posted
I just had a ELISA test come up positive last week . I also had one less than a year ago which came up negative. I have heard about how unreliable this test is. I think i will ask my doctor for a different test. Western blot maybe? If that comes up positive i will contact a LLMD.
Right now i have been seeing Dr.S. in Iowa City. An eyes, ears, throat specialist. He diagnost it as TMJ.
I asked for a lyme test and he was quite suprised to see it come out positive. He also put me on 100mg doxy, twice daily, which i have heard is not near the doseage i need.
I have had many symptoms of lyme for 12 years or more. Doctors could never figure out what it was.
My main symptoms are:
headaches and right side neck and head pain. Ear pain and ringing in the ears. Sometimes the pain is so bad at night i can't even sleep on that side of my head. I even have migrating joint pains that last about 3 months, then move somewhere else. Planter faciitis in the right foot. Also TMJ.
Doctors took out a lymph node on the right side of the neck and just said it was just infection.
I thought that would solve my pains, but they came right back. The more i read on lyme, the more everything makes sense.
About LLMD's, are they very expensive? I have BCBS, just curious. Do you have many problems with BCBS not paying up?
The doctors distance from me seems quite far, but probably worth it in the long run. I might look into the one you mentioned in Springfield.
Also, how long does it usually take to get in to see one of these LLMD's?
Sorry bout all the ramblin and questions. I appriciate all your time and devotion to this website. Jerry
[ 31. August 2006, 06:40 PM: Message edited by: jerry l ]
Posts: 8 | From Iowa | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Could you please edit your post to omit the name of the doctor, just use initial. Click on the little pencil to edit. We do not use doctors' names on the forum. Thanks.
Did you know there's a support group in Iowa? Might want to touch base with them.
Iowa Lyme Disease Association at (515) 432-3628 or e-mail Weeg at [email protected].
If you have a positive ELISA and longstanding lyme symptoms and have started on abx, a western blot at this time might not be a good move. You will need a good lyme doc to get adequate treatment. Longstanding disease means longterm treatment. Let this doc decide what other testing should be done and when.
Many lyme docs do not take insurance but you can probably file a claim and be reimbursed partially when you use out of network doctors. They will probably pay for pills but IV is frequently a problem.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Jerry asked me privately how long it takes to get an appt. with Dr. C? I don't think I've ever seen it posted if it takes weeks, months, & how many months to get in?
Could someone answer that for me so I have an idea when I refer folks to him? Thanks!
Lou, there is also the original LDA group, called LDA IN IOWA founded by Kathy Cuddeback in the Iowa City area which Troutscout, Kent Larson, is publicity chair of. All the info is found in left hand column, support groups, USA, IOWA,
posted
I called to get in to see Dr C on Mon, Aug 7th and they had a cancellation for that Wed. Aug 9th! Probably wouldn't ever happen again, but anyone should sure try, he is an awesome LLMD. He doesn't talk a lot but gives you a lot of written information that you can read and refer back to...better than trying to tell you everything verbally in your first visit. They all are very friendly and they don't put on any "stoic professional airs" like all the other medical offices I've been to.
-------------------- God's mercies are new every morning.
Karla Posts: 85 | From KANSAS | Registered: Jul 2006
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quote:Originally posted by jerry l: I just had a ELISA test come up positive last week ...................... Do you have many problems with BCBS not paying up?
If you had a positive ELISA, then you have Lyme...in my non-medical opinion. The problem with the ELISA is false NEGATIVES, not false positives.
Check your insurance plan and see what they pay for out of network drs. Mine pays 80%, thank goodness!!!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
bugged by lyme and tutu,
Thank you both for your replies on how long it normally takes for an appt. w/dr. C! I refer folks to him as well. Bettyg
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