Sometimes there are friendly MDs with an open mind who are willing to quietly work with you taking the more current approach to Lyme. Was it your current MD who had the tests run that came back positive?
Sometimes there are docs who are verrrrry quiet about their Lyme practice, to avoid problems with the local docs and the state medical board, but they can be found in some areas by asking around. If you go to the ILADS website, there is a referral function that can give you names of docs in your area.
Also, if you are willing to post here generally where you are ('2 hours south of Chicago'), someone here might have a lead on an LLMD near you. Also, keep in mind that once diagnosed and on treatment, the Lyme doc may need to see you only once a month. My Lyme doc had patients *flying in* to see him, which indicates that being close by the doc is not necessarily required.
Let's brainstorm and find a way to get you to a Lyme doc --
There aren't any LLMD's in my area and are too far away for me to travel to so no I'm not seeing one. I suggested to my dr that 100mg was too low but she just said that's what the CDC recommends. I have been having pains and stiffness in my fingers and it affects how I sleep at night. Had another flare up yesterday and last night and just felt real bad and slept for about 16 hours. Had fever and chills.
Thanks for that ... I was never on doxy, so wasn't sure if that is an alternative dose, but 200mg x 2 a day as you suggest is what I have seen elsewhere.
Are you seeing a Lyme Dr? The usual doxy dosage is 200 mg twice a day plus taking some kind of cyst buster because Lyme goes into cyst form to escape the antibiotics.
You're quite welcome -- we've all had to learn this stuff too. Asking questions and learning about all this is a good thing. Ask away!