2019 Poll about Jemsek Clinic: Good or bad?

It depends on what you’re looking for.
I would recommend it IF you’re wanting to be on antibiotic focussed protocols.

I think the poor reviews are mostly because of the administrative side of the clinic.
But that has improved lately.

Pros
Dr J is an Infectious Disease specialist that is also LL

He has a ton of experience treating lyme - for many years.

He has core protocols that he uses (that he’s found to be effective) but tailors it to the individual patient he’s treating.

He prescribes meds that many llmd’s dont: ie Dapsone and Daraprim.

He has trained NP’S to follow his protocols so they’re always taking new patients.

I find Dr J to be intelligent, intuitive, supportive, calm and gentle.
Great bedside manner if you ask me.

And he’s somewhat flexible.
I refused fluoroquinilones and he was fine with it - never pushed it or tried to change my mind.

The appts are further apart as time goes on - so there’s some $$ saved
Currently my appts are 4 months apart and every other one is a phone appt... which also saves $$
I only travel every 8 months or so now.

Cons

For me - it’s travelling from west coast Canada to see him.
It takes three flights to get there.

The Admin staff are lacking. It can be frustrating dealing with them when making appts. It has improved lately.

The triage nursing line was a source of frustration - it has also improved since I first started going there. The last time I called (afternoon) - they called back the next morning.

Girlie; that was a very detailed explaination that I much appreciate. It really gives me a different side of the story than what I read on google.

One thing I was wondering...
We don’t get to see dr Jemsek unless excetional circumstances I suppose, right?
Do you feel the other doctors there are on top of their game?


So far I’ve been visiting a LLMD in plattsburgh, dr MCS.
She’s really nice and a wonderful person. I like is that I can email her and I get a reply within 48h.
The biggest downside is that I feel that there’s no real plan for me as we speak, as I’m still dealing with elevated enzymes that prevent me from pursuing abx. I just wish I had clues on how to get things on the right track.

Post Edited (Alxander) : 3/11/2019 9:40:38 PM (GMT-6)

Great summary from Girlie. I'd just add that I love my NP whose initials are RM. She is more knowledgeable and experienced with Lyme than most doctors.

Hi
I'm also from the east coast of Canada and my son and I are patients of the JSC. We went there as the first line of treatment, mainly because my son had been sick for so long I felt I wanted to get him to the best. I feel it was the right choice (since there is no such care in Canada).

I would echo everything Girlie said. I would add that in addition to voicemails (if questions), you can leave (non-urgent) messages or questions with a specific provider through the private patient portal, and generally you get a message back by the next day.

JSC also has a microbiologist (?) (R.A.) on staff who did a useful variant gene analysis on 23andme results, with the analysis identifying those gene variances with clinical significance and with recommendations (confirmed with Dr. J.) for cellular / other support. The suggested supplemental protocol stemming from this has been particularly valuable recently.

Post Edited (LymeMother) : 3/12/2019 10:17:26 AM (GMT-6)

Sheekster, my problem is not Lyme only. I also have co-infections, Most likely Bartonella and Babesia.

I was surprised to hear that it's ND and not MD that we see at the clinic.
But from what I read here, "most" people had a good experience with them.
So the ND does make the prescription/labwork recommendation to dr. J who then email a copy of what you need, I suppose?
I'm asking because I don,t that ND have the power to make prescription and request lab themselves?

sierraDon said...
I went to JSC for an initial appointment when i was screening 'my next LLMD' i found the care lack flexibility, and general difficult to communicate with. they go through some turnover with NPs there. I felt no personality with the NP i was assigned to, she soon left as did a few others. probably the long term NPs there have some skill and are personable, if you are lucky to get one.

in particular it was near impossible to coordinate my meds/changes with other specialists i had to see. i gave up after 2 or 3 weeks of trying to sort that out, as it just seemed like the process was going to be exhaustive with JSC. I felt the 'stabilization' period was a bunch of BS too.

I ended up going with Dr SP. what a difference, i usually get call backs same day, with detailed suggestions or explanations, along with things i could try. what a difference to have an open line of communication. for me it was the right decision.

You're right, they recently 'lost' some NP's. I don't know if the 'turnover' is always like this...or not.
There is some flexibility - ie with meds....but I wouldn't expect a big change with the protocols ...as these are protocols that Dr. J has found work...and other than a few tweaks here and there...he wants you to stick to the 'program'. That's understandable IMO.

But, the J clinic isn't for everyone....not everyone has been happy there....

sierraDon said...
I went to JSC for an initial appointment when i was screening 'my next LLMD' i found the care lack flexibility, and general difficult to communicate with. they go through some turnover with NPs there. I felt no personality with the NP i was assigned to, she soon left as did a few others. probably the long term NPs there have some skill and are personable, if you are lucky to get one.

in particular it was near impossible to coordinate my meds/changes with other specialists i had to see. i gave up after 2 or 3 weeks of trying to sort that out, as it just seemed like the process was going to be exhaustive with JSC. I felt the 'stabilization' period was a bunch of BS too.

I ended up going with Dr SP. what a difference, i usually get call backs same day, with detailed suggestions or explanations, along with things i could try. what a difference to have an open line of communication. for me it was the right decision.

Does SP see all the patients...or does he also have NP's who take on a caseload?

Also....I've heard he is more expensive ie over 1,000 per visit....

He is my second choice....from what I've seen/heard about him.

sierraDon said...
I went to JSC for an initial appointment when i was screening 'my next LLMD' i found the care lack flexibility, and general difficult to communicate with. they go through some turnover with NPs there. I felt no personality with the NP i was assigned to, she soon left as did a few others. probably the long term NPs there have some skill and are personable, if you are lucky to get one.

in particular it was near impossible to coordinate my meds/changes with other specialists i had to see. i gave up after 2 or 3 weeks of trying to sort that out, as it just seemed like the process was going to be exhaustive with JSC. I felt the 'stabilization' period was a bunch of BS too.

I ended up going with Dr SP. what a difference, i usually get call backs same day, with detailed suggestions or explanations, along with things i could try. what a difference to have an open line of communication. for me it was the right decision.

You can specify which NP or PA you want to see. For example, I asked for Kim F since she has been there for over 10 years I think.

I think the JSC is wonderful. Ive been a patient there since June 2018 and I see RM. She is awesome! So nice, listens, gives recommendations, and overall is compassionate towards how your feeling.

The pros are meds 7 days a month, appointments every 4 months, the protocols are strong and i feel like they are massive kill which in my opinion is what we need to beat this beast!!!

i dont have any cons. As far as the staff and the returning of calls, I have never had an issue with either. So i cant comment on that.

but i strongly recommend this clinic.

i have been feeling better on my off weeks... hopefully it sticks!

Nope i actually meant April 2018..sorry.. im coming up on 9 months with the clinic. i started out with a different llmd from june 2017 to March 2018... then April 2018 was my first visit to the clinic

I'd recommend them, I've been there almost 6 months now and my air hunger has improved. Still have plenty of other issues though. The one negative I have is with the refill system. I've never been to a office before where it takes so long. You need to request through your pharmacy you can't speak with anyone there directly. It's been a week and I'm still waiting for a response.

trekkar said...
I'd recommend them, I've been there almost 6 months now and my air hunger has improved. Still have plenty of other issues though. The one negative I have is with the refill system. I've never been to a office before where it takes so long. You need to request through your pharmacy you can't speak with anyone there directly. It's been a week and I'm still waiting for a response.

Refill system?

I usually get the amount needed prescribed at the appointment. But, if I end up falling short...ie next appt is past the amount of prescriptions...then I call the Nurse Triage line and then another prescription is sent to my pharmacy.

Maybe it's different being I am in Canada?