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So disappointed - Saw ND for consult today!

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Posted 5/26/2014 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
So, I just spent $200 at the ND and drove 30minutes each way...for nothing.

In about 5 minutes, I knew she was going down the "menopause" road...and I don't need to know how to treat menopause symptoms...been there, done that.
I know about low progesterone...and progesterone cream already.
Wants me to meditate to "calm the nervous system" down...yes doing that already.
Wants me to work on my sleep...yes, I am.
I know I have some menopause symptoms...but my hot flashes have been diminishing....in fact I believe my adrenals need support...but she didn't even discuss that.
I also know that if all I had was menopause symptoms...I would still be able to work and have a social life. I know menopause can be rough, but not THIS rough.
She didn't want to hear about possibility of LYME. It Pi----s me off because when I first called the office a couple weeks ago, I made it clear I wanted a Lyme test. During the appt. - she had no explanation for my body vibrations/buzzing...or my migrating pain.
I brought up Lyme disease two times in the appointment and she acted like she never heard me - then she escorted me to the front where the receptionist brought out the bottles of supplements the ND wanted me on. I bought only one - Theanine because i've read it can help me sleep. I can't afford to buy anymore. Then the receptionist discussed my follow-up appt in three weeks...and I said I'd like to get in sooner, if possible for a blood draw for Lyme. The ND was flitting around in the background and never even acknowledged what I was saying.

Maybe it's not common here to get Lyme, but it STILL happens here...and maybe I'm the one who has it!!! Maybe not, but I want to test and find out.

What a waste of my time! So discouraged.
Posted 5/26/2014 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, I've had my cry. Time to get back on my horse now.

I gotta keep reminding myself of the progress...my sleep has improved the past few nights...maybe the knotweed and cat's claw are working.

I'm getting the feeling that the docs are thinking it's all anxiety related...that I've got nothing wrong with me....for crying out loud, I'm 52 years old, and have gone through stressful times in my life before...and this is NOT the same thing. My crying spells, my anxiety is physical...I'm not depressed.....
Posted 5/26/2014 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry! I really hope the next one is better than this! Wish you would not have to wait so long!
Posted 5/26/2014 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Exactly, Girlie. People don't seem to GET it! This is DIFFERENT than normal anxiety/depression. This is something physical going on within our brains. We can actually FEEL it. Even my therapist, who suffers from Lyme herself, doesn't seem to get it entirely. She doesn't suffer with the psychiatric symptoms herself--hers are more physical. And she keeps suggesting that my emotional state is situational. Well yes--I am going through a very stressful time right now, and I know that's not helping. But I can FEEL the difference between dealing with normal stress/anxiety/depression and those times when my brain is literally short-circuiting due to some disease process. They are two completely different things.

I'm sorry your visit was such a bust. I wouldn't even bother with this ND anymore, if there is ANYONE else within a reasonable distance who might be more on-board. I drive 1.5 hours one way to see my LLMD. Many people drive WAY further. Unfortunately, sometimes that's the only way we can see someone who's not entirely CLUELESS!
Posted 5/26/2014 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
The only LLND - two of them are in Victoria - 3 1/2 hours drive each way.
I will go to the blood draw appt., which is next week. she obviously doesn't have the knowledge to treat Lyme disease, or she'd have been more receptive.
She also scheduled me for a follow up to today's appt. in two weeks...I think I'll be cancelling that.

I'm thinking she won't be able to interpret the test results...so I'll have to drive to Victoria after that.
Posted 5/26/2014 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
wow girlie, how ridiculous!!! I'm pissed off for you. I was so glad you were finally making it to the np. only to hear this crap! soscared is right. I would not waste time with her again. she obviously is not listening to you and does not want to test you for Lyme. she just wants u to pay another visitation fee to listen to menopause issues. I so wouldn't go back.

sorry you wasted time and money. I know you were very hopeful that she would work with you since she is close by. why did she even say she'd get educated on Lyme? annoying. Maybe it's time to see the one further away? or at least tell her you won't see her again if she's not willing to test you?

So sorry!!
Posted 5/26/2014 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
It's so easy to just pawn everything off to menopause...or aging...I expect more from a doctor...
Come on docs...use your brains....and if you don't know...tell me so I can just go elsewhere...and not pad your pockets!
Posted 5/26/2014 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry it was such a waste of money to see her. I wouldn't go back to her either, unless she would agree to draw blood for the test. I've been lucky with all the naturopaths I've been to, because they take anything I say seriously, more than any MDs I've been to.

Sometimes you can just do a short consultation with a naturopath to see if they're who you want. Not all of them offer it, though.

I hope you do find somebody who will listen to you and help you.
Posted 5/26/2014 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
I will go next week only for the blood draw. But, I'll call Friday to see if they've received the test kit. (She had to order it)

I hope there's no way to screw up the test results by her doing something wrong. She said she was not "spinning" the blood like the lab would...she would send whole blood...is that better? If she does a faulty blood draw...somehow...would Igenex be able to tell.

What P----s me off is that she was so gung ho when I first contacted her...and told her I wanted Lyme testing...then I get to her...and she goes off on this menopause tangent.
Posted 5/26/2014 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
If you're planning to go to a Lyme literate doc who is several hours away you might try calling to see if they will send you the test kit so you can have the blood draw done locally then schedule an appointment after you have results. The first Lyme doctor I talked to is about 3 1/2 hours away and he did that for me. I went to a local lab, they took my blood put it in the kit and sent it to Igenix lab for me. All I paid for locally was the cost of the draw. The payment to Igenix was by credit card on the paperwork they sent with the kit. Three weeks later when the doctor had the results we talked by phone. He didn't have any openings in his schedule so he put me on his waiting list and put me in touch with another Lyme doc in the same area. Anyway, it would be worth a phone call to see if they would send the test kit...might save the cost of travel and an office visit...
Posted 5/26/2014 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry - in the first couple of posts I didn't say that she did agree to do the blood draw - fit me in next week...just took some prodding on my part.
Is there anyway she could screw it up? She isn't "spinning" the blood...the sample will be "whole blood"....wonder if that's okay?
I wonder if she doesn't even have the experience to do the draw properly? I think if the blood sample isn't right, Igenex will know when they receive it...
Posted 5/26/2014 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
I went to a hospital lab and all they did was draw the blood, put it in the tubes and mailed it to Igenex. I think as long as it is shipped so that it's received on a day that Igenex is open it should be fine.
Posted 5/26/2014 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
My dr did spin it. I hope he was supposed to! oops..... I called igenex directly and they said they could send the kit to me (free), then I'd just take it in to lapcorp to draw. if you run into any issues again, you could go that route.

good luck! I know how you feel. you just need to get things started and you are anxious about finally getting the ball rolling and diagnoses!
Posted 5/26/2014 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know whether she could screw it up, but I personally wouldn't have anything further to do with her. If igenex will send you the kit directly, why not have the blood drawn by an experienced lab? Or do as Pearl of Peace suggested and get in touch with a LLMD and see if they'll interpret the results for you. If she gets the results, she's not even gonna know how to interpret them, most likely.
Posted 5/26/2014 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Shoot for llmd asap. Sorry for the waste of your time. Ive suffered through these type of appt with NO ANSWERS. I would not waste your time or money on any of these appt.
Posted 5/26/2014 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Ok - that's my next question. Does Igenex send the results to the ND or to me?
'cuz I really don't want to pay for another appt to pick up my results from her.
There aren't any LLMD's here in BC - only LLND.
The closest one is Victoria - 3 1/2 hours away...and I thought I'd get the test results and then go to the appt. The soonest I can get in is three weeks away.
Posted 5/27/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
New here but not to Lyme, sadly. I believe that whoever draws the blood needs to do something with it, but if you go to the Igenex website, you can confirm requirements there. It would be tragic to go through the process and have it done incorrectly.

Not sure about BC, but results in Alberta go to whoever orders the tests. Then to patient from doctor.

Hope this helps.
Posted 5/27/2014 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
If you're results get sent to the LLND, then they might start you on a med. right away so you wouldn't have to wait until the appointment to find out. Just a thought.
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