IMO, I think it is absolutely necessary for them to be lyme literate. Otherwise, they have nothing to refer to.
I, too, thought that it might be possible for "alternative" practitioners to be more open about lyme issues. But I can tell you that my experience has been that (at least the ones I have seen) they are clueless.
So, yes, I think they MUST by lyme literate or at least lyme knowledgeable. Just my opinion.
CAT
Take the good you get from one doc, and then find another if you need more. You are not likely to find one doc who can meet all your needs.
I agree with what you are saying. I was looking at it in a different light. I was thinking along the lines of if you are ONLY see a naturopath for treatment.
I do agree, however, that if you are seeing them to help you deal with the Lyme or alleviate symptoms or even help with certain conditions caused by Lyme, it would probably be fine.
CAT
Chronic Lyme is a multi-system illness. No one thing will eliminate it. You need detox, balancing systems, and of course you need to kill the bugs. You have to go to different places to get all those things.
I would like to know how you went about finding one if your LLMD didn't refer you.
I already drive out of state for my LLMD and am too ill to go very often. I would love to find an ND in my area that I could see.
Sue,
could you post or email me privately the name & number of your ND. Perhaps they might do some kind of phone consultation or be able to refer me to someone in my area.
Thanks for any help,
CAT
quote:
Originally posted by Catrina:
To those of you who have a good ND,I would like to know how you went about finding one if your LLMD didn't refer you.
I already drive out of state for my LLMD and am too ill to go very often. I would love to find an ND in my area that I could see.
Sue,
could you post or email me privately the name & number of your ND. Perhaps they might do some kind of phone consultation or be able to refer me to someone in my area.Thanks for any help,
CAT
When I first met with her, I laid out the LD/TBD issues, what I wanted from her (help in choosing tx for detox, immune support, and natural abx that would complement the regime I'm already on; and a plan for continuing tx when I'm off abx). She was very supportive, and willing to put time into research. That's been my criteria for choosing an ND.
Sue, I'd like the name/contact info for your ND too. I'll pass it on to my ND and...SAVE THE ENTIRE STATE OF WASHINGTON FROM LYME/TBDs.
Well, maybe not, but it will surely help.
Both the local ND and the MD I see (they share an office and a practice) are suddenly recognizing LD in many of their patients. I've given them contact information, the ILADS and Burrascano stuff, other literature, and a run-down on the miserable state of LD treatment in WA and OR. It's been a good synergy, and I'm hoping they'll both get interested enough to become LLMD/NDs, rather than just Lyme Friendly.
Your post was very helpful to me. I will keep that in mind as I continue my search. My problem is that I don't have tons o' money to visit a dozen or so & try to find one to help me.
BTW, I wanted so much to take a vacation and come to WA this year. I had hopes of eventually one day living there. Although I have never been there, I think it is so beautiful.
Please save the state as I hope to eventually get to visit there.
CAT
Hope you check ART out. I would have been lost without this form of testing/determining
what to do next.
Good luck.
Some of them, if not most of them, all have taken Klinghardt training (who helped me get "cured" from Lyme and five co-infections) www.neuraltherapy.com
[This message has been edited by GiGi (edited 27 June 2004).]
They are extremely well educated in LD and use different aproach in different people, combinig all treatments - homeopathy, detox, immune boosters, T-cell repair, alophatic medicines, chiro, acupuncture, etc.
I saw a lot of patients improve beyond my belief. I learned a lot, but didn't get better.
My main point is, what do you do, when you can't afford this healtier approach? I'm still looking for other tx than daily abx. I don't have the money or energy to travel out of state for tx.
Does anyone knows about a ND, who can bill Medicare?
Punkie
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It's quite nice to get an antidote for a problem so quickly and inexpensively, isn't it? I have had it done many times. Glad it helps you too.
My ND has helped me to balance out my hormones, work on detoxing, clearing the lymphatic system, and cranking up the thyroid some as well as stimulating the adrenals amonst other things.
My thoughts are that there is a lot of damage that LD has done and I would rather correct it by a natural means than introduce more chemicals. I'm all for the abx protocol because of how much it's helped me and I also encourage everyone to use any natural resources they can find to help themselves, be it a ND, accupuncturist, what-not.
To answer your question, try asking around at the health food suppliers or herbalist stores, that's where I found my ND and I'm very happy with him!
I have been seeing a ND for the past four years who is wonderful and believes that Lyme is rampant in CA. I started seeing him before my dx when he lived in my area. Now he lives along the central coast. I consult with him by phone often and drive up to see him on occasion.
He has consulted with my LLMD and wants to learn as much as possible about Lyme. He also is planning to join ILADS. My PCP is an alternative medicine internist who believes in Lyme and best of all, takes insurance.
I feel I have such a great team on my side with my LLMD, PCP and ND.
Judith
He is a PA as well, so is able to prescribe all meds for Lyme as well as manage the more natural aspects.
However, I agree with several other posters that it helps to have more than one doc on board. Each brings their own unique perspective and understanding.
I see an ostepath as well, who has naturopathic leanings. Mostly they agree with each other, but sometimes one will know more than another about a certain aspect. The osteopath definitely knows more about how structure and function affects everything.
I'm finding it a good combination.
Keeping my fingers crossed,
robi
[This message has been edited by robi (edited 28 June 2004).]
She is as important to me as an LLMD.
Sue