if the heavy metals "poisoning" was from his job, he might want to investigate a workman's comp claim to help with the medical expenses. i realize your question was about lyme disease and not about the metals posioning.

I live in CT, the capital of lyme disease. Your friend wants to get on the antibiotics as quickly as possible before the little bugs get into his nervous system. he may find that the delay will push him towards treatment with intravenous antibiotics.