Protection for Docs Treating Lyme

Uncategorized February 8, 2016 Comments: 2
Virginia State Flag

Virginia State Flag

 

Tomorrow, the state Senate in Virginia will vote on the language below proposed in a new bill:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-2963.3 as follows:

§54.1-2963.3. Treatment of Lyme disease.

No health care provider who provides treatment for Lyme disease or other tick-borne disease in accordance with a clinical practice guideline maintained by the National Guideline Clearinghouse after obtaining informed consent, which shall include an explanation of the risks and benefits of such treatment, from the patient to whom treatment is provided shall be the subject of any disciplinary proceeding by the Board of Medicine for following such clinical practice guideline, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

First of all, let me say how shameful it is that we even need to ask for such a law. Really? When we are in the midst of a growing global health crisis?  Continue reading →

10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Lyme Disease

Co-infections, Lyme and the Brain, Lyme Basics, Prevention Tips, Symptoms: How Do You Feel?, Testing, Ticks: Where It all Starts, Tips for Family and Friends January 23, 2016 Leave a comment
IV treatment. Pills. More pills. I can't believe I made it through all that. When it could have been avoided...

That’s the little portable pump for my IV drugs. Then there were the pills. More pills. Harsh meds that made me sicker so I could get better. I can’t believe I made it through all that. When it could have been avoided…

 

 

It’s 2016, and I’m finally climbing out of the Lyme hell I fell into blindly four-and-a-half years ago. If only I’d known more, sooner.

Maybe I can help someone, somewhere, by offering a few things I was shocked to learn. Frankly, it is damned hard to pick just 10 things. But here goes:  Continue reading →

Re-blogged: Lyme Patient Wins Powerball – Has No Idea

Uncategorized January 15, 2016 Leave a comment

Had to repost this, it made me laugh! Only a Lyme patient will “get” this humor, for sure. I wanna be one her of her 4,000 closest pals—not for Powerball money, but for the gift of laughter!

ihaslymesdotcom

On Monday, January 11, 2016 a Lyme patient by the name of Amy made the difficult decision to spend her $36.00 on Powerball tickets. She needed more Vitamin C supplements but felt taking the risk to win big was worth the immune system crash.

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After announcing on Facebook that she plans to open a Lyme retreat free of charge to all of her Lyme friends, paying for their medical needs and lodging expenses, Amy put on her driving helmet, took her life in her hands and drove to the gas station to purchase her tickets. Upon returning home, Amy put those tickets someplace safe for fear a family member might steal them, even though she lives alone.

Watching the news early Thursday morning, around 11:45 am to be precise, Amy suddenly remembered she had purchased lotto tickets and she actually resides in Florida. Florida! One of the winning states!!

Four…

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Cutting-edge Test Sets a Trap for Lyme

Co-infections, Lyme Basics, Testing January 7, 2016 Leave a comment
Click here to download and play a cool Powerpoint animation of the nano trap at work: Nanotrap animation. Courtesy Dr. Lance Liotta, George Mason University.

Don’t be put off by the science lingo—click on the image to download and play a Powerpoint of the nanotrap at work. Cool, right?
Courtesy of Dr. Lance Liotta, George Mason University.

 

Several years ago after gardening in my suburban backyard, I found a deer tick attached to my hip. Then came a rash. And then I started hurting all over like I was getting the flu.

I wasn’t surprised when my nurse practitioner examined me, diagnosed Lyme, and prescribed antibiotics. I should have been lucky. I had the bite with the beast still attached, in the middle of the classic target rash. I felt like I was dying of flu-like aches and pains.

But as it turned out, I wasn’t lucky after all.  Continue reading →

O Canada

Lyme Basics January 3, 2016 Comments: 3

canadian-flag-medium

 

 

I’m always a little stunned when I track this blog and am reminded that people from all over the world visit. So many of us are on the lookout for information.

Today I’m thinking about Canadians because lots of my traffic at the moment is coming from my neighbors to the north, who’ve been checking out my post from several years ago on how Lyme was affecting my brain at the time.  Looks like some of you are sharing the link on Facebook. Thank you!

Like others around the globe, many Canadians are having a tough time getting good treatment. Health officials just don’t get it (sound familiar?).

The nonprofit Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation says:  Continue reading →

“Ostriches” in Australia – and the US – and Your Country?

Lyme Basics July 25, 2015 Leave a comment
Credit: Zappy's flickr stream

Credit: Zappy’s flickr stream

I just saw a Facebook posting by the Lyme Disease Association of Australia that got my Lyme-infected blood boiling:

“Antibiotic treatment for Lyme can often be hard to access in Australia due to our government and health officials opposition and as a result, this can leave patients having to source alternative treatment options…”

At the very least, everyone deserves the chance to see a compassionate, respectful doctor for help with Lyme and other infections from ticks. A doctor who listens and understands and offers medical help — not one who says, “Lyme doesn’t exist here, you don’t have it.” A doctor who offers science-based treatment options.  Continue reading →

Shocking Infographic: Lyme Disease Quick Facts

Lyme Basics July 25, 2015 Leave a comment

From Lyme doctor Daniel Cameron & Associates:

 

Video: “Facts to Save Your Life” by Gabbi Hicks

Lyme Basics, Symptoms: How Do You Feel?, Tips for Family and Friends, Video April 29, 2015 Leave a comment

Look at this young woman. She looks pretty fine, doesn’t she?

Now listen to her words. Really listen. (Well, it’s kinda hard not to, she’s so compelling).  Continue reading →

Guest Post: All about able women

Uncategorized March 17, 2015 Comments: 2

This insightful post by El Gibbs about disabled women dismissed has elicited some great comments, I’m glad to see.

Yo, Journalists!

Lyme Basics, Teens & Children September 15, 2014 Leave a comment

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“All the news that’s fit to print”? Then why isn’t there constant press coverage in the NYT and every other news outlet about Lyme and other horrific diseases carried by ticks? Where’s the reporting about the lack of proper diagnosis and treatment and the latest research results?

We’ve asked this question thousands of times. We have plenty of topics: Raising awareness. Emerging science. Suffering patients. Impacts on families, businesses, the economy.

Just recently I heard yet another story that should be told, about a group of boys in my area who found a way to connect with each other. These young kids have been housebound, some for years. Continue reading →