Saturday, October 4, 2008 Toronto10�Tomorrow �15�/ 5�Change city News Toronto & GTA
Doctor's files impounded
Controversial treatment of Lyme disease
By BEN SPENCER, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 4th October 2008, 2:31am
Investigators from the College of Physicians and Surgeons yesterday demanded patient files from a Mississauga doctor whose controversial treatment methods have once again landed him in hot water.
Dr. Jozef Krop, a general practitioner and contentious champion of "environmental medicine," stands to lose his medical licence after the College launched an investigation into his treatment of chronic Lyme disease.
The Sun was on hand yesterday as two investigators arrived at Krop's Mississauga Rd. office with a cardboard box, demanding to see 30 patient files selected at random.
PATIENTS WATCH
As they left the office with 20 files, more than 50 of Krop's patients -- most of whom are being treated for chronic Lyme disease -- watched on in silence.
They had come to lend their support to the Polish-trained doctor who now faces his second major investigation for alternative treatment methods.
In 1999, the College found Krop guilty of professional misconduct.
It followed 1994 charges for failing to maintain the standard of practice of the profession and disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional conduct, making him something of a household name in the medical profession during the 1990s.
A spokesman for the College yesterday confirmed Krop is under investigation but refused to comment further.
Krop and his supporters say the investigation centres on his treatment of Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere.
Two doctors from Toronto's St Joseph's Health Centre and another from St. Michael's Hospital lodged a complaint against Krop earlier this year after a teenage girl Krop was treating for chronic Lyme disease presented at St. Joseph's with complications.
Krop says the doctors had claimed his treatment method had endangered the life of the girl, prompting the College to investigate.
OFFER REJECTED
Hoping to avoid another lengthy investigation, Krop says he offered to stop treating his 300 Lyme disease patients.
The College rejected the offer.
"It's just impossible," he told the Sun just minutes after investigators left his office.
"I am nearly 65 but I am going to fight this thing as much I can for the patients of Lyme. It's just not right."
The existence and treatment of "chronic" Lyme disease has attracted considerable controversy, particularly in the U.S.
Krop, like other supporters of the concept, argues chronic Lyme disease is responsible for a range of medically unexplained symptoms, such as those caused by multiple sclerosis.
He says long-term antibiotic treatment is warranted in such cases -- a view disputed by most medical authorities.
Debate also surrounds the screening method used in Ontario, which Krop says only picks up acute cases of Lyme disease.
Janet Mitchell, who has suffered from Lyme disease since 2001, says Krop has effectively saved her life.
The 64-year-old from Oakville says she was initially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after being bitten by a tick while hiking.
With that diagnosis eventually proved wrong, doctors were left baffled by symptoms that included difficulty walking.
"OHIP has spent a fortune on me," Mitchell said.
"I have seen the so-called 'best' doctors who have done zero for me until I found this man."
Mitchell, who no longer needs a cane to walk, says she is on the cusp of full health and will be devastated if Krop's practice is shut down.
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Thanks to Lymeblue for sharing this article.
Posted by Liz D (Member # 16739) on :
arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh someone else persecuted for doing their job......
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Jim or others up north....
Please tell us what can we do to help the doctor and you all.
I've sent some abstracts/reports he needed and offered personal assistance with the research ... but what else can we do as a group?
I've got the fire in me now... so catch me while I'm hot!
Posted by islandgirl (Member # 5914) on :
Yes, this is such a problem in Canada....thank you Tincup for your anger. If Tincup ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! So LOOK OUT Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons!
This is a real problem here. Our one LLMD, Dr. M in British Columbia, who single-handedly saved many hundreds of us through the years, was pretty much forced to retire by these bozos after several years of non-stop harrassment by the Board. We have no-one up here any more to diagnose and treat us.
There are many many Canadians who are traveling down to the States. I live in BC and now must go down to Seattle to see an LLMD. It cost me a $120 Ferry trip just to get on and off Vancouver Island...two days of travel time and expenses for me and a travel companion, and of course the Dr. visits and the drug expenses. Plus the hassle of going through customs...sometimes with horrible delays and results. And my medical insurance or private insurance won't cover any of this because it is out of country. I am a typical case.
There are lots of us and we are angry. So thank you all for your concern and offers of help.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Did you send them the CT AG's statement on the IDSA settlement, Under Our Skin & Cure Unknown?
Was it merely long-term ABX or something like Bismacine he was treating with?
I hate this!!!!
I hope we can get the bill passed and those guidelines reviewed quickly. It's all so frustrating to watch this.
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