So...what the hell's wrong with you, Shooter?

I had to Google "CAM" because I wasn't familiar with the acronym off the top of my head. The diagnosing physician was definitely a member of IFM...I distinctly remember a certificate on his wall from them for something. In retrospect, the IFM-affiliated doctors and the DOs were all more compassionate and slightly more helpful than most of the 'traditional' MDs. I guess because they emphasize the more holistic approach/perspective, which is what was needed. The diagnosing doctor was not a New Age-y, 'alternative' type doctor, though, in the way people normally categorize them. Too much touchy-feely, pseudo-scientific stuff makes me nervous.

The documentary I mention mainly contrasts those who believe in chronic Lyme and long-term antibiotic treatment with those that do not. There is one doctor, mentioned fairly briefly, that is what I would call normally call an 'alternative' doctor as it has come to be described in the common vernacular. Long-term antibiotics, while controversial, are not really an 'alternative' treatment as I commonly think of it...? It's a controversial application of a traditional treatment. (Even though, frustratingly, they are happily used for longer periods for things like acne without the outrage.) Maybe I'm reading too much into the word 'alternative' - it's become a fairly loaded term. In any case, I do like a more comprehensive approach and am glad I found it. Otherwise, I'm sure I would still be very ill.

Yes, not knowing what I had was definitely one of the worst parts of the whole thing.

If someone thinks they may have some of these infections, I would be happy to refer them privately to doctors I'm familiar with that treat them...or to organizations that can provide assistance. Otherwise, I don't want to bring any doctors unwanted attention.

I too have had problems with lazy, blinkered, doctors and "recurring" multi-faceted infections, but my experience is a cakewalk compared to yours.

I wish you the best, and applaud your strength (and your wife's), and thank you for sharing your story.

Oh, and one potential tip... have you checked out the public plan in states like Maryland? AFAIK, Maryland is one of the few states with good public plans. They aren't cheap (the best one costs almost $300/mo for an individual), but from my experience, they cover EVERYTHING. A broke friend of mine got on the plan for 2 mos to get his hernia fixed (he was 25! nobody would cover him, even if he had the money), and they fixed it. No pre-existing condition BS.

The only thing you have to have to qualify is being denied coverage in the past 6 mos. You may qualify, based on what your insurance co. is doing to you. Certainly if you applied for other coverage, they would deny you.

I hope you are able to continue recovering and that you don't have to deal with too much more bureacratic bullshit.