lululymemom
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posted
BC is leading the way in the fight against Lyme Disease in Canada. We desperately need this clinic to help all of those who are heading south for treatment.
VICTORIA - A $2-million provincial clinical and research study will help patients with a variety of complex chronic diseases, such as chronic Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome, with screening, diagnosis and treatment.
There is a variety of debilitating complex chronic diseases where the cause is unknown, but where it is strongly suspected that an infectious agent may play a role. These diseases can be very difficult to diagnose and treat. They often cause patients to experience extreme fatigue and pain, trouble sleeping and stiffness.
However, over the last few years, there have been many advances in genome science, including DNA sequencing and computer analysis. These advances have led to new techniques that may help to diagnose previously difficult illnesses, such as these. As a result, in September 2010 the Ministry of Health Services asked the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to present options for a clinic for patients with complex symptoms, possibly related to an underlying infectious disease.
With this clinic and study, British Columbia is taking a leading role within Canada, and will work with patients and family physicians from across the province to provide care to patients and learn more about these complex diseases.
The clinic will take referrals from family physicians or other health care providers for patients with symptoms of these chronic illnesses. The goal is to help patients by accurately diagnosing their conditions, providing treatment and helping with ongoing symptom management.
The clinic will also include telehealth capabilities, to provide consultations and information to physicians and health care providers from all across the province.
To coincide with the clinic, the Province's research study will collaborate with the clinic to examine these illnesses in depth.
The Province is working with PHSA to develop a detailed business case for the clinic and research study, which should be up and running by fall 2011.
posted
Well, they had better change their tune if they are going to help anyone. If this center just continues down the same path as the medical establishment has taken in the past, it will be a waste of money. It would be very convincing if they asked Dr. M to be a consultant. This would prove their good intentions.
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lululymemom
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I have been reading alot of positive dialogue on the part of BC politicians especially Mr. Farnworth. I am cautiously optimistic. I agree it would be prudent on their part to consult with Dr. M.
Open Message to the Minister of Health: Implement the Schmidt Report on Lyme Disease Now March 30, 2011 A confidential Ministry of Health report was released this week pursuant to a freedom of information request.
The report states that the B.C. Lyme test is `inadequate' and recommends `urgent attention' be given to devising better diagnostic and treatment standards. It suggests B.C. should lead Canada in implementing higher standards of care. It recommends we begin treating the chronic form of Lyme disease, as this places `a significant burden on patients, who are sometimes given few options or hope.''
As a former Minister of Health, I can tell you it's sometimes necessary to modernize the standard of care for emerging diseases. This is one of those times. With global warming, Lyme disease is moving in, big-time. It's now present in communities right across southern B.C. It's damaging more and more families, and B.C. is not moving quickly to improve standards of care.
As a candidate for Leader who aspires to become Premier, I'm giving an undertaking today that we will initiate an overhaul of B.C. Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment standards, based on the directions recommended in the Schmidt report released today. But I also want to urge the new Minister of Health to move forward today.
Lyme disease was the lead story on the front page of the Vancouver Sun earlier this week: ``BC Doctors lack ability to diagnose Lyme Disease'' ran the headline.
Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in North America, so how is it our doctors don't have the skills to detect it? In fact, doctors have been taught that we don't have Lyme disease in B.C., that they'll rarely see it, and that they don't need knowledge but should rely on a diagnostic test to `prove' it's there.
The result is more and more infected British Columbians who are being denied access to treatment and forced to suffer a painful, debilitating illness. Yet Lyme disease, if diagnosed early, can be cured with off-the-shelf antibiotics at a miniscule cost. Giving docs the skills to do just that should be our first priority.
Our citizens should never be forced to endure treatable illness, nor forced to drain their savings and sell their homes in order to buy care in another country. That's what's happening here today, and it has to stop.
We have the skills and innovative research capabilities right here in BC to deal with Lyme disease - it's time we got on with the job.
posted
If they're so interested in DNA testing, then I think they should get in touch with the US labs that do DNA testing for Lyme.
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lululymemom
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There is a lab that we used in Canada that does DNA testing as well.. They don't have a detailed list of tests but the healthcare workers are usually advised of the different tests.
posted
I liked what Farnworth said. And congrats to the folks who have been raising lyme awareness in B.C.
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lululymemom
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I like him too.. If anyone can bring about some change with how we view Lyme disease, he can. Thanks for the acknowledement.
Bartonella henselae 1:100 Posts: 2027 | From British Columbia | Registered: Jun 2010
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onbam
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posted
Unless you hear anything different from CanLyme, you should assume that this will hurt patients. They are grouping CLD with "diseases of unknown origin," which is what they did in the US at some government center recently.
All government health agencies seem to have the same goal with Lyme, and that's to screw patients. We've seen it before so many times--Valhalla, Klempner, IOM: they make it sound like they're going to help us, and then they come back and say that we're crazy and Chronic Lyme is a myth.
I read that the CDC is about to publish the results of their Morgellons study. Anyone want to bet on what their conclusion will be? Morgellons patients should've boycotted that study.
The people who have betrayed us for 35 years should not be counted upon to spontaneously decide to do the right thing. These are not ethical or compassionate people. Helping humanity has never been their goal, and never will be.
posted
I agree! the govt. is trying to shut the patients up!
they are just doing damage control!
they know what it going on!
my friend lives in Canada, and he said that the doctor actually admitted that he knew and the specialists knew all along that my friend had lyme and co-infections!
the doctor also admitted that his hands were tied and so were the specialists!!!
my friend couldn't believe the doctor actually admitted this!!!
the doctor also admitted that he was freaked out that my friend might die and that there would be a lot of negative press!
so all the doctor was worried about was his career and having bad press!
they could care less about the patients, they could care less about my very sick friend!
-------------------- I am not a doctor. I have no clue. Posts: 606 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Sep 2009
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lululymemom
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Member # 26405
posted
Yes, well I spoke with our very knowledgeable LLMD here in BC, Dr. M. and he doesn't hold out much hope for this center.. He said it will most likely be run by the same ID doctors that were denying the disease in the first place.. The College of Physicians here will make it difficult for anyone treating this illness. So disappointing.
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