I am going for routine visit with a GI doctor I have not seen for over 10 years, but really liked her. I am going because I want to be able to see her if I present with problems again... I don't actually have any specific GI issues now, But have had bouts of diverticulitis in the past, and at one time I was dx'd with Crohn's. But last colonoscopy showed no sign of it.
but the last time I had diverticulitis i was sent to a very local dr. and I kinda got freaked out by the hospital where the colonoscopy was done. so I just want to establish a relationship with the first dr. again who is with a very reputable hospital.
But...their forms are asking for all your meds... and history...etc. do I mention Lyme? and all the abx I have been on for over a year?
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Sorry but I wouldn't mention it. I did at my last colonscopy and I'm could just see him shutting down. AnOther mistake and one I won't repeat
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
I feel you should be totally honest and open with the fact you have lyme and the meds you are on. I have taken that approach with every doc I have seen.
Some are supportive, some are not. But to withold information like that I feel could be detrimental to the care you expect them to give you and at times could be dangerous to your health as well.
Posted by cozynana (Member # 34270) on :
This is what my girlfriend calls a sticky wicket.
I finally had to change to a DO and a PA that worked in his office.
I was also lucky enough to find a Uro. that also believes in Lyme and will work with the other two.
Is it possible to find a DO or GP that believes in both main stream med and alternative? My DO is a LLMD and has had Lyme himself.
I tried telling my regular docs I had Lyme and they ALL shut down on me.
My hometown GP will treat me for everything but Lyme. Sad isn't it?
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
i would ask your LLMD to recommend a GI for you-- that way you know it wont be a hostile situation.
I would be nervous for your Dr's sake. At the very least don't tell the GI Dr who is treating your Lyme.
Its hard, cause if they do perscribe you anything they need to know the medications youre on....and really with GI-- your abx will effect treatment.
Sorry its so tough-- i'd ask your LLMD
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I've been open and honest with every doc I see. When other doctors express concerns about how long I've been on abx I simply say....I understand your concern and appreciate your input but I do have a doctor treating my lyme and I am here for other reasons.
When my OB/GYN was a little pushy, I said to him....would you go to a cardiologist for your GI problems? Or see an endo doc if you were pregnant? Nope. So how about we leave my lyme treatment to the doc who specializes in it...mkay?
MY PCP is aware of my lyme treatment and he disagrees with the approach. Even though he has seen me make improvements. But he doesn't harp on it.
I am honest about all my medications because I don't want to be prescribed something that may interact with meds I am already on.
I don't believe in being all secretive about my lyme treatment. I am very open and honest and it is my hope that I will educate others.
I never really understood being all secretive anyway. My LLMD's name is on all my prescribing medications, lab tests/studies and blood work. It is quite obvious to the insurance co who is treating me.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
This doctor today was very open to Lyme treatment. She did ask how long I would be on abx. Ultimately, if I am feeling better is what she said. She did of course ask if with family history of autoimmune disease have I exhausted that angle with a rheumatologist. But she let it go and moved on to my one colonoscopy report with a chron's dx and a later one with no evidence of said chroh's...
That got her attention. I suspect, and the dr who even dxd the chrons thought that what he saw could have been one of my rashes but in my colon. Rash, Lyme. I prefer the no chrons dx.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Interesting. I'm glad you were honest with her and that she did not give you grief over it.
No Chrohn's sounds good to me.
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
Philly-- the reason why some are so secretive wiht their treament is because a fellow Dr can file a complaint against your LLMD-- which would then cause them to be under review and possibly loose their license to practice. THIS HAPPENS.
The second reason is, some people dont want to open themselves up to be criticized by Dr who think they know better.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
Makes sense I guess. I just don't understand how we are supposed to get others in the medical profession to understand just how bad lyme can be if we are all secretive.
One need not give the name of the doc if s/he doesn't want to but hiding everything we go through/our daily routines/meds etc seems contrary to what I would think one would do.
Just my opinion of course. I've also watched my MIL be completely open and honest throughout the last 10 years of her treatment and never have any major problems.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I don't tell non-Lyme-Friendly/Literate doctors I have Lyme...because I've been yelled at, treated like a faker, etc., by these doctors for mentioning the word, "Lyme."
I don't go to a doctor to get an ear-full on how it would be impossible for me to have Lyme, when I already KNOW I for sure absolutely have Lyme (CDC positive test, plus symptoms that improve on abx that kill Lyme).
I don't want to pay for the time the doctor wastes during my appointment yelling at me about Lyme.
I'd much rather just ignore the Lyme thing, and call it what other non-LLMD's have called it (an autoimmune connective tissue disorder).