Anyway, I know I have to now get the tests done at Igenex stat. Why did I think I could catch a break and have the results be accurate?

Please lift me up in prayers or kind thoughts. I NEED YOU NOW. thanks in advance.

Not to despair, Igenex should find it. Quest and some of these other labs have a failure rate of half. It's like flipping a coin. Ultimately, you may have to find a LLMD and pay out of pocket. HMO's will normally fight every step of the way though some may pay.

You can always check flash.lymenet.org for good doctor referrals. You can use their "search" function for a wealth of information.

Many find natural supps like Allimax or Allicidin are effective. A good grade of cat's claw is used by many. Be proactive and research this disease. I know many getting better with limited abx use but heavy supplementation. Go to Amazon.com and check out a book by Stephen Buhner called "Healing Lyme". Many have had great success following his protocol.

Thanks so much for your info and encouragement. Since posting the above, I've learned alot. My pcp has agreed to treat with oral doxy for the time being and has agreed to do so for "a long time". I know that it is going to take iv therapy for a long time. I have given him a wealth of info and in support of the iv treatment. I believe by the end of the month he will be in agreement, also.

If he doesn't, I will continue on the oral doxy until I can get to a llmd. There are none in my area (no surprise) but I do have some good referral from the sites you mentioned.

Thanks again. And I will investigate the supps.

http://www.ilads.org/files/burrascano_0905.pdf

Doxy is always a good start for lyme treatment. It crosses the blood brain barrier to attack Bb that's settled into the brain. LLMD's use slightly higher doses of doxy for full effect. Anywhere from 300-600mg p-day. watch the herx's so start slow.

In time, your doc can get at co-infections but doxy is normally given first to eliminate erlichia which can be potentially fatal in rare cases. Watch for high fevers as signs of erlichia.

I know many long-term lymies who've gotten well without IV's. Everybody's different so you may respond to orals. Stay out of the sun with doxy, you can burn severely. Make sure to take a good grade of acidophilus at least 2 hours away from the doxy to prevent stomach yeast from the abx. The yeast can be as bad as lyme. My son takes his acidophilus right before bed so it works overnight. Get a good grade of it and sugar-free yogurt is excellent as well. Keep us posted.

The tests done at commericial labs are unreliable. There is no test that is 100% accurate. Igenex is more accurate, but it is possible to have a negative test from them and have LD.

Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, not to be based on a blood test, but on YOUR symptoms.

You must see an LLMD (Lyme literate MD).

Doxy is good oral and a good first choice, but does not cross the Central Nervous System well and really that doesn't matter at this point, the point is to start treatment with a good LLMD. At my website I under Resources I have plent antibiotic lists and more of interest. We also accept prayer requests at the forum, many support forums do not allow this.

If you need an LLMD, email me from the site and I can lead you to someone who can help.

Take care.