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Think im going to switch llmd's

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 1/15/2017 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
So right now i do a 5hr round trip 1x per month to see a llmd for a 20 min appointment. He doesn't use igenex and doesnt test for co infections. He puts everyone on tetracycline all winter and then switches everyone to hyrochloroquin (sp) and something else for the summer. I had more testing done closer to home and tested positive for bartonella. Although I haven't had a positive lyme test i've had 3 different tests and have had band 23, band 39 and band 41 come back positive. And my igenex was + band 41 I on band 23/25. So I tell my current dr that i had more testing done and he says "I dont care but i'll look cause you brought it". Seemed a bit off to me and hubby. So I asked him if the the tetracycline would handle the bartonella and he said yes you'll be just fine on the tetracycline. So I have done a ton of research on bartonella and everything im reading says mono therapy is rarely successful for bart. So I have found a LLMD that's a 2hr round and she uses ILADS and Dr. Horowitz protocol for the most part. Im seriously thinking about switching and have an appointment with her on wednesday. My current dr treats my uncle who has been on this protocol for 6 years and still has no end date in site? What are everyone thoughts. Thanks so much in advance!
Posted 1/15/2017 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
your current doctor sounds just this side of useless. i can prescribe doxycycline to everyone that walks in the door also! ;)

i've been pounding away at bartonella for a year with heavy abx combos and i'm just starting to clear it out and feeling better most days than not. it took about 10 months of nasty ups and downs to get here so doxy isn't going to do much against this hard to eradicate infection let alone against the other bugs.

there are options for seeing a good LLMD where you go to the office seldom and do the rest of your appointments via phone/skype. it's getting quite popular given the lack of doctors and the growing ranks that have contracted these diseases. all most of these guys do is put you on an abx regimen with some supplements and say come see me in 3 months. bloodwork can also be done locally as the doctor emails/faxes you what to get done and you bring it with you to a walk in lab like quest or labcorp.

yes i would definitely go somewhere else.
Posted 1/15/2017 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
May I make a suggestion? Don't cut the LLMD you are seeing now off just yet - wait until you find another LLMD that will take you. That way you aren't left on your own for any amount of time.

Otherwise, I would agree with you on switching LLMD's. LLMD's are no different than any other set of doctors out there - there are good ones, and ones that just barely help. Find the one that will help you the most.
Posted 1/15/2017 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with travelers suggestion and I agree your current doctor sounds sketching mono therapy is not scientifically supported for late stage Lyme. It sounds like you are making a wise decision
Posted 1/15/2017 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
pugmom - you are wise to question this Dr.'s protocols.

When you say tetracycline....are you talking about that class of abx...as in mino or doxy...or are you on Tetracycline? I'm wondering why the Doc doesn't prescribe mino...or even doxy instead...as they are the more common Tetra choices when dealing with lyme.
And Plaquenil alone is not good, either...
Mono therapy isn't good for these tick-borne diseases unless the infection is caught early...within a few weeks....so hopefully you can switch sooner than later.
Posted 1/16/2017 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
If the doctor that you see on Wednesday is better, go for it. At least on the surface it sounds like she may be the better choice, but you won't know until you meet with her.

Good luck!
Posted 1/16/2017 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
it's actually tetracycline
Posted 1/16/2017 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
Biaxin and plaq, then tetra in winter was the original classic Donta protocol. He published a lot of papers and was an early advocate of chronic lyme treatment. I saw him for my first year of treatment then moved on for more aggressive treatment for cos. Dr D has since retired. Do a google search.
Posted 1/16/2017 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
agree with Trav. Hang on to your LLMD as you transition.
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