posted
Hello I was wondering if I am on the right path. I want to see an MD, they are the "certified guys" right? I can't find a LLMD but I found a LLND (Lyme Literate Naruropath Doctor)
I am so used to seeing "a real doctor" and have always been so skeptical of the others, not that my chiropractor or acupuncturist isn't qualified to do what they do, but is a Naturopathic Doctor qualified to treat lyme if they claim to be lyme literate?
Sorry if this is a stupid question..I'm new Bebfire
-------------------- The Lord is my strength and my song
CDC/Igenex- Positive IGG 31+/- 34+/- 41++ IGM 23-25+++ 31+ 34+/- 39+/- 41+ Posts: 50 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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It is not a stupid question. First, though, a "claim" of being LL does not ensure such.
Yes, there are a few excellent LL NDs. Some are ILADS members, too, and attend the seminars, etc.
Each state varies in licensing regulations (although, sadly, some states do not even license NDs). As with LLMDs, LLNDs may vary somewhat in their approach depending upon the patient's needs.
I will PM you contact information for a LLND in a state near yours. You can call ask that office if they are familiar with any in your state.
I will post some other stuff - books, links, etc. that can help.
Good luck.
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[ 14. November 2008, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I've looked over your past posts to see where you stand.
Good that you posted for a LLMD in San Diego and have seen "Under Our Skin"
You got the support group link. Does anyone there know of a local LL ND?
You tested positive with Igenex after long illness and the usual run-a-round from doctors, including short monotherapy.
Also testing + for mycoplasma, be sure whomever you hire knows all about that, too. Most LLMD and LLNDs will - but be sure.
You also should be properly assessed for other TBD (tick-borne disease) such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia.
You have asked (in other threads) why it is so hard to find a good doctor. I'm not sure you've seen the works below, but they may be of help.
You already get that the ID doctors don't get it. So, links below explain that and it may be a good article to share with others if you need them to understand your quest.
Then, the books offer excellent background and specifics.
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES TO FUEL THE "LYME WAR" By Virginia Savely, RN, FNP-C
*****
As two medical societies battle over its diagnosis and treatment, Lyme disease remains a frequently missed illness. Here is how to spot and treat it.
Excerpts:
" . . .To treat Lyme disease for a comparable number of life cycles, treatment would need to last 30 weeks. . . ."
`` . . .Patients with Lyme disease almost always have negative results on standard blood screening tests and have no remarkable findings on physical exam, so they are frequently referred to mental-health professionals for evaluation.
"...If all cases were detected and treated in the early stages of Lyme disease, the debate over the diagnosis and treatment of late-stage disease would not be an issue, and devastating rheumatologic, neurologic, and cardiac complications could be avoided..."
. . . * Clinicians do not realize that the CDC has gone on record as saying the commercial Lyme tests are designed for epidemiologic rather than diagnostic purposes, and a diagnosis should be based on clinical presentation rather than serologic results.
- FULL ARTICLE AT LINK ABOVE.
Co-infections (other tick-borne infections or TBD - tick-borne disease) are not discussed in the Savely article due to space limits. Still, any LLMD you would see would know how to assess/treat if others are present.
==========================
AFTER reading the Savely article above this will make more sense and, sadly, shows the state of treatment:
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that his antitrust investigation has uncovered serious flaws in the Infectious Diseases Society of America's (IDSA) process for writing its 2006 Lyme disease guidelines and the IDSA has agreed to reassess them with the assistance of an outside arbiter.
As well, any LL ND should be very familiar with the ILADS (and Burrascano's) Treatment Guidelines. Even if a different path is chosen, it is first essential to know all the science behind this.
THE ONE EARTH HERBAL SOURCE BOOK (Tillotson, et.al.)
This is NOT a book about lyme. However, it is a wonderful resource not just about many herbs but also about the language of herbs and fundamentals of treatment with such.
There are excellent chapters explaining the liver and the brain.
ESSENTIAL reading. Generously, much of the book is on line but you can also get it from the link or from Amazon.
A Bulletin board for lyme patients interested in or using RIFE.
=====================
Poster's note/opinion (based upon personal experience): while few get well without attention to nutrition - and supporting the liver and adrenals with specific supplements, anyone considering complementary approaches should be sure to have first read the abx protocol for a better grasp of the task at hand.
Excellent diagnostics by a seasoned LLMD would be of great benefit. From there, various avenues can be explored.
Basic, supportive herbs to "get the body stronger" are NEVER enough to get over lyme or coinfections. Very specific attention must be paid to the nature, life-span and forms of each tick-borne disease (TBD).
Each infection is treated differently and it is no minor undertaking. It is best to seek guidance with skilled professionals who are truly lyme and TBD literate. They will know, specifically, how to proceed.
The books by Zhang and by Buhner are both excellent. While they vary in some ways, they both understand the difference between support supplements and agents that will directly affect infection.
Each offers research to back this up and each will incorporate abx when needed - just as many LLMDs incorporate some of the supplements found in these books.
You can also cross check everything through PubMed. Their work is solid. Still, it is best to work with a LL doctor (MD or ND) who has treated hundreds or thousands of other patients with TBD.
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[ 14. November 2008, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Find a LLMD through
Hi LymeNet Flash Users,
The best diagnosis is done by a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD). This is a doctor who is highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. If you are looking for Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMD)
Once you are on that webpage just click on the phrase, "Not Registered Yet?"
You should be able to register then.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases.
- 2/3 down the page, you can download Guidelines for the management of Lyme disease
You might be able to get started on some of the most important support measures as you await your appointment. Also, if you can work into it, a gluten-free diet has really helped many patients. That's a whole other topic, though.
Just take the best care of yourself as you can, and still enjoy as much as you can about life.
posted
You really ARE a smart cookie, Keebler!! thanks for the post! thanks every one who is so incredible. I never imagined that I would be here talking to people who are going through the same thing as I have. this is a very powerful website.!!
-------------------- The Lord is my strength and my song
CDC/Igenex- Positive IGG 31+/- 34+/- 41++ IGM 23-25+++ 31+ 34+/- 39+/- 41+ Posts: 50 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Bebfire,
great to see you found a LLMD who has a great reputation.
============================
Bebfire posted in the "Seeking Doctor" forum - 14 November, 2008 04:27 PM:
I have found someone here in San Diego who was recommended by a Dr. at Igenex...she is really great and I am planning on seeing her when she gets back from her vacation next week.
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