I have my response and the original article first and then what was published today. As you can see my comment was edited quite a lot, but to good effect, I think. Hope you will read it all and see why I was alarmed in the first place.

Ann
First: My reply and the original article

[To Dr. Tucker from me About "Unexplained Illness" 7-23-05]

<Here is the latest from the Ohio Department of Health -(May 2005)
Lyme disease is discussed on page two. http://www2.odh.ohio.gov/ODHPrograms/ZOODIS/VBDP/Pubs/OVN0505.pdf http://tinyurl.com/8eek4

More education of the medical community is sorely needed!
Sincerely,
Ann http://www.geocities.com/ldbullseye/

[Original Q&A about "Unexplained Illness"]
7-23-05
Dear Dr. Tucker:

Thank you for your article on beating fatigue on July 2. Fatigue is something I feel on a daily basis. Last fall, I had a slight sore throat and lost my voice. No other symptoms. The infection ended up in my lymph glands, which were the size of walnuts. The virus knocked me down for two weeks. I battled chronic fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches and total exhaustion

My doctor looked for Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis, cancer, HIV infection, lupus and fibromyalgia. I may never know the cause. I missed six months of work. Your article, however, is how I am recuperating on a daily basis. It's a long, slow process. Your article encouraged me to keep trying and keep moving. I believe now that exercise, rest and lowering stress are the only "medicines" that can keep one protected. - Georgan D.

Dear Georgan:

Your e-mail underscores a very important point. The milestones medicine has attained in the last decade have been astounding. I have the utmost respect for the scientists who have revealed the structure of the retrovirus that causes AIDS and who have combined the most toxic of chemicals into an elixir that can fight, and even cure, the most invasive of cancers. Yet there are still individuals, such as you, who have symptoms for which we have no explanation. Often we have no specific treatment for the ailments. You have taken your health into your own hands, have not given up and have accomplished the small measures every day that make the difference between sickness and vitality.

Today: My "edited" letter and Dr. T's response http://tinyurl.com/8ttks

WOMEN'S HEALTH
[Dr. Tarvez Tucker]
The Plain Dealer [Cleveland, OH }
Saturday, August 06, 2005
.....................
Don't rule out
Lyme disease
Dear Dr. Tucker:

On July 23, your column had a letter from a reader who had unexplained fatigue with swollen glands, and it listed the tests her doctor had performed. I was really surprised that the doctor diagnosing this woman never considered Lyme disease. On the other hand, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as doctors are still telling patients there is no Lyme disease in Ohio. More education of the medical community is sorely needed. -- Ann

Dear Ann:

You are absolutely right; Lyme disease can include symptoms such as fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and generalized weakness, and certainly does occur in Ohio, although the black-legged tick that causes the disease is not commonly found in the state. However, 50 cases of Lyme disease were reported from Ohio to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004.

Did you see the list of symptoms that woman had and the flu-like onset of everything? I so wish I could talk to the lady, but the best I can hope for is that she will read Dr. Tarvez's column.