About Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a very difficult disease to diagnose and treat. Many patients go years and years consulting many physicians only to be diagnosed with the "catch all" disease such as MS, MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Fibromyalgia and some, like myself go from doctor to doctor receiving no diagnosis for such unusual and hindering symptoms. The test for Lyme Disease is a test that measure the antibodies that your body has developed as a result of it invading your system. However, the test can produce many false positives and false negatives and has a low percentage of accuracy allowing most physicians to ignore the results and dismiss the patients inquiry. That is why if Lyme Disease is suspected (either you were bit by a tick and got a bulls-eye rash or your symptoms match up) it is best to visit a LLMD or otherwise known as a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor. These doctors are experts in their field in diagnosing and treating Lyme Disease patients.

Another reason to be seen by a LLMD is most often they do not follow the rigid diagnosis and treatment guidelines of IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America). These guidelines state that "chronic Lyme" does not exist and if you do have Lyme according to CDC standards (positive ELISA and Western Blot) then a short 28 day treatment with antibiotics should suffice. This short treatment leaves many Lyme Disease patients extremely ill and allows the bacteria to stay in their body reaping havoc on all body systems.

Most often Lyme Disease takes root in the brain and nervous system causing the patients extreme pain, seizures, cognitive issues, heart arrhythmia's and the list goes on and on. Lyme Disease can also take root in your joints causing what is known as "Lyme Arthritis". LLMD's are skilled in identifying the symptoms and developing a long-term treatment plan that most often consists of drugs to calm the brain and nervous system and to help control pain, high doses of antibiotics (IV or Oral or both) and supplements. Once a patient starts their treatment program, especially the large doses of antibiotics, a Lyme Disease patient will most likely experience a reaction called a Herx as a result of the Lyme bacteria releasing endotoxins. This reaction can cause extreme pain (muscle/joint/bone/nerve), horrible headaches, chills, fever, reduced cognitive function and an increase in overall Lyme symptoms. Although the treatment is difficult, a "Herx-like" reaction is a good sign the medication is working!

The documentary "Under our Skin", the video I have posted below, gives you a taste of what is going on in our society with the Lyme Disease controversy. Insurances refuse to cover the long-term treatment because of the cost. Meanwhile, thousands of Lyme Disease patients are suffering and are not able to get treatment or having to pay close to 25,000 out of their own pocket to get well. The IDSA set-up a protocol on how to treat Lyme when diagnosed, which has been repeatedly study by Lyme physicians and has shown to be very ineffective, often leaving the Lyme patient seriously ill. However, politics and money have invaded this disease and therefore insurances refuse to pay for treatment. Doctors are afraid to say they treat Lyme disease for fear that insurances won't cover their claims and most physicians just plain refuse to treat long-term out of fear of losing their license.

Note: To watch these videos, you will need to scroll down to the bottom of this blog post and push pause on the music player so they don't play at the same time. :)



Also, I wanted to re-post the video that I added to my other post as it is an awesome picture of what Lyme Disease patients must endure and what their treating physicians must confront. This is a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor), Dr. Joseph Jemsek, at a Lyme Disease Gala this past spring. He talks about the disease, the impact it has on society and patients and our current failing health system.



Finally, here are some incredible links about Lyme Disease if you would like more information.

ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society)

National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association

California Lyme Disease Association

Lyme Information

Under Our Skin Documentary Blog

Public Health Alert: Investigating Lyme Disease and Chronic Illnesses in the U.S.

Dr. Joseph J. Burrascano Jr. Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines

Dr. Joseph Jemsek-My LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor)!