Re: I Had My Specialist Appointment - Treatment

October 25, 2004

Why did he say igenex is questionable? I have always heard the opposite.

[ ] I Had My Specialist Appointment - Treatment

>

> Greetings...I met with my health plan's Director of Infectious Diseases

> last Monday, for my first Lyme appointment - he's now my Lyme doctor. It

> was a very interesting / emotional appointment that lasted over an hour.

> For the first 10 minutes, (after asking me what my medical problem is), he

> quizzed me on inconsequential small talk - like my college education, etc.

> I grew increasingly irritated and frustrated with this small talk -

> something I cannot hide - my face was screwed up, my eyes were moist and I

> was glaring at the doctor.

>

> After this 10 minute " episode " , he gave me a physical, then we talked

> about Lyme. He apologized for getting me angry earlier - he did it

> intentionally, to see if I was serious about my Lyme symptoms. He said I

> got good and mad, so he realized I was serious about this visit and my

> symptoms. He told me that he sees people (almost daily) who think they

> have Lyme, but many / most do not. I've since started reading the book

> 'Coping with Lyme Disease: A Practical Guide to Dealing with Diagnosis and

> Treatment', and I'm beginning to appreciate the doctor's point of view. I

> don't think I'll ever appreciate the insurance companies point of view.

>

> Anyway, I showed him my positive Igenex WB results - which he glanced at;

> I think they made an impact, although he told me Igenex results are

> questionable. He reviewed my history with me, then came to the conclusion

> I had Lyme. He put me on Doxy for 6 months, and time released 60 mg.

> Inderal (for my HORRIBLE headaches and my racing pulse). The Inderal

> seems to be helping - I haven't had a MAJOR headache for 5 days. That's a

> record, since getting sick in 2001. He didn't think I need IV antibiotics

> (yet) - if the Doxy doesn't work, my next course will be IV. My next

> appointment with him is in 2 months. He also ordered tests for the

> co-infections, which I had done right away - I'm still waiting for the

> results.

>

> All in all, I was pleased. The appointment could have been worse. It was

> nice to finally have a doctor look me in the eyes - believe my ailments -

> then tell me I had Lyme, and put me on a course of treatment; Not to

> mention the fact that he gave me over an hour for my first appointment -

> that's always a good sign. I'm also starting some of the supplements that

> are suggested in the book I listed above. Thanks to everyone for your

> help - I'm sure I'll need lot's more in the days to come...Tom

>

October 25, 2004

I don't believe Igenex is questionable, but the limited experience I've had with

Lyme has shown me that many in the medical field look at Igenex as " outside the

norm " . Even the doctor's office who drew my blood for the Igenex test told me

that Igenex is AMA approved - just in case other doctor's question their

validity. My Lyme doctor told me he knew of people who did not have Lyme, but

had positive results from Igenex - I didn't push him to elaborate. I'll wait

until I'm well enough to debate, then give him some education. I personally

believe that Igenex is accurate, and it's many of the other labs that are

inaccurate. Many of the other labs have a very high level to reach before

showing a WB as Lyme positive - not sure if this is influenced by insurance

companies, or faulty testing. Igenex has a lower threshold for a WB positive.