Topic: Many ways to find a Good Doctor Try them ALL! Look here
springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
I have found that each site that does referrals gives me different results. Some do overlap but i was surprised at the different lists I got.
SO if your looking please read the following article that describes and explains why finding a doctor is a bit complicated and the politics around it.
I suggest you request and or do search in the various places listed here.
Good Luck..
Where To Find A Good Lyme Disease Doctor
A List of Websites and Suggestions for Finding a Physician
� Albert Burchsted Aug 11, 2008
Many people are improperly treated for Lyme disease and need to find a knowledgeable doctor. This is the place to start.
Most organizations and physicians provide excellent care when a patient presents typical Lyme disease symptoms. But when patients are diagnosed late and continue to present symptoms after standard treatments of two or four weeks of antibiotics, many doctors refuse to consider the patient might continue to have active Lyme disease and terminate treatment.
Signals of Poor Long Term Lyme Disease Treatment
Physicians and medical centers that follow the Infectious Diseases Society of America's (IDSA) 2006 guidelines for Lyme disease treatment often do not provide correct diagnosis of non-typical cases of Lyme disease, or effective treatment of chronic Lyme disease (called by them: ``post Lyme syndrome''). These doctors provide 14 to 28 days of treatment and may repeat antibiotic treatment once. This is often not enough medication to eliminate chronic Lyme disease.
How to Find a Lyme Literate Doctor (LLMD)
Following are sources, descriptions of the agencies, and the affiliations of physicians. Each link contains an Internet address. Most sites providing physician information require the searcher to register to obtain referrals. This is noted in the source information.
The process is often convoluted, and may be slower than you wish. The rationale for this is that many doctors providing this mode of treatments are being harassed by insurance company influenced governmental agencies and the information sources are trying to reduce the number of disruptive and frivolous lawsuits brought against these doctors.
One of the largest Lyme disease patient advocacy groups in the U.S. They maintain an active, informative website and require registration to search for ILADS physicians in your local area. Click on the referral button, register, and fill in the information requested. You receive immediate information.
On this website, you can obtain physicians' contact information by clicking on the ``Resources'' button, then ``Doctor Referrals''. On this page, you can register and obtain a private email listing doctors in your area.
This New York based network covers all of North America. Finding a doctor requires you to click on the ``Flash Discussion'' button, and ``Seeking a Doctor''. You register and post a question on the site. Then receive private email messages concerning physicians in your area.
This foundation requires you to download a form to request physician information. You then have to send the form via US mail to the Foundation, including $5.00 US and a self addressed, stamped envelope. They then send you the information via US mail.
An active website that provides current information on Lyme disease in Canada and many other countries including the US. Although there are no direct links to physicians' contacts, clicking on the Area Support button brings up a list of support people across Canada (and links to other countries). These contacts will email you back and provide information you may request.
International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society www.ilads.org
While the ILADS' website does not provide referrals to physicians, clicking on the button ``Treatment Guidelines'' provides access to current guidelines for physicians to diagnose and treat patients with Lyme disease. Comparing these guidelines with those of IDSA demonstrates the completely opposite conceptions about treatments between these two groups.
This society states that it provides Lyme disease information and at first glance looks extremely friendly to the patient. Be aware that this is the US society responsible for establishing restrictive guidelines for diagnosis and treatments that favor insurance companies. IDSA denies that chronic Lyme disease exists, contending that the symptoms are autoimmune, hypochondriac, and Site Update
In keeping with the wishes of ILADS and other Lyme disease advocates, there is no physician contact information on this list. URLs to websites are current as of August 2008. The links will be updated approximately twice a year to make sure only active URLs are listed.
Doctors often disagree on the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Many patients groups, including LymeInfo, encourage people to see a doctor referred to as a "LLMD", or "Lyme Literate Medical Doctor". This term is used amongst patients to describe any MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) who is knowledgeable about Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment as well as the diagnosis and treatment of related disorders. A LLMD can be in a number of different specialties of practice, but he/she most often adheres to the guidelines set forth by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). LLMDs generally have a lot of experience treating all stages of the illness, including chronic. The best ways to obtain the names of LLMDs in your area are as follows: (1) Contact your local Support Group. (2) Post to Online Forums found listed in LymeInfo's Directory. (3) See the LDA's Automated Referral System. (4) See the ILADS Officers. (5) Still no luck? Try Roadback Foundation or Rheumatic.org.
Follow his link and scroll and you will see a full list of the most popular doctors in the USA as well as s directory of support groups,forums, chat, organizations, newsletters, site, blogs etc
Lastly.
There are many integrative clinics and doctors now that treat Lyme disease but have Homeopathic MD degrees or such. I found my current doctor who I feel is very well qualified and treats from an integrative approach by doing search on the web entering in "integrative clinic" "wellness clinic" "homeopathic clinic" "cancer clinic" Or such.. And then as I read through the descriptions on the websites I was amazed that I found Lyme Disease listed in all the 5 or so I found in my State. I then called each one to see what their approach was and if it entailed antibiotics as well as the other integrated treatments they offered. Out of 5 they all did!! Amazing ..
So do not give up.. and these lists here are not the end all and only ones out there. It just is hard to find them sometimes.
I still do searches and I still always am looking so I can learn who is out there to help me..
I just felt I wanted to add this to the end here so that you knew that there is a side angle to doing some finding of LLMDs and also get a great integrative approach to your healing.
Thanks for reading.... and again. .good luck..
[ 06-12-2011, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: springshowers ]
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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It needs to be a sticky. Sometimes stickies get overlooked, but we could try!
Report this link to one of the moderators.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Siciliano
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15920
posted
Oh, Springshowers--this is excellent!
After I read this my first thought was it needs to be a STICKY!! This is extremely helpful to those that are just starting out on their lyme journey.
I agree with lymetoo--we need to have this on a more permanent basis--it is excellent information.
Thank you so much for sharing this with everyone!
-------------------- I'm sorry but I am no longer accepting any private messages due to my own battle with lyme. Posts: 3897 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jun 2008
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Glad you think this is a good post and thread. I hope it helps people find good doctors.
I wanted to show people that there are many resources besides just here that provide doctor referrals and it may give them more choices and ability to find doctors in their areas.
Good Luck.. Everyone.
Blessings.
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
The lyme disease foundation is one I tried when I was first looking.
I don't know how they are now.
But, I got a list of doctor's I had all ready seen while looking for a dx who were of no help.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
IS the list of doctors taking medicare current or up to date?
Curious.. If I have ot look for any new doctors well.. I am broke.. but have Medicare..
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
???
Anyone know if there is a current list of doctors taking medicare? Maybe I should start a new post?
I am curious if there is one or do you all that keep the doctors list have notes about what docs take what insurance if any?/
Thanks much..
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
We don't have a separate list of those who take Medicare. The lists are by state(s).
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
it is up to date; check with your friend, abx, for it.
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springshowers
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Member # 19863
posted
Lymetoo
Are you sure? I heard there was one.
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Bump.. TO help the many looking for doctors...
Remember to contact your local support groups too.
They many times have local information that is not always shared with larger groups like this one..
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
Follow the link for a method of finding your state support groups.
Looks like someone is keeping this information organized and I was not aware of this..
Worth looking into..
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springshowers
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Member # 19863
posted
Up .. as a reminder... There are many ways to find doctors and not all are on the lists here ...
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Got you PM regarding Envita - thank you. I tried to reply but your mailbox is full.
Thank you again! Maryam
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springshowers
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Member # 19863
posted
Bump Bump Bump
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
I recently have been helping many find doctors and I want to say that for integrative and alternative or homeopathic types etc I have had great luck with sites like these
posted
This list also includes docs in numerous foreign countries. Not necessarily tickborne specialists, but many different alternative and integrative treatments.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Please keep looking at the Cancer Wellness Centers or Cancer Integrative Treatment Centers.
I found another place in Reno NV that Treats Cancer and I took a family member there and they all talked to me about Lyme... and they check patients for Lyme etc.
Since I can not say names here you can either email me or the site for the newest Newsletter that does not seem to be posted on the site yet September 2010 or just email them for it and there is an article about their new additional doctor who used to work in CA and AZ ..
Anyway.. I still feel Integrative Treatment is the way to go.
Blessings ALL
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Up for finding a good Doctor
Integrative is the way to go in my opinion.. Many cancer clinics treat cancer.
I went to Reno with my mother to the Dr Forsyte clinic and he is a cancer doctor. The whole place was an integrative clinic and when we got there i saw they treated lyme disease too.
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