Where to Start?

Hello all. I am new to the site and would like some advice. First of all I was bit by a tick in early 2014 went to doctor and was told it was some type of skin lesion on my shoulder (tick bite). Long story short, I had excruciating neck pain and was dx'd as having RA. It is now 1-1/2 yrs later. I've been suffering with inflammation (neck, knees wrist and neck cracking) and much pain (ra type symptoms), brain fog, headaches, etc. First Lyme test came out positive (late stage). I was put on some antibiotics for a while then taken off and re-tested. Two weeks ago dr. agreed to do another Lyme test:
IGG P93 AB, P66, P58, P45, P41, P39, P30, P28, P23, P18AB results were "absent". Lyme IGG WB Interp Negative. " Then: "Positive: " 5 of the following Borrelia-specific bands: 18,23,28,30,39, 41, 45, 58, 66 and 93. Negative: No bands or banding patterns which do not meet positive criteria.

"IGM P41 AB - Present, IGM P39 AB - Absent, IGM P23 AB - Present, LYME IG WB Interp. - Positive"

This resulted in a call from the doctor's office ("Lyme Specialist") asking me to come in tomorrow morning to see a doctor who is already overscheduled. He is also leaving the practice in a week or two for another position.

I am on Prednisone right now and have also been on a host of other other conventional meds for ra. My question is this: can anyone give me some advice on what I should zero in on tomorrow morning with this precious 1/2 hour or so of time left. He's talking trying biologics? (I know that's not the right word) but I don't have the time to research what it is I need to know to make the best out of this visit. Can anyone help?

Welcome, Sisterofive,

I second the advice above. Ask if the doc is part of ILADS. Also have your symptoms list ready for review. You might even want to show a typical Lyme list to "prove" you ft this, even though you have positive test results. You need to get off those RA meds and onto Lyme treatment. (Assuming the RA is actually a misdiagnosis.) If there is any time left in your appointment, I'd ask for details on his proposed treatment plan: names of meds, duration, etc. Be sure to take a notebook to write it all down, as it can get overwhelming if he's a good doc who knows what he's talking about. And how will he follow up with you if he's moving into a new role?

If the doc isn't an ILADS member or is rude to you or dismisses chronic lyme as non-existent, please come back here and ask for recommendations for other doctors. Let us know what area you are in and people will help you find another LLMD. I hope you won't need to do that. Best of luck with the appointment tomorrow!

Maui