About a month ago, a man came into our local thrift store, which my mother manages. This man is a retired veteranarian and not even from around this area.
He was discussing lyme disease with the lady at the checkout, and this lady said "you have to talk to the manager here"
He told my mother he has had lyme disease for 4 years, and continued to tell her all of his symptoms, the same symptoms I have had for 4 years, AND that he has been seeing a lyme doctor and has never felt better in his life.
He told my mom "Your daughter needs to see my doctor" He gave her his name, clinic, and town. He is only an hour away from me.
I called for an appointment and was told he is not seeing any new patients, I quickly told the receptionist that I was diagnosed with lyme 4 years ago and have been sick ever since. She told me she would talk to the doctor and call me back.
10 minutes later I got a call and he could see me in 2 weeks.
The best appointment I have ever had in my life. He listened to me, every word!!!! There was no - You're depressed, you have post traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia, do yoga, that will help, it's all in your head. I finally found someone that believed me.
I asked how he got into treating lyme. apparently, he had several patients that had been treated but would come back begging for help as they were not any better, so - he went out east and learned more about this nasty disease and got protocols on how to treat it.
I had a picc line put in 3 days later, and am being treated with IV rocephin and leviquin. Also put me on artimisinin, magnesium, and flagyl. No guarentees, but hopeful.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Hi July, it sounds like you are now going in the right direction.
I wish you all the best!
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
What a blessing!! Glad you are now on your way to health.
Posted by zil (Member # 12048) on :
Love the last words on your post. Hopeful. We all need to feel that. Keep us posted and hope your feeling much better soon.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Four years of not looking for an LLMD? You never asked for names here?
I don't get that.. but I'm VERY happy you are now on the right path!
Posted by feelbetter (Member # 21957) on :
You are on the right track!!
What's your sympoms??
Posted by july (Member # 10469) on :
Sorry it took so long to respond, had computer problems.
Thank-you for all the well wishes.
Lymetoo - I did get names here for llmds. One of them doesn't take insurance, was told it would cost me around $4000.00 - $6000.00 for my first appt. and testing. I did chat with someone else on the board that saw this doctor. She felt she was treated for everything but her lyme. Besides that - I have no money.
I did see another llmd for 1 year. I could no longer tolerate the 3 1/2 hour ride there and the 3 1/2 hours back. I can't even sit for more than 10 minutes. He treated me with orals. No improvement.
Symptoms - Extreme body pain (joints, muscle pasms bonepain, skin burning) Involuntary body jerking, chemical sensitivities, jaw pain, stabbing headpain, unbelievable fatigue, memory/concentration difficulties, and feeling like I am going to die everyday - just to name a few.
Update - on IV antibiotics for almost 2 months now (4 days on 3 days off) Only difference I have noticed is the body jerking has settled down some while on the antibiotics, but by day 2 off, they start to intensify again. I have an appt. scheduled for Thursday.
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
Good luck and I am glad you have found a good doctor to help you.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
YEA!! I was going to suggest our updated list of LLMD's in Iowa...but sounds like you found one!