timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
Thanks for posting this article. I wrote a reply to the authors in the space provided.
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
quote:The mean direct medical cost of clinically defined late-stage LD decreased from $4,240 ($275-$24,985) in 1997 to $1,380 ($45-$6,918) in 2000 (p<0.05).
Anybody have thoughts as to why the cost went DOWN?
quote:In this study, indirect medical costs refer to extra prescription and nonprescription drug costs that patients paid out of pocket.
Now, what would be an ``extra prescription'' do you suppose? Like maybe actual adequate antibiotic treatment above and behond what the IDSA recommends?
quote:Second, medical charges used in our study may not reflect the true cost. Third, our results are likely to underestimate the costs per case because some of the costs were not included. Costs that were omitted included any costs incurred by a patient beyond the study period.
Yeah, like years and years of treatment, for instance.
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
You said.. "Anybody have thoughts as to why the cost went DOWN?"
Yeah... they started putting these chronic Lyme folks (AFTER handing out their "one-pill" cures Lyme .. or using their "standard treatment")... in studies here for Parkinson's, Lou Gehrigs, and other "immune related" studies.
I was getting folks coming to me asking for help for Lyme after being stuck in these studies, then dumped on the street when the study was over. Some have since died.
These folks felt they had Lyme all along... but were basically denied proper treatment and used as guinea pigs.. in my opinion.
All your opinions I agree with totally. It's a sad world.
posted
Extra prescriptions could be the antihistimines that prevent the itching accompanying antibiotic treatment. Could it also include supplements that many of us are taking such as vitamins, milk thistle, etc.?
I was hoping the costs went down because doctors were recognizing the symptoms and treating sooner! I guess that was being too optimistic! I was all ready to move to Maryland to find those doctors!! LOL
Karen
Posts: 154 | From Medford, NJ | Registered: Jun 2006
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Of course this data should not be quoted, as it is skewed and invalid.
They base this information only on those who meet the CDC criteria for Lyme which, as we know, is too restrictive.
So it points in the direction of the need for a survey like this, through LLMD's, mostly family doctors, for people who have the clinical diagnosis
This data is strange as well because it looks like Lyme does not have that significant of a financial impact on the health care system or on the individual. It suggests that most people are able to keep their jobs and have employer paid health insurance so their costs are kept down.
Because this data does NOT match my situation nor remotely resemble it, I am wary of it. They should have reportedranges as well as means and medians.
Lost wages due to loss of job / disability 2005 = $70,000 Cost of private insurance = $15,000 Cost of co-pays and medicine = $800 Alternative Treatment Costs = $14,000
This year, with rocephin treatment alone TX cost for rocephin 3 months = $4,000
Price of suffering / family problems = priceless, immeasurable
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
I was surprised to get a reply today from one of the authors of the article, Xinhi Zhang. He was quite kind, and sympathetic to my plight.
He said he would forward my e-mail to the relvant division and let other CDC officials know my comments and story.
I will post what I wrote below. It would be nice if someone at the CDC would listen and do something. It was nice that Mr. Zhang did.
Timaca
Here's my letter: I read with interest "Economic Impact of Lyme Disease." I only wish that since "LD is the most common vectorborne zoonotic disease in the United States" that more doctors could recognize it in an ill patient. It was not recognized in me, and I went undiagnosed for over a year and a half, becoming very sick during that time.
In 2005, my medical expenses exceeded $65,000. This did not include travel expenses to another state to reputable doctors so I could get a diagnosis.
I went from being a very healthy, athletic woman involved in the community, to one who had difficulty standing up.
Lyme disease has devasted my life. Simply because the 17 doctors that I saw did not recognize it in me.
I live in Arizona. I believe I contracted the disease here. Another very active Arizona woman (former marathon runner) also has lyme. She too had difficulty getting a diagnosis. There are others I could mention as well.
I believe the CDC should put some effort into educating all doctors about lyme disease, and how it manifests. The new guidelines put out by the IDSA are ridiculous. If doctors are required to follow these guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of lyme disease, more people will continue to suffer.
Lyme disease is a difficult diagnosis. No doubt about that. The fact that 16 out of the 17 doctors didn't even think about the possibility of it occuring in me is outrageous, considering I presented with joint pain, nerve pain, cardiac issues, CNS issues and extreme fatigue.
In my opinion, more research is needed to develop a reliable test for the presence of the bacteria. That would put an end to the debate of who has the disease and who does not. Why this research is not happening is beyond comprehension.
Lyme disease is in Arizona. But, sadly, I could not get diagnosed in this state. That is ridiculous, and to a great extent, the fault of the CDC. They aren't doing their job in educating the doctors about "the most common vectorborne zoonotic disease in the United States."
I hope and pray that changes soon.
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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