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Is this treatment enough

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Posted 8/31/2015 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I saw my primary care doctor this morning, and he reviewed by lab results and does agree that I have acute lyme disease. He has put me on 3 weeks of doxycycline 100mg twice a day. Is this enough? I have an appointment scheduled for Friday with a LLMD, but he is 90 minutes away and costs $750. I'm not sure if I should keep that appointment, or if I should just go ahead with this 3-week treatment.

Here are my details:
Western blot tested CDC postive for IGM (recent infection) - positive on IGM bands 23 and 41; also positive on IGG 41.

Thanks :-)
Posted 8/31/2015 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
100mg doxy twice/day is bacteriostatic - it will keep the bacteria from growing.

You need to be taking a dose that will kill the bacteria - especially since I'm sure you were infected at least 6-8 wks. ago.

How do I know this? The Lyme tests are antibody tests and it takes 6-8 wks. after infection for antibodies to become measurable.

ILADS recommends at least 200mg doxy twice/day and that dose is to be taken for 6-8 wks....and that's only if the person knows he/she was bitten by a tick and possibly has the EM rash (this isn't required for diagnosis).

If you have any symptoms whatsoever, you'll most definitely need a LLMD because you likely need more than one antibiotic and will likely need to have those antibiotics switched around.

Most important is that you need to treat for 6-8 wks. after complete resolution of symptoms.

My primary doctor prescribed for me exactly what yours did for you.

My signature shows just what can happen with that.

Please don't let that happen to you.
Posted 8/31/2015 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
kcarlile, I just want to echo what cd3764 said. Please see the LLMD, as that dose of doxy is not enough.
Posted 8/31/2015 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your response! I was happy that my doctor agreed that I had Lyme right away, but I wasn't sure about his treatment plan.

We went camping twice this summer. Once 6 weeks ago, and once 4 weeks ago. I didn't notice getting bit, but about a week after the 2nd camping trip, I did get a rash. However, my primary doctor and OB didn't suspect Lyme. They did a bunch of mammograms and sent me to a breast surgeon for a biopsy. It was the breast surgeon that suspected Lyme and ordered the Lyme tests.

But, I would rather be safe than sorry. So, if that means going forward with the expensive LLMD appointment, then I should do that.

Thank you :-)
Posted 8/31/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Personally, I went to an Internal Medicine doctor and he had no clue. He treated me for a sinus infection. I went to a Neurologist and he said to me "You do not have Lyme." I asked him on what did he base that statement and he said, "Because Lyme does not give you a headache." A tad angry that I paid for both of those uninformed doctors.

If I had to use a GP, boy would I want some credentials stating that they had studied Lyme and not just doing what the CDC recommends (which IMO is totally inadequate).
Posted 8/31/2015 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
A bullseye rash is diagnostic for Lyme disease.
Posted 8/31/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Trust me, you want to see a LLMD and not your GP for this. Any other dr except for a LLMD will not treat you appropriately because they are on the dark about this disease. It can be costly but would you want to sacrifice your health due to $$$? I'm biting the bullet too because I want to get better and I'm willing to do what it takes with the right specialist.

Best of luck with your appt! Wish you well on your journey to good health :)
Posted 8/31/2015 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
BTW IGM no longer means new infection. It just means that our immune systems are newly recognizing the bacteria. The old definitions of Igg and Igm are being re-defined.
Posted 8/31/2015 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
IGM means active infection.
Posted 8/31/2015 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
I love that response, cd. Simple, yet full of the necessary information, to the point. I might steal it, in case I ever see a new member in a situation similar to kcarlile's that's gone unassisted.

Lots of good responses though.

But, yes, good advice - though you've already said you will, make sure you take it, kcarlile. DO IT, or me be angry! AH!

Best wishes.
Posted 8/31/2015 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your responses :-)

One last question - should I go ahead and start the antibiotics that my GP ordered, or should I wait until Friday for my appointment with the LLMD? If I start the antibiotics, will that affect any additional blood work that the LLMD might want to do? Since this seems like a new infection (other than the rash, and the blood work being IGM positive, I don't really have any symptoms), I feel like I should start the antibiotics ASAP.

Thanks :-)
Posted 8/31/2015 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, start the antibiotics - this will at least keep the infection from spreading.

I'm confident your LLMD wouldn't want you to do anything but.

Best of luck!
Posted 8/31/2015 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
The antibiotics won't effect any tests that the LLMD would do. You are wise to go. It sucks spending that money but if you look at my signature (and a whopping $12,000 out of pocket 5 years later) a few g's in the beginning is worth oh so much more. Good luck!
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