Strategies for Finding a Good Lyme Doctor The first thing I did after my Lyme diagnosis was spend as much time and mental energy no small feat for a Lymie as I could researching Lyme disease. Determine what kind of treatment you want to pursue. Are you looking for a doctor who leans primarily on antibiotics and prescription medications? One who primarily uses alternative treatments? Or a doctor who uses both? Collect names of potential doctors using reputable websites. There are several websites that will give you referrals for LLMDs.
Look for doctor reviews online or in online forums. Good luck on your doctor search! Do you love what you just read? You May Also Like These. Natzke in Grand Blanc, MI. I hope you can find someone to help! Leave a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Join us on our journey! Shopping Cart. Share 1. What kind of doctor tests for Lyme disease?
For example, many patients wonder if they need to see an infectious disease specialist. Do I need to see an infectious disease specialist to get tested for Lyme disease? No, you do not need to see an infectious disease specialist. Are LLMDs infectious disease specialists? Other medical professionals who can test for Lyme Did you know you can even see a Nurse Practitioner to get help ordering your Lyme disease tests? When you may need to see a specialist Though a family physician or general practitioner should be able to order the diagnostic tests for Lyme disease, there are some situations in which you may need to see a specialist.
In these cases, patients may need to see the following types of specialists: Rheumatologist — Chronic joint problems from Lyme disease may need the care of a physician who specializes in rheumatology. Neurologist — Chronic Lyme can be associated with debilitating neurological symptoms that must be treated by a specialist.
Cardiologist — In the event that you develop the rare but dangerous complication known as Lyme carditis , you may need to see a cardiologist and even be fitted with a temporary pacemaker. What to know about seeing a doctor and getting tested Whatever kind of doctor you see, they will consider your medical history, your symptoms, and your Lyme disease test results when making a diagnosis.
Many doctors rely on the two-tier system recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which consists of the following two blood tests: EIA or ELISA Western blot test However, research shows that these tests are severely limited in accuracy and sensitivity.
Let's Connect. Tick Talk Resource For the most up to date and accurate information and articles about ticks and tick-borne diseases, please visit Tick Talk Resource. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. There are a few caveats. I also have to pay out of pocket for any herbal or non standard meds that the Naturopaths sells since they are not recognized as pharmaceuticals except for antibiotics if she prescribes them for me.
I am hoping as I see her in June that I can be cured. I still feel pretty sick- in fact am home from work sick today as I could barely stand when I woke today and was feeling very nauseas- something I have not yet felt. I am starting to do Detox bath today and will also try Oregano Oil and some high quality probiotics when I can afford them.
Lyme sucks. I had my daughter all her childhood at my home typically days per week as I wanted her in my life and she was and always will be the most important person in my life.
She moved out of her room in my home last Summer to live with her boyfriend. It killed me when she left- and I still have never gotten over her leaving- but she comes over for dinner and movies as often as she can. I get scared at night when I go to bed. I am going to be 58 in a few months and living alone is brutal. I cannot even date as with Lyme I am just not in good enough health to be a good date- plus research now shows that Lyme just may be a STD now.
My husband left me, in , when I got too sick to run our business any longer. Maybe we can be pen pals? Sorry for hijacking your thread, Dana. So glad you never gave up and happy to hear you found what you needed. A giant thank you for sharing your story, Dana, and for being a voice for the rest of us, in your articles, on Huffpo.
Hi Michelle and Stephanie- and anyone else who responded. Sorry I did not respond sooner. I took off 3 days from work this week as I was so out of it I needed some time off. My symptoms lately are not good. I believe I have Babesia now too. My PCP is not good. For now I must keep her as she has admitting privileges to the town hospital — so for now I have nom choice but am searching.
I may even go back on his Lyme protocol too as it helps with the Lyme: Japanese knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum Green Dragon Botanicals — tablets x daily for months;. Stephen is now also recommending Ashwagandha withania to help remedy sleep problems at night and brain fog — mg at night just before bed. Thanks everyone for your kind words. Jody, one of the worst things is to isolate yourself.
Try and find any type of support groups. A positive environment and a place where you can share your issues is so helpful to your mind and body. I am sorry you are going through all this and feeling alone.
There are people out there that care. I was bitten by something almost three years ago. The next day I had a horrible rash on my lower leg but it looked nothing like the typical bullseye Lyme rash.
I immediately went to my doctor who a sent me to a dermatologist. Boy was I wrong. My nightmare was just beginning. Two months later the rash returned on both legs. My lower legs began to swell and hurt. I went to a hematologist, rheumatologist, vascular doctor, and another dermatologist. I have constant pain in my legs and arms. I now can barely stand or walk. I have headaches. My arms go numb.
I spend most of my life on the couch. One even laughed. I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area. It altered my life needless to say. Now the Babesia is chronic and a much bigger problem than the Lyme. I still get very inadequate treatment because I can only get in to see my Lyme MD about twice a year at best thanks to her schedule.
The whole Lyme epidemic and treatment scenario in this country is a travesty and needs much more attention from the media. He has pulled a number of ticks off one being after a result of a bullseye. He now to a point he can barely function at work his arms are week he has a hard time to hold them up. Lost not sure where to go doctors say depression lack of vitamin D ect. The things that have helped me more than antibiotics or any other medicine are the Gerson nutritional therapy and lots of vitamins.
The improvements persisted after stopping the diet but keeping the vitamins. I never see anyone else mention this so I hope others might benefit.
The diet is less expensive than drugs but more expensive than a standard diet. The originnal was 20 years ago and I went into remission with a ddrug called Ruild. This time I caught it but with co-infections such as babesia, etc. I have been taking Roximycin which is the generic of what I took years ago. I was admitted to the local Hospital, every test and MRI came back negative… I was getting mega doses of steroids and have no idea what else.. I work up one morning with the nurse telling me what a bad seizure I had during the night..
The Rehad dept. I left in a wheel chair but able to walk with a walker and use of my arm… the week after I got home from the nursing home I had a appt. All I know is I am 63 yrs old and do not want to live this way the rest of my life …Physical Therapy said m gait was no better so they pulled me out.. I am regressing my speech, my brain.. I can get no where with anyone.. Because I too am just a shell of who I used to be! Thank you for telling your story! Why at this late date is the medical community failing to recognize Lyme?
People are dying as a result. Nothing has been diagnosed. We live in AZ but would be willing to drive to San Diego to meet this specialists. Could you please send his name. Great article. Would you be willing to share the name of the Lyme specialist you saw in San Diego? Dana, how crazy that by the grace of god, the doctor I recommended to you, who diagnosed your Lyme, completely missed my sons Lyme and bartonella.
Support LymeDisease. Ask your questions here. Home Member Login Join. Search LDo. Donate Now. Menu Lyme Basics. Lyme Disease Research. Contact LymeDisease. News LymeDisease. How 11 top NYC doctors missed my Lyme disease. But I knew, and I walked to the ER. I was relieved. So was I. I was suddenly scared to be alone. I am enraged and overwhelmed and terrified. Next Post » Two Lyme bills introduced in Delaware.
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