posted
I've decided not to let the 20-odd docs I've seen over the years off the hook for failing to diagnose my Lyme. I have already written to several.
Now, this is interesting. I loaned out my DVD "Under Our Skin" to my shrink. He's very bright, but usually very "mainstream" in his thinking. I of course have kept him informed about all my medical issues, especially the recent Lyme dx. His initial reaction was, "I hope you don't get hooked-up with one of those docs that pump you full of IV abx for years."
Well.....well.....well......he watches the video, we have several discussions about it, and he thinks HE has chronic Lyme. And I believe he does too. Twenty years ago he had a fever, followed by Bell's palsy, followed by awful arthritis, mostly his tendons (Borrelia loves tendons and ligaments), fatigue, and now cardiac problems. He's very demoralized because he can't do alot of the phsical stuff he loves. Recently, his biceps tendon just "snapped", causing his biceps to be non-functional, the muscle just rolls over to one side when he lifts up his arm. Lyme tests were always negative, and all of his own doctors never considered Lyme, even though he is at high-risk for tick bites because he loves the outdoors.
Now he wants to read, "Cure Unknown" by Pam Weintraub. I am loaning him my copy.
Several of his other patients are, like me, suffering from an array of symptoms for which they have no real diagnosis, and of course are depressed. He clearly is now thinking these other patients may have undiagnosed Lyme. I believe he will be pointing them in the ILADS direction.
Yesterday I saw my cardiologist. He is not convinced that Lyme is the cause of my arrhythmia (PAC) or episodes of tachycardia. But he did borrow my "Under Our Skin" DVD and said he would watch it. He too is very bright, and I would be surprised if the film didn't have an effect on him.
Just educating the world, one doc at a time........
I am confident that within a year or so, the whole IDSA position will fold like a house of cards. As THEY and their families get chronic Lyme themselves, they will be begging and groveling like pathetic worms and demanding their IV Rocephin.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
Wow at the skeptical shrink having Lyme himself all this time!!
Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Good job!!!
I suspect there are a lot of people in the medical profession who have lyme or have family members with lyme and they don't know it.
It's great to hear about the positive impact of the movie and book. They are certainly making it easier for us to share information in a compelling way. Thank you Pamela for the book and all those involved in Under our Skin for the movie.
AND thank YOU for trying to educate those in the medical profession.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
I'm surprised a psychologist or a psychiatrist would share with a patient so much detailed and personal information about himself. That's very unusual.
Glad he got to see the film. This documentary does speak volumes.
posted
Keebler: Yes it is unusual for a psychiatrist to share alot of their personal stuff with a patient. He didn't really start doing that until recently. I've been seeing him about 12 years. He knows more about me than anyone, myself included, and now he is confiding in me.
At the end of last session he half-jokingly told me to send him a bill for services rendered.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
excellent
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Way to go Paulie
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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tickbattler
Unregistered
posted
Paulie - I agree that it is a matter of time before the IDSA position goes up in smoke. I loved your statement: "As THEY and their families get chronic Lyme themselves, they will be begging and groveling like pathetic worms and demanding their IV Rocephin." SO TRUE!!!!
By the way, I have been trying to educate every doctor I see. I have been working on our pediatrician for the past year. She has seen the movie and is now reading my copy of Cure Unknown. I told her that if she is not convinced after reading that, then I will not bother her again about it!!
She was starting to see the light but her husband is a research doc who is totally on the other side. He thinks the main character in Under Our Skin had hysteria causing her Bells Palsy and other sypmtoms. He is like the devil on her shoulder telling her not to listen to me (the angel on the other shoulder)!
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
What a coincidence. I just loaned my DVD of "Under Our Skin" today to my regular GP. After I talked to him 2 different times about my Lyme and treatment, he said he really wanted to see the DVD.
I think the education is just beginning. It may take a few years, but hopefully things will change one day.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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