back on doxy 100mg BID (since most said i should not have stopped)
just interested in what 1st visit entails. hx, blood work, additional testing?
what kind of meds (if any) to they prescribe/change?
what makes a LLMD decide whether or not you need IV antibiotics?
just to recap: think i was exposed 9/07. started doxy 4 weeks ago (5/08) thanks u guys!
Posts: 19 | From East Brunswick NJ | Registered: May 2008
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
Congratulations on making your appointment!
I would think how the first appointment goes would depend on the physician.
You can likely count on a thorough evaluation of symptoms and maybe additional bloodwork depending on what lab results you are going in with.
As far as medication changes, that would depend on their evaluation and whether coinfections are known/suspected.
If you have Sx of, but weren't tested for coinfections, they may want to wait until they get labs back before making any changes.
I haven't been to a lot of LLMDs, but I think that's likely to be common practice.
As for IV, I can't speak for other LLMDs, but I know the one I went to would only send a patient for IV as an absolute LAST resort.
I believe both IDSA & ILADS have recommended it for CNS infection in their guidelines.
If I may ask, which LLMD did you make an appointment with? (last initial & state only please, if "Dr.E" please indicate male or female)
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
thanks for all the info. just wanted an idea as to what is done....
seeing Dr. S in NJ....
Posts: 19 | From East Brunswick NJ | Registered: May 2008
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
I've never been to him, so I couldn't even speculate on his thoughts with regard to IV.
I couldn't even tell you whether you might have a long wait before you see him. Maybe one of his patients can tell you whether or not you should bring a good book.
I remember the feeling, when you are waiting for the first appointment. It's positively nerve wracking.
I'll keep you in my prayers. I hope all goes well and he is able to help you get well.
Ali
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Miss Toots...if you will use the link I provided instead, it goes to the updated page that one can actually reply to.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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ILADS also has links to many articles and presentations
============
To the left at this site (LymeNet) you can find medical abstracts.
=============
check out the NEWBIE links at the top of the medical posts
============= =============
The Savely article and the Atty. Gen. press release give you background information on the division in the U.S. regarding your choices in medical care.
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:
`` . . .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.
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.
- cont'd at link.
======================================
You might go to Amazon (there is a link to the left here) and look over a couple books - some you can search inside and most have customer reviews.
The Lyme Disease Solution, Singleton
and
Healing Lyme, Buhner
There are other books about lyme there, but just familiarizing yourself with these two first might be helpful.
======================================
This is a lot (in addition to the Newbie links) . . . You might breeze through but don't go overboard as you'll need to rest up for your appointment.
Best of luck for a good appointment and a smooth ride.
----
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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