I've been seeing a Lyme-Literate doctor (LLMD) for a year now, and I'm no better off than I was a year ago. He did order blood tests that confirmed Babesia and LD. I've tried Mepron, Zithromax, Biaxin, Doxycilin, Amantadine, Flagyl, IV Rocephin for 12 weeks. I'm now on Ketek, Amantadine, and Factive. I know it takes time to treat this disease, but I'm feeling frustrated. My emotions tell me to find someone else. But my intellect tells me that another doctor would probably treat me the same way.

But here's another issue. I described neurological and psychological problems from the start to my LLMD in addition to the chronic arthritic pain I feel. But in one year's time, the only medication he's given me that has been documented to cross the blood brain barrier is IV Rocephin. It's as if he's not listening to me. I told him that my arthritic pain went down significantly on Biaxin, but he hasn't prescribed that again since April. It's frustrating to see a doctor once a month at the most and only get about 10 minutes of his problem-solving time. And his problem-solving skills don't sound too good. Then again, it may be my own brain fog that's drawing me to the wrong conclusions.

For those in the same boat, how often do you change doctors? Would you recommend changing or staying the course?

I've been seeing the same Dr. for over 2 years with the very least improvement. I'm moving on now. The Dr. I've been seeing is 238 miles away, but I'm going to be flying to see one who's 752 miles away.

I feel it will be worth the trip. If money is a problem you may be able to do like I'll be doing and fly with Angel flight. They take you there and back FREE.

Anyway, if I can be of any help, e-mail me.

God Bless You,

What may be to your benefit is to get a second opinion from an LLMD up North who sees Lyme Disease patients on a frequent basis. There are doctors up north who probably see more Lyme patients in a day than an LLMD in Florida may see in a week or more.

Its up to you when you want to make that move. Sometimes, its the patient and their dissemination, strains, etc and no matter what doctor they see-not much is going to occur any quicker than it already might be.

And sometimes? IT IS the doctor. In my case, two times, it WAS the doctor.

If you are going to the J clinic in NC, there seem to be a number of people voicing discontent. That's all I know about that.

It seems to me that you have been on a lot of different meds, including the fancy new ones. A year is a long time to give it and it seems to me you should have seen some improvement, so long as the diagnosis is correct.

Have you considered doing something simple and low-tech, namely Bicillin LA and a macrolide such as Zithromaxor Biaxin. That's what I have done and other than taking drugs and occasional herxes, I feel normal most of the time and am currently builing a house (as in up on the roof nailing shingle with a roofing nail gun, etc...).

Bicillin really seems to be emerging as a very effective intervention. More and more LLMDs are using it to good effect. Check the thread that's up today. There is also a Bicillin Poll somewhere in the archives, In it most report it helped them more than anything else did.

I used to live in St. Pete and saw a most wonderful doctor in Clearwater. He was uninformed about Lyme and missed it. However, we have remained in touch and I feel pretty sure he has seen the light. He WOULD listen to you. If you are up to taking a strong role in deciding on your care, he might be able to help you, especially if you wanted to try the above approach, or something equally simple, as he knows about my progress.

Let me know if you are interested and I will e-mail you his name.

David