Is there some kind of protocol for actually setting up an appointment with an LLMD? Do I simply call up and say "I'd like to see this doctor because I think I have Lyme disease and I heard s/he treats it in a way that is effective but largely frowned-upon by the medical community"?
I guess I'm worried that, with all of the controversy surrounding this kind of treatment and the strict measures taken to keep LLMDs' identities private, an obvious and up-front request might actually be damaging or suspicious in some way. Maybe this is a silly concern, but I'd rather ask than have problems with it later.
Thanks.
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
Not that I know of. Just call and set up an appointment. Some have long wait times, Dr. J in CT is 4 months.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- All MDs will SAY they treat lyme in an effective way. I've been tricked in that manner.
If you get an ILADS-educated LLMD's name from here, then contact ALL that area's lyme support groups and ask for references. It's always good to research from more than just one source - unless you know from reputation or articles/books they've written.
Then you'll have a better chance. When you call, just ask the scheduler if the doctor is a member of ILADS. Do not tell them what ILADS is. If they don't know, ask to talk with the office manager and ask the same question.
That will give you a clue but some ILADS-educated LLMD are not members - and some don't treat by the guidelines. And that's generally okay if it is a good LLMD as methods vary. But they should KNOW about ILADS and have read much of the literature.
There are even many LLMDs who say this that don't treat it properly. Quiz, quiz, quiz everyone you intend on visiting. There's a lot of smoke and mirrors. Of course, there is no perfect treatment.
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
If you call up a reliable LLMD, then it is enough to say, "I'd like to see this doctor because I think I have Lyme disease and I heard s/he treats it." They are used to it and will know what to do when you say that much.
They already know all about the controversy. Most of their patients already suspect or know they have Lyme before they contact them. By that time, they are usually desperate for some help because they haven't gotten any everywhere else they've tried.
I do think it's reasonable to ask them if they have a usual treatment approach. They may not tell you much of anything until your first visit, because you are not officially their patient until then, and they could get in trouble for giving you medical advice before they have seen you. They may send you a packet of information and forms to fill out before you go there. This may tell you more about what kind of treatment to expect.
The LLMD's office will only be concerned with figuring out whether you sound like you likely have Lyme, and if you do, when they can work you in. They all have too many patients and long waiting lists because there are not enough LLMD's.
Some people criticize them by saying, "Dr. So-and-so diagnoses everybody with Lyme." The truth is, so many Lyme sufferers seek them out begging for help that they don't have room for other patients. Some set out to become LLMDs for their own reasons, but others got that way as more and more Lyme sufferers heard they were treating others and went to them for help.