Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Just got my latest issue of Parents Magazine, and I almost did a backflip when I saw they had an article on Lyme.
I was ready to do another backflip when I read, "But not all Lyme sufferers develop a rash---and diagnostic tests for the disease are not always reliable. In fact, Lyme is plagued with ambiguities." I thought, wow, somone is actually getting it.
However, I found quite a few statements that just made me either angry as heck or want to cry.
* "Only black-legged ticks in the Northeast and uppermidwestern black-legged ticks along the Pacific carry the Lyme bacteria." I know it hasn't been "proven" that other ticks or other blood-sucking insects carry Lyme, I'm concerned that some parents will get a flase sense of security.
* "Most doctors base diagnoses on patient complaints, physical symptoms, and whether the child has been in an area infected with ticks." Yeah, maybe some docs, but around here it still seems the ELISA test is gospel.
* "The most commonly-ordered test...the ELISA can commonnly give false positive results (as well as false negative,particularly when the patient has been given an early course of antibiotics)." Oh great, push the idea of false POSITIVES!
* IDSA's guidelines were reviewed by an expert medical panel this spring and declared 'medically and scientifically justified.'" Need I say more?
I'm definitely planning to respond to this article, although I need some time to cool off and get my head together. I also plan to take this to my Lyme support meeting this week.
Comments?
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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nenet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13174
posted
Thank you for the heads up on the article. It's good that you plan to respond to it.
I just wanted to help clarify that it actually HAS been proven that MANY organisms can and do carry Lyme bacteria, many species of ticks, mosquitoes, sand fleas, biting flies, mites, etc.
There are many studies showing infection rates of lots of different tick species, etc.
What is not so well-studied or observed is proven Lyme infection transmission from all of these other various species.
So the magazine actually made a double misstatement - not only have those and other tick species been proven to *transmit* the Lyme bacteria, but many more species have been proven to *carry" the disease.
I think I made all of that more confusing than necessary.
tick battler
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21113
posted
Thanks for the heads-up...just went to my mailbox and got it! I am quoted in there, and they actually got it right (my quote about my kids is in the section about curing lyme disease).
I am fairly pleased with the article since it talks about the controversy and gives both sides. At least the ILADS position is given and people know that long term abx are an option. I made sure they would give both sides before I agreed to be interviewed!
The writer who interviewed me told me that one of the higher ups at the magazine has a child with Lyme Disease, so that's why they did an article.
I like also that they have a section (albeit small) on the coinfections. At least they are mentioned.
I know there are some errors but I think the article will do more good than harm.
tickbattler
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
I posted this link to the new Parents magazine article (below) on another thread , in error.
Anyways, to read Pg. 1, click that-which-is-below. (it will link you to pg. 2 & 3)
littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
I'm going to pick up the magazine today or tomorrow. And probably write the editor.
I would love people to do more research on fleas. I was having mild symptoms. Until I got bit over 30 times by fleas (at work). And then everything came crashing down.
My step-father suggest I was sick from the fleas and I researched that idea. But only a few diseases came up and my symptoms didn't match any of them. So I dismissed that idea. Now..I wonder.
Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Littlebit, I have often wondered about fleas myself. When I was in my 20s, we had a dog who got a HORRIBLE flea infestation.
I got bit so many times I looked like I had rolled naked in poison ivy.
While I didn't get sick right away, I am still wondering if I haven't been carrying a latent infection all these years.
I did have vague symptoms for many years, but never anything to suggest I was anything more than feeling the effects of stress.
Now it haunts me...
Tickbattler--I'll have to reread the article to catch your quotes. I'm glad someone else gave an opinion on the article; I don't know sometimes if I;m justified in my irritation or if I'm just looking for a fight.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
Fleas definitely transmit bartonella and I say LYME.
I really wish they hadn't said that about Lyme only being transmitted by ticks ONLY in two different areas... that's really "damaging." Many cases will be missed because of what they stated there.
And the "ELISA giving false positives"?... HA.. truly laughable.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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tick battler
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21113
posted
Yeah, there are quite a few inaccuracies in the article. But at least it starts out with the story of the girl who was misdiagnosed for so long. It might help others figure out what's going on if they are sick. The sad thing is that even the little girl they speak about isn't being treated properly since her parents now are being told she has lasting arthritis from Lyme. She is now getting headaches and OCD....clearly she still has Lyme, etc....
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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