LymeNet Flash: "House" episode and Lyme Disease

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Posted by erin33 (Member # 7143) on :

I was watching "House" tonight (medical show) and Lyme Disease came up. It was one of the options but the dr. kept repeating during discussion that it could not be lyme because a rash would have shown. I kept yelling at the tv. I am one who did not have a rash and it makes me mad that this ignorance is still out there. after 6 months of being off meds, i have just relapsed. i travel 5 hours to see a dr. and just got in tonight. Amy Tan is an author who has been fighting lyme as well. it takes someone who is someone to help us out. i received a post card from her wishing me luck but nothing else. i would love to know how to contact Fox and tell them about their error in that episode.

angry and upset about relapse

Posted by laserred (Member # 6796) on :

Yup, I saw it too!

I was 'telling them' from the beginning that "It could be Lyme Disease"...

Well, at least it was mentioned that 'It could be'!!! That's more then some docs say.

And that blew me away when they said'But there is no rash'...aaarrrrgghhhhh!!!

Posted by lymesux (Member # 6248) on :

I only saw the show for like 2 seconds or so but was surprised to hear the doctor say 'Anything that can be transmitted thru blood can be transmitted thru sex'

Thought that was a plus for us??

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

Yep saw it crap! No rash' real cutting edge medical show huh??

Not

Posted by sarabear (Member # 6530) on :

I really just had to chuckle at it, you know. Not only did he say that the rash would have shown multiple times, but insisted that the husband would have noticed, or even remembered given that it was 'late stage lyme' he was referring to. Oh geez...

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Try www.foxnews.com .... or some version of that.

Welcome, Erin!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Hikin Mike (Member # 6508) on :

That's one of my favorite shows. If I remember correctly, that is the second episode that Lyme is mentioned as a possibility. Even though the facts are a bit off, at least the disease is getting some mention.

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-Mike

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

up

Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :

I watch that usually...but missed that one.

Joan of Arcadia, a favorite show of ours, was upsetting when they explained away her conversations with God.....as lyme......

I actually thought the scripts might delve into the disease.....but they didn't.

It would be great if House actually had an episode
about a patient who has lyme.

Posted by once bitten on :

actually it sounds pretty realistic. Maybe one of the writers had that experience...haven't we all?
but it sounds like they did miss a good chance to bring up the fact that most dont get lyme rash.
ER did a good show with it last year. a mention of it but it was intense. so its IN Hollywood and as soon as it makes it to the big screen...in shows etc...I would give them praise for even mentioning it.

Posted by ping (Member # 6974) on :

quote:
Originally posted by treepatrol:
Yep saw it crap! No rash' real cutting edge medical show huh??
[b]Not[/B]

I agree with you, treepat! that's all we need is more misinformation. And that horrendous Joan of Arcadia episode... Where will this mess stop?

[This message has been edited by ping (edited 07 April 2005).]

Posted by firsttwin (Member # 5529) on :

erin33,

I saw that episode. I am with you and it upset me when Dr. House said that it couldn't be Lyme cause there wasn't any rash but it wasn't his fault. He was just reading his script.

Good idea to get in touch with Fox and correct the writers.

There are more posts that was made on this here: http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/033074.html

I will be more that glad to contact Fox. I already had Fox from my area interview my husband and myself. It was a very good interview.

Good luck with your treatment.

Take care.

Maria

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

I've mentioned before that I would be nervous is a show like House actually had a patient with Lyme. Because the patients seem to always recover ten minutes after the correct diagnosis.

Here's the Fox feedback email.

General Fox Feedback email:
[email protected]

I'd suggest putting "House" and "Lyme" in the title and noting that many people with Lyme never have, or never notice, the rash.

It might also be good to put some reputable links in, maybe to ILADS or Dr. B's guidelines. Or the Lymenet library : http://library.lymenet.org/domino/file.nsf

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

My letter is below:

I am writing in reference to a recent episode of "House" during which Lyme Disease was mentioned as a potential cause of a patient's condition.

I would like to start by thanking the show for recognizing Lyme Disease. However, there was a mistaken reference in the episode that it is important to correct. The episode mentioned Lyme could not be a cause, because the patient did not have a typical rash. According to the CDC, only 80% of Lyme patients ever have the typical rash. Other studies estimate that as few as 40% of people with Lyme ever notice having a rash.

Lyme is a debilitating illness that has impacted millions of Americans. Many patients, such as myself, go years without diagnosis because of the misconceptions of the illness. Misconceptions are both in the public and within the medical community. Many of us have searched years for a doctor like Dr. House, who is willing to think outside of the box and consider causes even when the typical symptoms to do not exist.

I understand the role of a television series is to entertain, but there is also a resposibility not to spread misconceptions. I ask that you please forward this message to the writers and producers of "House." I have also included links to two websites that I recommend consulting prior to future episodes dealing with Lyme.
http://www.ilads.org/
http://library.lymenet.org/domino/file.nsf

Posted by erin33 (Member # 7143) on :

i am definately going to write the network. i am grateful that it was mentioned, just inaccurate. we may be getting more recognition. that would be nice.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Aniek.......That was a PERFECT letter!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by JillF (Member # 5553) on :

Aniek

Thanks for the email address

I had looked for a way to contact them about Lyme disease about 1-2 months ago and could not, for the life of me, find a way to contact them....

Just sent an email.

Thanks again