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How do I find an LLMD near me
How do I find an LLMD in my city or near me? I live in Lexington Kentucky...thanks for the help
I'd suggest you search online for
lyme disease missouri
and then search
lyme disease illinois
or some similar search -- it will pop up leads to organizations that may have referral functions or people who can recommend someone near where you live.
Good luck, let us know how you do.
lyme disease missouri
and then search
lyme disease illinois
or some similar search -- it will pop up leads to organizations that may have referral functions or people who can recommend someone near where you live.
Good luck, let us know how you do.
Please email me at ***@**** if anyone knows of a LLMD in Missouri or Illinois Please!!!!
Thank you and god bless!
Thank you and god bless!
I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal. Based on what you've shared, it makes sense to pursue Lyme and get the Western blot. I was negative on ELISA 3 times, and my spinal fluid was also negative for Lyme. When I finally got a Western blot (LLMD ordered, my regular PCP refused) it showed just a couple of bands, but one that is highly specific. There are also co-infections (other diseases carried by ticks) to be considered.
I do think it's a good idea to rule out other conditions first, as LLMD's often resort to a clinical dx (based on history and symptoms). That is easier to accomplish if you've already gone through standard testing for other conditions. As my LLMD commented at my first appt, which was at the end of a year full of specialists and tests, "most of the work was already done." Meaning that that it was easier for him to proceed with a clinical dx since everything else under the sun had already been ruled out.
I also am not sure when I was infected or if I was re-infected. My best guess is that it happened around 2002 but my body was able to suppress it, then it re-emerged in 2007 during a time of stress and life change.
Diagnosis was very difficult, while I saw a ton of specialists who couldn't decide what was wrong with me, they were all certain that it was NOT Lyme. For me, it was more of a nagging possibility that I couldn't ignore, what if I really did have a treatable condition? The risk/benefit balance made it a reasonable choice for me to seek an LLMD and undergo long-term antibiotic treatment. It has been effective, though slow and difficult at time.
The above post may end up being censored, as it is against MedHelp policy to promote other support sites (or such is my understanding). Just be cautious, as some of the large online Lyme sites have a lot of conflicting info and avid supporters of various alternative treatments. It can be overwhelming to a person new to this disease.
Take care.
I do think it's a good idea to rule out other conditions first, as LLMD's often resort to a clinical dx (based on history and symptoms). That is easier to accomplish if you've already gone through standard testing for other conditions. As my LLMD commented at my first appt, which was at the end of a year full of specialists and tests, "most of the work was already done." Meaning that that it was easier for him to proceed with a clinical dx since everything else under the sun had already been ruled out.
I also am not sure when I was infected or if I was re-infected. My best guess is that it happened around 2002 but my body was able to suppress it, then it re-emerged in 2007 during a time of stress and life change.
Diagnosis was very difficult, while I saw a ton of specialists who couldn't decide what was wrong with me, they were all certain that it was NOT Lyme. For me, it was more of a nagging possibility that I couldn't ignore, what if I really did have a treatable condition? The risk/benefit balance made it a reasonable choice for me to seek an LLMD and undergo long-term antibiotic treatment. It has been effective, though slow and difficult at time.
The above post may end up being censored, as it is against MedHelp policy to promote other support sites (or such is my understanding). Just be cautious, as some of the large online Lyme sites have a lot of conflicting info and avid supporters of various alternative treatments. It can be overwhelming to a person new to this disease.
Take care.
Hi Dee,
your best bet for finding a LLMD in your vicinity is to go to lyme net and post on their seeking-doctor forum. People there have a comprehensive list of all lyme doctors in the country.
http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/forum/2?
You'll need to set up a user profile beforehand. They may be able to provide a local PCP/GP who would be more willing to work with you and order the western blot you request. Although I wouldn't waste my time having it done by a conventional lab.
Please bear in mind: lyme disease cannnot be ruled out by a test.
A lyme literate doctor can make that determination based on a clinical intake.
The tests in existence are not sensitive enough, and test for the ANTIBODIES of only for 1-2 strains of the 100 that are in the U.S. They do not test for the presence of the bacterium itself.
Conventional testing sensitivity runs about 46-48%. This sensitivity is far below the 95% cutoff required for an accurate diagnostic test and to give you an idea-- much worse than the 99.5% sensitivity of commercial HIV testing. Even the better labs' tests run into the 70%s as far as sensitivity.
And, with progressed disease, the immune system being run down or impaired is less likely to produce the antibodies necessary to generate a positive test.
I have neurological lyme with major neurological involvement that affects my ANS.
Diagnosis with this disease is the first step, finding treatment can be an odyssey.
good luck, dee.
your best bet for finding a LLMD in your vicinity is to go to lyme net and post on their seeking-doctor forum. People there have a comprehensive list of all lyme doctors in the country.
http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/forum/2?
You'll need to set up a user profile beforehand. They may be able to provide a local PCP/GP who would be more willing to work with you and order the western blot you request. Although I wouldn't waste my time having it done by a conventional lab.
Please bear in mind: lyme disease cannnot be ruled out by a test.
A lyme literate doctor can make that determination based on a clinical intake.
The tests in existence are not sensitive enough, and test for the ANTIBODIES of only for 1-2 strains of the 100 that are in the U.S. They do not test for the presence of the bacterium itself.
Conventional testing sensitivity runs about 46-48%. This sensitivity is far below the 95% cutoff required for an accurate diagnostic test and to give you an idea-- much worse than the 99.5% sensitivity of commercial HIV testing. Even the better labs' tests run into the 70%s as far as sensitivity.
And, with progressed disease, the immune system being run down or impaired is less likely to produce the antibodies necessary to generate a positive test.
I have neurological lyme with major neurological involvement that affects my ANS.
Diagnosis with this disease is the first step, finding treatment can be an odyssey.
good luck, dee.
Maybe so but I had Bells Palsy many years ago 3 different times and that in itself is a symptom of Lyme. Now I am having neurological problems. I am trying to rule everything out. Thanks again and i will kepp u all posted
You're quite welcome. We've all been there.
You could have gotten bitten again more recently since childhood and not known it. I was bitten at least twice, and maybe a third time -- all three separate events at least a year apart; I saw one of the 3 ticks, and never a "circular rash". Sneaky little devils, these ticks.
Wonko's advice is good; I always forget about that website she mentioned.
Let us know how you do.
You could have gotten bitten again more recently since childhood and not known it. I was bitten at least twice, and maybe a third time -- all three separate events at least a year apart; I saw one of the 3 ticks, and never a "circular rash". Sneaky little devils, these ticks.
Wonko's advice is good; I always forget about that website she mentioned.
Let us know how you do.
i got sick last april. My legs go numb and tingly, fatigue, uveitis, rapid heart rate, headaches, and i have had bells palsy 3 times. I was bitten by ticks as a kid so if I have this I have had it for many many years. I also suffer from extreme vertigo. I was tested by the elise test and it was negative but i would like to be tested with western blot and see what the results are. I have asked my doctor but they blow me off. For one year my life has been a mess but I have symptoms stemming back for 20 years. Thanks for your help.....and thank you JackieCalifornia for your help also!!
I found the link below during my quest. It has more links to resources and referrals. I don't vouch for any of the ads on the site, but the page content was helpful to me.
http://www.chroniclymedisease.com/llmd-referrals
Do you suspect you have Lyme or TBI, or are you looking for another? It's tough going off of the beaten path for help, but I personally feel as though it got me my life back.
Good luck!
http://www.chroniclymedisease.com/llmd-referrals
Do you suspect you have Lyme or TBI, or are you looking for another? It's tough going off of the beaten path for help, but I personally feel as though it got me my life back.
Good luck!
Two things I would do:
1--Go to the ILADS [dot] org website and use their referral service -- I have not used it, not sure how it works, but imagine it's still there
2--Google search something like "LLMD Lexington KY" or some other geographic description. I just did that and there were a number of posts on other websites that had comments about the Lexington area and Lyme doctors.
LLMDs aren't always where you think they will be ... and remember that there is no official training to be an LLMD, so they can be a bit different with different approaches, so if you don't see eye to eye with the first one you meet, keep trying elsewhere. That's happened to several people on this site.
Also try googling something like "LLMD Tennessee" and see what you get. There is a wellknown and respected LLMD in SW Missouri, but that's a day's drive from Lexington, it seems.
Sorry can't help more. Best wishes!
1--Go to the ILADS [dot] org website and use their referral service -- I have not used it, not sure how it works, but imagine it's still there
2--Google search something like "LLMD Lexington KY" or some other geographic description. I just did that and there were a number of posts on other websites that had comments about the Lexington area and Lyme doctors.
LLMDs aren't always where you think they will be ... and remember that there is no official training to be an LLMD, so they can be a bit different with different approaches, so if you don't see eye to eye with the first one you meet, keep trying elsewhere. That's happened to several people on this site.
Also try googling something like "LLMD Tennessee" and see what you get. There is a wellknown and respected LLMD in SW Missouri, but that's a day's drive from Lexington, it seems.
Sorry can't help more. Best wishes!
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