Topic: Would you go to a Lyme Literate Nurse Practitioner??
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Hey guys,
I'm just wondering. If there was an educated ILADS trained NP, would you go to him/her instead of MD??
I'm getting better and feeling better and I want to go back to school (I'm currently an RN, but haven't worked in 3.5 years). I feel like my 'mission' if you will is to work with Lyme patients seeing as how this thing took my life away for way too long.
To become an NP, I could graduate in 3 years. For MD, I would graduate in 5 years, but then would have 3 years of residency. It would also be about $80K cheaper to become an NP.
I'm just wondering if the MD 'title' is super important to patients...NP's can still diagnose, prescribe meds, ect... Obviously since I have a family, the shorter program would be ideal, but I could still be done by the time I am 40 if I did do med school.
Let me know what you think...I'll be starting classes hopefully next summer or fall...as long as my health keeps improving like it has! Thinking about doing this has just made me so incredibly excited lately...
posted
Hi - one in our area sees a lot of patients, so I'd say yes. All the best to you in pursuing this idea!
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I often have appt's with or have phone consults with my LLMD's nurse.
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Thanks guys! I'm wanting to have an independent practice (well, there is another person from lyme.net who lives close to me who is also pursuing the idea, we've talked about going in to practice together).
I would by Ohio law (some states NP's are able to have complete autonomy) have to have a physican to 'collaborate' with...meaning someone I could call if I had questions about a patients...but for the most part would be on my own.
So if it was basically NP on her own, would that make a difference in confidence levels???
posted
The NP is connected with a doctor here, so I don't know if that's always required? I'd say people want to know if a practitioner has the knowledge and experience to treat effectively.
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
Good for you!! I think it's great that you want to "give back".
Just a thought..but what better person to treat you than someone whos been through it.
Unfortunetly as more and more people are being diag. with Lymes/co infections I can't imagine not having as many people on "our side" to help treat us.
I live in Va but I can assure you if I lived close enough you'de have my vote.
Take care, GOOD LUCK and God Bless,
Karen Posts: 423 | From Virginia | Registered: Nov 2009
| IP: Logged |
aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
All of my treatment was via a LLNP. So a big 'yes' from me.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6157 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
You should know, though, that it sometimes isn't easy to find a physician to work with. We had a LLNP where I live a few years ago and she had to move to CA to continue to practice. Her supervising physician wouldn't do it anymore and she was unable to find another one that would.
Posts: 984 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
I would go see an NP too! I bet you would be so busy as there are not any LLMD's here in Ohio.
I know a MD who is helping to treat Lyme and Co.or rather give support with only alternatives and supplements and she is always super busy!
I think people want help no matter what and it helps to have them closer if possible. BTW the MD I speak of has been infected and so has her whole family and I do think that helps with her clients too.
My hubby is an RN and was thinking of going to be a LLNP too when he is done with his first career.
Hey looks like we can have a few in Ohio then :-)
Posts: 476 | From Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
lymie_in_md
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14197
posted
Ocean -- you have one very important ingredient for success. You personnally understand all the issues.
You may want to contact some nurse practioners who are currently doing the job. They maybe busy, but I'll bet they'd have plenty of time for a potential llnp. You may gain some insights before you start down that road.
Good luck
-------------------- Bob Posts: 2150 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Thanks so much for the support guys! As mentioned I'm very very excited and just trying to figure out Med school vs the shorter NP route (NP's have 6 years of college as opposed to 8 for MD, but I already have some college in).
I would like to be practicing ASAP and obviously the shorter route would be ideal for that goal!
I do have an alternative doc who I think 'may' back me. He's seen UOS and he is an MD. From what I understand you just have to set an hourly rate with the 'collaborative doctor'...if I don't have to have one in Ohio to 'collaborate' with, perhaps you are allowed to go out of state? I know an LLMD whom I would LOVE to use as that physican.
Bob....what a wonderful idea! Hadn't thought of that. I will call around and see!
Stacy, That's great about your husband...does he have Lyme too?? I didn't know there was an MD in OH treating Lyme, although they aren't an LLMD you said.
And very true, I've been there, and know exactly how awful Lyme is. I know for me, I also would like to see a doc/np who is in remission and been through it, if nothing other than to just sympathize and say, "I've been there, what you are feeling is real and it's awful."
My hubby does have Lyme and Company too. He is in treatment now and doing great. It can be past down sexually IMO. Both my boys have it too and are doing real well in tx.
There is an MD in Mount Orab. She is just helping with the supportive/alternatives with Lyme disease. She is treating folks as a Naturopath. She is not using abx with her clients that is why I say that she is not an LLMD. She is very Lyme Literate and has a lot of compassion as she and her whole family have Lyme. She is humble and very understanding too.
Posts: 476 | From Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic