I am looking for a doctor in the Des Moines/Central Iowa area who can give a second opinion on some recent testing I had done as well as my symptoms. My western blot testing came back positive with several markers but I was told by my admittedly *not* LL GP that I did not have Lyme. Just looking for some answers so I can move forward with my life either way. I just want a second opinion from someone who knows what they are talking about.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
If you like, you can post your positive lyme test results just as they appear on your test result.
Then, we can tell you if you have lyme or not.
You can also read what lyme doctors say about when a lyme test is positive. For example:
Dr. Burrascano:
"Western blots are reported by showing which bands are reactive. 41KD bands appear the earliest but can cross react with other spirochetes. The 18KD, 23-25KD (Osp C), 31KD (Osp A), 34KD (Osp B), 37KD, 39KD, 83KD and the 93KD bands are the species-specific ones, but appear later or may not appear at all. You should see at least the 41KD and one of the specific bands. 55KD, 60KD, 66KD, and 73KD are nonspecific and nondiagnostic." (p. 7)
"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.
[---- 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.----]
This is true regardless of whether it is IgG or IgM"
Generally, if your test results say the word "positive" as the overall result, you are definitely infected with lyme.
Sorry I don't know the lyme doctors in your area. You can contact the lyme support groups in your state or nearby states to find out who is getting folks well. See Support Groups on the left side of the page.
The wait to see a good lyme doctor can be long--3 months or much, much more. And, they generally do not take insurance and are very expensive. So, it would be worth your while to read up on lyme disease and educate yourself as much as you can now.
If you have lyme, I always advise everyone to get to the very best lyme doctor they can possibly afford. You are paying for expertise.
That gives you the best chance of getting rid of this horrendous disease.
I got rid of it by finding a doctor who followed the Burrascano protocol. It is almost 13 years since I completed my treatment and I am still symptom free, enjoying my life.
I wasted 2 years treating with lousy or mediocre doctors. Don't want you to do that. They may help you some, but don't know enough to cure you.
I also sent at least 5 of my friends to lyme docs who followed Burrascano and they all got rid of their disease also.
That's why I believe in the Burrascano protocol.
If you want a doc who follows this protocol, be sure to say that when asking around for a doctor.
Those lyme docs who know enough to cure a person are few and far between.
Welcome to LymeNet! We will help you here all we can.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Also, see the symptom list in Burrascano pages 9 to 11. And for the coinfections, see pages 23- 27.
You can also ask us here about your symptoms. There is such knowledge here you will not believe it!
Posted by Badger234 (Member # 51076) on :
quote:Originally posted by iowapatient: I am looking for a doctor in the Des Moines/Central Iowa area who can give a second opinion on some recent testing I had done as well as my symptoms. My western blot testing came back positive with several markers but I was told by my admittedly *not* LL GP that I did not have Lyme. Just looking for some answers so I can move forward with my life either way. I just want a second opinion from someone who knows what they are talking about.
Posted by Badger234 (Member # 51076) on :
I am also looking in Iowa. Only lymes clinic I’ve found is Dr. Chris Foley in st.paul, mn. with Minnesota natural medicine. Dr. Foley is internist but not taking new patients but you can get nurse practitioner or naturopathic dr. I’m not sure what to do. I have an appointment with infectious disease doctor in Iowa city on Wednesday.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
To Badger234
I would keep your appointment with infectious doctor because you are CDC positive for Lyme.
He/She will start you on an antibiotic protocol. Only for 28 days. It should be covered by your insurance.
But make an appointment with a LLMD also because there is usually a waiting period before they can get you in. There are so few Lyme doctors that treat properly.
You will need more than the 28 day antibiotic treatment the infectious Doctor will give you. They believe you will be 'cured' within that guideline. You will not. . .
That's where a LLMD comes in. They will continue treatment until all your symptoms have gone.
Feel feel to post any questions you have. We will help you.