First LLMD appt...nervous/treatment decisions

Hey everybody! So, I am getting a bit nervous ( understatement, haha) reguarding my LLMD appointment ( first one) this Wednesday. I could ramble on for pages about why I'm freaking out / absolute lack of faith & trust in medical establishment etc,etc,etc... but that's kinda beside the point...

Basically, I feel that treating w/ herbs/ natural treatments is best for me. I have an appointment w/ a np in October, & have begun samento & oil of oregano myself in the meantime.

My family doesn't believe in herbal medicine at all, & were stressing me out so much ( which only makes me sicker) that I finally agreed to see a regular LLMD. The truth is, I will be glad to have some additional testing & hear her opinions - I figure you can never have too much info.

But even tho this doc calls her practice ' integrative' she already told me via phone that she thinks antibiotics are the way to go. She says that despite the length of time I've been sick ( minimum of 11 years, probably more) I still have active Lyme & antibiotics are the best treatment. ideally, I would like to get her opinion , then go see the np ; & then make a well informed decision on how to proceed . But part of me (the frugal part) feels like its a waste to go to this doc just to hear her opinion, & then have to return to her again if I decide to use antibiotics. I also feel like the extra 2 months between the LLMD appointment & the np appointment could be spent treating w/ antibiotics if that's beneficial, and then proceed w/ herbs from there on out. But am worried that it might be the worst possible thing to do...

I am concerned w/ my ability to tolerate antibiotics as well as the level of debilitating symptoms that seem to come along w/ antibiotic treatment. I've gotten the impression that one can ease more gradually into herbal treatment ( esp w/ tinctures) and this appeals to me. While my overall condition has improved since changing my diet & lifestyle , there was a point when I was basically bedridden. As I live alone w/ dogs & cats who depend on me , being able to function well enough to care for myself & critters is very important. I would rather take longer to treat & be able to care for myself throughout, as opposed to being totally debilitated and get better faster.

I guess some of what I'm looking for from you guys is reassurance ; I know there are alot of people who have acchieved remission using herbs, but have noticed some of these people began w/ some type of antibiotic first. Is there anyone who has treated 100% w/ only herbs & other natural treatments?

Also, is there anyone who has had Lyme longterm like me & who has gone through treatment w/o becoming totally debilitated ?

Last, is there anyone who began w/ antibiotics & wishes they could go back & untake them? I.e., long term negative effects , major increase in symptoms not related to a herx ,etc.?

P.s.I know u guys aren't docs & cant give medical advice, but hearing your experiences & thoughts might help me make better decisions. Decisions are hard for me now, even when they aren't this serious!

While I did start off using abx (a year long disaster), I took a 2 year break to find another doctor and to detox, so I'm not sure just how much my previous abx use impacted my healing. But I did heal quickly once I got my body balanced back out and functioning and then started herbals.

My husband was not at all keen on me using herbs only, but stuck with me on it when he watched the downward spiral that I was sent into when using the abx. He's gotten so behind my herb use that he is the reason I'm back in school now to become a certified herbalist now. So give them time, once they see that the herbs actually do work (lol), they may be more open to backing you up as you use them.

I agree with Jo, go with your gut feeling on this. Of course, it IS a good idea to go to the LLMD and have the testing done - but if you don't wish to use the abx, then don't. After all, you have already started natural treatments - and you wouldn't have to wait until October to get further into it, especially if you wish to use something like Buhner's protocol. You can buy his books and get started just as soon as you wish.

Don't forget that detoxing is as important as the treatments themselves!!

Whatever you choose to do, know that we are standing behind you in your treatment choices!!!

I've been sick since 2009 at least and did not know I had Lyme/coinfections until this year. I planned to take minocycline for 30 days. It made my symptoms worse. On the 7th day, the doctor told me to stop.

I expected to go back to how I felt before taking the antibiotics , but that did not happen. Instead, I got worse tissue inflammation, joint stiffness, muscle weakness, and loss of stamina. My MSH, which was already low at 19, dropped to <8. I became increasingly disabled and had trouble walking. It was much worse than I had ever been before taking the antibiotic. It took 2 months before I felt like I was anywhere near what I had been before. When I asked the doctor why it made me so much worse,she couldn't tell me.

I stopped the antibiotic on Feb 1st. The first week in April, I started feeling stronger only to get shingles a week later (probably because my MSH had dropped so low.)

After all that, my expensive functional MD dropped the ball on me. That's when I picked up the ball and started making my own decisions. I started treating with herbs using Stephen Buhner's protocol on June 1st. I found I am very sensitive and have to start at tiny doses and very slowly work up.

I have found an LLND. I told her I needed help figuring out some things about the other infections and why I was so sensitive and have great difficulty detoxing, but that I did not want to do antibiotics and had chosen to use Buhner's herbal protocol. She has agreed to help me,and I should get an appointment soon.

I feel like the antibiotic did something to me. I don't know for sure what happened. I just know it was a mistake for me. The whole idea of long term antibiotics makes no sense to me. It just sounds like a really good way to get drug resistant strains of bacteria and completely ruin your immune system. All antibiotics do is kill bacteria. Herbs, especially using Buhner's protocol, can do far more.

I am almost 3 months into the herbs now and still working slowly to get all the herbs in. I started with the bartonella protocol. A week ago, I had the first breakthrough and had 3 good days in a row. Of course, I'm regularly detoxing, too.

I'm very glad I made the choice to do Buhner's protocol. I feel like I'm on the right track. My life and future are not in doctors' hands anymore. Finding one who can help me learn more and tweak my treatment while respecting my decisions is a blessing, but I no longer feel a doctor is a necessity.

Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to speak up for yourself and make your wishes known. Nobody but you is ever going to live in your body. Ultimately, you are in charge.