My mother's friend referred me to a doctor *in my town* who has been treating lyme and changing lives for a few years now.
He's a GP and his office is about a mile from my house. I just found out about him yesterday and called to see if he'd see me (which would keep me from having to travel 10 hours each way to Dr. C), and his office called back.
BCBS has been "causing problems" for him b/c they don't "agree with his tx of lyme patients." I don't have that insurance company, but even so, this doc has stopped taking lyme patients altogether and is referring them to llmds in NY or MO.
I'm so angry and sad for the patients who were already seeing him, and for him, and for me (yes, sorry for myself!).
I find it **VERY** ironic that even the docs who disagree with the ILADS guidelines refuse to treat me - even with the IDS guidelines! Heck, I'd *take* the IDS guidelines at this point!!!
All the doctors are bailing out and refusing to treat. There aren't even any ID docs here who will treat, not even with IDS guidelines! It's insane!
So I'm off to MO on Sunday (my appt is Tuesday). I don't like the prospect of being in control of my tx to the degree I believe Dr. C expects of his patients, but it looks like I have no choice if I want an experienced, well-known, educated llmd who can still legally treat me.
I understand the money politics and why insurance companies are clinging to the IDS guidelines (although my various medical bills have been FAR costlier than even IV abx tx would be).
I just don't understand *why* doctors are letting patients suffer. At the very least I should have a doctor who would help me find someone who *will* treat me, right??
FIRST DO NO HARM - sound familiar??
Grrrr... I'm so mad!!
Sarah
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Absolutely correct!! First do no harm!!!!
I know, it angers me every day!!!
Don't worry about being "in charge" .. Dr C has an entire protocol and will start you on it ASAP.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I had one Rheumie tell me once, "I KNOW you have Lyme, Sarah, but I can't treat you."
Shoulda sued her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She was afraid to treat-
Yes, it is awfuL!!!
Posted by RoadRunner (Member # 380) on :
hi sarah
Yes you should have sued her that would have been easy money.
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
I am sorry SarahL
I think when it comes to lyme alot of drs reinterpret the "do no harm" as "do nothing"
its sad that so little has changed over the years
and terribley terrifying that if anything over the last few years it seems to be getting worse.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
It is really a terrible bind for good doctors who want to help us, but can't. If they help, they may lose their license and then they can't help anyone. If they don't help, they feel bad about it and aren't able to do what they were trained for. A lose-lose situation for everyone but IDSA, NIH, CDC, and the insurance companies and their toadies.
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