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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » New York Times - recognizing Lyme

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Topic: New York Times - recognizing Lyme

christelleny
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6719

posted

The New York Times published a few of the answers to last week's article "Doctors Doctors Do Know Things Patients Don't Know".

Mine (well, an edited 10th of it) is among them...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/17/science/17lett.html?

Letters

Published: May 17, 2005
Recognizing Lyme

To the Editor:

Dr. Kent Sepkowitz ("Doctors Do Know Things Patients Don't Know," May 10) uses the "vast, lumpy terrain of Lyme disease" to show that doctors can be smarter than patients in choosing a therapy. The only thing he shows is that he doesn't know much about Lyme.

When his patient asked about antibiotic therapy, Dr. Sepkowitz pulled out the elephant gun of intravenous antibiotics, and then was smugly satisfied to see the rare complication it produced. What about oral or intramuscular antibiotics? Were these simpler and less risky approaches discussed with the patient?

Next time Dr. Sepkowitz should seek out the treatment guidelines of our society at www.ilads.org. He would discover up-to-date information about appropriate treatment, and he might learn what many of his patients already know.

DR. RAPHAEL STRICKER
San Francisco
The writer is president-elect of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.

To the Editor:

As vast and lumpy as the terrain of Lyme disease may be ("Doctors Do Know Things"), it is one of the rare conditions where patients may know best.

Millions of people never fancied themselves as having Lyme disease. They just became sick, and got sicker. Little by little, they lost their ability to function normally. Some lost their lives. At their side were well-intentioned but utterly clueless members of the medical community.

I'm only 30, and for more than 10 years I was told that my health problems were psychosomatic. Only when I lost my ability to walk and couldn't remember where I lived or my age did a doctor finally order a blood test. It came back positive for Lyme.

CHRISTELLE TORRES
Stamford, Conn.

Posts: 159 | From CT, USA | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged |

Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584

posted

BRAVO!

Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged |

Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142

posted

Awesome! Thanks for posting this.

Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged |

Lymester
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5848

posted

Wonderfully and intelligently stated. You guys rock!

Posts: 519 | From CT | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymester
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5848

posted

Thank you for this article. I am using this to push the town to permit childcare/student workers to use insect repellent at the request of the parent with waiver of liability.

Any info in that realm?

Posts: 519 | From CT | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Awesome! Dr Stricker put it to 'em!

Christelle, Yours was wonderful, but I liked the unedited edition best! Did they edit it or did you? Thanks so much for writing your letter. I'm so glad it made it to the paper. You both made the stupid doctor look stupid!

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

christelleny
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6719

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Lymetoo:
Awesome! Dr Stricker put it to 'em!
Christelle, Yours was wonderful, but I liked the unedited edition best! Did they edit it or did you? Thanks

They did the editing. I wouldn't have cut so much...

Posts: 159 | From CT, USA | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged |

Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338

posted

Christelle,
Congratulations on getting your letter printed.
Even in short form, it packs a punch!

Carol

Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged |

dulcamara
Member
Member # 5691

posted

I am shocked that the NY Times would print two excellent letters supportive of our side and *no* letters in support of the essay. It's so unlike them. *grins* They must have really gotten some angry letters!

Christelle, edited or no, great letter. It sounded intelligent and made the point. And bless Dr. Stricker for always being willing to put his name out there. He's great.

Posts: 78 | From Northeastern USA | Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged |

no2lyme
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6978

posted

I am so glad that Dr. Stricker (my LLMD) responded - somebody needed to and that they put it in the paper, shock. Christelle thank you for sharing your story and writing to them, although I am sorry to hear your suffering.

Posts: 152 | From On Horseback | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

quote:
Originally posted by dulcamara:
They must have really gotten some angry letters!

I bet they did!

Who would defend this "duck"?

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

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