Feeling conflicted

Greetings,

I am feeling somewhat conflicted over where to go or what to do next.  I have posted my symptoms on a previous thread.  My conflict comes from the following. First, I have had difficulties in dealing with doctors thus far, and, to add to that, it seems as though everytime there is a new theory, or an "as yet fully accepted" idea, that the "quacks" come out of the woodwork to try and capitalize on the suffering of others.  Who is to say that if I go to a so-called LLMD, that I won't end up with a quack who merely wants to drain my wallet with treatments I can't afford? 

Whenever you get into a situation where treatments are new, or where it is impossible to know with any certainty how a condition is progressing, it seems as though everyone wants you to "try" something that "worked for a friend".  And then, if you don't get the expected results, "Well, you didn't try it long enough" or, "Didn't do it the 'right' way".   How can I even trust the "tests" that the LLMD will give?  I mean, isn't it in his or her vested interest to diagnose me with something that I will have to pay him or her to treat?  Frustrating.

Regards, Brenden.

PS.  I live in the greater Seattle area.

 

Post Edited (The Editor) : 12/19/2011 8:57:34 PM (GMT-7)

Hello,

I'm fairly new to this also, and I feel the same way that you do at times. I am going to be meeting with two LLMD's within the next few weeks. Prior to that I had met with a naturopath who was not considered a LLMD on the lists, but was fairly certain that my symptoms were tick-related. He seemed trustworthy and knowledgeable. I found that this person helped to ease my anxiety about pursuing further treatment as it was a more objective opinion. I also chose a LLMD that has many other specialties and general medicine training in case it turns out not to be Lyme or a co-infection, he may be able to figure out what it is.

I also found it helpful that prior to seeing any LLMD's I had a ton of tests which ruled out most other conditions and made Lyme or a co-infection very likely. I am awaiting results of an Igenex test, but prior to going through with it I had some doubts as well. When the possibility of Lyme first surfaced, I thought, well I'll just take the antibiotics and be fine. Now that nothing is improving and things are getting worse, I'm much more interested in learning more about it in detail. Research is helping me to decide what to do through other people's experiences and all the Lyme books I can find (and order through the library).

I'm still worried about possible treatments as well. I know IV's are usually not covered and neither are long-term antibiotics or herbs. I won't be able to afford aggressive treatments for a long period of time if it isn't covered.

It is quite important to rule out other possible things that could be going on with your body first, before pursuing treatment for a Tick-borne infection -- unless you are quite ill and know that you had a tick attach before your illness started.

Lots of us have gone to dozens of doctors, gone through dozens of tests and evaluations, and have quite a few diagnoses to go along with all of that. That's a process of elimination, we have had everything else already looked at.

No one wishes this on anybody, but if you have one of more of the TBI's, then you must get treatment. These infections will not go away on their own. Even if they don't interfere with your life too much now, they will later - please take my word on this - it's from experience that I speak.

As others are saying, knowledge is power, learn all that you can, you won't regret it!