posted
I have been quite frustrated lately. I see a LLMD which is 3 1/2 hrs away from me. I see him every 3-4 months.
A couple months prior to that I started seeing a regular FP Dr. He had no clue what i had just something Autoimmune.I went on my own to see a LLMD and he diagnosed me.
I had Western Blot done through Igenex and my 39kda was IND and 41 kda ++. My FP called it neg. and LLMD said pos.
I have been seeing this FP every single month since last fall. Heis very nice and open minded and does now believe I have Lyme.
Whenever I have an issue I call my LLMD and if I cannot contact him I call this FP.Every single time I called him he told me call your LLMD because he specializes in this not me.
This FP continues to want to see me every 4-6 weeks.Is that normal? Does anyone else do this?He says he wants follow me and this disease closely but not doing any thing for me.
Every appt I tell him how things are going and tell him all my symptoms like the last 10 appts and pretty much it's a waiting game. Then I leave office.
Is this normal? Sometimes I wonder if it's because I have insurance and he is milking it? I hope not.
He wants me to see him again the beginning of April. For what, I dont know. I'm too soft. Iwas going to cancel appt last couple of times but didn't.
I don't want to irritate anyone because not many people around where I live would have the patience for this disease but I'm sick of seeing dr's every month.
Posts: 84 | From way over the rainbow | Registered: Oct 2012
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posted
I have an integrative doctor that follow me for other things like adrenals, thyroid and hormones and every three months is plenty for follow up.
Sounds like this guy is either milking the insurance company or maybe he is trying to learn about how to treat Lyme.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
If he is not doing anything at all medical for you, what reason is there to go? When you have something non-lyme that he could help with, then go.
Maybe he is trying to learn, but why should it be on your dime (and the insurance company).
If you really feel you need to say something about not coming back this frequently, offer to give him ILADS contact information so he can learn from them.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Ya, I really dont think he is picking sides b/w ILADS and IDSA. He told me they both are intelligent specialists.
He is not by any means against the ILADS tx but he also is not about to prescribe long term abx tx like my LLMD does.
I dropped the hint last appt and told him everything is a stand still due to long term tx.He said we will follow up in 6 wks.
Kind of weird!I'm a chicken, I don't want to be rude. He mentioned he wanted to follow me close and watch for more symptoms.
also he wants to see all my kids (3 of them) and check them for Lyme. My LLMD said for now to watch for symptoms.
I breastfed the last two who are now 3 yrs old and 11 months old. I guess it's hard to find a dr that will put the time in like this FP has but on the other hand I feel it's getting crazy.
Posts: 84 | From way over the rainbow | Registered: Oct 2012
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posted
You tell your FP what's happening and then you leave? Obviously, this doctor is not treating you for Lyme, so I don't see the point to going to see him unless you have some nonLyme issues.
I see my Lyme doctor for Lyme care, and my GP for nonLyme issues. Just different functions. No need to apologize. We see these folks for different reasons.
If he really wants to learn how to treat Lyme, he can study with an ILADS doctor.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
My PC likes to see me every 6 weeks. Every month when I am going through a bad time. For me, I like knowing I have general practitioner who knows me, and knows what I am experiencing from the abx, and all the supplements, or if it is something else. She is is very open, that she can't get to know what is going on, in the usual 15/20 minute visit. And this is how she works it for both her patients and the system.
I find your doctor gets to know you best when there is nothing going on.
I do admit there are times I feel like what does she actually do for me... But generally, I don't
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to have to toughen up and cancel my next appt. I sit in there for an hour and we run out of things to discuss.
I see my LLMD in May. I'm just going to have to tell the secretary that. I'll tell her that I'll make a f/u appt after I see LLMD.That seems fair to me.
I'll make the appt for July or Aug. Now I know that a number of people with Lyme dont do this every month. I just have to do it this time:)
Thanks again everyone!
Posts: 84 | From way over the rainbow | Registered: Oct 2012
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