what to tell the dr - Lyme Disease Message Board

maddy73 · 07-08-2008, 12:58 PM

hey guys,,
i am going in to the dr but wanted to get opinions on what to ask for??
If this isnt a specialist...what is the best thing to tell him to test me for?
I dont mind writing stuff down and telling him what I want...
Just needed ideas on how to ask for what will get me the answers
Thanks in advance!

datgrlstef · 07-08-2008, 01:09 PM

Just a couple tips. Although I believe that doctors should work for you (and not you for them), beware going in and thinking you're going to have a positive experience by telling him what to test for, or what you want in general. Suggest, or ask his opinion about what you have in mind...

If it's your first time seeing that doctor, have a list of your symptoms, a time line (as brief as you can possibly make it).

Good luck with your appointment.

ticker · 07-08-2008, 05:15 PM

Hi maddy73. It is always good to bring a list of symptoms and a timeline of how long you have had them.

Many doctors are not knowledgeable about Lyme. Often if they do a Lyme test, it is the ELISA or titer. From what I understand, this is the least reliable test and the one most doctors run first. The Western Blot is a better test but it should be done at a Lyme lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA. They use more sensitive testing and list more bands on the Western Blot.

When is your appointment? Good luck!

maddy73 · 07-11-2008, 02:50 PM

thanks everybody..
i went in yesterday and asked for the complete lyme and co infection panels
who knows what they really did...and they also included other bloodwork for virus' etc, not knowing what it is I have..
i called twice today, knowing it was friday..
they called me back to go in on monday again because they just today figured out how to get the co-infection testing and need more blood from me..
how long does it usually take for results? they said half would be back today and the lymes in a wk? although, there was nothing today...
ugh..i hate this!!
my body aching is so bad!! i just want to get better