Posted 3/9/2013 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunflower, THe LLMDs are hard to find. I see an amazing Dr. in the Indianapolis, IN area. I travel there from Ohio. Make sure that your e-mail is enabled in your profile and I can send you my doctors info.
As far as the Dr. in WI having his license suspended, that's unfortunately very common with LLMDs. There is a ton of controversy over lyme treatment. Basically, the CDC and infectious disease guidelines say that lyme diagnosis and treatment is cut and dry and requires only short-term abx. treatment. Those drs. believe that any remaining symptoms is due to other reasons (depression, fibro., CFS, anxiety, etc.) not due to an ongoing, active infection. LLMDs follow ILADS guidelines and know that long-term abx. treatment is necessary, and sometimes risk losing their medical license because of it. I've found that most LLMDs risk it because they truly care about their patients health, they know that lyme disease and co-infections are very serious and difficult to treat, and they want to help people. So, that's also why many LLMDs, except for the high profile LLMDs, don't put their names in public and are hard to find and are few and far between.
As far as herbs are concerned, I was also very nervous about herbs and how they aren't regulated. However, I'm now 6 months into treatment and my dr has "prescribed" herbal treatment. I am confident in her and trust her to do what's best to try to get me well. The key is to remember that although they are herbs, they are strong and should be taken as directed and carefully. It's always recommended to start very slowly on them, as I mentioned in my previous post. As far as allergies, it is always possible, but I haven't read of anyone having an allergic reaction to the one that I mentioned. When starting any abx. or herbal, you would know if you were having an allergic reaction-typical signs of swelling, hives, etc.
The other thing, with treatment, wether it's abx. or herbal, you should have your basic bloodwork monitored to watch blood counts, liver and kidney function, etc. My LLMD requires routine bloodwork every 3 months. My previous LLMD required it every 6 weeks.
As far as the smothering sensation, you are correct. It was from the Babesia. Symptoms of LD and the co-infections wax and wane significantly. I had a lot of air hunger and shortness of breath about a year ago. It stopped for the most part, but is now starting to return. I think that it's returning because I started an abx. that is mildly effective for Babesia. It's "stirring it up".
It is very common to have a dormant infection that then becomes active during menopause or any other physical stressor. My infection became active during pregnancy. Looking back, I had mild symptoms for years, but got extremely ill at the end of my pregnancy and after delivery. I knew something was seriously wrong, but it took over a year of me researching to figure it out.
The cognitive problems like you describe are also very common with LD and co-infections. Most of us have difficulty processing, with short-term memory, writing, reading, etc. The good news is, with proper treatment, that will resolve! As a matter of fact, most if not all symptoms will resolve.
I know these symptoms are scary, very much so! I have so many neurological symptoms and I think those are the scariest. But, I am much less afraid now that I know it's from Lyme Disease, Bart, and Bab and I know that it's treatable. My LLMD said that w/ time in treatment, all of those symptoms will slowly subside. Some of my symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting have already stopped. You will be okay. It's wonderful that you are researching and advocating for yourself. You're way ahead of the game right now just because of that and already testing positive for babesia. You will get better with good treatment and time!