Hello,
I am seeking an LLMD in the Tampa Florida area who can hopefully diagnose me by symptoms and believes in strong antibiotic treatment.
I would like a personal referral from a Lyme victim with similar symptoms to my own. I'm only getting one chance at this.
Someone has offered to pay for meds and an office visit a with the doctor of my choice.
They firmly believe that a few weeks antibiotics will treat Lyme as the CDC has outlined. Their misguided attempt to prove me wrong and stop my pet store antibiotic use is my best chance to seek help.
My name is Shanda and I am 41.
I have had Lyme symptoms from childhood even though I didn't realize that's what they were.
For the last 4 years I have had Severe 24/7 debilitating symptoms with no break.
My Lyme test was negative. I believe they use quest diagnostic for labs but possibly Lab core.
I was tested for parasites with negative results but I doubt the test included Lyme co-infections.
At that time I was not aware of the need for..or the availability of.. specialized testing for Lyme and co-infections.
I'm sorry I can't prove I am one of you. The years of illness and unnecessary testing drained me financially.
I have not been able to pursue quality testing for Lyme or even receive treatment for the Fibro and Chronic Fatigue I am misdiagnosed with.
I'm pretty much on my own with this except for one doctor that believes I am physically ill...not insane. She gives me free meds as samples from time to time.
Unfortunately...I didn't know anything about Lyme when I became sick. My mental capability had deteriorated to that of a child compounding the problem of wading through the Lyme Disease misinformation nightmare.
For a time I lost control of my body..unable to walk or even roll over in bed. I had excruciating pain and was extremely confused.
I feared my clients would find me in front of my business ..wandering around asking what my name was and where I lived.
After becoming aware of faulty testing and the existence of Chronic Lyme I started doxicycline. For the first time there was some improvement in my condition.
I began taking Tetracycline meant for animal use and started to return to the world of the living. The tetracycline has been a God send but It only brings me up to a limited ability to function.
Without a support system or options for other treatment...I have been forced to continue the Tetracycline for years.
Every time I stop taking it....my condition RAPIDLY deteriorates.
I have every bizarre symptom Lyme has to offer excluding convulsions and seizures. I do herx and I am 100% convinced I have Lyme or another similar bacterial infection.
Any guidance you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You and God Bless You....Shanda
