Success with integrative medicine?

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to ask if anyone has had success working with an integrative medical practice or doctor in treating lyme? Specifically one who is not listed as an LLMD.

I am seeing an LLMD now, the only one I could find in my state and get an appointment in quickly, but I question some of her methods and her competence.

I have been looking into other options and I know integrative medicine combines western medicine with holistic more natural options. They treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. It seems many of them work with chronic illness, I just don't see lyme on most lists.

Has anyone worked with an integrative medical doctor/practice and had success, even if lyme is not mentioned on their site?

No I haven't. It can be useful for some things but has its own limitations. I'm actually shadowing an integrative doctor right now and I've peeked at his textbooks in between patients. Interestingly some of them are fairly critical of chronic Lyme yet fairly supportive of homeopathy. Go figure. In my experiences as a patient I've often times just been sold a bunch of supplements that did nothing. Or diverted down unhelpful paths such as "toxic mold". But it really depends on the doctor. Many LLMD's are integrative doctors. Everyone has a different philosophy and part of the problem (and also benefit of it) is that these philosophies and approaches are not homogenized and standardized. So you very may well find someone who treats you the way you're looking to be treated, or someone who loads you up on unhelpful supplements. Just depends.

Psilociraptor said...
No I haven't. It can be useful for some things but has its own limitations. I'm actually shadowing an integrative doctor right now and I've peeked at his textbooks in between patients. Interestingly some of them are fairly critical of chronic Lyme yet fairly supportive of homeopathy. Go figure. In my experiences as a patient I've often times just been sold a bunch of supplements that did nothing. Or diverted down unhelpful paths such as "toxic mold". But it really depends on the doctor. Many LLMD's are integrative doctors. Everyone has a different philosophy and part of the problem (and also benefit of it) is that these philosophies and approaches are not homogenized and standardized. So you very may well find someone who treats you the way you're looking to be treated, or someone who loads you up on unhelpful supplements. Just depends.

This was helpful and good to know! I am trying to find the best treatment plan for me. I will have been on 8 weeks of antibiotics at the end of this month and just feel I have more symptoms from those then I do lyme itself. I do believe in pharmaceutical medicine as a treatment option, I just want less of it and more options to boost my immune system with natural substances as my symptoms are not debilitating or severe (at this time). If only the medical community would catch up to the times on lyme disease!

I see a Lyme Literate Naturopathic doctor. In most states they are able to rx all meds but controlled substances. They also have a very broad knowledge of herbs and support supplements.

Girlie said...

jrpsf said...
I see a Lyme Literate Naturopathic doctor. In most states they are able to rx all meds but controlled substances. They also have a very broad knowledge of herbs and support supplements.

Can they prescribe Mepron/malarone?


That was the issue with my LLND. (in BC, Canada)

I'm on Mepron now. I don't know if that's just California or not.

Yes, I vote yes to integrative medicine!

~beth

bluelyme said...
Integrated ducs may look at things like clifford test ,4 pt adrenal, stool test , mineral balance ,emotional spiritual and structual health, methylation, sulferatuon ,ammonia and comt genes , they may have frequency medicine and or iv protocols like patricia kane ,uvb ,mah with ozone , mine has a compounding pham on site and lymph specialist and 2 apitherpists and a osteostrong ....

If they did script mepron i hope they would supp coq10 for the subsequent blues

Even llmd’s want you taking coq10 with mepron - mine said on the days off to take it.

bluelyme said...
Girlie have you ever been to a functional or integrative duc? Are naturopaths the closest to up there..?

prior to diagnosis I saw three ND's.

My LL Dr. from Aug, 2014 to end of 2016 was a ND with prescribing rights.

Have not gone to a functional or integrative Doc.

Actually, I think there is one about 1 1/2 hours away - but he is $$$$ and has some pretty bad reviews.

BuckeyeSDH said...

k07 said...

BuckeyeSDH said...

k07 said...
What state? OH by chance?

Yes, I am located in Ohio

I’m near cinci. There’s 2 integrative practices here that treat lyme.

K07 - the LLMD I am seeing is actually in the Cinci area. Do you have experience with Dr. R?

i know reviews of ducs would be grand, but by calling these docs out it puts them , their staff and licensees at risk , a pm can be sent rather than discussing on a public forum, am i wrong? i suspect we have many trolls

Im working with an intgrative dr his fm nutritionist is treating me. She has me on 200mg doxy 2x a day. Its making me so sick.She said this would likely happen Herxxheimer. She also has me on some other tinctures for the detox and activated charcoal at night. 'fingers crssed I can kill this bug. Im new to lyme but Ive had lupus for the past 20 years so im really not too happy and a bit scared about this diagnosis

BuckeyeSDH said...
K07 can certainly email with any feedback they may have. I have seen others post with doctor initials and locations so I apologize if I broke any rules. THe forum moderators can certainly delete or edit the post if so.

Initials are fine. I am not sure I know who dr. R is! I will enable my email so we can talk more.

Gianna, you should start a new thread, I'm sure you aren't the only one here who was diagnosed with lupus.

Girlie said...
Hi Gianna, welcome to our community

Did you recently get a tick bite that you know of?


(I'm wondering if your Lupus diagnosis was actually lyme all along)

Autoimmune dx require the question what in the tissues is the immune system trying to attack /(defend)?
answer: usually multiple systemic intercellular pathogens ...

Immune suppressing steroids and meds killed my cousin quik .please tell us youre off them as they are contraindicated with lyme treatment?

Glad u found us and this connex gianna