Yes, this needs to stop. I have read his blogs on and off for years and have found them immensely helpful and informative. Best of luck to this doc.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
It makes me sick how docs like this are persecuted primarily due to some bs lyme guidelines that are flat out wrong (idsa). That's why this happens, and that is why our lyme doc's shouldn't take insurance until the guidelines are changed.
When our congressmen, women or their children get lyme and discover what we're dealing with, then maybe we will get some help.
In the meantime, we have to fight in each state even if it's not our own. There is strength in numbers, and participating in activism really does help. It only takes a few minutes to help fight when issues come up.
I fought for NY docs and I don't even live in NY. I called their legislators and fought. It took me all of ten minutes to call a dozen of them and tell them what I was in favor of (bills). That's what it takes, a little time, a phone call, a pen or a text. Just do it. We have to band together and fight for what's right.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
LymeMD mentioned that the charges are public, and the details are available for anyone to read.
I posted a question on his blog asking how to access this information, so I could use it to write a letter of support addressing the specific charges.
I always thought this doc was forthcoming with information to help his patients, and was impressed that he took the time and made the extra effort to inform readers through his blog...
Posted by sebreg (Member # 44928) on :
this is really sad and so frustrating, I hope he gets all the support he needs from patients/former patients so he doesn't face charges. What sucks is the science is bearing out that lyme can't always be killed with short treatments, but the IDSA is so powerful and they have their agenda/doctrine that is taken as the ultimate say when it comes to lyme.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
It never ends, does it. This does have to stop and the only way it will stop is with intense political activism and involvement by everyone in the Lyme community. We certainly have made strides in the last 15 years but have a ways to go.
The people of Maryland need to rally fast and furious to get a Lyme Disease Bill passed in their state and we all need to help in whatever way we can to help this doctor.
He provided an excellent service with his blog and from what I understand he's quite a good doctor. The IDSA and their interested parties must be stopped.
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
I've been an avid reader of his blog for 4 yrs. He should not be prosecuted by any means...However, I think he can practice in another state. I saw a Dr who had practiced in 5 states because he kept losing his license.
The Gov't has unlimited funds and laws by which to manipulate, pay for, and prosecute anyone they choose. They especially don't like when you throw it in their face by blogging about it. He probably saved lives with his blog and now he probably involuntarily screwed a lot of his patients.
I'm trying my best to not go insane reading this. On the other hand I'm continuing to more and more realize that antibiotics are not the answer in so many of our cases. I'm thinking in a perfect world, every LLMD has an ND in their office working with them as to not just dole out so many antibiotics. Yanking these guys' license is not the answer.
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
We've allowed this to happen. Not signing petitions because they take a few minutes, not filling out pre-filled letters to congressmen, etc..
SOPA was a great example of how petitions beat big money and didn't allow congress to slip a bill under our nose which would have filtered the internet's information.
Posted by bitbit99 (Member # 43654) on :
The only thing I can think of is if someone printed some bumper stickers that said something like "Save Dr. x".... with his webpage on it.
First it would bring attention to the uneducated masses as to corruption and secondly would enlighten people as to how incideous lyme is and what to watch out for.
...a bumper sticker might sound stupid at first glance.
But with people now on internet with phones right in their cars it makes sense.
Just think ....a young couple with a couple kids driving on their first summer family vacation, totally oblivious to lyme and ticks and they see the bumper sticker.... decide to check out the webpage on their long drive on their cell phone.
They would at least watch out for ticks or know what to do if they found one on one of their kids or themselves.
It's a win win
Just Think 5,000 Bumper Stickers.... Wow
Posted by sebreg (Member # 44928) on :
quote:Originally posted by droid1226:
I'm trying my best to not go insane reading this. On the other hand I'm continuing to more and more realize that antibiotics are not the answer in so many of our cases. I'm thinking in a perfect world, every LLMD has an ND in their office working with them as to not just dole out so many antibiotics. Yanking these guys' license is not the answer.
Totally agree, I feel like what you are saying is a sensible suggestion. Abx are not always the answer, they can be, but not always, and we need more focus and solid research on how to treat the long term lyme cases and not just leave those patients hanging with no options.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Abx are not the answer???? They have kept me alive for a long time, but if the docs are taken down, no amount of ND is going to fill that space.
In fact, no abx is just what the IDSA wants too. Be careful what you wish for. Choose no abx for yourself, but let the rest of us have what we need.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Poppy...
I believe sebreg said, "Abx are not ALWAYS the answer, they can be, but not always, and we need more focus and solid research on how to threat the long term lyme cases and not just leave those patients hanging with no options".
The reason I like this doctor's approach is that although he mainly utilizes antibiotics, he also is open minded about alternative therapies, including hyperbaric (which he uses in his office).
He has also refered several patients to me who needed "coaching" in obtaining their own chambers.
Doctors like this are rarer than doctors that use solely antibiotics.
Just as antibiotics have "kept you alive", altenative therapies have kept others alive, and in my case, gotten me well.
I don't think there is anyone here that wants to see antibiotics held back from anyone; on the contrary, we need more doctors willing to prescribe other options. Nobody is asking anyone to choose either or.
By the way, ND's can prescribe medications, (including antibiotics) in my state, and I find that some are very Lyme Literate and provide excellent (sometimes superior) care...
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
quote:Originally posted by Abxnomore: The people of Maryland need to rally fast and furious to get a Lyme Disease Bill passed in their state and we all need to help in whatever way we can to help this doctor.
He provided an excellent service with his blog and from what I understand he's quite a good doctor. The IDSA and their interested parties must be stopped.
I agree. Then they should post here so we all have access to it and everyone should participate.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Someone in MD can start a Care 2 petition. Anything to help this poor doc.
Hey Poppy I just meant they are not always the answer for everyone. I have no doubt they have helped you and many others regain health and quality of life. They have certainly helped me and I have been grateful to have long term access to them.
Didn't mean to make it seem that I don't support their use, just think we need more research in other therapies as well to better understand the disease and how to treat it.
Like the effects and success rates of using abx plus other therapies used in conjunction (antiparasitics, herbals, etc) depending on the lyme variant plus whatever coinfections the patient harbors.
We need better lab dx and research into understanding these organisms for more targeted and hopefully more effective treatments.
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Breaking up the post for easier reading for many here -
[ 05-15-2015, 04:33 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by Looking (Member # 13600) on :
Where I live, the ND is the only place you can get antibiotics for lyme and they have only been given the right to prescribe recently. (too late for me)
My friend was bitten in the neck and went to emergency and requested antibiotics and they gave her the run around, we have to wait and see, most ticks don't carry lyme, yada, yada.
She went to her own doc and he just sent her to an Infectious Disease Doc who said I don't think you have lyme, so no antibiotics. Her only option for treatment here is an ND and only if she gets a lyme positive test.
I as well believe I am only here because of herbal regimens as even the ND's won't give me antibiotics because my stomach is thrashed from lyme. So I am very grateful for herbal protocols.
I respect everyone's choice in treatment. As was said before, we need options, as what works for one may not work for another and your treatment of choice may not even be available to you.
Not everyone can travel for expensive treatment, either. I hear some, especially from Australia where most docs don't think there is lyme disease ,are recovering after having hyperthermia treatments in Germany, so I hope new effective treatments continue to be discovered.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Sorry, maybe I misinterpreted. Have had such difficulty getting abx, that the thought that lyme patients would provide ammunition for the no-abx black hats....was just too much.
I do understand that not everyone has access to them, for reasons that we all know, so of course anything that will help them instead should be available. I just get worried that some new patients are sent this way even if they might be able to get abx. And have seen many posts from people who said they spent thousands on alternate treatments that were ineffective.
And now, back to the main issue in this thread, which is another lyme doc being punished for doing the right thing for patients.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Agree there are lots of issues we face but the main one here is another doctor being investigated for treating Lyme patients--that us, all of us.
What can we do to help. Is anyone organizing anything in Maryland to help him? What are we all doing to get the word out about the problems we face.
It's Lyme Awareness month, are we doing the most we can, even putting a signature on your email with some links is easy and quick and helps spread the word. That's what I have done for Lyme Awareness Month.
Posted by nomoremuscles (Member # 9560) on :
It's been almost forty years, and here we are still not allowed to use the names of doctors?
And now we're arguing whether or not it is okay to have open discourse about Lyme in general?
This looks like a failure of Lyme activism.
Maybe it's time for some new strategies.
Posted by Looking (Member # 13600) on :
Posted by burnsjw (Member # 11819) on :
I called and sent letters to the n.y. legislatures too. Also wrote them thank yous after dr. Protection bill went thru. I even sent thanks yous to some of their attorneys. I am going to start writing thank yous to state legislature s in any state from now on.
Maybe it is going to take us to support certain candidates in our states via monetary donation or volunteering to campaign for them if they support us.
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[ 05-15-2015, 04:39 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
quote:Originally posted by nomoremuscles: It's been almost forty years, and here we are still not allowed to use the names of doctors?
And now we're arguing whether or not it is okay to have open discourse about Lyme in general?
This looks like a failure of Lyme activism.
Maybe it's time for some new strategies.
Yea, I have to agree. What's been done so far is honorable and just. But it might be time to regroup. This keeps happening.
I don't have any ideas. I'm not much of a strategist. But there's no reason we can't all step it up and build a better ship. I'll help if I can.
Posted by maritzap (Member # 11146) on :
It seems there is no organized help for our llmds? We have been working hard here in San Diego to save one of our experts, and I posted it in the Activism section because her name is all over it and I did not want to get in trouble because of the "no name" rule.
We have tried to get lymedisease.org to post her story even on face book and have contacted ilads.org for help and no one wants to get involved to help these doctors because then they will become targets.
How are these patient advocate groups really being advocates if they allow all the lyme docs to disappear? WE need to organize and help these docs somehow.
Also, FYI, CA has a doctor protection law in place but apparently it is not a law, but only a suggestion, and the medical board can choose not to agree with it, which is why they were able to target our llmd
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[ 05-15-2015, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by maritzap (Member # 11146) on :
Thank you for all of your efforts and sacrifice. You deserve more than a thank you card.
I have certainly never meant to imply that all the volunteers are doing nothing. I have been a volunteer for the last 9 years also but my credentials don't come close to stacking up to yours. You are truly amazing and I would be honored to meet you someday.
it seems that patients basic need a qualified doctor to diagnose and treat them if we truly want to help them. When all the doctors are gone because they can't follow all the rules imposed by "powers that be" how does that help patients?
I just don't understand why some doctors get the attention and others are left to fend for themselves. Who decides that?
I am a small business owner so it irritates me to have other people tell me how to run my business who know nothing about it.
Our LLMDs are business owners also and I find it astonishing the criticism they receive and how many unqualified, uneducated people think they know better how they should run their medical practices.
That has been the response I get from powerful people who don't want to help this doc. She should do this or that or she's disorganized or yadaydayda.
Tell that to all her patients who now have to go to some fresh from ilads training new LLMD if they are lucky to find one and be their guinea pigs figuring out how to treat them!
Our LLMDs are heroes on the front lines for all the patients. How will we motivate new doctors to become LLMDs if they see how easy it is to be thrown out the window with the bath water?
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Breaking the post up for easier reading for many here -
[ 05-15-2015, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Here is a link to the specific charges against LymeMD:
[ 05-13-2015, 01:57 AM: Message edited by: A.G. ]
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Wow, that summary of charges is pretty severe. I don't see how anyone can get out of that. Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
this is all such a mess. it makes me crazy.
_
Posted by A.G. (Member # 44713) on :
The only thing that will change anything are laws on the books.
We need a powerful lyme lobby 24/7. Not just when the IDSA is looking at the guidelines or when a specific bill is up.
I found this interesting. Compare our LDA's lobbying efforts to those of the Interstitial Cystitis lobby that was successful years ago with even getting specific rules written in the SSA Blue Book because of what they went through previously. They were successful, yet they know they can't stop lobbying.
Also, they were a smaller group of patients nationally. Therefore, we must have a powerful, non-stop lobby...or each Dr will continue to be picked off 1 by 1.
Agreements with 1 state's medical board are only backed up by....? They change the rules mid game and there's nothing anyone can do.
When someone openly defies the law. No matter how just or unjust you think they are. The Gov't WILL make an example out of you.
Case in point. Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Aaron Swartz.....
Those are just a few examples but they've all led to TERRIBLE outcomes resulting in either death, life sentence in jail, or having to live on foreign ground.
Both recent presidents have been VERY involved in the demise of people like this so it's not a party issue. It's a machine that's unstoppable that has unlimited resources to hault people who publicly mock/leak information. The gov't has almost become a living breathing entity that isn't FOR the people, it's more worried about it's own survival. Sound familiar? They will use medical laws from the 60's if they have to to prosecute this Dr.
In this case, a dr with good intentions was basically mocking the medical board. Regardless of how we feel about how wrong the med board may be and how many people this man helped. He will probably be made an example of.
There is one thing more powerful than anything and that's media. So these celebrities coming out with lyme(or whatever this thing that makes us all sick is) is HUGE.
We need to make sure that the Activism section of this site isn't a graveyard like it is now. We can come out and tell people we are sick, what it is, what is, corruption, etc....
When I first came here 3 or 4 yrs ago, I was told to say I have MS or something else. I understand why someone would do that. I don't have that in me to just not say it like it is, and it really hurt me financially. I had a blowout w/ my insurance company on the phone, they instantly stopped covering everything.
I do think it's time to fight for what's right. I know it sounds corny. Like a call to arms or something, but w/ so many sick, it's time to stop being stepped on IMO.
Posted by A.G. (Member # 44713) on :
There is one thing more powerful than anything and that's media. So these celebrities coming out with lyme(or whatever this thing that makes us all sick is) is HUGE.
We need to make sure that the Activism section of this site isn't a graveyard like it is now. We can come out and tell people we are sick, what it is, what is, corruption, etc....
I do think it's time to fight for what's right. I know it sounds corny. Like a call to arms or something, but w/ so many sick, it's time to stop being stepped on IMO.
I completely agree 100%.
Regarding celebrities, whenever you see anything with a celebrity getting lyme, email it to all your friends, post it on facebook. Support these celebrities, don't ridicule them. It's a door to inform others about lyme and company.
The more famous people that get this disease actually gives us a chance to not only get the word out there, but for them to help us. The potential is there.
We need to convince celebrities that the guidelines are out of date, bad, etc (because they are), and this is why they are stuck fighting lyme.
So post at those sights, tell them specifically why they are stuck battling lyme (bad guidelines). It's not enough to look for a cure. The guidelines need to be changed and maybe they can help us to change them.
Posted by A.G. (Member # 44713) on :
Tincup: I don't know how you do what you do. It sounds like this is common among some advocates around the country. They work so hard for so long pushing this 500000 lb boulder up the hill only to have it repeatedly roll back down over them....and start again...and repeat.
I'm sure many have stopped advocating because of it. I hope you can take care of you and find a way to recharge. Kinda like the oxygen on the plane analogy.
Posted by A.G. (Member # 44713) on :
droid and catgirl: agreed and agreed.
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
I post on every comment section because I get this visceral anger just waiting for someone to say something ignorant....lately there's been A LOT less of those people. Almost none on the recent "people" article about the Olsen twin.
Posted by Rhiagel (Member # 21880) on :
quote:Originally posted by Phoiph: Here is a link to the specific charges against LymeMD:
31. They say he prescribed "Ability." I assume these IDSA hacks are referring to Abilify.
Posted by Looking (Member # 13600) on :
Tincup, I don't know how you manage to accomplish so much with your limited energy -- you must have awesomely super willpower.
Kudos to you:
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Rhiagel: How pathetic. Guess they don't feel the need for proofreaders. Prescribing ability! Wow! Too bad they can't prescribe Logic.
To everyone: Tincup has been up to her eyeballs in advocating on behalf of Lyme Disease patients for years, decades in fact. I know this because I am almost a decade in taking care of sick kids and at this point I know the real deals. If she recommends something, as in let's not push certain bills/legislation, she knows whereof she speaks and I will take her word for it.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
And if you think the charges against the doctor sound bad, read the charges against ANY lyme doctor who has done nothing more than treat chronic patients. They all sound like this, including Dr. J,the children's doctor. And he was found guilty and had to pay a lot of money to have his records reviewed for a long time afterwards. As did Dr. B.
Anyone who isn't supporting lyme docs should stop their treatment now and live with the consequences. Because that will be the result when all our docs are taken down.
[ 05-15-2015, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by A.G. (Member # 44713) on :
poppy: I agree. The charges appear to simply be copied and pasted from one patient to the next.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Personally, I don't think it's fruitful to air dirty laundry about Dr. J. and there is much of that presented in this thread.
In my book, that in amounts to doctor bashing and I don't feel it is helpful nor it is, according to my understanding, allowed on Lymenet.
What is helpful is providing useful solutions and ideas about how we can help all of our LLMDS, especially those in trouble and general information.
Calling Dr. J. out as one who would not tow the line doesn't sit right with me at all.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
I've been part of the Lyme community since 1987. I'm well aware of everything you pointed out and am well aware of the difficulties that these issues present.
I've been here through all the years, protesting in Albany, protesting at the first gathering in front of the IDSA meeting in NYC and even the first organized protest in front of the OMPC when Dr. Orens lost his license.
I understand why progress has been slow and difficult and all of the political road blocks in the way.
I will certainly not be calling his attorney if he has one and am also aware that they charge a huge fee by the hour. Why would I be so stupid as to do that?
What I don't like is airing dirty laundry about this doctor here on a public forum, plain and simple. If there are ways to help, let's talk about that. If there are not, let's talk about that, too, but let's not talk about details concerning what he did and didn't do. It sounds like sour grapes.
I don't think it really serves anyone in this community well, especially if they are not privy to what is going on behind the scenes.
Doctor bashing does not promote the kind of community spirit we need but instead creates factions within the Lymenet community.
[ 05-15-2015, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Please pray for Dr J!!!
Posted by A.G. (Member # 44713) on :
Tincup:
It's obvious this case hits particularly close to your neck of the woods based on your comments. I can hear a lot of disappointment in your posts.
All the hard work wasn't in vain.
I feel like the Dr is being blamed for the rules changing mid-game and other Drs being targeted.
It sounds like J is being blamed for everything that occurred negatively within Md. However, correlation is not causation. These are shady people behind this: ins cos, pharm cos, idsa, lobbyists, areas of govt.
It might look like Dr J's actions caused an immediate ripple effect but isn't that what they would want? Divide and conquer in the process?
His blog was no different than Dr H's book with case studies and the same tx in the book (the book was written very professionally and backed up with a billion research citings).
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
Patient A is so frustrating to read.
The reason no other diagnosis was considered by the Dr was because he had the rash & the positives outweighed the negatives when it pertains to catching it early!
They are using that against him....I suppose they want him to let the patient go chronic I suppose for a lifetime of pharm's and ill health.
I honestly can't read anymore of this. It's sickening.
It also leaves out a major portion of those of us who DO continually test positive for lyme & co infections and cherry picks Dr. J's cinical diagnosis/treatments.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
I still maintain that it's not fruitful to be airing dirty laundry about what Dr. J did or didn't do. It's doctor bashing, no matter how you want to word it and pointing blame is not helpful no matter how upset you are about this situation.
Whatever was done for 15 years to keep things at "bay" was bound to crash in time when dealing with such a politically charged and biased situation where certain groups have the power to push through their own agenda while defying science to the detriment of the larger population
and have been able to deny that chronic lyme and it's associated co-infections exist and has caused untold suffering of so many.
Clearly it's time for a new model and approach. This one broke down, the damn is now broken and maybe because it was held together with a flimsy patchwork of materials that was the best that could be accomplished at the time given the odds and the political powers that be.
I'm certainly not implying that lots of effort and hard work was not put into accomplishing that feat.
Ultimately something like this was bound to happen even if it was one doctor who caused it, who you blame. If it were not he, it would eventually be another doctor. The system is untenable.
It's terrible that 15 other doctors now have problems but what is really terrible is that any of them should have any issues, problems or restrictions in how they treat Lyme patients. That is what needs to change.
The real issue at hand is that the IDSA flawed guidelines are still in effect after all these years and have not been refuted or changed at this late date despite the efforts to do so.
Until that happens and until the CDC gets on board, too, acknowledging just how serious Lyme Disease and It's associated co-infections are nothing really will change.
I see momentum in many of the new Lyme activism groups that have popped up, many on facebook and especially since they are geared to a larger nationwide audience. The Mayday Project for one and the group(s) in New York State that worked to get the Lyme Bill passed are fine examples.
Ultimately, we need one nationwide push, a relentless uprising just like any other political movement for change that will turn the tide. Unfortunately, this kind of change comes slowly when fighting against powerful organizations that have it in their own interest to keep the status quo.
It's no different than the early mobilization in the 1900's for labor unions. How many suffered, even died, in the process? Many did and it took them a long time to the gain rights and protections they deserved.
How long did it take to bring down the South African apartheid state?
But they had one thing in common. In the end they worked together for a common cause for all.
I don't take lightly that 15 other doctors now have problems but maybe this will be the catalyst to push toward a new model. How they will do so, I don't know. But expanding to a broader national movement and coming together rather than a local one that protects one fiefdom may be a direction to look in.
[ 05-15-2015, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
** moderator's note **
I have deleted all off topic comments. Please get the conversation back on topic. If you have complaints about the terms of use, please take it to Jenifer as we moderators have no say over the rules.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Hey Six,
Why not lock er up too. This version is way squirrely now, makes no sense.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Tincup, shouldn't be squirrely .... I only deleted the posts from the end on up, didn't adjust things in the part that remains!
If people get back on topic, it can stay open, but if it turns back into a discussion of board rules, it will be closed and official warnings will be sent!
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Well, there's a part of me that is saying to him "go for it!"
At some point, docs on the front lines treating the sickest of the sick have to stand up to this all-powerful, conflict-of-interest-laden group of thugs, er doctors.
Doc J did it. And maybe this doc will prevail too. I hope so. Godspeed to him.
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Dr. J stated in his blog that he doesn't prescribe the drug mentioned to kill Lyme; it is to treat MCAD (Mast Cell Activation Disorder).
Doctors can legally prescribe drugs for "off label" purposes (often times it is done more frequently than for the purpose they were intended).
The FDA only regulates approval of the drug/medical device itself, NOT the way it is prescribed by doctors.
True, the ISDA has its own guidelines for treating Lyme Disease...but Lyme is not what he is purportedly treating with this drug...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Phoiph:
Dr. J stated in his blog that he doesn't prescribe the drug mentioned to kill Lyme; it is to treat MCAD (Mast Cell Activation Disorder).
- Makes sense because I think a lot of Lyme patients have this.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
beaches, I so admire each and every one of the doctors who treat Lyme disease. I do. I wouldn't have spent the past 3o years fighting with everything I could muster if I didn`t. I hope you understand that, I really do.
I hurt and cry for these doctors more than they do for themselves.
You said ... Doc J did it. And maybe this doc will prevail too.
Not sure which Dr. J you are referring to, but working on both Dr. J`s situations ... CT & NC... I can assure you prevailing isn't the for word I would use for the end results, far from it.
Then I thought, well maybe folks just don't know...
Both were embarrassed and publicly shamed for years, both were taunted by their peers, both lost their cases & sometimes multiple times, both were heavily fined, both had enormous you wouldn't believe legal bills, both lost patients as a result, and both were, as well trained doctors in their fields, not to mention proud upstanding men, punished for doing what they knew was right.
Both were stressed to the point they suffered immensely, both doctors and their families were terribly hurt with their lives disrupted at best, and shattered otherwise. Both are still after all these years paying emotionally, financially and professionally for what they did.
One was sued by an insurer for a million or more dollars after the medical board case, one went bankrupt, one has nearly lost everything multiple time since, one had to pick up and move not once, but twice since then. One had to pay a bucket load of money for court ordered monitors and had to plead for money from friends and strangers, like someone on begging on the street, just to keep going.
Both stranded some of the sickest of the patients in the middle of treatment who had little to no hope of finding another doctor, some with IV lines still attached.
Both, bless their hearts, still worry every single day if this horrible nightmare will happen again.
That is what the IDSA wants to do, make them hurt and make them pay for not obeying.
Which brings me to a response to phioph....
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
Thanks for the analogy, Tincup...but I have to disagree with its relevance to the prescribing of Claritin for MCAD.
This is not an example of committing the same offense twice.
The prescription of a drug for a condition other than Lyme (whether the patient is infected with Lyme or not), is not an ISDA guideline issue, or an FDA regulation issue for that matter.
It is a common, acceptable, and legal practice for doctors to prescribe drugs for "off label" conditions in a manner in which they see fit.
So...this action is not in violation of any laws or guidelines. To question that in a court of law would be fodder for any defense attorney, as it is the practice of virtually all doctors.
Are you saying that none of the doctors in Maryland are allowed to prescribe drugs for "off label" conditions, and/or because of this doctor's past "violations", he would be held to a "standard of care" different than his peers?
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
TC, I am referring to the great Dr. J. In CT.
He was hardly embarrassed about the absurdity of it all when we visited him numerous times for appointments from '08-'11. In fact, he displayed his remarkable sense of humor time and again.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
This article and abstract below are setting you all up to get hit hard. This will be supporting evidence for a list of specific things that the upcoming Three Stooges & Chainsaw Gang`s Lyme Disease Guidelines will recommend against you getting, your insurance paying for, and the doctors from prescribing.
I had one doctor who wouldn't even mention a medications name. I had to bring in the bottles and even then he was really freaky about it. He ended up pointing to them so I knew what to take. And this was a simple OTC medication.
And if the forbidden items are utilized, like the Claritin, it will be another reason, or medical charge, to use to take out your doctor.
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From urine therapy to vitamins: study warns of untested Lyme disease 'cures' HELEN BRANSWELL, THE CANADIAN PRESS 05.25.2015
You know these guys are something else. Reminds me of the woman who accidentally ran over her husband in a parking lot after a heated argument. Three times.
Clin Infect Dis. 2015 Apr 6. pii: civ186. [Epub ahead of print] Unorthodox Alternative Therapies Marketed to Treat Lyme Disease.
Beaches, so glad you only saw what he wanted you to see. In front of patients who love him it is easier to put on a smiling face. Not so much with others. We worry about him.
And like with me, sometimes this gets so totally stupid and insane, there is nothing you can do, but laugh.
If you were at some of the many hearings in CT you may have noted another side of this wonderful man. This 2 minute clip doesn't really show it all the way, but maybe you will notice a slight difference.
I appreciate all the energy and time you put into your post. I realize you have been fighting for a long time, and understand how frustrating and exhausting that kind of work can be.
I don't deny that justice isn't always served, or maintain that it will be in this case, especially where Lyme and the ISDA is involved.
However, in the scenario you describe (which again, I am not doubting the injustice of), this doctor would have to refrain from prescribing virtually anything for his patients, even, for example, something as innocuous as aspirin as a blood thinner (could be considered "off label").
As a doctor, do you realistically expect him to do that? He would be voluntarily giving up his rightful powers and duties as a practicing physician...and might as well just resign now, plead guilty without contest, and lay down belly up in submission before the ISDA.
Is this really what we want doctors to do?
In your previous post, you state "He is going down and he has no defense". Well then, if that were me, I would like to think I would have the courage to continue practicing within my rights until the very end. At least it sends a message.
Giving up and giving in ultimately doesn't do anything to further the cause...
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Good morning!
Appreciate you not attacking me as others have done for answering their questions with facts and or my opinions. I think we are getting somewhere here, be it slow and painful, but we are both trying. Thank you.
Tell me if you will please, what you think this doctor should do. We need some fresh ideas. And not just on one topic or point.
Considering his professional practice, his personal life and possibly a family involved, the extreme amount it will cost for a defense, his age, and the assumption, in my opinion, he will not be able to win this case or come out of it unscathed.
And the fact he has not been friendly to ILADS doctors over the years which leaves him more venerable, and the fact the idiots will come back after him if he were even partially successful as they do with others, and considering he has patients that have no where to go right now, if he closes down, but travel out of state for help if they can find it.
Also, considering 13 others have been charged that I know of prior to this case, just in Maryland, with more in the line of fire here and in other states, partially depending on the outcome.
I am working on a plan, on my own, and thinking through it with all these and more factors involved. I could really use input to see the downfalls, and what and who we have to physically help move us forward.
All input, without the attacks, would be nice. Thanks!
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
I think we agree that the current system is corrupt.
The only way I know of to deal with that, is to expose it. The charges are already public record anyway.
The most powerful avenue for exposure in this day and age is the MEDIA.
This story needs to be in the hands of a national/world investigative journalist team, where the truth can be brought to light.
Grassroots efforts can be very powerful if directed to the proper sources. For example, what if 100's or 1000's of us were to fill out a simple online request-for-story form to ABC World News:
It could even be simplified for people by offering a sample request that could be copied and pasted.
If the network was deluged with enough requests for coverage of the same story, it may be considered. Stranger things have happened.
Posted by Looking (Member # 13600) on :
The problem for lyme doctors is there is a legal system, not a justice system!
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