|
Join us as we honor his legacy and share resources for patients and the Lyme community. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Honoring Dr. Shikhman and his Patients <3 (Scroll down for an updated list of Southern California Providers, and other supportive Resources - Open up full email at bottom to see everything.)Dr. Alexander R. Shikhman saved my life.That is not something I say lightly, and I know many others who had the privilege of being his patient could say the same. For those of us living with complex chronic illness, the healing journey is often marked by disappointment, dismissal, misdiagnosis, and endless searching. Dr. Shikhman was different. He was a healer who saw the person behind the diagnosis.Dr. Shikhman was a board-certified physician specializing in rheumatology and internal medicine, with decades of clinical experience treating connective tissue disease, autoimmune conditions, and chronic infections. He earned his medical degree at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University in Moscow and later completed a PhD in immunology. He went on to complete his internal medicine residency at the University of Oklahoma and a fellowship in rheumatology at Scripps Clinic.He was not afraid of complex presentations. He embraced them. Many physicians shy away from uncertainty, but Dr. Shikhman leaned in. He listened deeply, asked thoughtful questions, and often saw connections that others missed. He treated the whole person, not just the isolated lab result or symptom, and that rare approach saved lives, including mine.I was passed around to at least 50 practitioners before I found him. I was desperate. I could barely work or stand. I was so weak, pale, and I felt like a shell of myself. I was a spoonie. A medical refugee.The first time we met, he listened to my symptoms and took one good look at my presentation and immediately knew what was happening. Many know that his diagnostic skills were beyond compare. I remember him saying, “This is Cat Scratch Fever.” And I, ignorantly, replied, “The song??” I started laughing. I had no idea what Lyme or co-infections were, as I never recall being bitten by a tick. But he sounded confident, and for the first time, unafraid of the severity of my condition.I soon learned that Lyme and co-infections have over 300 symptoms and are known as “the great imitators.”In my case, they mimicked the 25+ official diagnoses I had been carrying—POTS, MCAS, hEDS, MCTD, CII, CFS, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Sjogren’s, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Celiac Disease, various Asthmas, Hypothyroid, Chronic Migraines, Ehrlichiosis, Chronic Shingles, anxiety, ADHD, IBS, Edema and others (including severe medical trauma). The overlapping nature of these symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. It took decades to get accurately tested, with a proper diagnosis and treatment.I remember one consultation when he looked at me and said, “You are a puzzle, but luckily, I like to solve puzzles. You will be okay.” That moment gave me hope when I had little reason to believe in recovery.And indeed, I am okay.Today, I am a psychotherapist working closely with individuals navigating Lyme disease and complex chronic illness, and I cannot thank him enough for believing in my recovery when I had almost no reason to believe in it myself. Do I still have Lyme and lingering symptoms? Yes. The difference is, the symptoms no longer hold the wheel in their hand.The grief I feel is immense, for all of those who I won’t be able to refer to him moving forward. But, Dr. Shikhman’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the compassion he brought to complex medicine, and the hope he gave to people who had often been told nothing more could be done.Many of us are here today because of him, and for that I will always be deeply grateful.Community SupportTo support our community during this loss, I will be hosting a Grief Circle in partnership with the San Diego Lyme Alliance on Monday, March 16, at 12 PM PST for anyone who would like to gather, share memories, and honor the impact Dr. Shikhman had on our lives.Meeting ID: 895 6958 8774
Passcode: 615644For continued community support, the San Diego Lyme Alliance also hosts a FREE virtual Lyme Empowerment Circle on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 PM PST. The circle welcomes individuals and caregivers navigating Lyme disease, tick-borne infections, CIRS, mold toxicity, and related conditions.Preserving Dr. Shikhman’s Clinical WisdomBecause his work impacted so many people, we created a shared document where patients can contribute treatment approaches or insights from their care with him. The goal is simply to preserve the knowledge he shared so that it is not lost.This document is not medical advice. It is a collection of patient experiences that individuals may choose to discuss with their own physicians.For example, one entry I will personally be adding comes from my own treatment. I suffered from chronic recurring shingles. Dr. Shikhman used ultrasound guidance to locate a specific spinal area and administered four B12 injections spaced two weeks apart. The location was identified through his clinical process, which included muscle testing to evaluate neurological involvement. Since that treatment, the shingles have not returned.Sharing Stories With His FamilyA big thank you to Jennifer York, who is collecting reflections and memories from patients and colleagues that will be shared with Dr. Shikhman’s family. Submissions can also be anonymous.Continuing Care OptionsWhile no one can truly replace Dr. Shikhman, several physicians and clinics continue to treat Lyme disease and complex chronic illness.Continued care may also be available through the Rheumatology Center of San Diego, where his physician’s assistant, Neenah Grade, will continue offering care alongside Tania Rivera.
https://www.rheumsd.comSouthern California ProvidersIrvine
Jessica Tran, ND and Darin Ingels, ND
https://www.tranandingels.comIrvine
Helixona Functional and Integrative Medicine
https://www.helixona.comTemecula, CADr Jonathon Vellinga at Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine (they take insurance)https://www.tcimedicine.com/john-vellinga-mdSan Diego, CATheresa Cyr, DO at Osteopathic Medical Associateshttps://omasd.com/Remote OptionAdditional Lyme Provider DirectoriesFor more resources within and outside Southern California, you can also visit the resources section of my website:If you or a loved one is navigating Lyme disease, please know you are not alone<3
|
✨ 2026 Press, thus far… ✨Quoted InArticle I WroteLive Conversation
|
Community Support: Join our FREE Empowerment Circle - February 17th We host live online gatherings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month @6pm PST
The empowerment circle welcomes people & caretakers navigating Tick-borne infections, CIRS, Mold Toxicity & co-diagnoses.
Gather with us in a compassionate community setting to be led in evidence-based curriculum, practicing tools that are proven to help move the nervous system from fight or flight to rest and repair.Our hope is that you walk away feeling supported in your healing journey.
|
|
|
|
