I have my first apt Mon. with a Dr. I am praying will turn out to actually be LL. I am so nervous about this that I can't think straight and I can't think of the questions I should be asking him at this apt.
I have tried searching past posts but can't find any posts with suggested questions for the 1st apt.
I have seen the post "Making the most of your LLMD visit" and though it is very helpful it doesn't give actual questions you should remember to ask.
I'm ready with the other stuff as far as my records, med. list, symptom list, previous diagnoses. I just can't come up with questions and I'm starting to freak out.
Actually, I have one question that someone else mentioned in a past post that seemed really good but that is it:
?Does he only treat according to positive test results?
I have an hour and 15 minutes and NEED to make the most of it. I'm paying out pocket and won't be reimbursed, as I'm sure a lot of you are, and can't really afford it considering we already pay $3000 a month for insurance. He needs to be worth it!
If you could offer up some help so I don't waste $650, and 75 precious minutes and can walk away with as much knowledge as possible in that time I'd be extremely greatful.
And hopefully this Dr. will turn out to be someone we can add to the Florida list, which I know is in desperate need of names.
Thanks so much!
Posted by Beth22 (Member # 30232) on :
when i first arrived here i got advice about this. i will see if i can find it.
Posted by Beth22 (Member # 30232) on :
Here are some excerpts I hope will help:
Ask if the physician treats patients who have Lyme Disease or associated co-infections with long term antibiotics both oral and IV beyond the conventional 6-8 weeks time period, if the patient requires it.
What laboratories are commonly used? If they don't know, ask if they can find out. If they use only Labcorb or Quest, this can be a problem. You can press further by asking if they use specialty labs such as Igenex, Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Central Florida Research, Clogen or Fry Laboratories.
If they use any of these, that's a good sign. They may use others as well, which are effective but not listed here.
Also ask if the doctor takes co-infections seriously and if he or she is willing to test for and treat them.
It's true antibiotics only get most patients so far who have chronic Lyme or its co-infections before they need to consider employing alternative treatments using cutting edge techniques or herbal treatments.
In late stage cases or cases involving multiple co-infections, which are very common and must be taken seriously, the entire body is ill. Nutritional care, detoxification, as well as therapies aimed at killing the infection (s) are required. At time point, the body has become exhausted.
Does your doctor use this integrative approach?
Ask for some basic parameters as far as what to expect from your physician. Ask them what they expect from you. Questions you may consider are: When will your test results be available? What are the signs that things are getting better, worse, or not changing? How long should you expect to stay on this protocol?
Who should you contact should an emergency arise? Is the Doctor available for phone consultations? When should your next appointment be? Will he consult with your regular physician?
Be sure you have your prescriptions in hand and understand completely the recommended protocol. Make certain that you have all of your questions answered now while you have the doctor�s attention. Don�t be afraid to ask for clarification as many times as it takes to be clear.
Posted by vrtualchik (Member # 27927) on :
Thank you so much Beth. I am writing down every one of those questions and every suggestion you made. Your suggestions helped me to think of a few to ask.
For example, if he is going to put me on antibiotics at this apt should I ask about herx reactions? And how to handle them?