posted
Well, so far, 2 of my doctors have started attending conferences (ILADS, etc). I didn't do anything to try to persuade them one way or another. I was just more of a passive patient honestly. I didn't go to these doctors for Lyme disease. In fact, I went to one because I wanted him to find anything else.
I do tend to seek more open-minded doctors. If a doctor has a black and white mentality, or if they are a cookbook doctor, I don't usually come back to their office.
It's just strange, because with all the controversy, and all the horror stories I read on the internet, I go in almost expecting no compassion or understanding.
The only doctor I don't like is my neurologist, and my LLMD referred me to her. However, I tried to find another neurologist, and I didn't like him as well. It seems to me (in my experience) that neurologists generally like to live in their little bubble.
And with all this being said, I am in the south, where people are generally stuck in their ways.
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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posted
I can't speak for other areas but it's definitely increasing in my area.
My kid's doc is now treating based on clinical symptoms, without a positive test, if he suspects lyme. He's also treating for 2-3 months if necessary. He told me he knows he can get called out for doing so but feels the guidelines don't apply to everyone.
Also, my grandson's pediatrician has lyme herself and it's changed the way she treats, big time.
I don't see how awareness cannot be increasing. As more and more cases crop up, it's bound to hit home with more people, doctors included.
I think we're going to see some big changes within the next 5-10 years.
Posts: 423 | From Upstate NY | Registered: May 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Kday, where in the south? I live in MS and I have not yet seen much awareness around here.
My PCP acts really odd since I told him I have LD. Maybe he feels intimidated that I am telling him I have to go out of state to get treatment.
I do feel though that sooner or later there has to be more awareness because I know too many ppl around here that are getting LD. And surely they are telling their local docs about it.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Any time I mention I contrcted lyme disease to (almost) anyone I am greeted with a very serious "oh, no. I'm sorry", or some such response.
People know it can be serious. And they know it can be long term.
There is even an awareness of prevention that was nowhere near this level 10 years ago.
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
I'm like you kday. I don't stick around when a doctor is acting like jerk. And for that very reason, I feel like I can be open and honest with the doctor that I now have.
If a doctor doesn't suit me, I find one that does. My primary doctor if also now seeing my daughter and being a great support system to our LLMD who is 12 hours away.
She doesn't think we are crazy at all. If fact, she is trying to educate herself on lyme.
We also had a good experience when we had to go to the ER a few weeks ago. The doctor didn't look at us like we were crazy. If fact, he checked her over extra carefully because he said that her problems could be related to lyme and he wanted to make sure she was ok.
Hopefully with all of the information that is out there now we will some day get the treatment we or our loved ones need without having to jump through hoops.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I live in upstate New York (where there is a lot of Lyme) and (with the exception of the infectious disease guys,) I'm finding that most of my doctors are pretty understanding and believe Lyme is a complex disease, although they often don't know what to do about it. I was surprised that when I first got this two years ago the emergency room doctor picked it up right away. Also, what I find interesting is that several of my doctors who are women started to ask where I got lyme, and how did I first know about it etc. and it turned out they were worried about it because they want to protect their own kids from it. People here are really worried about it. Not that I haven't found some real jerks along the way in this journey... but only a few.
Posts: 34 | From Saratoga Springs, NY | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Ellie, we are moving to Saratoga Springs. Are you willing to recommend any doctors? We would need a regular family doctor and/or pediatrician.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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I tried to pm you with some info and my general take on things here but it didn't go through - usually I don't have a problem with that. I'd be happy to give you some info although I don't have a pediatrician - if you pm me maybe my response will go through to you.
Posts: 34 | From Saratoga Springs, NY | Registered: Jun 2008
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onbam
Unregistered
posted
Poisoner propaganda is increasing. So unfortunately no.
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posted
I'm upstate, too. Mazou, PM me if you'd like, I might have some ideas for you.
On the general topic:
It's interesting b/c I have a couple of younger doctor friends who know very little about Lyme, but are very accepting of me (knowing my history and symptoms) trying abx to see what happens and keep going if it seems the right path. They are both suspicious of negative Lyme tests. I've never asked why, if they were taught that or learned it in their practices (both cancer docs).
Other docs are clueless, either way, and are willing to listen, and I have no idea what they think about all that I say, but are usually satisfied if they know another doc, who works with Lyme, is involved in my treatment.
I've had one PA take extreme exception when I told her I was going to see Under OUr Skin. Luckily, she is just an acquaintance and not one of my helpers (she wouldn't be any more, anyway).
The thing that is really persuasive, to me, is the CT Attny General work on the issue. If I care to engage on the topic, when someone brings up IDSA, I mention the investigation. That usually gets attention.
Posts: 252 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
Thanks Greengirl and Ellie! I will PM you both if we finalize the move. Hopefully we will be signing a contract this weekend...
And back to the original topic of the post, I do think the awareness is increasing. I am in NYC and have rarely received a rolling of the eyes response. I think we are "lucky" to be in the NorthEast, where almost everyone has at least one acquaintance with Lyme or similar conditions.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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