2 of the 3 think I have babs due to my symptoms. 1 wants to go with the negative IGeneX test for coinfections. The 2 think I have CNS involvement due to my symptoms; the 1 is going with the completely normal SPECT scan. (I started a new topic on these particular questions.)

I'm starting to see that different docs treat differently based on their priorities all of which are good. One seems to go with what the tests say. That doc seems to be doing more to bring LD into the medical mainstream which means sticking to the studies and test results. Good for the cause but maybe not as good for me. That doc is a big name.

The other 2 seem to go more with clinical diagnoses. 1 sticks more to the studies and the other is most open to alternative medical support.

These docs are all great people and great docs; it makes it hard to decide. I guess I'm a glutton for the unique perspectives I get from each of them however from what I'm reading and experiencing, it might be best to go with 1. It would also free up their time for another Lymie. And save me some $!

There is also the matter of access. They're tough to get urgent telephone contact and appointments with so I like having 3 to call. But they know I have 3 and I wonder if that's why some take so long to get back to me.

NONE of them have the cure for Lyme. It is a crap shoot. And, treatment is different for everybody. You need to start treatment before the LD goes deeper.

Also, yes, it would be good to let other Lymies have your space at the other 2 MDs. You can always switch later. My experience was that there is a bit of egotism out there amongst the LLMDs. I was surprised that some outwardly discounted the work of others, based on their training or other things.

Where are you located? Maybe some here can offer suggestions based on experience with the MDs you have seen.

Get treatment, gal.

You need two active healthcare providers to get over Lyme..

Including one LLMD, and yourself.

You have to take this on as an individual in partnership with your physician.
Your journey to wellness may also include a naturopath or herbalist, who would serve as 'consultant' to you.

LLMD's, the experienced ones..have differing protocols, and not one of them has the universal key.

I would choose the one I most connected with, and also take contril over the direction in which they took my therapy, but only if I was reading voraciously, and continued to do so and pay close attention throughout my course with that Doc.

A good LLMD will really appreciate that. They know TBD's and resulting problems are infinately complicated.

Go with the one who considers a bit of alternative to be good since you'll need that too in order to get well.

Just my opinion and may not be a good one!??

Only you will be able to find out which one is correct for you.

Yes, the tests are unreliable, and many people are infected with Lyme and co-infections without evidence in the tests. But not everyone. And soem people improve with empiric treatment for those infections, but not everyone.

Some people need the most aggressive protocols, tracking down every singel possible infection. But not everyone.

It is only through your own education, and then a very careful listening to your response to treatment, that you will be able to make the kind of decisions that you need to. For now, you can only choose what seems best, and commit to that route, until something convinces you otherwise.

People have gotten well using almost every kind of protocol. And people have NOT gotten well using almost every kind of protocol. It does seem antibiotics are needed, but which ones, for how long, and in what quantity is in hot debate.

READ! Learn how this organism works in your body. Understand how it evades the immune system, and what you might do to help your body fight back. Learn the kind of support YOUR body might need to fight this kind of infection, and implement those changes.

There are things to be done. Best wishes to you in finding the way for you.

Rest assured, I am currently being treated. (Well, actually I waiting for my body to calm down from an allergic rxn to a new abx.) It's just that the docs are starting to want to take different approaches.

It's tough to let the big name doc go however I have always pursued natural forms of healing (in this case as an adjunct to abx and support to by body; I've never wanted abx so much in my life; always eschewed them b4) and he is not very open until there's a study.

I have an appointment with one of the others at the end of the month (the one most open to alternatives.) I'll check out the issue of availability between apptmts at that time.

Are you sure it wasn't a herx???????

No2, please send me an e-mail. I think we are seeing 2 of the same docs and I'd love to converse off-line about them.

BTW you made me realize that I hadn't entered my city and state in my profile. I've fixed that. I'm from San Mateo, just across the bay from you.

I agree with Lymetoo.

There isn't a set protocol for treatment and at this stage in the game I need someone who does follow up...if not, I dump them.

Personally, I like alternative docs who are MD's because they can come up with things traditonal MD's don't even address.

Make a list of pros and cons for each doc and that may help narrow down who you want to stick with.