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» LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Seeking a Doctor » Looking for LLMD in Pittsburgh

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Author Topic: Looking for LLMD in Pittsburgh
Shauna
Junior Member
Member # 20617

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I went to my family doc yesterday bc of a bite on my arm. I went camping 2 weeks ago and got a bite on my arm. It looked just like a regular mosquito bite so I didn't think much of it. Then a week and a half later it turned into the classic bullseye that you associate with Lyme Disease. I never found a tick in the bite, but my arm is getting worse. The light red ring around the 'bullseye' is getting huge and my arm is sore from the shoulder down to my finger tips.

My doc thinks that I'm having an allergic reaction to a spider bite. He put me on 500 mg of Ceftin for 2 weeks just incase, but I honestly don't think that this is an allergic reaction. I do fear LD. I'm not sure what to do because if I do have a chance to catch it as early as possible then that would be the best thing, but how can you even know? I am very weak and drained, but no fever?

Posts: 4 | From Pittsburgh | Registered: Jun 2009  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

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Fever happens to some, but I wouldn't say it's that big a factor AT ALL.

Weakness is very common. A bullseye rash means you have Lyme for sure. Any good dr would know that. Most don't want to TREAT Lyme, however.

You really need to be on doxy, as it will cover ehrlichiosis. YOu don't want to leave that coinfection untreated!!!

GEt a picture of that bullseye ASAP!!!!!!!!!

Take one with a ruler next to the rash and if you can, include your face in the pic. It will be proof for the next dr and for insurance.

YOu could also take another pic with the date from a newspaper included.

Now, find an LLMD right away! Doesn't sound like this dr is willing to treat you .. and doesn't even know the standard treatment .. DOXYCYCLINE.

I would want 6-8 wks of 400mg doxy myself.

PM sent with info on drs

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
bettyg
Unregistered


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shauna, welcome; do as tutu says ok! more info.

print off dr. burrascano's lyme treatment guidelines; see below link. read it over & over. get to dr. for CORRECT abx meds vs. what they gave you.


Welcome; i'm so glad you found us!! You've come to the right place for education and support!


Dr. Burrascano's most recent "Diagnostic Hints and 2008 Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses" .
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/treatment_guidelines.html


PAGES 17-19 discuss ADULT & KIDS MED TREATMENTS!
http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/80440?#000006
Dr. B's Supplement List
http://www.lymepa.org/Nutritional_Supplements.pdf


this link, making the most of your LLMD visit, may help you also.
http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=020605#000005

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/77378

***************

TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE LEARNING LINKS ... over 1000 links of good info and guidelines galore!! MUST SKIM & READ !!

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/29917
************************************************************************


Betty's suggested POSTING GUIDELINES . many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.

please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.

now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``TWICE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.

then go to left hand corner and mark box to receive ALL REPLIES, and click EDIT SEND

we thank you for helping us; [Wink] otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me.
------------------------------------------------------

People seeking doctors might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Nearly 3,400 people belong to state groups. Some of the groups are small but more than 20 of them have 50 or more people and seven have over 100.

To find your state group, go to
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/statenamelyme

Type your state name and lyme as one word, like this -
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/newyorklyme

South Carolina is the only state that needs a hyphen between the statename
and lyme, e.g. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/southcarolina-lyme

The groups are moderated and you have to apply. Most don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately.
*******************************************

This explains the medical politics around lyme WHY you need an ILADS-educated or ILADS-member LLMD (and there are also some ILADS-member LL NDs (naturopathic doctors):

www.clinicaladvisor.com/Controversy-continues-to-fuel-the-Lyme-War/article/117160/


TESTING

You should also be evaluated for coinfections. Not all tests are great in that regard, either, but a good LLMD can evaluate you and then guide you in testing. One of the top labs is:

www.igenex.com IGENEX

-----
There are a couple other good labs for certain tests: Fry; Clognen; Focus. Your LLMD will know.
========================

VERY important to read - even BEFORE testing:

Dr C's Western Blot explanation is discussed here:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=042077

"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.

Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.

But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.

Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.

Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa.

Since this is a chronic persistent infection, this does not make a lot of sense to me. A newly formed Borrelia burgdorferi should have the same antigen parts as the previous bacteria that produced it.

But anyway, from my clinical experience, these borrelia associated bands usually predict a clinical change in symptoms with antibiotics, regardless of whether they are IgG or IgM."
===========

TREATMENT *** www.ilads.org

ILADS
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases.

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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020

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Hi
Ceftin is okay for a starter, but doxycycline would be better. I am sending you a private message about LD docs nearby.
Ann - OH

--------------------
www.ldbullseye.com

Posts: 5705 | From Ohio | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

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