Today, I found out some crushing news. As those patients of Dr. B in the Hamptons know, he has decided to stop practicing medicine effective Nov. 30, 2006. To me, that will be a day that will live in infamy I am a fairly new patient of Dr. B's , but for the first time in three years, I have seen improvement, even though it was short lived. I am one of the toughest cases that both Dr. H in Grass Valley, CA and Dr. P in Wilton, CT have ever seen. I have a lot of problems associated with the Lyme that no one has been able to figure out, but Dr. B has, and now I am being treated for them. Dr. B gave me hope, not only through properly diagnosing things and prescribing a treatment plan that actually works, but through optimistic words. This news I guess is a little more than crushing, its devastating. I wonder if I will ever be cured now. My reality is looking very grim.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
From: Joe! To: Burrascano, Joseph MD Cc: [email protected] ; [email protected] Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 6:29 PM Subject: mmi From Dr. B-VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear friends,
I have a major announcement to make.
After over twenty five years of medical practice, I have decided to close my office and retire from the clinical practice of medicine.
Last week I mailed out letters to my currently active patients to make this announcement, and I now wanted to share this news with my friends on-line.
This has been a very difficult decision for me. The rewards of medical practice have been tremendous. I have met and helped many wonderful people, and have had great fun too! It will be very very hard to say good bye. On the other hand, there is so much more that I would like to see done, on a larger scale, for the benefit of more patients. By closing my office I will have more time to focus on these broader problems.
I have become more and more frustrated of late, because I have had to turn away up to ten prospective patients a day- clearly, more Lyme-literate physicians are desperately needed. I feel that my experience with the management of patients with tick-borne illnesses would be better served by my spending more of my time on physician education and on completing my current, very important, research project. I want, once and for all, for the ILADS point of view to be the recognized standard for all professionals. I also wish to remain active in the political realm, as political reform and a more realistic view of our illnesses have to be addressed at the government and public levels.
I realized that it is impossible for me to run a full time medical office and also pursue these other goals. In addition, because of the high cost of running an office, I cannot simply see patients part-time, because many fixed costs do not decrease simply because fewer patients are being seen.
My decision comes at a good time for me personally. I feel well, my prostate cancer seems to be in a remission, and I have not had any bad news from the state Medical Board lately. In other words, this decision has not resulted from any secret problem that I am trying to hide. Of course, rumors will fly, but I say sincerely to all of you that there is no hidden agenda. PLEASE try to keep the gossip down, and also please don't call my office to talk about this, because I do not want the phone lines to become clogged such that important medically related calls cannot get through.
It has been an amazing 25 years! Together we have witnessed many wonderful developments, but some disappointing ones too. We have made many new friends, but have lost too many to this disease.
I am grateful to all those who have stood behind me over the years, and I will always be thinking of you- that is the point behind my decision.
I hope that my future efforts on the behalf of the Lyme community will continue to be as fruitful and personally rewarding as they already have been. I wish all of you the very best!
With sincerity and great affection,
Joseph James Burrascano Jr., M.D.
Posted by humanbeing (Member # 8572) on :
My heart is going out to you K. I hope dr. b gave you a long term plan than can be implemented by another llmd.
I also wanted to have him as my llmd but of course thats over.
Please share with us what he did for you that was working...what were your difficult symptoms. With so few good llmds, we are on our own to figure this @#$% disease out for ourselves.
(But hopefully his new work involves educating the masses on what works for him).
God Bless
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
I share your feeling k-lyme, also being one of his patients with no idea what to do now.
Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
Geez, K and Lou, I can hardly imagine how you and hundreds of other people feel now. It has to be really hard.
I bet by the time he closes the practice he will have several good referals for you.
Knowing Dr. B. he will do all he can to be sure your continued treatment is effective.
Hang in there.....
Ann - OH
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'm really sorry klyme, lou and all of his patients. I hope you are able to locate another dr soon. This is devastating news for his patients. Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
This is a sad day for many patients. And a great loss for you all
I hope all can find another LLMD soon Posted by grojow (Member # 7400) on :
Has anyone heard if someone is taking over the practice or where the PA's are going?
Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :
We liked both PAs and would love to know what their plans are, also.
Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :
This is terrible news, I am sorry to hear this. Dr. B is a GREAT doctor, but please know we can help you find another doc.
I have been to Dr. C , if you want info PM me.
Posted by pegee4 (Member # 9869) on :
As a patient of Dr. burrascano's please help me find another lyme literate physician out here if you can. I don't know what to do and am quite desperate! He was the only hope . thanks, [email protected] Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
quote:Originally posted by pegee4: As a patient of Dr. burrascano's please help me find another lyme literate physician out here if you can. I don't know what to do and am quite desperate! He was the only hope . thanks, [email protected]
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I am a fairly new patient of Dr. B's , but for the first time in three years, I have seen improvement, even though it was short lived. I am one of the toughest cases that both Dr. H in Grass Valley, CA and Dr. P in Wilton, CT have ever seen. I have a lot of problems associated with the Lyme that no one has been able to figure out, but Dr. B has, and now I am being treated for them. Dr. B gave me hope, not only through properly diagnosing things and prescribing a treatment plan that actually works, but through optimistic words. ![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)