How long does the blood test take?
 

Had the blood drawn on Friday, and yes, yesterday was a holiday, but now wondering how long it takes to get the results? Is this a standard time frame, or does it take longer? Don't go for the EMG until next week.

Can't decide if I want it to be positive, and then I have a real, incurable problem, or not, and then I have weird symptoms that act like something but no proof of it, again. I have so many weird, is-but-isn't things that it would almost be nice to actually have something, and maybe get something done about it for once. Limbo sucks. But so does having real diseases, huh.

The test for the antibodies takes longer than common blood tests. You should ask, but I think mine took two or even three weeks.

For me personally, not knowing was the worst. I feel much better emotionally now that I have a diagnosis. When you have a crisis in life, you say, OK, how do I deal with this? And then you frame your attitude, make your plans, adjust your life, work on getting used to the idea. That's a basic human need. When you don't know what's wrong, you can't fulfill that need. It's a terrible feeling. I hated it. I hope you get clear and timely answers.

Abby

I agree with Abby - mine took about 2 weeks. My understanding is that there is only 1 lab in the country that does this test and the bloodwork has to be sent to them.

I also agree that for me, it was better to know. Even though I had never heard of mg, when I finally got a diagnosis after 6 months of not knowing what was wrong (but knowing something was wrong!), it felt like the weight of the world rolled off my shoulders. Finally!! It's not all in my head! It is an actual disease that hopefully, we can do something about. My daughter (a physical therapist) who was with me when I got the diagnosis, was the one who almost passed out. She was currently treating someone with mg who was intubated at home and would apparently, never be able to breathe on their own again. She pictured that for me, but the neuro was quick to point out that was not the type I had. If it was, after 6 months with no treatment, I would already be intubated.

Good luck with your diagnosis. Hopefully, the blood test will produce the result you want.

The MuSK test is only done by Athena Diagnostics (I believe they hold the patent). AChR tests are done by various labs. I have had three -- by Mayo, Johns Hopkins (I think this is where the doctor said), and Quest labs. I feel sure that other labs probably do the AChR as well. Mine (AChR) took between 10 and 14 days -- at least that is how long it took for the doctors to give me the results. It may not have taken that long for the doctor to GET the results. ;) MuSK took about a month, if I recall. They first send a form asking if you want to participate in some type of partial payment -- apparently, many insurance companies do not cover Athena's services. I think I was offered a payment of $125 vs the full payment of $600+. I declined -- my insurance DID cover the bill. :)

My musk test was lost, just had to have blood drawn again. Nice to know where it went now.

When my daughter had her AChE blood tests done they were sent to ARUP Lab in Salt Lake City. The results were back the next day. I was grateful that we had the answers quickly.

My first test was tested by Quest (I think) and it took 2+ weeks....the second test is at Athena and not done yet...I was warned that Athena can take extra long....these are for the same test, just double checking with 2 different labs (my first test was 234.98 where a 0.5 or higher result gives you a positive diagnosis of MG....I would say I am on the HIGH end of a positive result LOL) My doctor said there are only like 3 labs that do these tests...I know Athena is going to also do the MUsk test but ONLY if the first one is Negative (which my doctor says is HIGHLY UNLIKELY) so I for these results, I think you can expect at least a 2 week wait.

Darci

when I went for the EMG two weeks later, the doc who did the EMG told me it was negative, as was the EMG. Actually, looking at the report, it only took 5 days from blood draw to result, for the AcHR. It was run at Quest in California.

Three weeks after the EMG, I emailed the doc through their system to find out what next, since I hadn't heard anything from her, still, and problems are ongoing, still. After a while, she replied, only asking what all my other doctors were doing. Again.

So, she's fired. Sympathy I don't need. Answers I do.

Going to Yale-New Haven in June. Whatever it is, MG or not, I need answers and solutions. There isn't much of my life left to give up at this point, I cannot lose anything more.