New to group: Pittsburgh PA

[essco]

Hi everyone,

My 3 year old son just got a positive Igenex test for Lyme (IgG and IgM Western blot with ind IFA). I'm still not certain about this diagnosis b/c his symptoms are frankly pretty mild, or at least not what I typically think of for Lyme. He has had recurrent fevers and colds (frequently sick) for at least the past 18 months. Also 3 episodes of joint pain (limping) lasting a few days maximum each time, spread over the past 14 months. We recently moved to Pittsburgh from New England where he would have been exposed. Only other symptoms that might be relevant are poor appetite and consequently poor weight gain, and chronically enlarged tonsils.

 

We have an appt with a LLMD in West Virginia this Monday. She admittedly said there are more experienced doctors out there, but she was willing to see us to get DS started on proper treatment right away. Also she is so close to us in comparison to the other docs I have found in eastern PA and Maryland/DC area. I will definitely get a better sense of her in person this week, but on the phone she was great and I actually cried with relief after I hung up with her. That day I had been searching on the internet & calling doctors for hours trying to find somebody nearby who would see children, who wasn't 6 hrs away, & who didn't have a 9 month long waiting list.

 

I would love any feedback or similar stories, but my specific question to you all is: has anyone worked with a pediatric Lyme specialist anywhere near Pittsburgh, PA that you would recommend, or not recommend? Philadelphia is a hike (5.5 hrs) but possible. Parts of Maryland and Washington DC are actually closer, more like 3-4 hours. Please PM me any suggestions or docs to avoid. I have somewhat of a list already, have already contacted ILADS and the PA Lyme group, so what I'm really looking for is actual experiences people have had to make sure I choose the right fit for us, in case the W. Va doc really thinks we should see somebody else with more pediatric experience.

{{{Wishing for healing for us all!}}}

[Suzan]

Hi there, glad you made it over here! I hope you will find some support and information. I hope you end up really liking your LLMD. I don't have any information for any other LLMD's in your area but maybe someone will PM you if they know of a doc's name.... But Dr. Ann Corson is the best Ped LLMD I hear and isn't she in PA? If so, that's where I'd go if I was closer.

 

Susan