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Help me find a LLMD in my area! Thanks!

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Posted 10/13/2011 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
So i just got back from an infectious disease specialist and he is not convinced i have lyme... its really upsetting.

symptoms include:
Tendonitis SPREADING in most of my lower body (Including legs, knees and feet.)
Stiff joints (including knees and fingers)
Random muscle twitches
Palpitations
circular rash (Gone now)
and who knows what more i could have in the future

I had a normal blood test and it came up negative but i know those are inaccurate. Now my dr seemed to not even care for my symptoms and didnt really seem like he knew what he was talking about and based his thoughts only on my negative, but inaccurate, blood test.

I live in Clinton Twp, Michigan. I know there is a LLMD in Saginaw but im not postive if he is the closest one! so could someone please shed some light on others? =]
And how would i go about asking my doctor about the IGeneX tests?

Thanks guys!
Posted 10/13/2011 10:45 AM (GMT 0)
It is upsetting when they dismiss your symptoms but you gotta persist. It's your body. Unfortunately you need to Be your own medical advocate with lyme. Make sure you obtain a copy of your labwork because sometimes there are other indications of inflammation or in fact readings that could indicate lyme. As you know infectious disease doctors do not follow the same protocol for treatment or diagnosis of lyme.

You can get an Igenex kit yourself either by calling or going online. They will send to you free of charge. You will then need your doctor to fill it out and sign. You will need to pay yourself as they do not take insurance and it is expensive but well worth it. If you go to an LLMD, they will more than likely order more testing. However if you do not want to wait, simply explain to your dr. that you are not convinced it is not lyme due to the controversies surrounding it and that you would really like to send to Igenex for a second opinion. They should always comply with a request for a second opinion.
Posted 10/13/2011 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi OShea!
That is why we don't recommend those who believe are infected with TBI's see an ID doc - they just can't recognize Lyme and other TBI's for what they are and still be accepted by their group. Their guidelines for recognizing and treating tick-borne infections are a far cry from ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) standards.

I mapped out where you live and where the LLMD you mentioned is located, and it's only a 1 hr and 40 min drive - that's incredibly close for most, and it's not likely that you will find one closer!! Lots of members here drive 4 or more hours one way to get to their LLMD's - but it's always a good thing to check!!

If you are talking about Dr. L in Saginaw, I have read that he is highly recommended.
Have you contacted the Michigan Lyme Disease Association - www.mlda.org/? They may be able to help you find another LLMD. If you can go to a few support group meetings, meeting people in person allows them to open up and maybe you can find a referral there?

Please do get in to see a LLMD right away though.

Here is a link to the Igenex website so that you can order the test kit:
igenex.com/Website/

Please do let us know what you find out and when you get an appt to see a LLMD!!
Posted 10/14/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm i wonder y i didnt get an email of your responses

Wow guys you both have been extremely helpful! like no joke! Believe me im not gonna give up, it took forever to finally be diagnosed with tendonitis and the only reason i was was because i eventually became my own doctor and forces them to consider it and what do u know my ultrasound came up positive for tendinopathy! I feel like the same thing has to happen to diagnose me with lyme! Now i know that there is a possibility that i dont have it and i understand but i just think its way to coincidental that i get a circular rash and then palpitations when ive never had them before in my life. and an inflammatory disease causing chronic and spreading tendonitis just makes sense....

anyway i could go on and on BUT now my question is should i skip going to the LLMD and just do Igenex OR is the LLMD gonna be worth visiting?
Posted 10/14/2011 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Please go to a LLMD!!! That is where you will be properly evaluated, get proper treatment, and hopefully will have a doc that will take a real interest in your healing! These are incredibly complex infections, and they take all kinds of twists and turns while being treated. Please don't short change yourself by not seeing a doc that has the best understanding of these infections.

Chances are that the LLMD will want to have tests of his/her own run, so I would suggest that you call the LLMD's office and set up an interview. At that point you can ask if they will be running tests and which ones at which labs. Don't forget to ask such things as - what protocol do you follow, how do you feel about detoxing/the build up of toxins, herxing and such. I will bump up the thread that we had going just a bit ago about what questions to ask a LLMD. so that you can see what the other members have suggested.

As for not getting an email that there were responses to your post, you must have an email address listed in order for that function to work.
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