Do you need to tell your PCP that you're working with an LLMD?

Its hard to keep Rx's a secret with todays shared online database Rx info (they do this in the name of safety, makes sense actually).

I've had three regular Drs pull up shared info listing all my Rx meds - my ABX was on it. They were like "whats this ABX for?". The phamacies now report it to a general data base. I think its state law in some parts of US.

Good luck.

I told mine that I am seeing a LLND for treatment and she shook her head in dismay. Even though I'm not on abx, I think the overall feeling was disappointment because they think naturopaths are quacks. Whatever, I'm doing what I feel is right.

I will say that when I've needed blood tests done, she's given me the reqs without hesitation.

Dudeman - I guess I wasn't clear. My GP has been okay with my antibiotic treatment so far. I mean in general - it's criminal to have to sneak around.

My appointment today went well with my GP. She had ordered an ultrasound on my abdomen - because of the raised liver enzymes several months ago. And I'm A-okay. a couple small stones in my gallbladder - but they're asymptomatic.

She did ask me how I was doing on my treatment...and I said 'fine'. And that I had seen some improvements.

Dudeman - You mentioned Province - you must be from Canada and I didn't know it. (I'm in BC)

I had a doctor that I thought was very helpful, understanding about all this, was very interested in all the herbals I've tried, was trying at the time, researching them, trying to find what more I could add in, even saying she'd be open to trying abx, if I could get my gut issues in order.

But, then, she sort of just drifted away. I sent a message through her clinic's website, asking if she could line up some tests for me (heavy metals, h. pylori, some other GI stuff), and she said she'd work on it. Took her a week to respond, whereas, before, she'd respond the day of, then call with an appointment. It gave me bad vibes.

Even so, I said, okay, let me know. That was like a month ago. No, she did not forget. She's just ducking me, I know. It's strange though. I wish I knew why.

I even told her, after she didn't respond for a few days, if she didn't want to help me out anymore, I'd understand. She completely ignored addressing that.

Reminds me, I had a doctor at a different clinic, in the beginning, when I was trying to figure all this out, who I mentioned suspecting Lyme to. He told me it did not exist this far west, right? Fast forward, a few weeks later, my mother was there with a sibling. She said he saw her, then awkwardly changed directions, as if to avoid her, not knowing she saw him as well.

It's things like these that make me wonder if some of the doctors out there..

They get real weird, when the subject of Lyme's on the table. Also, reminds me, I've had one get pretty aggressive with his denial of my thoughts on having it. Like, "NO, you CAN'T have Lyme." I seem to remember him slightly slamming his fist on the little desk in the room as well.

Haha, oh, they're good for a laugh, depending on how you think about it. I see you squirming. I can't wait until you're eating some of those words up. I hope I can see that too.

Though, all those fond memories aside, it would be nice to have a GP that was just mildly helpful and accepting, consistently. Woeeeeeee es mi.

Post Edited (NotQuiteAntonio) : 11/13/2015 5:44:19 AM (GMT-7)

Dudeman - I do realize that my PCP is a 'rare animal'. I think some may be accepting at first...but after a year of treatment, i think most of them would be not 'on board'.

I am lucky in that both the Neurologist and Neurosurgeon - also accepted it. I didn't discuss anything with them other than I had Lyme and was being treated.


You're welcome - I do my best - not the most knowledgeable Mod...but I try...lol

NotQuiteAntonio,

It is sad to hear that many physicians do not have the time or desire to hear what their patients need to say. Unfortunately, the ACA is not a provider solution. It is only an insurance solution. Fixing the medical system will require more than some politicians and attorneys deciding what is best. Doctors do not help because they are stuck in the trenches just trying to keep up with the workload.

Nearly half of family practitioners are burned out and the ACA is making it worse. More patients, more problems, lower Medicare payments, and a lot more time spent documenting in the EMR (electronic medical record). It is not surprising that more than half of all physicians want to leave the profession in the next 5 years.

As a consultant my goal is to effectively manage cases to get everybody on the same page. PAs, NPs, nurses, social workers, can be helpful. If possible find a practice that has a case manager, preferably a nurse, who is willing to listen to your concerns. Doctors are so swamped that they do not have enough time to research or think about any one problem. Most really do care about their patients, they just cannot find the time when the system demands that they see 30 - 40 patients a day. The old adage of, you get what you pay for applies. The trick is to find a practitioner who is willing to accept reasonable fees. Patients who are willing to pay some additional out-of-pocket fees for added service would not hurt either.

Kott

Good to know Traveler. An MD or DO will likely be negative when it comes to accepting treatments prescribed by an LLMD, especially if they are an ND, NP, or anything except one of their fellow docs. Just how they are. All you can do is just keep looking. You can "fire" your doctor just as well as they can refuse to see you. The stories on this board are just heart-rending. People in so much pain need to be treated. Not doing so adequately is grounds for malpractice.

The controversy with antibiotics is not without grounds. I would be reluctant to prescribe IV Rocephin on an outpatient basis for 60 days, or long-term oral antibiotics for months on end. It would need to be a life threatening infection requiring hospitalization. As a result I was not surprised to hear that Tricare rejected this claim for one military member dependent. Nevertheless, if faced with an individual that may have a suspected occult infection such as Lyme, a trial with antibiotics should be tried. If nothing else treating empirically with an antibiotic is worth a try. Any doctor that is denying a second opinion should receive a pink slip.

Thanks for the reply Traveler.

To the moderators and members posting on this board thank you for helping me understand what is going on out there. Your battles with Lyme make my Lyme experience feel like a head cold.

I am just appalled at the bad behavior that has occurred in the medical treatment system. The high quality medical care available to pilots in military and commercial aviation is outstanding. I have to remind myself that very few people get such specialized care. It may not be fair that others do not have access to similar care, but then again the pilot flying your airplane should be happy, healthy, and 100% reliable.

Now if only we could get the same quality care for you ...

Kott

Rant freely about doctors. I will be glad to chime in. It is even worse when one doc treats another doc like they do not know what is going on with their own body.

The IDSA and CDC board members need to contract Lyme and have it progress to late-stage. You would see some progress then.

"The IDSA and CDC board members need to contract Lyme and have it progress to late-stage. You would see some progress then" - Hey! thats the answer! Ha!!
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I always dread going to a new Dr and the silence when there scrolling down the computer screen review I meds, then the long pause and "what where the antibiotics for?" Then I say "just an infection", knowing they WILL probe me for more info.

My brain is a little better, but there were times in the past that I just could not go about this well- the "lyme speech game" that is.

I've had practice with the "speech" in the past about leaky gut and candida with gastro Drs (again, some are idiots!!), and of course the thyroid "TSH and Synthroid are king" Drs (more idiots).

I have found some Drs are open to learning from patients (rare yes). So I tell them why I want what test and what purpose I'm using the info for. Sometimes I tell them for what individual symptoms it will help me figure out - they dont need to know that these are lyme symptoms, I asume they eventually connect the dots though.

One nuero was so sure chronic lyme was BS, I could not change her mind, she Rx'ed a tremmor med that I need to work, but would not do nuero testing for my tremmors.

Drs in PT clinics dont believe in lyme, but the PTs are open to it. PT "Drs" know very little about muscle chemistry LOL !! I cant believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THAT IS THEIR JOB.

there, my weekly vent........