-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
HEALTH Doctor who fought for his beliefs pays a high price
KAREN GARLOCH
Jemsek Specialty Clinic in Huntersville is closing Wednesday. That sort of news wouldn't normally make headlines. But Dr. Joseph Jemsek, the clinic's founder, is not just any doctor.
He has been a pioneer in AIDS treatment during nearly 30 years in the Charlotte area. But in summer 2006, he went before the N.C. Medical Board to defend himself against allegations of unprofessional conduct in connection with diagnosing and treating patients with Lyme disease.
Jemsek is one of a small group of infectious disease specialists who believe there is a condition called "chronic Lyme disease" that can be debilitating for years after a deer tick bite. He and like-minded doctors believe such patients need antibiotics for months or years, much longer than the standard few weeks.
Establishment doctors in the Infectious Diseases Society of America and on the state medical board see things differently.
That's why Jemsek lost his fight in July 2006.
During a public hearing in Raleigh, witnesses testified that Jemsek misdiagnosed them with the tick-borne illness and treated them with intravenous antibiotics for many months without telling them the treatment exceeded the standard.
Many devoted patients said Jemsek was the only doctor who helped them.
The board concluded he had violated state law.
Board members allowed Jemsek to continue practicing but required Lyme disease patients to sign consent forms explaining they understood his treatment differs from that of most N.C. doctors.
That ruined his practice.
Insurance companies stopped reimbursing Jemsek for treatment of Lyme disease. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina filed suit, asking him to repay hundreds of claims for Lyme disease treatments that were "not medically necessary."
Since then, Jemsek and his clinic have filed for bankruptcy. His five-bedroom house in Foxcroft is on the market for $2.5 million.
Now his Web site -- www.jemsekspecialty.com -- says he plans to move his practice to South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Maryland or Pennsylvania.
In an e-mail, Jemsek declined to talk about his plans, saying: "My focus remains on my family and on my patients, most of whom will follow me wherever I go."
Many will want to follow Jemsek but, without insurance, won't be able to afford it.
I have talked with many of Jemsek's very sick, devoted patients and listened to heart-rending stories about searching for a doctor who would take their complaints seriously and about symptoms that kept them from working and taking care of families.
For them, it doesn't matter what the standard dose of antibiotics is. If it wasn't enough to get them healthy, they still needed someone who was willing to listen and to help.
Jemsek did that. Right or wrong, he is paying a huge price.
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Wow. I wasn't expecting this. I'm SO mad! How in the world can we stop this madness????
Robin
Posts: 276 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2006
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
A terrible disappointment.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
It seems that once again, the IDSA guidelines are used to deny insurance coverage/lyme patient care. I hope this information has been forwarded to Blumenthal as another example of how the IDSA guidelines are used by insurance companies to harm lyme patients and their doctors.
Here is another doctor who appears to have been driven out of business by insurance company denial of claims - once again - they can get away with this because of the IDSA guidelines.
I think all of Dr. J's patients should write to the insurance commissioner and complain about the insurance company who has forced their doctor to leave the State.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
This is such a shame - makes me so angry!!!
Which one of our loyal LLMDs will be targeted next??!!
Posts: 261 | From Herx-ville!! | Registered: Aug 2006
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Pocono Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5939
posted
Criminal. I think that brain sucking tick that got me must have gotten the IDSA too.
He's more than welcome here in PA. I have extra bedrooms not in use. And we definitely need a good ID doc as the one here said when I tried to get an appt a few years ago "We don't treat Lyme Disease".
Later, these ducks gave a seminar and lyme came up and they told the other attending physicians not to bother treating late stage lyme as there's no use. They won't get better anyways and the risk of long term antibiotics isn't worth it.
From two guys who "Don't treat lyme". Ok I'm a bit angry.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
I just pray that the good doctor bounces back on his feet and opens a new clinic in a more friendly place.
Posts: 54 | From Canada | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:Originally posted by artur737: I just pray that the good doctor bounces back on his feet and opens a new clinic in a more friendly place.
Me too!!
"says he plans to move his practice to South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Maryland or Pennsylvania."
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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lou4656
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10300
posted
I just send him an e-mail suggesting that he look at Maryland's Eastern Shore if he is going to relocate.
The Eastern Shore has several support groups and no LLMD. It is loaded with ticks and a hot spot for Lyme Disease.
And it is a beautiful place to live.
-------------------- LouLou Posts: 1276 | From maryland | Registered: Oct 2006
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
quote:Originally posted by CaliforniaLyme: Thank you emails to writer-- [email protected]. ******************* Karen Garloch: 704-358-5078; [email protected].
No thank you note from me to Karen. She has been a huge problem over the past few years. Misrepresenting information and trashing Dr. Jemsek every chance she got. She even visited his office and interviewed him, but what came out of that interview was very critical of what he was doing. I understand he planned to never communicate with her again. That is why her info was from the website, not from someone in his office. Note he declined to talk about his plans and was very general in his response. For good reason. No telling what she would do with any information she obtained from him.
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
This has got to be a very scarey time for his patients. I hope this is the last LLMD they discredit.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
He should come out west! Lower cost of living, lyme docs are under the radar. Insurance companies aren't inundated with Lyme claims, yet.
I guess we lost a good doc in Colorado. Now, would be a good time to see the country!
This is just disturbing. I have heard my LLMD say that if this happened to him, he would just pack up and go. He wouldn't fight it, because there is no winning.
posted
This is a national disgrace that a brilliant doctor's doors must close.
What is wrong with this country??? Posts: 366 | From MA | Registered: Apr 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
My understanding is we will see him soon somewhere else. Unfortunately, it probably won't be as far south, which is a shame since we need doctors in states like NC.
The problem is that state medical boards look at medical practice within their state. Until it is a standard of care within their state, they may not recognize it as a standard of care.
Dr. J was really the only doctor treating Lyme patients in NC. There were no other doctors to point to within the state who followed a similar protocol.
This is frightening, because as Lyme continues to spread across the country, patient deman will increase in states with no LLMDs. They become easy targets.
I hope Dr. J knows how me we love and respect. Not just for the work he does for people with Lyme, but also for the work he has done for people with HIV and AIDS. He'll be a Lyme celebrity wherever he makes his office.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
If I were a lyme doctor, I'd be making my way to a State that prohibits action against doctors simply because they treat lyme disease.
California is right next to where I live and they have lyme doctors because they have taken steps to protect them. Kaiser managed to stop lyme treatment in my State so we have absolutely no LLMD's. They threatened to take the Dr.'s license away if he treated lyme patients. Now, doctors at our big learning hospital refuse to awknowledge even CDC positive tests saying they are "false positives".
It seems about the only way to protect our doctors is at the State level and as we've seen recently, the IDSA is trying very hard to stop us from doing that (the letter to the Governors whining about this exact thing).
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
What this man has gone through for us...he's a hero.
If anyone feels like communicating with the CT atty general about this latest impact of "not the usual standard of care", the email address is: [email protected]
Mailing address: Office of the Attorney General 55 Elm St Hartford, CT 06106
Telephone: (860)808-5318 Fax: (860)808-5387
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I am one of his very upset and angry patients that has lost the only Doc that understood me and treated me with respect. I did receive IV thanks to all of you and his office helping me find someone to cover it through BCBS. He said that I stopped them to soon. I could no longer afford to pay BCBS had stopped paying anything.
I was alos driving 2 hours once a week for pic care. Which I would gladly still do if I had the chance.
The IV helped so much but due to premature stopping my symptoms are starting to return.
With noone to help us we all are heading for trouble.
I am grateful that at least I know now what my problem is.
I pray that Dr. J will stay close to the Carolinas and be successful once again he is a wonderful man.
Just my 2 cents. Haven't been on in a while doesn't seem like the old place anymore. Take care, mimi
Posts: 343 | From usa | Registered: Dec 2004
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quote:Originally posted by kelmo: He should come out west! Lower cost of living, lyme docs are under the radar. Insurance companies aren't inundated with Lyme claims, yet.
I guess we lost a good doc in Colorado. Now, would be a good time to see the country!
This is just disturbing. I have heard my LLMD say that if this happened to him, he would just pack up and go. He wouldn't fight it, because there is no winning.
Kelmo
At my last appointment, I mentioned we'd let him live with us... (That is, once we find a house in the South Puget Sound region)
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
quote:Originally posted by mimi: I am one of his very upset and angry patients that has lost the only Doc that understood me and treated me with respect. I did receive IV thanks to all of you and his office helping me find someone to cover it through BCBS. He said that I stopped them to soon. I could no longer afford to pay BCBS had stopped paying anything.
I was alos driving 2 hours once a week for pic care. Which I would gladly still do if I had the chance.
The IV helped so much but due to premature stopping my symptoms are starting to return.
With noone to help us we all are heading for trouble.
I am grateful that at least I know now what my problem is.
I pray that Dr. J will stay close to the Carolinas and be successful once again he is a wonderful man.
Just my 2 cents. Haven't been on in a while doesn't seem like the old place anymore. Take care, mimi
I was driving 8 hours each way. He saved my life. I am deeply saddened that I had to cancel my appointment for tomorrow - my tonsils had to come out today though.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
posted
They can make our Dr's move to the moon and we will follow them. I know I would follow Dr. C anywhere he saved my kids life!
Until you or your family is affected by this disease you don't understand the issues. It is sad and scarry that a few people can stop such a great man.
just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
I surely HOPE that he sees this thread OR somebody prints it off and sends it to him.
Their is an expression of love matched by none,,,here for all to see.
It is indeed sad that a state can be so backward and uninformed to LET this happen.
By gosh their wont be any lyme in OUR state(meaning NC) "NOW". Its ONE way to make that happen!!
Some of those state board memebers will, or their loved ones WILL contract this,,,then their eyes may OPEN a 'bit'
UNTIL they learn,,,may they rue the day they ran Our dear Doc J. out-of-state!!!most sadly--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
ConnieMc said.. "No thank you note from me to Karen. She has been a huge problem over the past few years. Misrepresenting information and trashing Dr. Jemsek every chance she got."
I agree 100 percent with ConnieMc... so I didn't add the contact info for her.
Sarah.. maybe you would consider editing out that part of your post?
In my opinion, she is a real stinker who we don't want to encourage.
Let her bite someone else now that she has ruined lives of thousands in the Lyme community. Hopefully the coward will pick on people who aren't as sick and in need of help as the folks here are.. on her next turn around the evil mill.
Maybe she might even one day develop a "soul"?
Yeah.. right.
While reading this article I actually pictured her finishing up writing it... and leaning back in her chair with her feet up on her desk... munching on a powdered jelly doughnut.. and smiling with satisfaction that she was responsible for kicking Dr. J from here to high heaven. She... and of course the slymie little weasels who worked in the dark of night to make this happen. They'll get their due. Like the worm is getting his now.
Shame on her for being so cruel and heartless and shame on her paper for being so STUPID as to print that trash. If they had an ounce of brain or a heart.. they would have worked for the betterment of their state and their people. They would have had some compassion.
Instead she decided to be a wicked pig and used her paper as a tool to hurt him and his patients who are in desperate need of medical care. She kicked little children in the head with her lousey reporting. She risked their lives... and that is NOT what a decent person does.
The deaths of those to come and the suffering of countless numbers of people will be on her head. I hope that paycheck was worth it to her.
As far as I am concerned... NO thank you notes to her.
And of course.. as usual.. this is only my opinion.
posted
The real loss is here in the Carolinas, the Southeast. Thanks to BCBS, the NC medical board, and especially the IDSA. Now, chronic Lyme will no longer exist here, because it will be ignored until a VIP contracts Lyme disease and is treated with antibiotics for two weeks, and five years later has the backbone to confess to former constituents that he/she is being treated for Chronic Lyme by an out-of-state LLMD, named Jemsek.
A condition that formerly didn't exist. A condition that is now robbing whole families of their lives- their health, their income, their place in the community. Who will take care of the sick now.
A brilliant, caring physician has been booted out of the the variety vacationland where many disease carrying ticks roam along with the many tourists and locals who get out to see the splendor of nature.
Oh, did I say thank you BCBS, the NC state medical board, and especially, the very small criminal faction of the IDSA who proclaim themselves the demigods of Lyme disease.
Blue Skies.............John
[ 20. September 2007, 06:31 PM: Message edited by: jwf ]
Posts: 134 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Dr, Jemsek, I'm so sorry to read you have officially closed your NC office, and I applaud all your efforts to FIGHT NC HEALTH DEPT., IDSA, and the nasty newspaper reporter who wrote her last piece of garbage on you.
I wish you the best on starting up your practice elsewhere; there are so many hundreds of thousands of us CHRONIC LYMIES, NOT-POST LYMIES, who need good, compassionate, informative llmds like you.
i've heard nothing but good things from you. I wrote an email to your office, and the next day/weekend, you sent me an email back! that shows what type of llmd you are ... to me a total stranger WITH LYME for almost 38 years now.
to NC lyme patients, i feel the deep loss each of you share; wishing you the best on finding someone comparable as your doc was!
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posted
I woke up this morning early and laid there in bed beside my husband who has also been fighting these insidious infections...I watched him sleep...I thanked God for Dr. J, C, and the rest of his staff who saved our lives and any possible quality of life we may have in the future.
I relapsed in the last few months because I have tried to not take antibiotics - my husband is in chronic pain everyday...
I laid there thinking...I should have organized a bunch of us to go down Dr. J's clinic today and just be there all day in support. This is going to be one difficult day for him...or maybe he has already mourned the loss over the last year...nonetheless I wished we could all be there in a big circle holding hands around that building and showing him how much he means to us...it is too late to organize that though...
I just can't believe that this is happening...I am striken by the level of ignorance that exists in this world...the lack of empathy...the inability the majority in power have to actually walk in another's shoes.
My human rights, as well as all of your's are taking a real blow today. I feel the only right I have left in regards to this battle with lyme disease is Freedom of Speech. I am going to see where that takes me...
Godspeed Dr. J to a new location and new chapter. We will follow you where ever you may go...Grateful to you in NC...
-------------------- �Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.� - Ezre Taft Benson Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
I sent the link to this thread to Dr. J. Perhaps it will help him get through these tough times. The wonderful clinic he built was his dream and he has to leave it behind. But knowing him like I do, I have little doubt he will be successful wherever he ends up. And he will once again have the freedom to practice medicine as he believes he should. Rebuilding won't be easy, but if anyone can do it, he can.
I plan to follow him. And know several who will as well.
During this difficult adjustment for him, keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He is truly one of those exceptional people, and we are lucky to have him on our side.
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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It is one of those grey and kind of cloudy days here in NC at least north of Charlotte - sure suits my mood today.
-------------------- �Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.� - Ezre Taft Benson Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Didn't know!!!! Edited it out!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
What a shame is all I can say that there are people who have to try and make a name for themselves by attacking a physician whose sole purpose was to try and help people.
I own a second home in the South and unfortunately most doctors there do not get Lyme disease and it's co-infections.
Good luck to you Dr.Jemseck. I pray you find peace whereever you go.
Posts: 85 | From here | Registered: Jul 2007
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aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Climbed out from underneath my rock to respond to this post....
Just makes me sick!!! Those *&^^%%$$^*$#!!!!!
Might have lost this battle but not the war.
Poor Dr. J.
Am real glad that you all stated not to email the reporter for the Observer. I was going to do just that and tell her what a good job she did.
Now I feel like emailing her with something quite different.......
Maybe something to the effect that her snide gloating came through her poor excuse for journalism.
What'cha all think??
Your turning into a redneck friend, aklnwlf
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6164 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
This is the type of stuff that makes my blood BOIL!!!!!!! There are so few doctors willing to risk it all to help us lymies and then to see this happen is heartbreaking.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Thanks so very much for everything that you have done for your many patients, Dr. J. Very sorry to hear this news. What a sad loss for everyone.
Wishing you every success in the future- wherever you practice.
-------------------- "Help Or Be Helpless" Please visit "Activism" board daily. See the threads regarding the IDSA Guidelines crisis and the threads about Dr. Charles Ray Jones and decide how best to help today! Posts: 1265 | From does not list | Registered: Jun 2004
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