posted
Hi, I am looking for an LLMD in Oregon. I am being forced to leave my home state of Utah to search for an LLMD. I am movining to Oregon. I also need an LLMD that is relatively affordable. I have already consulted one LLMD and he was very expensive. Any advice on LLMD and how to pay for it would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 2 | From salt lake city, utah/ portland oregon | Registered: Apr 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Welcome. We're all very sorry for what you are dealing with and hope that you find what you need here.
* First, be sure that any MD is ILADS-educated. Some say they are lyme literate or will treat lyme but are generally clueless. While not all LLMDs treat the same way, it is vital that they have the ILADS connection to research and seminars, etc.
* Secondly, some LLMDs take insurance but most LLMDs do not. Still, all things considered in running a practice, their rates are usually within reason. It's just that for most of us, income is greatly diminished.
* Sadly, there are no LLMDs in Oregon. Lyme patients here are usually met by most doctors with great disdain.
The Oregon Medical Board is a very powerful, negative force and this is a very determined effort to stamp out anyone who properly treats lyme.
Once in a while someone with a brand new bulls eye rash will get nine days' of one single medicine but that is about it.
However, too many patients with a brand new rash are also still being told "there is no lyme in Oregon" and turned away at the most critical time. Doctors don't realize that many don't get a rash. They are also clueless to other tick-borne infections.
And, if you have to ever go to the E.R. for any reason, you dare not even mention lyme.
A few doctors who tried to properly treat lyme (or patients in the advance stages) were stripped of their ability to practice in this state. Or they were told they could only be E.R. doctors with instruction to NEVER, ever treat lyme again.
* However, there is a very active lyme support system and some LL NDs (naturopathic doctors), a couple of whom are ILADS-educated and very Lyme Literate, keeping up on all the research.
Naturopathic doctors are licensed by a different government agency. The great thing with NDs is that they have four years of medical college courses about herbal and nutritional medicine and are excellent with that aspect. And, in Oregon, they also have additional pharmaceutical education and can prescribe many of the same pharmaceuticals as MDs.
A few NDs do take some insurance but there is also the question of insurance paying for lyme treatment. Many of the necessary support measures do not fall under any insurance plans, though.
* There are also several support groups that meet regularly and are strong concerning patient education.
* However, for LLMDs, patients have to travel to either California or to Washington state.
Be sure to make some phone, talk to those in the local support groups, BEFORE you move.
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