Yes.. that is what the duck REALLY said to a mother... here in Maryland!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Soooooooooooooo.. to combat the ignorance.. a packet of info is being sent to all the childrens doctors in that county.. for starters. A very active support group leader has taken on the project... bless her heart.
Here is a letter to go with the packet of information being sent. If you would like to copy it.. or use it in your area.. please do! Adjust as needed.
You MIGHT just help save a child!
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Lyme Disease Support Group or your name your address
July 12, 2006
Dear Doctor,
Enclosed is a complimentary copy of the 'Lyme Times Children's Treatment Issue' and a copy of the 'Evidence-based Guidelines for the Management of Lyme Disease' (2004) from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). Also enclosed is a copy of 'Lyme Disease in Maryland- an Overview'.
These documents contain the most updated information concerning the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and multiple tick borne coinfections which are being detected in increasing numbers in both children and adults residing in Maryland and the surrounding areas.
The 'Lyme Times Children's Treatment Issue' contains a pediatric symptoms list, as well as diagnostic and treatment suggestions from a pediatrician who has successfully treated over 7,000 children with chronic Lyme and multiple tick borne infections. It also addresses important neurological issues in children, the use of psychiatric medications, pediatric nurse tips, family issues, and gestational Lyme.
ILADS 'Evidence-based Guidelines for the Management of Lyme Disease' has replaced the outdated Infectious Disease Society of America Guidelines (2000) which were officially withdrawn from the National Guidelines Clearinghouse. The current ILADS guidelines focus on the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with Lyme and coinfections, including those with persistent, recurrent, and relapsing symptoms of B. burgdorferi infection. They are intended to be flexible due to the complexity and variability of Lyme disease symptoms. The peer-reviewed guidelines take into account the severity of each case, the patient's individual response to therapy and the physicians own clinical judgment.
If you would like additional updated information concerning Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, STARI, Tularemia, Leptospirosis or other tick borne infections, please feel free to contact me at:
Sincerely,
Your name and address
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
I applaud the support group leader who is taking on this new, educational project.
Thanks TC for posting about this. Bettyg
Posted by tabbytamer (Member # 3159) on :
Great letter, TC!
I guess we could order the Children's treatment issue directly from CALDA?
Or is there another source?
Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :
What a great idea!
Posted by snowflake (Member # 8950) on :
What great timing Tincup, thank you for sharing this!
I was looking for a sample cover letter at one time to send to my former ducks and to ones that have expressed a desire for more information.
Here is one that I found in the Sept. 2004 Issue of Calda's Lyme Times. I hope that someone may find this useful as well. Cheers and thanks for all you do Tincup!
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Cover Letter for sending ILADS Guidelines to Healthcare Professionals
People or groups wishing to send copies of the Guidelines to their own personal physicians, or in the case of medical professionals, to colleagues, may use this template to compose their own cover letter.
People who do not wish to buy multiple copies of Guidelines may use this letter to inform their healthcare providers that the ILADS guidelines are available for purchase, referring them to the address provided at the end of the article.
Dear_ ________: I have enclosed a copy of the newly published evidence-based Guidelines for the management of Lyme disease from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). You will notice that these Guidelines provide a general scientific and theoretical basis for managing Lyme disease; for more specific suggestions, treatment options, dosages, etc. please go to the ILADS website at www.ilads.org and look for the Joseph Burrascano, Jr., MD, Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines.
[``I''or your group name] welcome(s )the publication of these Guidelines and hope(s )that they will prove useful to healthcare professionals treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. According to preliminary results on a patient survey, 86% of patients with negative ELISA tests who responded said that their doctors improperly told them they did not have Lyme disease based on the CDC criteria. Published studies prove that the ELISA is not sensitive enough to be used as a screening test.
Published studies also prove that standard treatment (3-4 weeks) for Lyme disease often fails and relapses are common. Scientific uncertainty about Lyme disease has resulted in more than one treatment approach (like prostate cancer).
[Your group name] agrees with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, AMA, ACP and other professional medical organizations interested in promoting informed patient consent and wants to make sure that:
� Physicians, insurers, patients and governmental agencies are aware that there is more than one treatment choice;
� Physicians give patients sufficient information about treatment options to enable patients to make a meaningfully informed choice and to respect the autonomy of that choice;
� Reimbursement for treatment is rendered in accordance with the selected standard of care.
Please share these Guidelines with your colleagues, and thank you for your interest.
Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :
Yes this was horrible..I think the Dr may one day have a visit from a giant tick.
The dedication, of All of those who worked on the packets, is outstanding..Since some have many other irons in the fire..It is truly commendable..
Please thank the letter writer for a job well done..
Posted by snowflake (Member # 8950) on :
Now I would expect this in the Midwest, but Maryland? Geeesh!
Could you send me a PM please so I can find out your email? I have a question!! Pretty Please ???????
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Can you believe it!!?? That's nuts! Thanks for the great information. I'll put it to good use!
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Children DO get lyme disease, but in several respects they are more "protected" than adults.
Their % of Mg-ATP is far greater than ours.
Their hormone levels are different than ours.
Survival of the species.
But, yes...this is one MIGHTY toxic pathogen and it takes a LOT to fight it...at any age.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Lyme has its name because it was discovered by a doctor treating CHILDREN in Lyme, CT.
Posted by snowboarder (Member # 6346) on :
Great idea Tin. I happen to the the mom of a 9 year old with lyme. She originaly was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis by a doc at Childrens Hospital. If an adult can get lyme why couldn't a child?
These ducks annoy me. This is great information...I appreciate it. I'll be giving this to her school nurse and to our new pediatrican.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Yo pussy cat.. hey to ya! Yes.. order it from them.
Aneik.. I missed that one. Good thinking!
Hey "Flake".. or shall I say "snow" instead? HA! Depends on the day I guess? I don't PM... nor do I answer many of the TONS of emails I get.... unfortunately. I try.. but I just can't keep up. But you can send one.. for sure.
Marnie... as usual, great info. I didn't know that!
Snowboarder... another little one with Lyme. It breaks my heart. Is she doing ok? Can we help? If you need anything.. let us know. Good of you to share the info. Every bit helps!
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)