I was wondering what the damages are for this (the cost), I guess it would be for the complete initial lyme panel (not sure what they call it)? From my understanding you have to pay for it in advance and then mail something to your insurance company to see if they will pay some back (and I won't hold my breath).

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

-Ellie

Nevermind, I found it - Amazingly enough, calling them and asking worked.

Hi Ellie. I am glad you got the answers you needed. They can mail you a kit to take to your doctor right?

I hope your insurance company will reimburse you well.

How long have you been sick? Are you looking for a knowledgeable Lyme doctor?

The lab I go to has kits on site. I've been sick since July 14th (ish) with this particular thing. I haven't found a LLMD but I was referred to a LL Rheumatologist, can't get in till Sept. 5th.

I'm on Doxy at the moment (plus anti-inflams/pain pills) and I'm stopping today. I throw up violently within 15-20 mins of taking the Doxy and do this until my stomach is empty. I've lost 2 pounds (I'm 103lbs, 5'3 and 30 years old) and it's running me out of energy too fast.

I'm very open to suggestions!

PS: Welcome to NeuroTalk!!

Hi Ellie, sorry it took me so long to reply. What dose of Doxy were you taking?

Do you eat something substantial before taking the Doxy? It can cause severe nausea if you don't.

A few tips about Doxy. Do not have any dairy, magnesium or iron products two hours before or after taking it or it will not be absorbed properly. If it makes you nauseous, eat something substantial and non-dairy before taking it. What helped me was eating a protein and bread, such as a chicken sandwich. Avoid the sun. You can get a severe burn in minutes even when wearing sunscreen. Do not lay down for at least an hour after taking it or you can ulcerate your esophagus. This is very painful! Drink a full glass of water when you take it for the same reason.

Whenever you take any antibiotics, make sure you take high-quality acidophilus capsules. They replace the good bacteria in the body and help to prevent yeast overgrowth. The best ones to get are refrigerated. Most healthfood stores have them. Wait at least two hours before or after taking the antibiotics to take the acidophilus.

Good luck at your appointment! If it does not work out and you need a recommendation for a Lyme doctor, let me know.

I actually ended up discussing it here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=26590

I am currently not taking anything and scheduled to have more labwork done. Once that is done, they mentioned trying IV Antibiotics. I don't have much faith, my Rheumy looks like shes 16 and always looks confused. Then I hear her talking to the other doctor asking questions and getting, "I don't know" as an answer from her senior.

I'm excited! Hah.

Hi Ellie. What dose of Doxy were you on? I am asking to see if it was in range for Lyme treatment.

Are you going to be tested through IgeneX?

There are a couple of good Lyme doctors in CA. If you would like their contact information, send me a private message or email me at lymebytes@hotmail.com

I know it's not the best idea to wait, but I'm not getting my IGenex testing done until next month (approximate timing). It's just a bit too expensive to be put in my budget this month (lease was up on car, high ac bill after a long run of super hot days, etc.).

I was on 200mg per day. I followed all directions and everything. When the Rheumy told me to take it and THEN get my bloodwork done, I decided she was too stupid to have my money. I don't know a lot, but I know antibiotics and things of the like can skew lab results. I'd imagine they should have ordered ALL of the labwork and THEN put me on the Doxy.

I figure I'll just do what I can and order the labs myself, go to my doctor friend to sign it off and then have results sent to me. Once I know what's up, I will take the next steps.

I had 2 LLMD's names given to me but both were too far. Due to my epilepsy I have restricted driving privileges. Since my SO is my caregiver, he can't get off work much to take me places so I have to get all of my doctors to be within ~15 miles of my home.

If you know of a LLMD around Mission Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Beach (Laguna Niguel/Laguna Hills), Newport Beach (Newport Coast, Newport Hills) or Aliso Viejo, California - I'd love to have a name. The only ones I knew of were too far from here and I cannot travel like that.

The Rheumy I went to has also never heard of IGenex. I figure I'll just try and pick out what's best for me on the overpriced list of labs and then call a doctor with my results and ask if they are savvy in anything I name off.

My parvo did come back positive but the lady I saw (ironically enough the smartest and most lyme savvy person was a NP) said some coinfection for Lyme (mycoplasma or somesuch) can cause a false positive for parvo since their locations are quite similar.

Hi Ellie. 200 mg of Doxy is not strong enough for Lyme. I believe the recommended dose is 300-600 mg daily.

If you were infected in July, your infection is relatively early. This is good. Early infections are the easiest to cure. Getting the proper treatment early in the infection may reduce the chance of long-term complications. I highly recommend seeing a Lyme doctor as soon as possible.

There are not many Lyme doctors in the country. Many people have to travel out of state to see one. The ones I know of in CA are located in San Francisco, Nevada City, Palo Alto, Malibu, or Long Beach. If you would like their names, you can send me a private message or email me.

Maybe a family member or friend could drive you if your SO cannot. It really is important to see a knowledgeable doctor.

I have faith in my current health care providers and believe they are working as best as they can to help me. Right now I am on 1,500mgs of Amoxicillin per day. I was unable to tolerate the Doxy, which is why I'm taking this.

Due to the progression in my joint pain and swelling along with severe lymph swelling they are considering IV Antibiotic Treatment.

I was given the name of the LLMD in/around San Diego. While I understand it is stressed to see a LLMD; I do not particularly agree with the treatment methods of that specific doctor which is why I decided to stay with mine. I have an Infectious Disease Specialist, Rheumatologist and Nurse Practitioner whom are all working together to control my symptoms and to treat the Lyme.

The LLMD I mentioned above seems to have gone under investigation several times regarding the medications she's prescribing. The most notable being Oxycontin. I am quite wary with that particular medication due to how strong it is as well as it being highly addictive. It's certainly controversial and I find myself biased when it comes to my opinion as it caused severe an permanent damage to my mother when she took it for back problems.

After reading how frequently the above mentioned LLMD prescribed this, I found that she and I would not be a good match and I'd rather have a doctor (or doctors) that I feel are being aggressive enough with my treatment, and who will also keep me as safe as possible in their medication choices.

I am on my 5th day of abx now and while I feel like someone beat the crap out of me, I still have high hopes of a full recovery. My NP has called me every single day to check on me, and not many care providers take that extra step that she has. She keeps in contact with my other doctors every day or every other day and they keep everything up-to-date.

I am currently awaiting test results from my co-infection panel as well as a few other things to rule out anything else being the cause of my severe lymph swelling @ my right clavicle.

Also, even if the LLMD's had a 'moral match' with me, I don't have any family here and I have one friend. I pretty much rely on my SO for everything.

I am hoping things will start to look up soon. I am not taking too well to the constant pain. It's rather depressing.