Six years ago, my sister was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. None of the psych meds have worked. A year ago, she tested IgM + for Lyme and IgG + for Bartonella. She was treated for a few months, then tried to kill herself twice in two weeks by ingesting large amounts of Tylenol, so treatment stopped.
Following her fifth suicide attempt in three years about 10 days ago, she is being committed to a state mental facility in FL. She is currently slated to go to the one in Miami because of where she lives, but there is another facility in Jacksonville. We want her to go where she has the best chance of being treated for Lyme. If that is Jacksonville, we will have to show medical reasons and get a state representative involved.
I have posted another thread asking for LLMD's in the Miami and Jacksonville areas. In the meantime, my parents were told about the Mayo Clinic outpatient faciilty in Jacksonville by people who have gone there for non-Lyme illnesses and said that they were very good.
My father called and asked if they had any expertise in Lyme. They said yes, but he did not ask specifically about chronic Lyme.
I will call them with more specific questions, and would very much appreciate help from anyone who can:
(1) Suggest questions to ask them to determine if they understand Chronic Lyme the way ILADS doctors do, or the way Dr Alan S does;
(2) Tell me about any experience that you have had with Lyme treatment either at this or another Mayo clinic;
(3) Suggest any LLMD's in the Jacksonville or Miami areas; and
(4) Make any other suggestions.
Many, many thanks to anyone who can help. You can either respond here, or, if you prefer, by email to dogdazedntx AT yahoo DOT com.
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
Suzanne,
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister and hope she's able to get to the bottom of what's wrong. It's great that you're trying to help her.
My entire family lives in Jacksonville, and my Mom and step-father both faithfully go to the Mayo Clinic there. They actually suggested I fly down for tests before I found my LLMD.
But if you do a search for Mayo on this board, you'll find a lot of people who don't think this is the best place for Lyme at all. A lot of ducks claim to be Lyme specialists, but their treatment is really traditional.
Especially with your sister's history, I'd encourage you to find an LLMD in that area. I actually think several people post from Jacksonville or Gainesville. You might want to just scan some of the posts on the medical board and send them a pm.
Medical gets read a lot more than this section, I think.
I hope you're able to find some help!
Andie
Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :
Hi Andie:
Many thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I have been getting some good info over in medical, too. I had posted there, with a link to here, but I guess people are finding it easier to post over there.
I have been told in no uncertain terms to avoid the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, so they are out.
She really does need an LL psych. Perhaps the one in Naples will consult, but she'll need a doctor in Miami sufficiently open-minded to listen.
Onward...
Posted by daniella (Member # 6753) on :
my therapist also has lyme maybe he can help you. he is in the northest though..Let me know
I have a friend who was institutionalized with lyme aswell..she had dr. h as her dr. and he called the unit and explained the circumstances and got her treatment asap...
pm me if you would like any of these #'s
good luck daniella Posted by daniella (Member # 6753) on :
forgot to give my 2 cents about mayo....
it is a waste of time for lyme!!!sorry.
Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :
Hi Daniella:
Thank you very much for your reply. I have sent you a private message.
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)