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Military Medical Discharge from Lyme

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Posted 4/15/2018 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I am currently about to start the IDES process for all my Lyme issues and am curious if anyone on here has gone through this.

Quick back story...I was in a school in Oklahoma and developed Uveitis in both eyes. The Uveitis was from Lyme, which I have no idea how long I had it for since I was at the time stationed in New Jersey and before that North Carolina. After many different blood test and about 3 months they determined the root of the Uveitis was from Lyme. I was put on 21 days of doxycycline and my symptoms started to go away until I stopped the treatment. I ended up getting an IV for 10 days, which completely cleared my eyes. Now fast forward about 1 1/2 years and during that time I have had joint pains, fatigue, muscle spasms, night sweats and difficulty sleeping.

Like most of us in the military I would only bring any of it up when I did my health assessment because I was just trying to "power through it". For the past 3-4 months these issues have become more prominent resulting in a few times of barely being able to walk.

Doing some research I feel as if I have Chronic Lyme Disease and after talking to the M.D at Infectious Disease, he told me it could be that from the beginning because they have no idea how long I have had it.

Now my main question is that under the Medical Codes it states 100% disability if it is considered "active". Since it is chronic, would that mean it is active and how can you technically prove it is chronic? Also has anyone had any success at treating any of this or pretty much "suck it up".

Any input or help on the situation would be greatly appreciated.

Post Edited (ducati320) : 4/15/2018 12:58:06 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/15/2018 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, ducati - welcome!

Unfortunately you were under treated and you do have active infection.

Since you've had it for a couple of years, it is also chronic.

You will need to start treating again...but this time I suggest you seek out a LLMD who will not only treat Lyme, but also the coinfections that usually accompany it.

Yes, people have success treating it. But it can take many months to years.

You can start a new thread: "Looking for LLMD in/near ________" and fill in the blank with your location.

You can also email me and I will check my list for LLMDs near you.

An ID Dr won't treat you long enough or with the right combinations of abx....unless he is Lyme literate.
Posted 4/16/2018 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
Girlie,

Thanks for the information. I will definitely bring this up to try and get a referral. I honestly have never heard of an LLMD before.
Posted 4/16/2018 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
You don't need a referral for a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor)...you just find one and call for an appointment.

A regular ID Doc most likely won't be on board with you seeking one out. If he does...that's great.
Posted 4/16/2018 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Right, if you are trying to get your chronic lyme treated within your VA medical benefits, that is probably unlikely. I am not a veteran but familiar with the process and benefits as my dad is a marine, and i help him a lot.

LLMD is typically all out of pocket expenses, and not cheap either.

BTW, i am an Ducati 900ss owner
Posted 4/17/2018 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
So my current PA does not believe there is such a thing as residual effects from Lyme. They also do not think I have active Lyme since my eyes are not flaring up like last time. All my issues they put it as something else has to be causing it. I get to do another round of getting tested for everything which like last time will come back negative. They said Post Lyme Disease is extremely rare and because it is "rare" I probably don't have it. Does anyone know of a way to confirm/deny of having Post Lyme or showing if it is still active?
Posted 4/17/2018 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
you need to get various tests like Western Blot, C6 Peptide and PCR from a reputable lab like Medical Diagnostic Labs in NJ or Igenex. The VA will likely not pay for those tests, so you will have to go outside of the VA to do that like through an LLMD, or PCP/GP doctor.

its my opinion, but you will not be able to get the VA to treat or diagnose Lyme. they follow the same narrative that the rest of medical community follow, that it doesn't exist or it is 'hard to diagnose, easy to treat.'

An additional test you could get is a neurocognitive testing to prove you have inabilities, however that will not verify you have Lyme specifically.
Posted 4/17/2018 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Ducati,
Get letters as prove from all doctors and have them fill out your dbq’s for the va at your c&p exam they will run a blood test ask them if they will document the cdc states that lymes is a clinical diagnoses if you present symptoms take a print out with you. You will get 100 percent if you are prepared. Email me if you need advice further.
Don
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