Hi Ayh97 -
Welcome to the forum! I'm sorry you're here but very glad you found us. I hope we can help.
I'm glad you're considering coinfections. Unfortunately, the testing can be just as unreliable as Lyme testing. It's excellent that you were able to get a diagnosis. Please get a copy of the Lyme tests. Do you know if the test indicated positive? Due to the 50% accuracy o the Lyme testing, the CDC and most LLMDs will recommended a clinical diagnosis, which is what your LLMD might have done for you if your test was negative.
Another complication is that often, the body can't manage treatment of too much all at once. It's possible that your LLMD wanted to reduce antimicrobial load of Lyme first, before tackling anything else. And the more treatment you get under your belt for one infection, it's often that another will become more dominant, which makes it easier to diagnose.
I'm sharing some suggestions for finding another LLMD below - please let us know if you have any questions. However, you might also want to ask your LLMD a few questions and let her know you'd like to explore coinfections. Based on her response, I think you'll have more info to go on in deciding next steps.
If she seems disinterested - she might just not be too familiar with how to treat them. Some of this you can do on your own, but also, a good LLMD should be considering coinfections. Trust your instincts.
Here is also a great questionnaire that helps you articulate and keep track of your sx, and to help you and your LLMD to better understand what they might indicate - you can fill this out and take it with you to your nest appt:
Jernigan's symptom list:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3673749&g=3673789#m3673789*******
Please review the "New to Lyme?" thread info at the top of the page - it has invaluable information about
diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, etc. and will help you prepare for your first appointment.
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1606610Please email
Girlie, our head mod, and she can help you with contact info for LLMDs in your area to consider. You can find her email address in her profile. Or click here:
www.healingwell.com/community/profile.aspx?f=30&p=197951 I'm also a mod but not around as consistently but will help however I can.
You can go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link:
www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74You can email the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance at:
[email protected]
ILADS has their own referral system as well:
ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/And
www.LymeDoc.orgYou will want to find an ILADS trained doctor, as ID Docs (Infectious Disease Doctors) as well as many others believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme--they adhere dogmatically to the IDSA and very narrow definition of Lyme and limited treatment. Go to the ILADS site to read the new (2014) Treatment guidelines to get you started on your healing journey:
www.ilads.org/lyme/treatment-guideline.phpLyme coaching
www.lymecoaching.com/#!schedule-a-call/c1gztPlease don't hesitate to ask any questions that come up!
-p