posted
What do you guys do when your LLMD is out of town, say a few hours away, and you need IV treatment, or bicilcin shots (sp?), what about insurance.... what about when you herx, do you just call the doc and adjust the dosage.....'how do you go about these obstacles? jenin
Posts: 455 | From Maryland | Registered: Jul 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I have a doctor in my State who will help in a pinch.
I call my LLMD when I need help. We have a phone appointment between physcial appointments.
Haven't gotten to IV yet but probably will eventually. That does worry me.
Insurance does not cover anything and we must pay every dime for this doctor out of pocket. My in State doctor runs some tests for me and that saves some money but we've paid for many tests out of pocket.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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1Bitten2XShy
Unregistered
posted
I am 3 hrs away from my Dr. He will not do IV unless you have a Dr. where you live that can help if there is any type of emergency with it.
Herx, you deal with it. That bad and you call your Dr. and let them know what is going on. If you think you are having a severe allergic reaction, you go to the Hosp. Mine also rx's an Epi Pen just in case.
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I am not on IV. We tried to do bicillin injections, but they didn't work out for me. The plan was to have a friend who is a nurse teach my husband and daughter how to do them.
I go to the local walk in clinic for my blood work as they also have a lab.
I have a local doctor, but I haven't needed to go to her since I started seeing my LLMD.
If I have any questions, I call my LLMD ... if it's an emergency, they will take the call immediately, if not, they generally call me back that day.
My LLMD gave me instructions about herxing ... I can call the office if I think I need to adjust the dosages, but I usually just do detox stuff and go through the herx without adjusting meds.
I have had no trouble at all with my doctor being out of state.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Some in-network walk-in clinics will administer bicillin shots for you (that you bring yourself, from pharmacy), call and ask ahead of time. If you have insurance this would mean an office visit copay each time.
Doing IVs long-distance is trickier, my LLMD wouldn't do it without someone on the case nearby.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
My LLMD is 3.5 hours away.
He is available 24/7. If I have a problem or question I call.
Even on weekends. I generally have gotten called back within a couple of hours.
Obviously, if I had an emergency, I would go to the nearest ER.
I don't find it difficult to manage my care from so far away.
The drive is not difficult.
I wouldn't let any other doctor touch me for Lyme and/or co-infections.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
My llmd is three hours away. The IV agency required a local doctor for their comfort and my PCP obliged. He had to take a stitch out once, otherwise, never needed.
Insurance wasn't a problem. If they are paying for the IV and agency services seems the doctor would be paid too if needed.
Do you have a local doctor that doesn't think you nuts? I was fortunate in that regard. My PCP new I was sick, just didn't know enough about how to make me well.
The IV should be a breeze once you get all the pieces together.
Good Luck
Posts: 87 | From Yorktown VA USA | Registered: Jul 2005
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Usually taken care of by the Home Health nurse or ER doc,,,a agreeing PCP would be handy,,,but generally never needed.
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
I have not had any problems at all. My LLMD is about 10 hours away, but is willing to do phone consults which helps a lot.
I also have a family doctor that is lyme friendly and not against my LLMD, I can call him and see him for any problems I might be having, which helps.
As far as herxing stuff goes I depended on Lymenet a lot, I listened to the folks here for information on detoxing, herbs, and diet.
I can't help with IV questions or shots, I have only done orals so far.
My insurance covered some things, part of my blood work, part of my office visits after I met my deductible, and some things they didn't cover at all, like phone consults. Overall, it has worked out really well for me.
Posts: 6641 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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Julz
Unregistered
posted
I am in Florida and my LLMD is out of state. My LLMD wouldn't treat me unless I had a local doctor willing to work with me, and help him get things taken care of. I started with IV...my local doctor wrote the order that I took to the hospital where he has privledges, to get the PICC line inserted. Without the help of my local family doctor I would never have been able get the treatment I need. After a year and a half on IV, I started Bicillin shots, that my dad administered. As far as herxing, or any other problems, I call my LLMD with questions, with an answer via his staff, or a call back pretty quickly. I hope this helps.
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
We travel out of state to see LLMD. Also see a local doc who treats for Lyme. He is very openminded though and consults with the LLMD.
We had to have a local doc when the Picc Line was inserted.
I know it sounds difficult to manage with a doctor being so far away, but it truly is manageable.
Best wishes.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
my sister is a doctor, she lives in my town, you think llmds let family members who are docs administer the IV treatment? Jenin
Posts: 455 | From Maryland | Registered: Jul 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Why would he need to know? Does she have your same last name? I would think it would be more up to your sister, whether she would be okay with it.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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