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Posted 11/21/2014 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone's always saying find an LLMD to get proper treatment. I have just gotten my nursing license at the beginning of the year. I worked for two weeks and all of a sudden my daughter got chronically ill. I finally got an LLMD and it was a thousand dollars out of pocket for first visit. All we done was go over treatment for the future. I have to get a blood test for Borrelia that cost 600 to be able to start the iv antibiotics. (Does anyone know how much it is to get the iv antibiotics started or if insurance even covers that part?) Anyway she is really suffering and I was wondering what I could do? Is there help out there? Are there any herbs I can give her to treat it myself? Thank you for any help.
Posted 11/21/2014 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Is there another LLMD in your area? I think we payed half that for our first appt. and I don't think it was out of pocket either.

There are some herbal protocols, but you'd still want a doctor involved to monitor her. Cowden, Buhner, and Jernigan are some of the commonly used protocols. Hope I spelled them correctly! If you haven't already, read through the "New to Lyme" thread at the top of the page and there are diet tips, info. on herbals, and detoxing methods that would help her.

I'm sorry she got sick.
Posted 11/21/2014 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Lymecrazed, is the Lyme treatment for you or your daughter? There are groups that will help pay for Lyme treatment for children, but not adults. If it's for your daughter, I can list some links for help with her treatments too.

Either way, see if you can find any help in these links:
www.lduc.org/lyme-disease-resources
Posted 11/21/2014 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Do check on if and how long your insurance will cover IV, it varies widely among states.
Most non-lyme friendly states will not cover unless you have a CDC positive western blot, and then for only 30 days. If that's all they allow it's not work the costs.

The best prices for IV Rocephin and all the supplies is around $750 per month thru InfuServe America in FL. Cost to have PICC line inserted also varies. Some states have outpatient vascular services ($500-$600), while other state require to get it done in a hospital (big $$) and the prescribing MD needs to have hospital privs.

You should be able to handle weekly PICC bandage changes.
Posted 11/21/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Lymecrazed—

So sorry your daughter is ill and you are struggling with this. But congratulations on getting your nurse's license! That will help tremendously and carry a little clout with the medical industry.

I think most LLMDs will start off with oral abx unless you have specific conditions that make that approach problematic (GI issues, for instance). And there are also quite a few good and effective herbal protocols. I'm on a hybrid IV and herbal plan. The "new to lyme" thread at the top of the page has critical information you probably want to familiarize yourself with.

And here are a few resources I found for financial help if you should qualify:
www.medgift.com
lymedisease.org/news/touchedbylyme/prescription_hope.html
lymedisease.org/news/lyme_disease_views/lyme-tap.html

Please let us know how everything progresses—

-p
Posted 11/21/2014 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely shop around for lyme drs, the first quote I got was 10,000 +, the second quote was 3,000 for the first visit, the 3rd dr was $250 + cost of one test <- he is the one I chose and he got me better. Granted I had to drive 2.5 hours one way but it was worth the drive for sure. Once you get into the lyme world you find avenues about whom to go to etc. through support groups, online forums, local resources.

There are also herbalist/naturopaths/homeopaths that a lot of people turn to and that opens up a variety of treatment options. I think it makes the most sense to work with what you have financially even if that means trying to do an herbal treatment following protocols online, if you can do more and see a dr, then do that too. In retrospect though I was really desperate I'm glad that I kind of said let me try the cheaper options first and if they don't work I'll go to the 3k dr or the other more expensive place.

~beth
Posted 11/21/2014 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Once again you guys are so helpful! It is for my daughter Traveler. She is left with a coinfection after taking Doxy. She just has major lyme brain now. I'm afraid she's gonna turn into a vegetable like person if she doesn't get help soon. I did search and fill out an application at lymelight but the next review of applications is in February. Sometimes I think all the ones in charge of declaring chronic lyme a disease should get it so they would understand. But then again, I would wish this nightmare on my worst enemy!
Posted 11/21/2014 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried Lymeaid4kids, yet?
goo.gl/9vS0G9

And check out Clinic of Angels for any help they may give as well:
clinicofangels.org/

Lymetap is for testing: www.lymetap.com/

and this one may or may not be of much help:
www.genome.gov/11008842

Don't give up!! We are here to help as much as we can!

If she isn't yet, get her started detoxing, drinking lemon water, and on a good diet. Remember that our symptoms are driven by the toxins from the dying bacteria, so the more detoxing she does the easier her symptoms will be to manage.

Please do let us know how things are going as you can!
Posted 11/22/2014 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
You could try Buhner, or even herbal teas.

LLNDs tend to be cheaper, unless they're on the West Coast, for some reason.

If you get an LLND though, you want to make sure he or she is in a state where s/he can legally prescribe meds.

Non LL NDs, btw, are pretty much worthless as far as Lyme is concerned.

Margaret
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