New to Lyme and Overwhelmed

It sounds like you have a good first step plan. My insurance is similar in that is does cover some out of PPO and my Lyme doc is covered with the 80% - she bills the insurance.

The Western Blot test was expensive $395 or something like that. I did put it on my credit card but insurance BC/BS did reimburse me for 80% of that. It was worth it for me since it confirmed that I did have Lyme. I don't see my doctor too often once I got started on the antibiotics -- maybe every 6 weeks. I am just taking pills -- so it's just ride the wave of treatment -- cope.

These forums have been very helpful to me.

The big hurdle for most people seems to be getting a diagnosis and then getting in to see a LLMD.

I know I am better after three months on antibiotics, but I have a few more months to go. My meds are partially paid for, but the ones I am on are not expensive.

I am reassured by friends who have had this that there is life after Lyme -- people do get better, although some, of course, have a rougher, longer time. A few, I've heard, will need ongoing treatment for years.

I am hopeful. It was exciting to me to think that all these symptoms I had might actually go away.

I did get worse when I started on antibiotics -- thought I was 100 years old. dizziness, word blocking, and achy joints. But that's part of the herx reaction so I'm told. I usually make a list of things I want to ask my doctor and I go through it with her. Otherwise I'm just blank. Good luck with your appointment.

You're not alone.  My situation is similar - I've gotten worse over several years.  Fatigue, exercise intolerance, cognitive stuff.  It's overwhelming if I try to figure out where I'll be a year from now - and how I'll get there..

Insurance plans are all so different.  My llmd is not covered by my insurance, and neither was the IgeneX testing.  Maybe the best money I've ever spent tho.  The way things were going - well, I couldn't afford not to pursue this.  Everything thing else in the way of tests and meds has been covered.  What my llmd told me is that usually there's not a problem with insurance covering oral abx.  The question will probably be how long they will cover IV abx if they're needed. 

I actually thought I had CFS that would never be diagnosed.  At least we finally figured it out and can do some things to treat it.  As long as I've probably had Lyme, I'll be happy if we can keep it from getting worse and maybe make some improvements. 

When the abx kill the Lyme there are toxins released.  These aggravate my worst symptoms for a while.  I'm beginning to realize that this will be a marathon - not a few months sprint.  But really, what are the choices?  I worked and kept going as long as I could - and then crashed.  It does help to know there's a cause behind all of this.

Hope all goes well with your visit.  My llmd explains everything so well and is so supportive. 

---

Rich

Lyme, anxitey, depression, chronic C. Pnuemoniae

"... expect the unexpected ..."  (O. Wilde)

"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." (Mark Twain)

hey girl,
Don't worry about the port. Most Dr.s do not use them. My clinic does. And your insurance will cover it.
The problem that you will hit...that I did. Is with the LLMD's which is not even really a notable profession from say....Harvard.
But they themselfves do not take insurance. So watch out. You will have to sign a bunch of stuff. That will protect them, and only them, from you being able to sue them if you get really ill. And plus they will want your credit card # for other charges.
My first LLMD charged my 6,000 for my first day of so called test. Then she turned around and triple billed my insurance for the same test.
Then she told me it was a good thing that I had money. And that my abx treatment was going to cost me 3-5,000 a week for a year and a half.
I could not afford that. No way. And I have two sick kids as well. How could I???
Dr, P from FLL. Was reffered to me by the ILADS. Was very suprised to see her office. Is was filthy and her staff had tatoes and were just gross, and rude.
It was like a night mare. I ran....to Munich. lol

---

2004 in Martha's Vineyard me and my two daughters then 11 mos and 6 all got Lyme Disease. This was only known to us because we found the tiny ticks on us and we got very ill. My dog also got lyme and he went lame.
We have fought it for 4 years to no avail.
We all got it again this summer is Texas.
I am now in treatment in Scottsdale Arizona at Envita.

"The eyes cannot see for for what the mind does not know."