posted
If this round of antibiotics clears up my symptoms, should I still make an appointment to see an LLMD?
Or should I go ahead and make one and then if I'm feeling 100% better just cancel it? Or what?
It would be nice to have the Igenex western blot test done but I am having a hard time justifying spending all that money to see an LLMD if I'm not feeling sick anymore.
If the most recent test results come back positive, I should definitely see an LLMD, even if I'm feeling better... right? Or no?
What would you guys do?
Posts: 156 | From Virginia | Registered: May 2011
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lymeboy
Unregistered
posted
yes. you should. Years back, I had 3 months of Doxy after being bitten and feeling ill. I got to 100% pretty quickly, and did not return to the doc. 6 months later, I was feeling awful. I couldn't get out of bed...When I went back to the doc, they took another Lyme test and insisted I was fine, that I should exercise more. over the years, I developed an array of strange symptoms. 2 years ago, I thought I was going to die. Luckily I came up positive, and found this site, but I could still be bouncing from doc to doc, being told i'm fine, nothing's wrong with me.
Get a LLMD and don't stop treating until you KNOW it's gone
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posted
I think you should continue to see LLMD. I'm beginning to think that just clearing the symptoms means you are only 1/3 of the way to being Lyme free for a significant time period. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago and it comes back when I'm stressed and/or not healthy. Now I'm falling back down the Lyme hole and I wish I had been more on top of my health. I 'm better educated now so I'm not too scared, but I should have been on cave man diet for the past 2 years!!!
Posts: 65 | From oregon | Registered: Jun 2011
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posted
Where you recently bitten? If it's a new bite, I'd stay on it at least a month, maybe two (according to Dr. B's guidelines, 4 weeks) past the last symptom.
If it was chronic Lyme, you'll want at least two months past.
If you're symptom-free and can stay on abx that long, you may be okay. I'd keep the appt and cancel later if you don't need to go.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
mcarinagella, Thanks! I did make an appointment with an LLMD who takes my fiance's insurance. We were going to get married eventually, anyway, so we may as well do it now, right?! Not the most romantic circumstance, LOL!
The ER doc only gave me 3 weeks of doxy, and even the crappy IDSA guidelines say I should have 4-8 weeks of doxy since there is joint involvement - BUT, I think I cleared a huge hurdle even getting the ER doc to prescribe doxy in the first place so I guess I will consider myself lucky.
My appointment is for Aug. 15. Here's hoping for a diagnosis!
Posts: 156 | From Virginia | Registered: May 2011
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posted
hammond, I think you're right! From what I've read about Bb, it can be in your body in different forms and not cause any symptoms at all. Just lying in wait for your immune system to become weakened and then one day, BAM! Excruciating pain all over your body out of the blue.
Scary stuff, those bacterium.
No wonder they've survived for so long!
Posts: 156 | From Virginia | Registered: May 2011
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I can't tell you exactly when I was bitten because I have developed a serious case of CRS, but I'd say it was sometime between Jan. and March of this year.
The big, funky bug bites appeared in March, that much I am sure of. Now that I think of it, I have been sick more times this spring than I probably have in the past ten years. Ever since February I've just been feeling blah.
I know "they" say that ticks aren't active that time of year, but I have a greenhouse in my backyard that I accidentally turned into a tick habitat without even realizing it.
Lymeboy,
How do KNOW when it's gone? Everything I've read says there is no definitive test that will tell you that the Bb has been totally eliminated?
Posts: 156 | From Virginia | Registered: May 2011
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posted
I think Its when the herxing stops for 2 regrowth cycles each 28 days. I am not positive when i got bit either but for the last 2 years I have gotten the flue about every two months, I am now beginning to think I Had I longer than I thought.
-------------------- Help I am being forced against my will to learn medicine!!! Posts: 164 | From WASHINGTON | Registered: Jun 2011
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Risk to benefit ratio. Better safe then sorry with this disease.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Stick with appt with LLMD. I would if I was you.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
The er doc gave me and my daughter dx ONLY FOR TEN DAYS...i tried to get more from the doc I saw today and she said..."no...you don't have lyme disease"...and uh, excuse me...exactly how do you KNOW that little miss doctor lady??????????????? These doctors kill me (no pun intended - good grief - eeeek...LOL)
Posts: 33 | From ohio | Registered: May 2011
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