I tested positive for Lyme on August 17, 2004.I have been bitten by ticks the last few years and the last bite in early June 2004 was probably the one that sent me over the edge. I live in Connecticut. My regular doc treated me with 200 mg of doxy daily for a 3 week period with no improvement of symptons and kept me out of work. Symptons being profound fatigue, dizziness, twitching, intense joint pain and walking problems to name a few. He wanted me to go back to work and I told him I couldn't because of all my problems, so he referred me to an infectious disease doc, who started me on the IV Rocephin Aug. 22, 2004 for 28 days. This doc was keeping me out of work for the 28 days. In the meantime, the doctor at my company denied further Short Term Disability payments because he said "severe arthritis and a low Lyme test" does not warrant being out of work. This is a contradiction based on the fact I was allowed short term initially. So what has changed. To me, Lyme is Lyme, and my primary doc stated that it was a high and severe case. Unless, of course, the Rocephin has almost cured me in a week. You can't get a lawyer to help you fight an abrbitrary decision like this one is. So you are pretty much screwed. I only have the right to appeal left, and I can't really add anything to what my treating doctors have already said. So here is another example of Lyme discrimination and the insurance companies up to their old tricks of denying sick people who really are in need. That's pretty much it.
Thanks, Ron C
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
That sounds very discouraging Ron C.
When I have insurance problems I deal with them the best I can and try to focus on my health.
I'm just learning right along with lots of folks at this site and am running into things that others have already gone through.
Hang in there!! Don't let them dictate to you what your needs are.
Posted by Ron C (Member # 6227) on :
thanks for the input aklnwlf -- I have already spoke to a disability lawyer, who told me to call the infectious disease doc's office and find out if that doc wrote or will write a letter keeping me out of work during treatment -- I still don't know where the "mild arthritis and low Lyme test" diagnosis came from. If not I will change course completely and find a doc who wants to look at me as a whole patient and who will look at all my Lyme problems, but I WILL NOT file for family medical leave, with the irony there being you need a doc to say you are disabled anyway when you file that form.