LLMD in Pennsylvania

Does anyone have experience with either doctor in PA? I have an appt in October. I believe I've I have had symptoms for 3 years now. Tested in February 2015, results were equivocal but neg on western blot, one band reactive so Doctor wouldn't treat. Symptoms continued getting worse I got a new pcp was tested again April 2016 positive, western blot still "neg" but 2 bands reactive this time. Pcp treated me with doxy 100 mg twice a day for 21 days, made no difference so she actually recommended seeing a Lyme specialist but had no names or numbers to reccomend. Found a doctor online got initial appt sched along with paperwork and a bunch of lab work to get done prior. I have a few questions. I called my insurance and this doctor is in network with my insurance.... What exactly cost wise should I be expecting? How expensive are the usual antibiotics if insurance doesn't cover it? I know no one can tell me exactly, just wondering if anyone has been to a llmd in PA and can tell me an estimate of what I'm looking at. I live about 1 1/2 hours from the doctor, the initial paperwork says to expect monthly follow up visits. How long does that last? I'm nervous, already have anxiety from all this now getting more wondering what I'm getting myself into with the llmd. My husband says we're going "all in" but obviously worried about how I'm going to afford all this. Are there any bad side effects with the usual treatment? I work about 30 hours a week , can't afford to be off sick. Thanks for your time & help. Hope I'm not being a whiny pain just need to know what to expect! 💚

Wow - October? That's a long time to wait..or is that your choice?

I can't comment on the cost...I'm in Canada, so it's different here.

I know of two LLMD's in PA - if you're interested in the information, you can email me. I know someone who is seeing them both...and she lives near Erie. Not sure exactly where they are, but I can find out.
Although,I'm not sure if they are keeping up with education...from what I can tell with the way they are treating her... It might be good for you to know about them...in case one is who you will be seeing.

My LL Dr. does monthly, sometimes every 6 weeks appointments...

Unfortunately when we start treatment, we can feel worse before we get better. There are a lot of ups and downs when treating. It depends on many things - how high your bacterial load, and how well your detoxing can keep up with the die-off of bacteria (herxing).... and if you have other issues to deal with besides the lyme and co-infections, etc.

You're not being a pain...don't worry about that.

Since you are new here, it would be helpful for you to look at and read through the thread at the top of the page titled: "New to Lyme?..Start Here!" it's packed full of good information.

I mentioned detoxing above. This is something you can start right away. Start with a couple methods...and then slowly add another one in - say every few days

Here's a link to a website that has several detoxing methods:


www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html

A few that i do:

- drink 8 glasses of water daily
- squeeze fresh organic lemon juice into some glasses
- take warm epsom salt baths
- dry brush my skin before baths
- take a liver support
- Take Alka Seltzer gold
- Take a binder (activated charcoal)
- Do light exercise/stretching.