posted
Hi I live in Pennsylvania and I am seeking a Lyme specialist. I have had Lyme since June 2009 but continued to get negative blood results. I was sent to a Orthopedic Specialist last week for my chronic knee pain, stiffness, and inflammation and he tested the joint fluid for Lyme and that did come back positive. I am now being sent to a infectious disease specialist, is that the same as a Lyme special?
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Welcome. We hope you find what you need here.
" Infectious disease specialist, is that the same as a Lyme special?
NOT at all. Sorry. Glad you came here. Others will be by soon to welcome you and send you a list.
"Being sent" ? - Best to select your own.
Most ID doctors don't treat adequately and would likely consider your case too old to be relevant (since June 2009). Some ID doctors also require a rash at the time of testing/treatment. Most ID doctors do not believe lyme lasts more than a few days or weeks. Most will treat for just that amount of time, too.
You may luck out, but far better to find a true expert to start with.
IGENEX - for testing. You should also be assessed for other tick-borne infections. Best to wait and see an ILADS-educated LLMD (Lyme Literate medical doctor) as they can guide you in this.
Not all tests are great and they can tell a great deal by your history, symptoms, and other things that will come out in a clinical evaluation.
Be sure to get your own personal copy of that lyme test from your knee. You need that for your own use and should get it right away in case something should happen to the file at your doctor's office. That piece of paper is important so keep the original and make copies for the LLMD you select.
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES TO FUEL THE "LYME WAR" - By Virginia Savely, RN, FNP-C May 18, 2007
Excerpts:
[in speaking of acute cases of just lyme, diagnosed and treated early] " . . .To treat Lyme disease for a comparable number of life cycles, treatment would need to last 30 weeks. . . ."
". . .If all cases were detected and treated in the early stages of Lyme disease, the debate over the diagnosis and treatment of late-stage disease would not be an issue, and devastating rheumatologic, neurologic, and cardiac complications could be avoided. . ."
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This also explains why your choice of doctor matters tremendously:
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Siciliano
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15920
posted
Hi, Penny and WELCOME to our lyme site. We're glad you came to us for help.
I have sent you a private message (pm) also.
Also, check out our great "Medical Questions" forum where you can ask all the questions you might have and our wonderful, knowledgeable members will answer them. Just read some of the threads and you'll see just how informative they are!
-------------------- I'm sorry but I am no longer accepting any private messages due to my own battle with lyme. Posts: 3897 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jun 2008
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Penny and WELCOME to our lyme site. We're glad you came to us for help.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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