I'm trying to find a doctor who can actually look at my body as a whole unit (not just tell me I have IBS, or I have arthritis) and tell me if all of my strange symptoms are actually Lyme.
Anyone have a good recommendation for someone who can correctly diagnose and then TREAT the cause of my symptoms?
Thanks!
Posted by one4islands (Member # 28187) on :
Sending you a private message.
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Welcome to Lymenet! PM sent for VA & MD.
You need to be evaluated and treated by a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD). Non LLMDs have no clue about this horrible disease and its complex treatment!
Make a VERY complete list of your symptoms in preparation for your first lyme doctor appointment. Lyme is generally diagnosed based on symptoms as the tests are not reliable. You will see that stated in the Guidelines.
Then, find the very best lyme doctor you can. Pay the bucks and go to that doctor. The better the doctor, the better the diagnosis based on symptoms. And, if it seems you may have lyme disease, that doctor should offer you a course of lyme treatment to see how you react.
Your reaction confirms the diagnosis. See this stated on page 7:
"Another very important factor is response to treatment- presence or absence of Jarisch Herxheimer-like reactions, the classic four-week cycle of waxing and waning of symptoms, and improvement with therapy."
You will have to travel to see a good doc. Usually, there are not many until you get to the D.C. area and north.
And, the best lyme docs do NOT take insurance.
Let me know if you want the names I recommend in the D.C. area.