posted
Previously there were postings on a tv program "Mystery ER" dealing with lyme.
I just watched a new program on TLC on channel 28 called "Diagnosis X" which the final diagnosis was Lyme. It was interesting and will be on again tonight at 1:00 am EST for you late birds. The name of this particular show is "Shattered". There is another story line on at the same time.
Just thought I would spread the word.
Enjoy...
Posts: 139 | From nj | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry Al and to all those who have a different TLC channel. I forgot it is not the same in different states and different companies.
Posts: 139 | From nj | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just finished watching the show. The patient was misdiagnosed with MS and given Solu-Medrol (a steroid) and interferon.
After she got worse, she was told she had syphillis. Her husband was tested but didn't have a positive test for syphillis. Another rabbit hole.
A young intern gets one more chance to come up with a correct diagnosis after botching the first two attempts or he's off the case. His theory is the patient's immune system was blunted with the steroids.
He orders a very expensive "BAT" or "BAC" test for the actual bacteria not the antibody response to the bacteria.
He keeps calling it "Lyme's" not Lyme disease. I would think they'd at least refer it to borreliosis. Of course she will be magically cured with a few weeks of Abx and get on with her life. Ya-ta-da-da Hollywood!
Posts: 192 | From Dwight, IL USA | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
adamm
Unregistered
posted
Wait...is this test he orders , like, actually reliable or something?
IP: Logged |
posted
I watches also. What in the world is a BAC or BAt test/ I heard him say it but I've never heard of it. He said it looked for the actyal Bacteria not the anti bodies. ?????????
Posts: 355 | From NY | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wow, I watched the show but gave up when the testing showed syphilis. Sorry I gave up to watch baseball.
A previous show was also very informative as to how the Lyme bacteria might infect the spine. A patient with an infected boil walked into an ER then was completely paralyzed within a short time. Long story short, the bacteria invaded through degenerating structures of the spine (probably disks?) then attacked nerves within the spinal canal.
When I told drs. for the past 13 yrs that I thought I had an infection inside the spine, I was told with stifled laughter that anything I had was only in my head. What a shame when the boob tube is smarter than a neurosurgeon.
Thanks for letting us know about this episode.
Posts: 175 | From Colorado | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I could not sleep last night and while channel surfing I happen to find this program. Very annoying that the doctor couldn't get the name right and kept calling it "lymes". They also made it seem like lyme was rare - an unlikely diagnosis. No surprise I suppose since that is sort of the premise of the show.
As the doctors were discussing the case, they seemed to think that the standard tests are extremely accurate and that it was very unusual that the immune system would be blunted. According to the storyline, this doctor was really thinking out of the box when he ordered the expensive test since the other tests were negative. In this case *only* because of steroids.
The doctor did say that a very small percentage of patients need follow-up, leaving the audience with the old easily treated, easily cured mantra but at least room for the possibility that more treatment might be needed.
I think this is the same doctor that was involved in the other lyme case. Maybe we should write to him - if he is real - and set the record straight.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
I happened to catch the show (not knowing it was about Lyme) and bet my husband $200 that's what she had when she said her neck hurt. Of course, he was asleep by the time the dx was made..
Try as I may, am unable to find a contact us link on TLC's page for the show. I wanted to shoot myself every time I heard the word LYME'S...
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the spinal tap negative for Lyme? If so, it fits the 80% miss factor for Lyme in spinal taps which I have read about here.
Makes me feel so secure when my PCP wants me to see a mainstream neurologist and to get a spinal tap to confirm Lyme. When I asked what the treatment would be if I was positive, I received another blank stare.
Posts: 175 | From Colorado | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's Lyme!! Lyme!!! not Lyme's... hearing someone say Lyme's drives me crazy out of all proportion to the crime...
Anyway, I'm trying not to focus on the negative. At least the show portrayed a diagnosis of Lyme, without tick bite or erythema migrans, and even negative blood tests... that's good, really. Isn't it?
It puts the ideas out there. I was glad to see this one... I have it recorded.
posted
thx for the post! i read it, ran out to check my tv guide and it was on in next 45 minutes; so i programmed vcr, and wathced it after getting off here.
good and bad; julie, i too kept saying LYME.
IP: Logged |
posted
I saw the show also. Usually I only have to deal with one "lymes" or so and I can gently educate the unknowing person. This was annoying to hear a doctor repeatedly say "lymes".
I think this show must be written by writters and the doctors are actors. I would like to contact the writters or show producers to thank them for the story line, but inform and educate them! Anybody find the contact info, please pass it on.
Maybe it's because of Pres Bush, but I have seen an increase in lyme stories lately. Awareness is good.
Keep on Keeping On, MommaK
Posts: 242 | From Mississippi | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:If you have a question or comment related to television programming or an Internet feature at Discovery.com, please contact our Viewer Relations staff.
I had to do a bit of navigating to find it but here is the link to Viewer Relations... Contact Viewer Relations
Don't wait for someone to take you under their wing. Find a good wing and climb up underneath it~ Frank C. Bucaro Posts: 80 | From Desert Southwest | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
Used your link to send a brief message, copied below.
Comments "The program, I believe called "Shattered", was an excellent introduction to the difficulty of diagnosing lyme disease. However, the "doctor" kept using "lymes" when he spoke, which immediately indicates little knowledge of the disease.
Also, once diagnosed, the treatment is almost as complicated as the diagnosis, if it is not caught early and treated adequately. But, overall, at least it pointed out that commonly used tests are not adequate for identifying lyme disease."
Every little bit helps--at least their mistakes were not deliberate--such as IDSA propaganda!
Ann
Posts: 287 | From Northern California, USA | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I caught the end of that show as well, and looked for some research about the test, BacT ... what I read, from 2002, seemed to make it sound as if the BacT test was superior to the WB.
BUT I don't see any reference to it on ilads' site... or elsewhere.
Does anyone have any idea? Interesting that the doctor/resident used that test, altho I don't know what test was used initially... Thanks!
Posts: 4 | From athens ga | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have the show recorded on my cable box, I can watch it, but i have no idea how to get it off the cable box and onto the computer. How do people get stuff from digital cable to youtube? (and is this legal?).
anyone who wants to pm me with instructions, i have a lot of interesting lyme programs i could upload.
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[bonk]](graemlins/bonk.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic