Need input...

Went to my GP who had been treating my lymes with what knowledge she had. Test results came back after 3 months of meds and she has said my lymes is cured. Well not her words. She said its gone. I dont have my test results (my 2 year old thought she needed to rip them up ) in front of me but it was just my cd57 panel which came back as 82 and 4.2. My results before treatment were 56 and 1.7. Really most of my symptoms are gone. I get the dizziness on occassion, anxiety, headaches and my lymphnode (on my neck near where I was bitten ) is still quite swollen. I had a consultation with a LLMD who wants to send another full panel + coinfections and a couple other tests to Igenix (sp?) which will cost well over $1000 plus the "package deal" of the consultation, first real appt and a follow up appt will be another $700. Does anyone know if atleast the antibiotics will be paid for? I have insurance. I know the herbs wont.... I'm rambling now. I guess what I need is reassurance that I should follow through with the LLMD no matter what the cost. I know I should but I want so badly to believe my GP and original test results saying I dont have co infections and now I'm fine. Even though I'm aware that my CD57 numbers are in the range, they are still quite low. I just dont want to put my family into pretty major debt at age 24, when we (I) am already struggling on what the right decision is. Do I wait a few months and see if I think I am good to go or will that (if I am still infected, which in the back of my mind I feel is probably the case) make my next round of treatment that much more terrible? Thanks for letting me vent/ramble/basically anwser my own question. Its just nice to talk to people who have similar issues.

Any input is appreciated.

I know I should. And I will. I just dont want to! My main goal is to have another child (we were trying when I got bit) and I'm not irresponsible errr maybe thats not the word....im not "somthing" enough to get pregnant and hope the child I bring into the world will be fine. I feel selfish as it is wanting another child even with the slightest chance I could pass it on. I guess I'm really struggling with "Should I take the chance, spend loads of cash and hope I have a healthy child or be semi finacially secure, see if I get worse and enjoy the baby girl I have". I dont mean to sound like I'm not 1000% happy and content with my daughter, she is my life and she gets more than enough loves, I would just really like another. Ugh I feel very selfish tying this. But At the same time, what if I do have another child, that because of me and LD, has special needs. Its very conflicting to me. Thanks for the reply nan :) It's basically just what a need to hear :)

What treatment have you done so far? Was it doxy alone? If so, I would definitely see the LLMD because unless you had a very simple acute case, that would most likely not have been enough to get rid of a long-standing case of Lyme.

Oral antibiotics are usually covered by insurance. Some of the meds (like Mepron for Babesia) may have a difficult time being covered because they are outrageously expensive so for those you might have to use herbal alternatives. Mepron was $4500 per month the last time I filled it.

I think that your Lyme is probably being suppressed, but since you still have symptoms, I would still seek treatment. Your CD57 is still low. Some LLMD's believe that stopping treatment with a low number almost always creates a significant risk for relapse. Have you tried calling around to different LLMD's? The cost can vary substantially.

I am not someone that thinks you have to go to the top names. They may have more experience, but a lot of people just can't afford it and even with the most experienced LLMD, many people end up treating for years. Sometimes things don't work as expected and even the most well-known LLMD's don't have all the answers or success with every patient. I think if you have the time and energy to do a lot of your own research and you can find a doctor willing to implement different protocols flexibly, then you can figure out ways to treat in a way that's affordable. Also, the benefit of going to a LLMD that is not as well known is an easier time getting appointments and more personalized care because they aren't seeing thousands of patients.

I would say that you should have more treatment since your symptoms are still there, and you have that little niggling in the back of your head telling you that you need more treatment! I've found that that little niggling is right often enough to be irritating sometimes!

Look at it as a investment in your health. I wish I had had that kind of info in front of me when I was younger. My infections kept me from enjoying more fully and being more active in my children's lives - not something most mothers would want to take a chance with. If only I had known sooner what was going on.

Search for less expensive ways to treat your infections if necessary. Lots of times a Holistic doc is less expensive (for treating these infections any way) if using those protocols don't bother you.

Otherwise, is your doc open to suggestions and being given articles by other researchers? We could help you some on that. You could also encourage her to get some continuing education credits by taking a course with TBDA - Tick Borne Disease Alliance. tbdalliance.org/treatment/for-medical-professionals

Thanks for all the input and encouragement :) I guess my biggest conflict is the fact i do NOT have the money to see this Dr. or get the tests run. I've never been in debt to anyone for more than a few $$ and I am really nervous to put my family in that position. It will be extremely hard for me to bring myself to take out a loan for money and not know when I will be able to be out from under it. I live within my means and if that means waiting on treatment and not having another child, maybe ever, I may have to. Thats what conflicts me the most. And no one else can anwser that question but myself. I feel like I'm going to stress myself out either way. Just need to weigh my options.
@Traveler, I think my time with my GP is about up. She doesnt appreciate the fact that I do my own research and give her my input. I think she feels very much so like im challenging her knowledge. I dont think we would be a good "team" from here on out. Challenging her was never my intent but I'm not willing to partner with someone, when it comes to my health, that expects me to follow blindly.I appreciate what she has done for me though.