Just got a test back and it was positive only for band 28kda on the western blot? My doc didn't really say anything to me about it except she offered a name of a lymes specialist. I called him and they wanted close to $500 for the first appointment and they don't accept any insurance. I have stellar insurance and pay a pretty penny for it. This is all very overwhelming to me! ðŸ˜
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Yes, there is a lot to learn about this complex disease and its treatment. Research and study all you can about it.
Lymenet is an excellent resource for you as well as the other suggestions I have recommended to you. People here will gladly offer advice to help you.
I already sent you LLMD names for TX & MO.
Here is the link for Dr. C's (one of the top Lyme-literate doctors) "Western Blot Explanation" for you to read:
"In my clinical experience, if a patient has symptoms suspicious for Borreliosis, and has one or more of the following bands, there is a very high probability the patient has Borreliosis.
These bands are 18, 22, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 37, 39, 41, 83, and 93.
28: An outer surface protein
[---- from DR C's update from 2005 --- ----The significant antibodies, in my opinion, are the 18, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 39, 58, 66 and 93.----]"
You need to be evaluated and treated by a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD). Non LLMDs have no clue about this horrible disease or its complex treatment!
A LLMD is one who has treated Lyme disease and the co-infections which come with it for many years and has gotten patients well. A good one will follow Dr. B's Guidelines, the "gold standard" for Lyme treatment.
When calling for an appointment, ask if they have any cancellations or a waiting list (call every day if you have too!). Patients have been able to get in sooner by doing this.
Please read the following about LLMDs and Texas which was posted about TX:
"Texas is not a great place to find a good Lyme doctor. Texas threatens its Lyme doctors and gets them to move or stop practicing without notice.
Then, if they start up again a year or so later, they do it to them again. So, there really are few Lyme doctors there."
Read the books written by the top LLMD, Dr. H titled, "Why Can't I Get Better?" and his new one, "How Can I Get Better?". They are an excellent source of information.
Also "Cure Unknown" by Pamela Weintraub. Check your local library or buy it used on Amazon.
Btw - I know you are new to Lymenet, but please break up your posts into 2-3 sentence paragraphs as there are people on Lymenet who cannot read large blocks of text due to neurological problems from Lyme.
To do this click the pencil/paper icon, make your changes (**also change the band number to 28 in your title) then click "Edit Post". Thanks.
Posted by Splashi1 (Member # 28173) on :
Is it possible that you could go out of network with your plan?
If you're not sure, it might be worth a call to your insurance company to find out, because better plans sometimes offer this option.
I think it is true to say that most LLMD's do not accept insurance. Most Lyme patients are pretty complicated cases and visits with the doctor take far longer than average.
You might find that this doctors office will submit the claim to your insurance company on your behalf as an out of network provider.
If you have good insurance, it might pay for a percentage of your bill.
Even if the doctors office won't submit the bills for you, if you submit yourself (unfortunately, this would mean you would have to pay up-front) you could get reimbursed.
I wish you good luck on your journey!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Your plan may pay 60% for out of network. Give the insurance company a call.
Which lab did the test? You may have more bands show up if you do Igenex.