In a pickle - Dr. J (DC) or Dr. H (NY)

Well, not sure what to do and my first thought was to ask all of you since I value all of your opinions so much. So after months of not having a LLMD I have called and called and pestered many docs for an appointment. Today I finally bit the bullet and made an apt with Dr. J (DC) for February. Not an hour later and I finally got a call back from THE Dr. H's office (NY). He has hired another NP and is booking apts for her. I could get in the first week of Jan. I'm trying to not let timing or cost sway my decision, although one is a lot more expensive than the other. I will see a NP at each of the docs offices, but will meet the docs and go by their treatment plans.

So which doc would give me the highest probability of getting well? I have read Dr. H's book and loved it. But Dr. J seems so awesome too. I want someone that can also help me with metals, parasites, thyroid - the whole spectrum.

Also, I know this is entirely my decision but I'm just looking for a little guidance from those who may have experience with these docs. Thank you!

I wish I had the option to see one of those Dr.'s!!!

I highly respect Dr. J and like and read his blog, but personally I would go with Dr. H. He uses a more open approach to treating these infections, using abx, herbs and other modalities to treat, whereas Dr. J is limited mainly to abx only - if I'm thinking of the same Dr. J. or if he hasn't very recently changed his approach.

We need doctors that are willing to use whatever our body may work best with, doctors that can think 'outside the box'.

After getting more test results I decided to make an appt with Dr J, my RMSF is still active 8 months after I was infected, I have the HLA haplotyoes that indicate I am mold susceptible, and multi susceptible. My doctor called me tonight and told me she didn't know what else to do for me, not what you want to hear but I'm glad she was honest about it. The other LLMd I see just chooses to ignore these test results. So I guess it's time to move on to yet another doctor, now I just have to be patient and wait for my appointment with Dr J in April...

Good luck to both K07 and acs73!

Please do report back - we're rooting for you!!!

Thanks, Girlie and cd3764, I am hopeful that Dr J can help me. Since I live only a couple of hours away from DC they put me on the wait list to get me in if he has any cancellations before my scheduled appt, so maybe the stars will align and i can get in before mid-April.

DaveNJ41, I am not sure if it is appropriate for me to give out Dr J's prices, I will say the initial visit and follow-up visits are twice the cost I pay for each at my other 2 LLMDs. It does not include any lab work or treatment. It is certainly not cheap to see him but at this point I will do just about anything to get better and I am fortunate to have extremely good insurance and much of the cost of appointments, lab work and medications are covered when I submit the receipts to my insurance company.

I wanted to say good luck to both K07 and acs73 as well!! Do let us know how things go and if we can be of any help!!

Dave - I emailed the clinic - and they emailed me back with a list of their prices.

jemsekspecialty.com/aboutus/

Ya sorry, I shouldn't have asked how much it costs...my brain isn't working today, I'm sure we all have experienced that.

Has anyone else here seen Dr. H or Dr. J? Do they only primarily use oral or IV antibiotics?  I feel like there are so many layers to this onion, that just treating with antibiotics is only treating, potentially, one piece of the puzzle.

DK goes to J -sees NP- and is taking only orals. From what I can tell they definitely look at all systems and try to find solutions to each patient's most bothersome symptoms while treating all the infections. Also they want to make sure patients are getting good plentiful sleep. It is mainly via antibiotics (orals or if needed IVs) with some other things they find work in combo with the abx thrown in plus other prescription meds that have they have found worked for specific symptoms, if you have that specific symptom. Maybe an adult patient will weigh in too.