posted
I am new to all of this, as I had not considered Lyme's until recently. I have had dizziness, nausea, clumsiness, abdominal pain, joint pain, a Baker's Cyst behind my knee, chest pain and pelvic pain for years now. After 2 close pregnancies everything seemed exacerbated. I now also have bright red dots on my chest and abdomen, occasional feeling as if my eye sockets are swollen, occasional headaches, more frequent chest/rib pain, and fatigue. All of this seems to come and go which confuses me. I do also get brain fog and have difficulty with memory at times, but I blamed that on having young children and being busy.
I do not recall a tick since I was 12 (I am now 29 yrs old). On a school trip to a nature park I had a tick in my bellybutton that I had to dig out 10 hrs later when I discovered it. I never thought any further about it.
Also, at 22 yrs old I had an itchy bump on the back of my neck that resulted in severe swelling of my arms an legs by the next day. My PCP gave me a steroid injection and steroid pills, which took care of the swelling. They suspected allergic reaction but the allergist could not establish one.
I have been to 2 cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, dermatologists, an oncologist, an endocrinologist, gynocologists and have had 2D echos, EKG's, chest xrays, knee arthroscopies, an abdominal MRI, many pelvic ultrasounds, CBCs, hormone workup all which have lead me nowhere. My PCP recently ordered a CBC with Lyme's titer with Western Blot, and a metabolic panel. She also requested I see a cardiologist....again for another 2D echo.
Previous 2D echos showed mild mitral regurg on the 1st, mild mitral and tricuspid regurg. on the 2nd, and a mild murmur at the 2nd appt.
With a high deductable and coinsurance I want to see the right Dr. and utilize the right lab so that I am not throwing more $ away. Is there a good lab in the Tri-State are to take my lab order to or should I see an LLMD even though I am not dx with Lyme's yet? Any thoughts?
Posts: 11 | From Southern NJ | Registered: Apr 2012
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
Most people do see a LLMD before they are diagnosed with Lyme to be evaluated. Generally it's difficult to get a PCP to diagnose or treat Lyme properly.
I would post in the seeking forum to locate a LLMD near you. Some LLMD's do take insurance.
Since you have known tick exposure, I would definitely be evaluated. Particularly if you feel like you aren't getting anywhere with the other tests and/or diagnosis' that you have been given.
(What ILADS is) . . . WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor - starting with assessment / evaluation. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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pamoisondelune
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11846
posted
By the way, the word is Lyme (no apostrophe s).
The reason is simple.
Apostrophe s diseases are named after doctors who discovered them, like Huntington's , Parkinson's, Alzheimer's.
Place name diseases use just the place name, like West Nile virus, Coxsackie virus, Hong Kong flu, Lyme disease. No one says West Nile's virus. No one says Hong Kong's flu.
Lyme is a town in CT. There is no Dr.Lyme.
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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