

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are an important part of treating LGS because

they help to produce and repair the mucosa lining of the intestinal walls,

and they are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. I

mention this here, because I also feel this may be responsible for the

quick improvement that my son is experiencing on AP. The other reason

might be that his symptoms showed up less than a year before he began AP

treatment, but still I want to share whatever I can with you.

Regards to all,

mjenny0101@... wrote:

Would someone please post the info on how to

get the mycoplasma testing kit

from Great Smokes Lab? It was posted recently but I didn't

save the e-mail.

Thanx.

To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Dear Judy,

Sorry for the confusion. MaxEPA is a product you can find in the health food

store. There are other similar products such as Omega-3 Fish Oil, Salmon Oil,

etc. These are all rich in essential Omega-3 fatty acids (You don't want

Omega-6) that are used to synthesize certain prostaglandins that are essential

to

body health. GLA is Gamma Linolenic Acid also used to synthesize the right

protaglandins. It is found in Evening Primrose Oil, Black Current Oil, and

Borage Oil. I personally, don't like Borage Oil because I experience side

effects with it, but the other two are great. Flax seed oil also has a high

level of Omega-3s and is wonderful. There are different types of

prostaglandins,

some which cause inflammation and others which reduce it. Most NSAIDs will

inhibit both kinds simultaneously.

The good prostaglandins create the mucosa lining to protect the stomach and

intestinal tract. That's why so many people who take NSAIDs for a long time

develop ulcers. They also causes leaky gut syndrom (which gets far less

attention because there are no painful symptoms unless you develop something

like

collitis.) A while back I printed a list of the worst NSAIDs for developing

ulcers in order of rank. I believe the same ones that cause ulcers will

contribute heavily to LGS because of the effect on the mucosa lining. Take a

look at some of those old posts if you are currently on NSAIDs, because changing

to a less harmful one might be a good move. Celebrex and Vioxx are the least

offensive. It's best to wean yourself off of the NSAIDs as quickly as you can.

As soon as you start getting good results from the AP, start reducing the

NSAIDs. In the beginning you need them to control pain, but they are actually

contributing to and prolonging the arthritic condition. (See my previous posts

on LGS and NSAIDs.)

To combat LGS and reduce inflammation you need a lot of Omega-3 fatty acids.

The

articles on LGS recommend that you simultaneously cut down on the " bad " types of

oils that you regularly ingest while supplementing with the good ones. The bad

include saturated fats, oils that are heated to high temperatures, and

hydrogenated oils like you find in margarine. So avoiding fried foods is a good

idea to get around the high temperature problem.

The quantity of Omega-3's can be experimented with. My son is currently taking

8

1000mg fish oil caps, 4 500mg EPO's (Evening primrose oil), and 4 tablespoons of

flax seed oil daily.

Hope this helps,

Tooshooze@... wrote:

> Hi,

> What are maxEPA and GLA. When abbreviated only I get lost. Duh. Sorry. I

> found this so interesting but don't fully understand. Thank you and

> blessings. Judy.

[Guest guest]

What is your son taking for LGS?

Re: rheumatic Mycoplasma Testing

To mjenny and the group, I don't believe that Great Smokies does any testing for mycoplasmas. That test is a blood test. The testing from Great Smokies Lab is on stool samples. They are testing for a different type of pathogenic bacteria or pathogenic yeast found in the intestinal tract--not mycoplasmas. There are several types of infections found in the intestines (and also some types of urinary infections) that are associated with joint inflammation and arthritis. Most of these infections do not respond to the tetracycline family of drugs. They also tend to be difficult to clear up and need longer term treatment than the usual type of infection, but they require an additional antibiotic. The process whereby an autoimmune response attacks the proteins in the collagen of joint tissue is called micro mirroring, and it is caused by the incredible similarity between certain body tissues and the surface protein of the offending bacteria. The studies that I have read have been conducted to find a cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, but there is speculation that a similar process is involved in other autoimmune diseases that attack different parts of the body. Therefore I strongly encourage everyone to get tested. If you have been on antibiotics for a while and you still continue to experience flares or you feel that your progress has discontinued, it may be that there is an additional infection that is not being treated. It can also be due to Candida overgrowth, which can cause a host of problems in the body including joint inflammation. Some of the drugs given to treat Candida are toxic to the liver, so you don't want to use them unless you have positive proof of yeast overgrowth and you have run out of alternatives. The Great Smokies Lab tests not only determine exactly what strain of bacteria or yeast is present, but they can run sensitivity tests to determine how best to treat it. My son's doctor runs tests for both Mycoplasmas and intestinal infections before she begins treatment. She made him stop using antibiotics for two weeks before he did the stool analysis. In his case, the combination of antibiotics is working. In just a month he started getting very positive results. However, his doctor doesn't exactly follow the protocol. I think she has essentially designed a protocol specific to the patient and based on his individual test results. She also treats for Leaky Gut Syndrom and believes that you cannot have a lasting cure from antibiotics unless you also treat for LGS. In fact, she actually feels that long term treatment with antibiotics is dangerous unless you also treat for LGS. If you didn't have a leaky gut to begin with, you are just about guaranteed to have one in time with prolonged use of antibiotics unless you treat it simultaneously. LGS will cause serious immune system problems. It's like opening Pandora's Box directly into your bloodstream with many of the nasty toxic and infectious substances that exist in human feces pouring in. The walls of your intestines are your first line of defense and your immune system is the second line of defense to attack anything that gets through. If you open the doors of toxic infection with LGS you will exhaust the immune system and also create circumstances for more potential autoimmune responses. There's one other added benefit to treating LGS, and that is that some of the supplements taken for LGS also reduce inflammation. You are treating both simultaneously and getting double the benefit. One of the other AP doctors I've read about on the internet, also recommends to his patients to take high doses of MaxEPA and GLA (I believe he uses Evening Primrose Oil for GLA), and he has noted that they have faster and better progress than the ones who don't take those supplements. These Omega-3 essential fatty acids are an important part of treating LGS because they help to produce and repair the mucosa lining of the intestinal walls, and they are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. I mention this here, because I also feel this may be responsible for the quick improvement that my son is experiencing on AP. The other reason might be that his symptoms showed up less than a year before he began AP treatment, but still I want to share whatever I can with you. Regards to all, mjenny0101@... wrote: Would someone please post the info on how to get the mycoplasma testing kit from Great Smokes Lab? It was posted recently but I didn't save the e-mail. Thanx. To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Dear Agnes,

That's right, I forgot--our doctor did order the test kit. She also made us

the offer to let us pay Great Smokies directly without going through her

office bookkeeping so we could get the discount from the lab and also save

their office surcharge. The test cost $132 and the additional sensitivity

tests were billed to me directly at $20. This was all out of pocket

expense, but to me it was the wisest money spent in treatment of this

disease. We also paid for a mycoplasma test, which was more expensive and

totally inconclusive. My son tested negative for mycoplasmas, but a lot of

people test negative and then positive later. We decided to treat for

mycoplasma regardless of the test results. The tetracycline family of

antibiotics have additional properties in their ability to protect collagen

and joint tissue. The Mayo Clinic and other sources have named Minocin as a

DMARD for its ability to prevent joint degeneration. Even with no positive

indication of mycoplasma I wouldn't give up on traditional AP.

However the positive test results for LGS and for other causes of

inflammatory conditions has given us a second line of attack. My son tested

low, 1+ for candida yeast and 1 other yeast strain. Knowing that he would

be on long term antibiotics, and that this could potentially turn into a

serious yeast overgrowth problem, he was first given Florastor, which is a

beneficial yeast that counters the bad ones and survives an antibiotic

environment. He also took a probiotic. Then when he started taking Cipro

for the bacterial infection in his intestine, he switched to grapefruit seed

extract, because it was doubtful that probiotics could be effective in that

kind of environment. This should keep the yeast at bay for a while. If he

had started out with a higher count, his doctor would have prescribed

something more aggressive. Diet, also is a major controlling factor with

yeast. Regardless of what treatment you choose, you should probably also

consider diet modification to go along with it.

Just one more thought about going to a GP who is not really knowlegable

about antibiotic protocol. If a bacterial infection shows up on your test,

they may not realize that a long course of antibiotics is needed to treat

what may seem like a normal infection. Treating this type of infection is

similar to treating TB, where it takes 9 months to a year to completely wipe

it out, sometimes longer. TB can also cause joint inflammation and there is

an arthritic condition associated with TB, incidentally. Lymes disease is

another example of an infection that causes joint inflammation and takes a

long course of antibiotics to cure. There's another example, but it's not

quite as close--My sister-in-law had Rheumatic Fever when she was a child

and she took antibiotics for 5 years after that. If the Rheumatic Fever

bacteria remains in the bloodstream it will cause an autoimmune reaction

that attacks the muscle of the heart. Therefore, she was put on a long

course of antibiotics as a preventative measure.

I think you are smart to be concerned with yeast overgrowth. Antibiotics

are a cause of leaky gut syndrom because they will inevitably cause yeast

overgrowth. If you take them and you don't treat for yeast, it's only a

matter of time before you start developing problems. What concerns me is

that one of the symptoms is joint inflammation, so someone on AP might

mistakenly think they are just going through a herx, when actually they are

suffering from yeast overgrowth and LGS. Then almost anything you take to

reduce the symptoms will make the LGS problem worse. The same is true if

the LGS is caused by bacteria that have imbedded themselves in the walls of

the intestines or by parasites. The symptoms are almost exactly the same,

so it's impossible to know what to treat or how to treat until you've been

tested.

Excuse me for rambling on, just thought I'd share some of my thoughts.

Regards,

" Agnes E. Winchell " wrote:

> When I called them they said that the physician has to call them to

> order a test kit, I cannot do it. I don't know why. So far they didn't

> send me an e-mail.

> Agnes

[Guest guest]

Right on, Chris! It's good to know others have got the message!

I've heard of some people healing RA just with treating LGS. I think

if you combine that with AP, you have a dyamite approach that's going to

yield the quickest results possible.

and Chas Adlard wrote:

Hi ,

> I think you are smart to be concerned with yeast overgrowth.

Antibiotics

> are a cause of leaky gut syndrom because they will inevitably

cause yeast

> overgrowth. If you take them and you don't treat for yeast,

it's only a

> matter of time before you start developing problems. What

concerns me is

> that one of the symptoms is joint inflammation, so someone on

AP might

> mistakenly think they are just going through a herx, when actually

they are

> suffering from yeast overgrowth and LGS. Then almost anything

you take to

> reduce the symptoms will make the LGS problem worse. The

same is true if

> the LGS is caused by bacteria that have imbedded themselves in

the walls of

> the intestines or by parasites. The symptoms are almost

exactly the same,

> so it's impossible to know what to treat or how to treat until

you've been

> tested.

I agree and think that yeast/leaky gut/gut flora imbalance/parasite/fungus

problems should always be treated for as most patients with rheumatic

diseases have these problems. Most naturopathic doctors believe

that the

leaky gut is the way the disease gets into the body in the first

place.

Chris.

To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

> I think you are smart to be concerned with yeast overgrowth. Antibiotics

> are a cause of leaky gut syndrom because they will inevitably cause yeast

> overgrowth. If you take them and you don't treat for yeast, it's only a

> matter of time before you start developing problems. What concerns me is

> that one of the symptoms is joint inflammation, so someone on AP might

> mistakenly think they are just going through a herx, when actually they are

> suffering from yeast overgrowth and LGS. Then almost anything you take to

> reduce the symptoms will make the LGS problem worse. The same is true if

> the LGS is caused by bacteria that have imbedded themselves in the walls of

> the intestines or by parasites. The symptoms are almost exactly the same,

> so it's impossible to know what to treat or how to treat until you've been

> tested.

I agree and think that yeast/leaky gut/gut flora imbalance/parasite/fungus

problems should always be treated for as most patients with rheumatic

diseases have these problems. Most naturopathic doctors believe that the

leaky gut is the way the disease gets into the body in the first place.

Chris.

[Guest guest]

Dear Fran,

> She is wondering if there are any members on this site who live in

> Britain. She is having trouble finding a place to get mycoplasma

> testing done. Her GP cannot find anywhere in this country that will

> do it. Her GP says it can't be sent abroad, eg America, because it

> would not travel well. If anybody knows of somewhere please write

> back.

Doctors here in South Australia send samples for mycoplasma testing to the

US. The samples need special packaging and are sent by overnight mail. We

have mycoplasma testing laboratories listed on rheumatic.org/docs.htm

which might help you.

Chris.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better. Herxing isn't fun but I try

to look at it as it's telling me that the antibiotic is working and try to

hold on unless the pain gets to be too much...then back down. Usually the

second time I try to go up I don't have the same problem of a herx. But all

of our bodies are different so what may be true for me might not be true for

you. After 2 1/2 years on AP, I haven't had any more herx's for at least a

year or more. It does get better!

I personally haven't had any mycoplasma testing. I know I have RA and so far

the minocin is working well. I live in the Cayman Islands and there are no

labs here that can test for that. Also, it is difficult to have it sent to

the states and still be viable for testing. So I'm going along without it.

A lot of people have to have it done or their insurance companies will not

cover their therapy. And just because you test negative for mycoplasmas

doesn't mean that you don't have them.

I think testing for myco's is up to the individual person. There are only a

few labs in the U.S. that are reputable for testing myco's. Make sure if you

do get tested that your blood is sent to one of those labs. Dr. Nicholson

has a good one.

If I stop improving (reach a plateau) and nothing works to get it jump

started again, then I will have myself tested when I'm up in the states for

mycoplasmas to see if I have any other strains that need a different

antibiotic.

Jeanette

Nicometo wrote:

> hi everyone. first i want to thank everyone for helping me through

> the little herx i had for about 5 days. i am feeling better after

> the weekend. probably because i didn't take it over the weekend. i

> just took a dose of minocycline a little while ago and i am

> starting to feel a little weird again. but my muscles actually felt

> a little better today than they have in while.

> i was wondering if a lot of people here have gotten the mycoplasma

> test prior to starting the AP. i came across something dr franco

> had written. saying that one should beofre starting the AP. i was

> wondering why...is it to find the exact mycoplasm so the doc can

> determine the right antibiotic and right dose? or doesn't that

> matter? is it just for insurance reasons? i didn't get the

> test...and i don't want to stop the AP for a month to be able to get

> it. my docs might not do it anyway...they aren't supportive of this

> therapy. yet. i'm working on them. any info would be great. i

> want to do this right so if it is best to get the test i will.

> thank you so much to everyone for all of your help!

>

> wishing wellness to all

>

> rachael

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I know I had it done after I started AP as I couldnot find a doc to

do it.

I would up sending it to Marland for a MCF( mycoplamsma complement

fixation)

The one that needs the washout is PCR.

I know for me I was on over a year before I was tested and it still

showed with 3 strains.

Love

Marge

> hi everyone. first i want to thank everyone for helping me through

> the little herx i had for about 5 days. i am feeling better after

> the weekend. probably because i didn't take it over the weekend.

i

> just took a dose of minocycline a little while ago and i am

> starting to feel a little weird again. but my muscles actually

felt

> a little better today than they have in while.

> i was wondering if a lot of people here have gotten the mycoplasma

> test prior to starting the AP. i came across something dr franco

> had written. saying that one should beofre starting the AP. i was

> wondering why...is it to find the exact mycoplasm so the doc can

> determine the right antibiotic and right dose? or doesn't that

> matter? is it just for insurance reasons? i didn't get the

> test...and i don't want to stop the AP for a month to be able to

get

> it. my docs might not do it anyway...they aren't supportive of

this

> therapy. yet. i'm working on them. any info would be great. i

> want to do this right so if it is best to get the test i will.

> thank you so much to everyone for all of your help!

>

> wishing wellness to all

>

> rachael

[Guest guest]

joy

if you call this lab, they will send you a " test kit " which will have

everything that you will need. it contains the tubes needed for the

blood draw, directions for how to draw the blood, the styrofoam

container and box that you will ship it back to them in, even the

airbill and package for the shipping company.

MDL will send the package to your house, and then you bring it to

your lab to have your blood drawn.

i found MDL very good about billing insurance. my ins.paid for both

my " tick born panel " and " chronic fatigue syndrome " panel.

if all you want is the mycoplasma testing, MDL will send you a test

kit for that. the CFS panel tests for mycoplasma, chlamydia, and a

bunch of herpes viruses.

here is the web site:

http://www.mdlab.com/index.html

if yu have any questions, please feel free to ask.

thanks

bill

> I finally got my Dr. to agree to have me tested if I pay for it.

She said I had to call the lab and find out all the particulars. The

problem is that the lab will only talk to the Dr. Could someone tell

me Which mycoplasmas to be tested for? Which Lab? How is the blood

processed? type of sample, etc. This is for pcr testing. Thanks for

your help. joy K. jamkaye@m...

>

>

[Guest guest]

FREE BROCHURE: " How to Get an Accurate Polymerase Chain Reaction (PRC)

Blood Test for Mycoplasmal and Other Infections-with a List of

International Laboratories " © by and Leslee Dudley

is sent automatically and immediately to all new subscribers. It is

updated with current information and the new version is posted to the

Mycoplasma Registry Reports & News list each month.

MycoplasmaRegistry-subscribe

(The lab in NJ has a new address, its been on our list for years.)

>

> Does anyone know of a lab in New Jersey that tests for mycoplasma?

> Thanks

> Jim

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim:

Medical Diagnostic Laboratories is in NJ.

www.mdlab.com

That's the one that Dr. Garth Nicolson recommends.

Regards,

o

>

> Does anyone know of a lab in New Jersey that tests for mycoplasma?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Jim

>

>

>