During my summer 2012 visit to my Lyme Specialist in the USA, I asked what the most up-to-date thinking is among Lyme literate doctors about treatment for an initial contact with "Lyme disease". What antibiotic should be prescribed and for how long, if someone has a bull's eye rash or thinks they have contracted "Lyme disease". The answer is: Doxycycline for at least 4 weeks. What is happening is that Ontario patients who have a bull's eye rash are going to their doctor's office, and they are often being prescribed the usual 10 day course of some antibiotic. It's not enough. Often, the patient will ask for a longer course of antibiotic (because they've done some research on the internet) and they will be refused. So I am told that patients then often have to trek around to various clinics until they amass 4 weeks of antibiotic. I am using the word "often" deliberately, folks. Because I am relating anecdotal information, and this kind of medical run-around is happening to people. Sadly. Because most doctors in Ontario still have not done their homework on Lyme disease and the complicated, multi-faceted illness that they are dealing with. They are not up to speed with what they need to prescribe, and for what length of time in order to effectively eradicate Lyme in its initial phase. So patients are getting their needs met one way or another by working the system, and good for them.
I have had "Lyme disease" for five years and I have chronic Lyme disease because my Ontario physician did not treat my illness effectively. I have several infections in addition to borrelia, some proven, some suspected, all ugly--and they cause havoc to my body and my life and a lot of suffering. I write this blog because the last five years of unspeakable suffering was entirely preventable. I repeat, entirely preventable. Patients have to take charge of their medical care and decisions and the internet has been a boon to Lyme patients to find the right people to treat them. People are shocked that Canadian physicians are lacking information and expertise in dealing with Lyme, but that is the case.
Get educated, and then get going. If you want more information--reliable, credible information, go to www.canlyme.com and start reading. Then get yourself to a doctor who has a track record in diagnosing and treating the very complicated illness that we label "Lyme disease". You will be very wise to go to the United States of America to a Lyme-literate doctor. If you need the name of a doctor, just email me and I will be happy to provide the name of a physician who will be able to tell you if you have Lyme or not, how many infections you likely have, identify them, and then treat them. If you get to one soon enough, you will catch your Lyme in its treatable phase and you will get well. If you wait, doubt, second-guess and dawdle, you will regret that decision.
Good luck, and get better!
Maureen
