sjsc,
Typed most of this and realized you are new to the forum. This first part is from one of the moderators on the forum. Most of the moderators are unable to answer everyone's questions because they have many things going on this week.
After you read that jump down to the bottom and I'll give you a little more info. Sorry, I don't know how to make the links real links.
So here is Traveler's welcome:
"Trav's Welcome message - please feel free to copy and paste all or parts of it to share with others!
If you haven't yet, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more. And this is another good list of possible detoxing routines: www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html
For information on finding an ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) trained Lyme Literate Medical Doctor(LLMD) in your area, you will need to enable your email option in your profile in order to receive any recommendations, as we don't allow doctor's names and contact info to be posted on the forum for several reasons. You can enable your email option in your profile, under 'edit profile'. Be sure to click the submit button to actually save your preference.
You can send Traveler an email by clicking on her screen name or the small blue envelope under her screen name. She may have contact information for some LLMD's in your area as well. Please include your state (or province) and area that you would like to find a LLMD in and she will be happy to share the names that she has.
You can email the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance at
[email protected] for LLMD referrals and you can go to tbdalliance.org to learn more about
these infections.
You can go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link:
www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74
ILADS has their own referral system as well:
ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/
You will want to find an ILADS trained doctor, not one that has self proclaimed themselves as a LLMD or an ID Doc (Infectious Disease Doctor), as ID docs believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme. Go to the ILADS site to read the new (2014) Treatment guidelines to get you started on your healing journey:
www.ilads.org/lyme/treatment-guideline.php"
So this is me (gkamom), sorry to say but we have yet to find a single llmd in NC that takes insurance and really no reliable llmd. There was one in CH but she was sick herself, but didn't take insurance anyway.
There are a few others on the forum from NC. teragram and k07 off the top of my head. I know at least teragram was going to visit a doc in VA, but don't know how that worked out. There are a few LLNDs, but none take insurance either and I don't have a name for you. I visited an ND today but she just wanted to sell me her supplements.
There are some support groups that meet in Raleigh and Apex. I know that they have been branching out lately and I think that one satellite was meeting near Asheville. They probably won't give you names via email, but if you are able to attend some meetings you may be able to get a name that way.
We don't use doctors names on the forum because many get called in front of medical boards if they treat Lyme patients. That's why Traveler's message mentions ILADS.
If you want people to be able to send you information you need to go into your settings and turn on your email option. The blue envelope under your name will light up and then people can send you information. You can email me (just click on the envelope under my name) and I can send you a link to the support groups.
As far as trying the cat's claw and having your neuro symptoms get really bad, it may be a combination of doing to much to soon and not detoxing. If you go to the "New to Lyme?" thread (always at the very top) there is a lot to read and detoxing is one of the most important things. There is also a site called tiredoflyme.com that has a lot of info about
detoxing.
We tend to have a lot of difficulty with meds (even herbs) and most people need to start slow taking maybe a quarter dose and working up to a full dose. It sometimes is only one drop at a time. Everyone responds differently.
I hoped this helps. Read and post questions. Everyone will do their best to answer questions. Also be aware that this is a mixed group. Some use only herbs and others abx. What works for one may not work for another.
Kim