HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Going to LLMD on Thursday!!!

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/6/2009 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
ok, just got a call from DR.C office in springfield Mo and they have a cancellation for this thursday.. I don't have my Igenex test yet.. but i thought i still should go right" i mean the next time i can get in would be october. Tomorrow i'll know if my dog has any co's, so that might help also.. i mean all my symptoms point to something lyme related, if nothing else, i'll bring a photo of the EM rash at least and all my other paperwork from the PCP i've gathered over the last month..


anybody have any good advice for questions i can ask him? This is my first time here, i don't want to leave any stone unturned...
Posted 7/6/2009 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'd suggest you make some notes to take with you.  Don't depend on your memory at the time of the appt.  Also write down any questions you want to ask. 

Many of us have left a Dr's office and then said, "Oh yeah, what I really wanted to talk about was ......."  shocked

Maybe make up a time line of your symptoms.  You could ask him what a typical course of treatment would be, but we're all different in the way we respond/ tolerate meds.

I'd expect him to give you a Lyme and treatment overview.   Just ask questions as you go.  Take notes that you can refer to later.   

 

Posted 7/6/2009 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I agree. Write down everything you want to ask or talk to your doctor about. Write down all of your symptoms and when it all started. Also write down if your symptoms changed or if you had new ones or more intense symptoms when you started your antibiotics. This will let your doctor know alot. Bring all of your medications so they know everything you are on including supplements. Maybe take notes yourself so that you can remember everything your doctor has said. Ask your doctor if they would suggest any other supplement you should be on. Ask why he thinks your WBC count is low. Bring all of your bloodwork or any other tests you had done.

If I think of anything else, I will let you know.
Posted 7/7/2009 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
if possible - take someone with you - it is hard to take everything in - two pairs of ears are better than one!!
Posted 7/7/2009 11:39 AM (GMT 0)

Good luck James!  It is great you got an earlier appointment.

This doctor does not test for co-infections.  I always suggest having them done.  If you want to be tested for them, tell him you want to.

Write down a complete history of when you became sick, what your symptoms are etc.  Write down questions and I suggest writing down his answers as best you can.  It is hard to remember everything.  He will give you a lot of print-outs with information.

Let us know how it goes, okay?

 

Posted 7/7/2009 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, this is my LLMD. Good suggestions above. Bring a pad and pen with you and take NOTES! He'll give you handouts, but it's always better to have notes to review.

He pretty much does monotherapy one at a time. If I had to do it over again, I would ask to take minute amounts of brand name Flagyl with a cell wall drug. (Can't take Flagyl with the doxy or any or the tetracyclines.) Doxycycline has been my favorite drug, but not one I would recommend in the summertime.

Also, ask for the brand name drugs, not generic. There will be a difference in how you tolerate them.

The Clindy/quinine protocol he uses for babs is outdated. Ask for malarone or mepron/zith if you can tolerate it.

He's pretty flexible. He'll do whatever you both agree.

Good luck.
Posted 7/7/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck at your appt James!! So glad u got in so quick. Could you bring someone with you? It's nice to have a second set of ears. After my first appt I left with my head spinning it was so much info. Nice to bounce your experience off with someone afterward. Hope you leave feeling better. I think you will.
Posted 7/7/2009 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
since i don't have any Igenex stuff back yet, how can he diagnose me right? just by me explaining my symptoms and a possible overview of my body? i just curious, since all TBI are treated different. Doxy is the only choice of drugs for most PCPs, so will being on Doxy hurt me since we have no idea what TBI i have?
Posted 7/7/2009 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
No it's not going to hurt. And remember he'll have your igenex results within a couple weeks so atleast you will be a patient of his and he can start treating according to your results. Much better plan than waiting until October. It will be good for you to explain all your stuff that's been going on. Even with no results. Don't worry things will work out.
Posted 7/7/2009 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
my goal is just to get back to work and try to act normal again... its hard.. i mean i woke up one day and it felt like i had 3 months to live.. thats how bad its been...
Posted 7/8/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
James,

Definitely go to that appointment. You and your doctor will learn a whole lot about each other. He can give you a clinical diagnosis until your results come in and he may want to change the medication you are on depending on your symptoms and what you tell him.

I know what you mean about being fine one day and waking up sick. The exact same thing happened to me. We will make it though. I have so much hope now.

I am so, so proud of you for stepping up and getting things done. YOU ROCK!
Posted 7/8/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
^^its just crazy really, i'm sick, my dog is sick all at once.. what happened? its just really scary, because as everyone knows, you are in this almost alone.. no one around me has no idea what i'm dealing with.. just snap out of it, you need a shrink, you need this and that.. whatever, i need to have a clean bill of health.. thats what i need.. no question about it..
Posted 7/8/2009 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
James, I'm so glad you're seeing the doctor so soon. He will make a clinical diagnosis and probably change up your meds according to your symptoms anyway, not your test results.

Not having anyone in my life understand what I'm going through on a daily basis or how sick I really am is sometimes harder on me than the illness itself. There are a few who try but I know they don't really get it.

Anyway, try not to spend too much energy (like I did-lol) on what others understand or don't understand about it all and know that we are here for you and we do understand.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Posted 7/8/2009 7:24 AM (GMT 0)
This board made me realize how much I was focussing ok people that didn't understand me or just didn't care. I realized that I had so many positive things in my life that I was overlooking....like the support and friendship I have found here. Now when I get upset, I remember all the positive things and it helps me so much. I have truly been feeling better mentally.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply