LLMDs in/around Los Angeles

Hi,

I’m wondering if anyone would be able to send/email me recommendations for doctors in/around LA/Burbank/etc that have experience treating Lyme/co-infections. I am open to MDs, integrative medicine, naturopaths, or anyone who is experienced with treating Lyme, honestly. I am desperate. I would also be open to telemed or even driving a few hours if some of the follow ups could be telemed. But mainly I want someone I can trust, and it’s hard to tell just from internet searches.

I saw an integrative doctor last year but didn’t have a great experience with him. I felt he had a lot of knowledge about treating tick-borne illnesses (and mold toxicity, etc). However, the office was disorganized and he was so scattered that I frequently had to remind him of things every appointment (i.e. once he suggested running a lab test that we had run the previous visit and I was actually there to get results for). I have a lot of patience with that kind of thing and I understand the medical field can be overwhelming (having worked in it myself), but ultimately I didn’t feel he was able to address me as an individual patient and I didn’t trust him with my care. Nor did I have the money to continue to invest in someone who seemed to have forgotten who I was every time I showed up. I was unemployed at the time and draining my savings.

Anyway, I have searched the ILADS website and other websites already…pretty much scoured all the resources out there but I wanted to ask here because I’d like to get recommendations from the community. I do feel that some doctors/medical groups can take advantage of desperately ill patients. My insurance is HMO so I will have to pay out of pocket, which my family has graciously agreed to help me with. I am fine with investing money in someone who can get me the care I need, but I don’t want to waste money (money that isn’t even my own) seeking treatment from a person or place that is more interested in making money than helping patients.

So if any of you know, or know someone who knows a Lyme literate / experienced practitioner, I would really appreciate any info you can share with me! Or, if you have experiences with someone that you feel I should steer clear of, that would be helpful too.

Hi, lemontwist:

I'm sorry about that experience you had with that integrative doctor. How unfortunate that the issue was something that could likely have been prevented/resolved with either better organization, more doctors/office personnel, and/or a smaller number of patients.

My non-Lyme doctors don't really know me or my situation. Rather, they rely on their limited notes from my prior visit and me adding more context to fill the buffer in their brain for my current visit. I always have to mention the major points -- tick bite, fatigue, sleep issues, dizziness, etc.

Anyway, how about Dr. Joseph Jemsek at the Jemsek Speciality Clinic in Washington, DC?

Obviously, that couldn't be any less local and still be in the U.S. But, you wouldn't need to go in person each time. One of our Moderators ("Girlie") saw him in person for a few visits and did her in-between visits over the phone or maybe Skype. Hopefully Girlie will see this and comment.

Now, if you're unable to travel or simply don't want to travel, I understand. Personally, I'd have to be sedated, in order to get on a plane these days. My days of air travel are over. But, that's just me.

However, if flying is an option, I saw a couple of round-trip flights (LAX > BWI > LAX) for under $200 (minus any fine print) on kayak.com. Then, there's lodging, transportation, meals, etc.

But, my guess is you probably spent close to that much on that integrative doctor. Hopefully, you can find someone who is (1) local, and (2) qualified. That would be ideal. But, if too much time is passing and you're not finding someone -- or, the ones you do find don't inspire confidence -- maybe consider Dr. Jemsek.

Do I think Dr. Jemsek is the best or the only person who can help you? No.

Am I sure he CAN help you? No.

There are many folks who claim to treat Lyme and co-infections. Hopefully you will find one ASAP and hopefully that person will be near you. Whoever you end up seeing, I definitely wish you great success.

D

Howdy, lemontwist:

Thanks for your reply and being open to my suggestion about Dr. Jemsek. I figured it was a long shot, but it was worth mentioning. For the time being, he's still there as a backup.

Fortunately, though, you have some closer prospects. That's good news. I'd heard of Dr. Shikhman before, but don't really know anything about him. (Other than the Google search I just performed.)

If you've not seen Dr. Marty Ross' "Treat Lyme" website, it might be a helpful resource for you, even though you will have the assistance of your own healthcare providers.

Treat Lyme by Marty Ross, MD
https://www.treatlyme.net

Some of the articles by Dr. Bill Rawls have been helpful for me, so I'll include a link to his site for your consideration.

Bill Rawls, MD
https://rawlsmd.com

Finally, Brenda Cosentino's "Real Food Rebel" website may offer inspiration, as she overcame 20 years of chronic illness.

Real Food Rebel
https://realfoodrebel.com

I'll stop with those three and hope something in them may be helpful to you. I have hundreds of websites bookmarked and over half a terabyte of miscellaneous e-books, videos, audio programs, podcasts, etc. So, if there's anything you might need or want, let me know and I'll see if I might have a copy.

Best of luck.