posted
There's an LLMD who is expert in Lyme & tick-borne illness, psychiatrist and neurologist based in Florida who treats people from anywhere & requires just 1 visit to Florida. He's expensive but extremely thorough & doesn't take all comers. PM me if you want his contact info since we cannot post Dr. names & info here.
Posts: 4 | From Naples, FL | Registered: May 2010
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
Alot of LLMDs treat from all over the world
WARNING: Any doc whether an LLMD or not requiring JUST ONE VISIT is suspicious/questionable.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Diane, you should mention that treatment has to be followed up by phone appointments.
Some LLMD's are taking this route to help those who cannot get to their chosen or preferred doctor's office.
Robin, I WOULD and do highly recommend this doctor, he is absolutely brilliant and successfully treating myself and two others in my family. I would rather pay more for a doctor who's research is 1-2 months old not years old.
He keeps saving lives, mine included. He has taken me from my darkest depths of illness to finally seeing the light and better health.
Personally, I can't say enough good things about him.
Posts: 671 | From Fort Myers, Florida | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Hi Elaine - you know I respect you and your medical needs and I'm glad to read here that you're getting the help you need, so thx for your feedback -
I just get tired of doctors charging so much when so many of us are broke from these illnesses and can't access a doctor because of high fees -
Don't they care about that and the impact it has of impoverishing so many of us in the attempt to save our lives?
Are any of them willing to do some pro bono to help out? Many lawyers do that, and they're in a pricey profession too. There's even legal aid set-ups. But no medical aid set-ups to get people to the doctors.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Robin, I agree with you. I do know that this LLMD has done pro bono work in the past as I would believe many others have done also.
The problem, the way I see it, is that we are basically left on our own, the insurance companies don't cover much if any and some of the drugs are so expensive, like Malarone and Mepron.
I personally find it disgraceful and shameful that in this country so many who cannot afford Lyme treatment are discriminated against by so few who influence, meaning the ID docs. Either by ignorance, stupidity or stubborness, they have ruined health, lives and families. I haven't even mentioned the PCP who has no clue and continues to mis-dignosed, like I was for 12 years.
Sometimes, I think the only reason we have LLMD's is because they or someone in their family have suffered with TBD. They sure didn't learn proper treatment in medical school.
Free clinics would be great for Lyme and co treatment but until the politics and doctors can agree on proper treatment, we won't see that happen.
My wish is that some day a non-profit is set up to help struggling families pay for complete LLMD treatment. I know that I and others would donate to that.
Meds can be received free from most of the drug companies if income is low enough. But there is also a catch 22 for people on state insurance or medicaid.
Supplements are expensive, as well, as the herbs we use. How do young families afford this? Or the single person who can't work. They don't, they stay sick or self administer the best they can.
I am not telling you anything that you don't know already. You ask good questions and I don't have answers for you. I wish I did.
We need a Bill Gates type of foundation or we need infectious disease docs who will look into their hearts and admit that they were wrong. I don't think that will ever happen.
I'm older, retired early and had my business and made good money. So, yes, I can afford this doctor or any other doctor who charges higher rates. And yes, for his brilliance and up to date knowledge on treatment, I believe it is worth every penny.
I just didn't plan on spending my hard earned money on doctors, meds, supplements and herbs in retirement. I thought I would be traveling and having a grand ole time. But, yet, I am one of the fortunate ones.
If I had TBD when I was much younger and raising my family, I would be in the same situation as so many others. Too sick to work and no money for treatment.
I still feel strongly about a foundation to help people who are too sick to work and afford treatment. It only takes one very affluent person who has been touched by Lyme and co to start the ball rolling. But, unfortunately, they or their family member probably have been mis-dignosed.
The answer is out there but I don't think I will see it in my lifetime, not for the magic bullet cure, anyway.
However, I sure hope I see a foundation formed and helping while I'm still living.
Although....... now I am curious about foundations and may start researching that now that I am feeling better.
Hugs to you and a BIG Posts: 671 | From Fort Myers, Florida | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Hi Elaine - thx for understanding! I agree - too many people are coming on the boards asking for help to get to a doctor.
How about offering cheap triage for those who've just gotten bitten? We have one top LLMD whose staff is now offering that. Thank goodness - to keep new folks from going chronic. That's a needed community service.
There is money out there - this just has to be seen as important enough. I know of one person so far who has a 501(c)3 set-up ready to receive funds.
And it would help if LLMDs were willing to do some pro bono and some sliding scale and some lowering of fees. It's too much, when so many have lost their income due to being sick.
And, going on, we've already had testimony here from one Lymenetter who's being treated in Ecuador for very cheap. Must be an interesting life experience.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Robin, that is a great idea about cheap triage service. Do you know if they do more than the CDC standard of treatment? I guess they would.
The other problem that I see is that we don't have enough LLMD's. How many times do we see an affordable LLMD that has a 3 month backlog or isn't taking new patients. There is not enough to go around. If more of the misdignosed people started to going to LLMD, we would have longer waits.
I can see the pro bono work but sliding scales and fee lowering would cause a boat load of extra paperwork for the office staff. Which I'm sure the office staff is probably overwhelmed already. But it's a good thought if someone has an easy system to set up.
I missed the posting about Ecuador. Gee, I could have traveled and got treated at the same time
PM me about the person who has the 501 set up, if they don't mind.
Posts: 671 | From Fort Myers, Florida | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Elaine - this is a top LLMD whose medical staff is offering triage. Would be nice if this could become a trend, so we don't have to lose so many new folks to chronic illness.
Will pm you about the rest.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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