posted
My insurance covers an infectious disease Dr. at the Marshfield Clinic (WI).
I have an LLMD at my disposal (and my apptment is in a couple of weeks).
My insurance does NOT cover the LLMD Dr.
How do the two drs differ traditionally?
Is it worth the money to pay out of pocket for the LLMD?
Posts: 18 | From Plover, WI | Registered: Jul 2009
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losferwrds
Unregistered
posted
You don't even get credit towards a deductible for outta network docs firthe llmd, I submit mine on forms to Aetna after like the first 500 or so they pay like 70%, sucks but hey it better than nothing.
Is it worth the money to pay out of pocket for the LLMD? [/QB]
YES!!!!!!
95% of ID drs do NOT believe in treating Lyme past 3-4 wks... so it won't do you much good to go to one.
Most of them will tell you that LLMD's are out to just take your money and that there's no such thing as chronic Lyme. Stupid to say the least.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Save yourself money as Lymetoo just gave you your ID doc consult for free. She forgot to say they will tell you how depressed you are and blame psychosomatic issues as you seem disturbed. We've all heard this one.
They can be very useful for ruling things out though if you get a good one. Many LLMDs don't run many other things and think Lyme, Lyme, Lyme from day one. Getting multiple opinions doesn't hurt if you come in with the right mind frame and education.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Tincup
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TerryK
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posted
abp - I agree with others, IDSA docs are typically useless when it comes to TBD's (Tick Born Disease). Best to see an ILADS LLMD. www.ilads.org
ILADS docs spend considerable time in training for Lyme disease and other TBD's.
You will need testing for more than just Lyme disease because ticks pass other disease as well and similar to lyme disease, many of them don't have reliable testing thus they also need clinical diagnosis.
Seek wrote: Many LLMDs don't run many other things and think Lyme, Lyme, Lyme from day one.
Not been my experience or the experience of many others. I do know that not everyone is accepted for treatment of lyme disease because ILADS trained LLMD's do not believe that everything is lyme.
Fact of the matter is that most of us have been tested for everything under the sun by the time we get to an LLMD. There's no point in re-running tests when your medical records already show the results. Despite that, I did have a huge number of tests run by my LLMD when I was evaluted for lyme disease.
Also, most of us have many lyme symptoms or we wouldn't be going to an LLMD in the first place and lyme is a clinical diagnosis. A diagnosis based on symptoms and test results.
Personally, I wouldn't waste a minute with an IDSA doctor. If you really want to get well, your best bet is an ILADS doctor.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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TerryK
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posted
Just to fill you in - I'm not sure if you know this or not but there are battles going on regarding the treatment of lyme disease. Many who end up at lymenet with chronic lyme disease are the result of the IDSA guidelines.
The Attorney General of Conneticut found that the IDSA guideline authors had conflicts of interest and thus the IDSA has convened a new panel to review the guidelines and hopefully they will make adequate changes. http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=2795&q=414284
A great book that you can read that helps to understand the situation with lyme disease is "Cure Unknown". Written by a Science Journalist who is senior editor for Discover Magazine. She and her whole family faced Lyme disease. The book covers a lot, history, science and her personal story and a few others personal stories.
The history of Lyme dissease is shocking and well worth reading about if you even suspect that you have it.
Hope things go well for you. Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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seekhelp
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posted
Terry, I speak from my experience with my first LLMD. The doctor did no testing at all with respect to any viruses, heavy metal issues, co-infections, hormones, or other stuff. The doc looked at my Igenix WB with very few positive bands and said Lyme.
If one doesn't believe in a concept (i.e., viral issues causing problems like EBV, CMV, etc., metal toxicity, detox pathway issues, and more, they usually won't test. Docs treat what they want to and are comfortable doing. This applies LLMD or non-LLMD.
My ID doc performed very extensive testing for things my old LLMD never considered. If he would've hit the jackpot, he would've been a superstar to any of us. This is why I don't toss out classes of docs and opt for 100% LLMDs. Others may feel differently. I prefer to blend care to make sure things aren't missed.
Use the best docs for what you feel they are most competent at.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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TerryK
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Seek - sorry to hear that. Was this an ILADS LLMD?
Yes, I agree with you - "Use the best docs for what you feel they are most competent at."
My LLMD tested me for every single thing that you mentioned but then he does believe in them so you have a good point. I think most ILADS LLMD's are taught about these issues and in fact heavy metals, viruses and several other problems are mentioned in ILADS formal guidelines. Look under "Continued Importance of Differential Diagnosis" http://tinyurl.com/822xu
I've been reading this list since 2003 and I do believe that the majority of IDSA docs are not good for TBI's and the majority of ILADS docs do not automatically diagnose with lyme but are very careful in their evaluation.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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The really good LLMDs do look for other things besides Lyme. I know my husband's LLMD tested for all sorts of co-infections, viruses, heavy metals (we had already done that). I think LLMDs see alot of Lyme but I truly don't think they think everything is Lyme.
If you have Lyme though it's better to go to an LLMD who will recognize Lyme versus an ID who wouldn't recognize Lyme and if he did would only treat for two weeks.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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julielynne4
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posted
My guess is that somewhere, there may be a lyme literate ID. You never know. I went to one first too, because he took my insurance and several people told me "He is a lyme expert, he treats lots of lyme."
Well, even with positive coinfection tests (that he ordered), he told me that they did NOT show active lyme, and could not be the cause of my illness/symptoms.
He said I must have had it at one time but if I have ever been on antibiotics then it would have been eradicated.
Needlesstosay, I did not return to his office and found a great LLMD.
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This is why I don't toss out classes of docs and opt for 100% LLMDs. Others may feel differently. I prefer to blend care to make sure things aren't missed. 
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