posted
In selecting a new LLMD, what are 3 questions that you would ask when calling their office, to help you decide if that is the doctor that can help you the most?
I've been in treatment 6 years, sick another 5 years on top of that without a proper diagnoses. Have worked with 2 LLMDs that I highly value. I am improved, but not "well." May need a fresh set of eyes to help.
I have the names of docs to call, but how to choose the right one?
What would you ask?
I might ask:
1. How long have you been treating Lyme and Cos?
2. Are you an ILADS member?
3. Have you had success treating patients who continue to have health problems, but the Lyme is not "active", or is in "remission"?
4. How do you determine what may have been missed in prior treatment?
Not sure if I'm headed in the right direction. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
What are the test you require to know what infections i have
-------------------- Posts: 215 | From California | Registered: Sep 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I think the most important thing:
Talk to people in your local lyme support groups FIRST. The best LLMDs come from patients who have had successful experiences.
Not sure where in WA state you are but do you have the contact detail for a support group near you?
If traveling, find the support group for that area and talk to others in the same boat - and others who are further along in the process.
Google the name of doctors to see what they've written. Or ask the office manager for that. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Can you get some of the ILADS videos from the conference this weekend? I learned a few key points that I've missed.
Be sure to ask about how they address the CYST form and BIOFILMS and
what support methods they suggest for the liver and the adrenal system. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
YES.. contact the support groups .. Look to the left side of the screen and click on Support Groups. Contact them to see who is good in that area.
I would want to know what lab they use for lyme and coinfection testing. And do they have an open-ended treatment plan for lyme and coinfections.
Googling their name is a really good idea. Also go to www.ratemds.com to see if there are any comments there.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
As far as talking to the office -- the questions I would ask would include -- How often are office visits required?
Does the doc do phone consults?
Can med changes be made via phone or does that require an in-office visit.
Which labs does the doc use?
Does the doc use strictly antibiotics or do they also use herbs?
And if you are interested in IV antibiotics that brings up lots of issues and problems if you live in another state.
Do you get to see the doc at every appointment or see a PA for some appointments and the doc for others?
What are the charges if any for simple phone follow-up questions?
Does the doc respond to email?
Does the doc pulse meds?
Are they a "blaster" or do they titrate patients if needed to eventually get to a target therapeutic dose?
Does the doc treat clinically rather than based on test results?
Whatever specific symptoms you have such as arthritis or tremors -- does the doc have many patients like me?
Does the doc use some sort of update form to track symptoms and med responses?
If pain is an issue -- does the doc treat that or refer you to a pain specialist?
Does the doc suggest nutritional supplements or is that something they even believe in?
Does the doc treat or test for hormone levels?
Personally -- the hardest thing to predict is whether the doc and patient are a personality match -- I think that is one of the most important considerations.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Wow. I'm humbled by all of your answers. We've got some extra smart people here on Lymenet. Caring, too.
Closest support group to me is Seattle, and that's not likely to happen. But I might try a yahoo group for that.
Whatever I was able to see of the ILADS conference was really inspiring. Got me thinking about some possibilities. The videos are a good idea. Budget is limited, I'll have to pick and choose a few.
Bea, your list of office visit questions is very helpful. It's also true that the match between Dr and patient is critical.
Thanks everyone. Much appreciated. Best wishes.
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
how may patients he/she sees in a day?
how many days a week does he/she work?
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
What protocol does the doctor follow? Burrascano? some other protocol?
This tells you how you are going to be treated. Very important in my opinion.
Being an ILADS member can mean simply that he believes in chronic lyme. So, I favor the protocol question instead.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Hopeful4,
Just sent you a PM with a specific online support group for those in WA with Lyme/co's.
Take care,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
TF, I'm reading these questions, too, as it's timely for me - gathering info to make calls to several doctors this morning, in fact. I'm really new to this and I've read some about Dr. Burrascano, but what other "protocol" answers might we receive from the doctors?
-------------------- "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that inside me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Posts: 24 | From Mentor, OH | Registered: Sep 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
When you call and ask if the doc follows Burrascano, you might be told, "What? Burra-what?" Or, "What do you mean by that?" "Never heard of it. What is it?" or "I don't know; let me check."
All of those are bad signs. You could also be told, "He knows about Burrascano and follows it somewhat." or other things along that line.
The many other protocols are, for example: *****names of LLMDs deleted**** herbal only, doc does his own thing, etc.
Another good question is, "How long will the doctor treat a lyme patient with antibiotics?"
This shows if the doc is willing to treat until symptom-free.
And, "Does he use more than one antibiotic at once?" (Docs who use only one med at a time are called mono-therapy. It won't generally work.)
However, as stated above, the most important thing is personal recommendations from people who are in the know. Someone new to lyme is not going to be as valuable a recommendation as a lyme support group leader or someone who has seen a few lyme doctors already.
I generally say that you want a doc who has gotten at least 3 people well. That shows success at treating this disease.
You get this kind of info by calling lyme support groups. See "Support Groups" on left side of page.
posted
I'm happy with my doctor because he knows a wide variety of treatment options and treats everyone differently depending on their needs and tolerances.
He always knows the order in which to do supplements.
He understands detox well.
He knows testing well, which can help him make decisions about the above.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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