I am newly diagnosed with chronic lyme, babs and bart. (Have been sick and misdiagnosed for over 20 years).
I am seeing a very nice Dr. F in Rockville, MD. I do not know if he is an official LLMD, though he is obviously very interested in learning all he can about Lyme and its treatment.
After reading this board the last several weeks, I realize my treatment is significantly different than anyone else.
That might work out just fine--since I've just started treatment it's a little too early to look for results.
But I thought I should probably ask if anyone has had any experience with my doctor (good or bad) before I waste 2-3 years of my life on the wrong treatment.
Also, how do I let you know who Dr.F. is?
Thanks!! Jeanne
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
hi jeanne,
you might get more replies if you edit your subject line to:
Dr. F in Rockville, MD, feedback needed
now they know which dr. and what city; those patients will clck on this and answer you! saves everyone a lot of time on limited time here.
to edit, click paper/pencil which opens up subject line and body text. after adding more info on subject line,
go to lower left hand corner and mark box to receive all replies, click edit send; done!
best wishes on getting many replies! Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
We've been having a discussion about him over the last couple of days.
check out the thread mentioned above about the recent discussion regarding Dr f.
I am in your same boat! I have seen him twice and am VERY impressed with his knowledge and bedside manner.
He explained to me that he takes a bacteristatic approach rather than a bacteriocidal. He is familiar with the work of Burrascano, Marshall, Buhner, and anybody else you can name. He just doesn't feel it is necessary to bombard when the lower doses can do the job.
He is also hip to the HLA-DR4 problem i have.
Like you, I wondered about his being aggressive enough in his treatment compared with other LLMDs. I have been sick for 16 years, and am just beginning treatment, like you.
I HAVE herxed for the whole 8 weeks that I've been seeing him, and on the second visit, he did add more meds. AND this week i started noticing significant improvement in the evenings! yippee.
One of his patients told me that he DID prescribe cystbusters to her. She is very happy with him and says she is doing better.
To bail or not to bail?
What I have in mind is to make a list of all my questions regarding my protocol and go over them at my next appointment. Only after that will I have a better sense of what to do.
Wish i could tell you something more definitive, but all i can say is that I am improving under his treatment so far-- and that he is thoughtful, a good communicator and not at all arrogant.
hope that helps!
I forgot to say that he has successfully reduced the number of migraines i experience from 8-9 a month to 2-3. that's a huge accomplishment.
[ 01. May 2008, 12:29 AM: Message edited by: cottonbrain ]
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
to all,
just remember you are NOT going to improve overnight especially those of us with lyme for decades.
give the meds a certain time to work; don't go bouncing all over the place.
lyme will teach you patience; i never had it before but having been improving with it these last 4 years of knowing this is the culprit for the last 38 years! best wishes! Posted by mbroderick (Member # 5220) on :
I didn't see any improvement for at least 6 months after starting treatment... Don't jump to conclusions too fast. I absolutely agree with Betty.
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
thanks bettyg and mbroderick -- i've had some time to think about this and i think you're right -- I feel very fortunate to have found my current LLMD -- sometimes i just turn into a big worry wort.
Posted by not so sublime lyme (Member # 15185) on :
Thank you all for all of your very thoughtful responses.
I greatly appreciate all the info and links to even more info---hopefully I'll be fully educated soon!
I hope you all are on the road to better health soon.
Jeanne
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
jeanne, not to scare you, but i've been on this board 4 years and STILL learning daily! nothing is easy about this expensive disease out of pocket $$. Posted by sometimesdilly (Member # 9982) on :
i've learned the hard way that the decision to stick with a llmd or to transfer depends entirely on whether or not YOU are progressing and whether YOU feel comfortable.
nobody else's opinions about a doc you are working with makes a hill of beans difference- we are all too different---YOU know for yourself, you just need to listen to yourself.
--d
Posted by ritarhoads (Member # 14923) on :
DR F and Dr M of OHP is Rockville MD are fantastic. I prefer Dr M but they both are good. I have used that practice for my kids before I decided to add lyme to my own practice
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