how often do you see the doctor regarding lyme treatment/checkups?

I've been pondering this for awhile now ... how often do you go to the doctor for lyme?

My original doctor's office (where I see the Phys. Asst.) was very much wanting to keep tabs on how I was doing, whether it be her calling to see how I was fairing on the meds or just checking to see how symptoms were, as well as wanting to do exams/tests to make sure things were okay -- she isn't much versed in lyme and was concerned damage may be done, as well as saying that blood work should be done to ensure the liver, etc were tolerating the meds okay. She was of the mindset that 21 days of meds would be fine though.

New doctor (more versed in lyme) is more of a just take the meds and come back in 2 months. I did schedule an appt. to have him give an exam when my heart rate was going all over the place, and much chest pain. He was sort of (irritated?) again reiterating that he feels it's all lyme and that these things are normal, just stick it out. Well with that, I ended up in the ER, with that the ER dr. deemed a reaction to the doxy (the throat tightness and itchiness inside the mouth/throat were most concerning, secondary to the rash and hives). Previously, the new dr. said the constant, horrible pressure in my head was from a die off ... ER dr. said maybe/maybe not

Right now I'm not on anything since the ER visit and my reaction to the doxy. New doctor didn't get back as to what else to take, so I will need to wait still. It's been a week today since I didn't take anything for the lyme.

I've got an appt with an ILADS LLMD in January. If it were you, would you just wait til January, or press the new dr. to find a new option since doxy didn't go over well with me.

In general though, how often do lyme patients see their doctors? (I guess I am trying to get a feel for what to expect, esp. when January rolls around and I see the LLMD).

Hi!

That is a very good question knack. I can tell you when I first went on doxy I needed to take allergy pills for a month otherwise it was more difficult for me to breathe. That being said I didn't ever feel like I was having a serious allergic reaction. It is possible what you were experiencing was a herx it is also of course possible that it was an allergic reaction. I would talk to your current doctor about switching meds.

I would see my LLMD every 5-6 weeks or so. My ND and herbalist I see about once every two months currently. I think it depends on the severity of your case and how fast you progress. If you progress rapidly, it might make sense to have appointments every month to switch meds and move along faster in treatment.

Truthfully, I wouldn't trust an ER doctor anymore. They really don't understand herx reactions or lyme disease at all but I would agree with maybe/maybe not.

I see my dr every 2 months. I email him when I have a question or when I need a prescription.

He changes my treatment protocol every 2 months.