Immunologist or Rheumatologist???

[Zensational]

I am seeing my primary care physican on Monday and will need to get a referral for CFS/ME to an Immunologist or Rheumatologist. I think that the Rheumatologist will probably just prescribe Lyrica for pain management and I've already tried that and cannot take it.
I am wondering if an Immunologist would actually have anything to offer a CFS/ME patient with high levels of Epstein Barr, Cytomeglavirus, and Parvo virus.
Has anyone had experience with this?
Thanks

 

[Undisclosed]

Not much to add her I'm afraid. I saw two Rheumatologists years ago when I first started having symptoms in 1997. One of them was a Canadian expert on Fibromyalgia -- Dr Kevin White who of course immediately diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia despite having symptoms that didn't fit the Fibro picture -- unexplained fevers, PEM, etc. He prescribed me narcotics and sent me on my way. I didn't take the narcotics. I would actually like to be referred to an immunologist now due to ongoing repeated infections since last November - started with the flu, then colds, then sinus infections, then more colds, then just fevers and sore throats. Obviously an immune system issue but I am not sure if they would do much for me. I guess I would choose which one to go to on the basis of symptoms. I think if you want to discuss infection, the immunologist would definitely be the place to start.

 

[Sushi]

Zensational

I'd vote for an Immunologist--provided they are good and know something about ME/CFS. Can you find out about the Immunologist from other patients? It is possible that someone here is familiar with him/her.

Sushi

 

[SOC]

You're in FL, so I'd suggest you get in line for an appt at NOVA Southeastern University. Drs Klimas and Rey are ME/CFS specialists, and Dr K is an immunologist. They probably know more about the immunology of ME/CFS than anyone else in the country.

Local docs are not much use, and more likely a harm, in treating anything related to ME/CFS.

 

[*GG*]

You're in FL, so I'd suggest you get in line for an appt at NOVA Southeastern University. Drs Klimas and Rey are ME/CFS specialists, and Dr K is an immunologist. They probably know more about the immunology of ME/CFS than anyone else in the country.

Local docs are not much use, and more likely a harm, in treating anything related to ME/CFS.

If for some reason you do not like this suggestion, i would imagine you have seen this website before?:

http://www.co-cure.org/USA_FL.htm

GG

PS Hope the suggestions help.

 

[Zensational]

Thanks everyone. I will go with the immunologist and check out the rest. I'm doing most of my healing work on my own using natural health, diet, mild exercise, meditation, and have as of the last two months been working remotely with John of God in Brazil. I know that is pretty woo woo for some but I've been noticing that have more good days. I've taken my power back from the medical community to "fix" me because at this point they don't seem to have the tools to do so but at the same time I as optimistic about all of the new research that is being done. In the meantime I'll just go to the immunologist and hope for the best.

 

[WillowJ]

a third possibility would be infectious disease doctor, but I don't know if people are having success with these or not. I would also try immunology for a specialty if I was looking for specialty doc and couldn't get to an ME specialist.

 

[beaker]

I am seeing my primary care physican on Monday and will need to get a referral for CFS/ME to an Immunologist or Rheumatologist. I think that the Rheumatologist will probably just prescribe Lyrica for pain management and I've already tried that and cannot take it.
I am wondering if an Immunologist would actually have anything to offer a CFS/ME patient with high levels of Epstein Barr, Cytomeglavirus, and Parvo virus.
Has anyone had experience with this?
Thanks

It really depends on the doctor and their familiarity w/ ME/CFS. (My current dr. is both immunology and rheum.)I don't think you can pinpoint it down to one of those specialties more than the other. That requires doing some asking around, unless of course, you want to get on a list of one of the well known CFS/ME docs. They seem to be PC ( Internal med, pediatrics , and family medicine) , immunology, rheumotology and, infectious disease. Sometimes you will find an endocrinologist or cardiologist. Or look at Mella and Fluge who are oncologists. It depends on how they got interested in this illness. Not helping you thin the pot am I ? Sorry. Point I am trying to make is, the specialty isn't as important as whether they are familiar w/ treating this illness.

 

[SanDiego#1]

Zensational

I'd vote for an Immunologist--provided they are good and know something about ME/CFS. Can you find out about the Immunologist from other patients? It is possible that someone here is familiar with him/her.

Sushi

Sushi- Where have you been??? I would go with Immunologist or Infectious Disease. Klimas would be your best bet-May have to wait for appointment.

Best San Diego#1