I don't wanna specify state as that will make people biased for certain doctors. In all of US are there any LLMDs that are considered best of the best even within the LLMD community?
I have the means to travel to anybody in the US. My objective is to talk to the most competent LLMDs (atleast 3) and decide based on what all 3 say my best course of action.
I want to see how different the protocols good LLMDs would recommend can be. I already have a protocol from a LLMD who has been treating Lyme for over 20 years but I'm on hold because of elevated labwork and want to take this time to confirm with other LLMDs that I am making a good choice on this protocol.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I think the best answer to your question is that there are a variety of treatment approaches, and doctors who excel in each of those approaches around the country.
There's also some doctors who specialize in seeing children.
I think it's more a matter of matching YOU up with the doctor whose treatment approach is best for you, whether it be antibiotics only, whether IV antibiotics is needed, a combo of abx and complementary care, or solely alternative care, and even then there's a lot of variety in that category as well.
There's also varying awareness re doctors recognizing detoxing capabilities, which can also affect our ability to handle treatments. I personally think it's very important for treaters to be aware of that issue. Like we can test for our detox capacities, if needed.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
If you're willing to go through all the trouble of traveling to three different LLMD's, then you may want to do some background research.
Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: 13 Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies by Connie Strasheim
If you look for Lyme Disease at Amazon.com, you can find other books, including some good ones published within the last year.
If you've been in the Lyme world for a while, you may be aware of some of the problems antibiotic treatment causes for the body. And why doctors are having so many problems treating Lyme, from insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and governmental agencies.
Even going to the "best" Lyme doctor doesn't guarantee success, as you may have several other tick borne infections, detoxification problems, nutritional deficits, heavy metals, parasites.
Posted by stiffyoungman (Member # 40067) on :
I appreciate the replies. I've done an okay amount of research and everything is just so contradicting it's annoying.
Let me give you guys a little more info and maybe some of you can PM me some info on docs. I'm looking for someone who accepts both traditional med (drugs) and alternative (herbs,bee,tinctures) as possibilities but is more traditional orientated in terms of how they usually get results.
Here's my plan and gut feeling about myself. I want to use drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals) to do the first devastating blow to my critters. I understand this may not get me to 100% but I believe it will help me a lot. From that point forward I plan to use different alternative protocols to keep moving forward and getting to that 100% if the antibiotics don't get me there.
I haven't treated Lyme with antibiotics yet. My current MD has multiple antibiotics she would want me to take over a 4-6 month period (up to 7 different antibiotics I think) and I really don't know if my detox capability is there. A concern of mine. I am a naturally bad detoxer.
That's a big reason I want to discuss my protocol and other drug protocols with very good LLMDs. I think IV might be necessary for me at least from time to time to help ease off the Liver.
So I guess the type of doctor I'm looking for is one that is VERY well versed in all the different antibiotics/drugs and ways to take them, dosages, and time periods.
Which is what my LLMD seems to be, however she seems to like Oral more than IV (bad for me) and also, I don't like to just go with the first opinion I get.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Sent you a name and lots of info. This doc will put you on IV if he thinks it is the best way to go, no hesitation.
Posted by stiffyoungman (Member # 40067) on :
Anybody else wish to respond or PM me? The more the merrier. I got some good info from TF and 1 or 2 others but I'm looking for common denominators.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Ok - pming -
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
One problem you will have is that many of the docs have long waiting lists for new patients.
Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
We are not supposed to put doctors names here. If you do, you make more work for the good people who monitor these pages.
And - this is a bit suspicious to me. I don't think we ought to rate doctors here. There is no "one-size-fits-all" with doctors treating Lyme disease or for any ailment. What is right for one patient is not necessarily what is best for others.