I was wondering how many of you are sick with lyme disease and not seeing a doctor because you can't afford it?
sick
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I'm not... I have a doctor I can consult with or if I need a prescription but I'm pretty short of funds these days.
I'm actually kind of fed up with doctors, so it's not a big thing for me. Seems like I get farther doing my own research...
I'm not on abx so it's not as complicated. I stopped taking abx in Nov. 2007.
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
Count me in.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Me too.
Posted by nwisser (Member # 15682) on :
Me, to, although I may go to an LLMD if this protocol doesn't work.
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
Me, too. And my bartonella is already screaming back at me after only one missed dose of rifampin. I'm so scared I'll run out before I find another doc though. If I'm having too bad of a Lyme/bart/babs flare, how will I even get to a new doctor?
Posted by LoneDove (Member # 16516) on :
No insurance and no satisfaction!
If I have an emergency I go to a walk in clinic related to local hospital but tired of my endo telling me I need depressants...hello, not depressed just fatigue and uh, over 4k antibody count...mebbe a little sick??
Sorry fed up with most drs. Like Sparkle have dr. I can get a prescription if needed but mainly avoid prescription drugs unless acute or accident or something.
Haven't been tested for lyme and wondering do I spend money that way or just pay for gadgets and supplements that have helped. I've got the symptoms...only reason to get tested to is explain to my dh in black and white why I sometimes can't work like I use to or he can.
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
me and my daughter now
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
Me. I dropped my comprehensive insurance a few years ago to pay for my natural health protocols, that kept me going prior to diagnosis.
So now I have major medical insurance only, and they won't sell me a better plan.
I kind of gave up on doctors 20 years ago after the first round of symptoms, worthless humiliating testing, and dismissals with a bill of good health.
I would have gone the LLMD route after diagnosis, given the option, but we have none in state. The cost of traveling out of state on top of paying doctor bills would have compromised my family's home and security more than I was willing to do.
Fortunately, I'm doing quite well on my own, with the help of lyment.
I do go to a lyme-friendly naturopath and chiropractor.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I went to see some "highly qualified" expensive "experts" over 10 years...
I calculated it if I had insurance, I would have paid more money than NOT having insurance to be treated by these doctors.
There's really something wrong with this system...
The insurance probably wouldn't have paid to see these doctors in any case & I would be paying double for nothing.
I have no idea what would happen if I need surgery or something exotic... I guess I'll have to go to the emergency room.
I'm a citizen. I worked & paid social security, taxes for 25 years. It's just not right. I was rejected to get disability & I can't work full time since I've been too ill.
What next?
Posted by LoneDove (Member # 16516) on :
quote:Originally posted by sparkle7:
There's really something wrong with this system...
I'm a citizen. I worked & paid social security, taxes for 25 years. It's just not right.
What next?
Ditto except about 30 yrs. paying in. Haven't yet bothered to apply for disability...sounds like a running a gauntlet and don't have energy for it. Plus I believe I'll find an answer...just pray to G-d it doesn't involve just eating raw foods! Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
Do you know who is behind the housing crisis? skyrocketing health care?
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi All
Watch this PBS FrontLine program titled-
--- Sick Around the World --- -
Click below the White IV bag where it says watch full program -
You will see how we are getting the Finger from the medical industry in America- You Will learn Alot -Jay-
How so Dave?
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
dorothy,
i can afford to go...
i just have chosen NOT TO GO FOR NOW!
i've gone thru 2 llmds ...pulsed antibiotics for 20 months.
2nd one prescribed 22 supplements to me; made me worse, and now FATIGUE is worst it's ever been.
i'm going to pursue adrenal testing..saliva on that; will need to find directions to educate my NEW pcp since my other one of 28 years retired! i had him trained just right!! lol
i'm just working on treating the other stuff they found wrong, and many things not treated yet ... HHV-6, EBV,
working on my diabetes 2 trying to get my A1C down TO 6.5 OR BELOW! it's 7.2 now. ********************
i too have to go out of state and those LONG DRIVES aren't good on my lyme arthritis; i'm so stiff it takes me 5 minutes to get out of the car plus all those pee runs!!
so i'm in a total different situation; have insurance but they do NOT PAY ANYTHING FOR LYME APPTS., TREATMENTS but prescribed RX meds!!
no supplements...
Posted by whatayear (Member # 15833) on :
Im no longer seeing a llmd either! I have insurance although not like it matters when it comes to treating lyme and whatever else we may have! I am trying it abx free so far so good im on transfer factor along with several other good supplements I did 3 months of doxy and have been off for 4 months and have continued to get better. headed for Germany sep 15 to try to clean the rest up.
Posted by imanurse (Member # 7022) on :
Count me into the not treating, can't afford it club.
I have two children with lyme now that take priority over me. We haven't been to LLMD in nearly a year now. Posted by perplexed (Member # 1913) on :
No I am not seeing an LLMD. I saw one in 2005, and it was a long trip to get to see him..no LLMD in my state...and soon after I saw him he stopped taking Medicare patients.
I come into LymeNet every so often hoping I will find something new or encouraging. Since I was diagnosed in 2001, not much has changed. I have the feeling the medical community in general just does not care about Lyme Disease.
I live in Lexington KY where the University of KY is located and well known for their great medical school. Well, I have found out they do not even teach Lyme Disease there except to generally say it is caused by a tick. So be careful when in the woods..etc.
So, I keep moving along and coping with the ailments I have and keep praying and hoping Lyme will become a mainstream disease. Right now, I doubt if it will be done. It is a political disease, and perhaps it is it's biggest downfall in finally tackling this issue.
I cannot afford an LLMD of any type as most do not take a Medicare Advantage plan, and they are so far from me. Do I get discouraged? I sure do, but what keeps me going is knowing there are others out there who are in my shoes.
I am disgusted about the whole thing.
Hugs,
Perplexed Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
How do you all get well if not through an LLMD? Most I have talked to who have gone to my LLMD said they got well and symptom free in a bout a year. I am wondering why you all are not having the same success? This disease is such a mess and the med communinity better wake up soon.
There are days I don't want to go on, and if not for my daughter, don't know if I could.
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