LymeNet Flash: when/how to help family who might have lyme?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » when/how to help family who might have lyme?

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Topic: when/how to help family who might have lyme?

backintherain
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 14385

posted

I suspect that my 57 year old father may have lyme disease. He might not, but his symptoms are highly suspicious and the doctors can't find anything. He's certainly been exposed to ticks.

Let's assume he does have lyme. Is it worthwhile to help him get an Igenex test done?

I look at how hard it's been for me to deal with the:
- cost
- medications
- alternative/support treatments
- side effects
- fear
- lifestyle changes

I don't know how well he'd deal with it. AND I'm STILL sick.... It's not like there is an easy fix, even when you are sure it's lyme.

If he had a positive test, he'd still need to:
- find a doctor who could treat him
- change his diet radically
- spend a lot of money

I don't really see him doing that.

It kills me to see him sick, and I don't know the best way to help him. I've told him that his symptoms are common with lyme patients, and he seems open to the idea, but I don't know if he'd actually do anything about it.

I bet lots of people have had similar issues with family members or friends. You don't want to be intrusive, but you don't want to see them suffer.
Does anyone have wisdom to share??

Posts: 227 | From Northern CA (bitten in Illinois) | Registered: Jan 2008 | IP: Logged |

poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355

posted

He knows your situation, so that will tell him it is not an easy fix.

On the other hand, everyone responds differently to treatment, and you do not know what the future would bring for him.

I think people have to make their own decisions, based on the best information available. You have that information.

As you know testing is full of problems, and an inconclusive result will not convince him probably. If you could do only one test, maybe go with the new culture test for lyme. Do you think he has symptoms of coinfections?

Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

The Igenex WB is around $200 .. the new test is around $500 ..

let him decide and go from there

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

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