posted
Wow. Reading this just made me so angry. Maybe we should respond? I'm sorry if this shouldn't be in medical, but it IS a medical article. The original is published in FASEB, I believe. Check this out:
A wonderful editorial in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) this month highlights a recurring problem in modern health care: the interference of secondary gain with good science in patient treatment. Gerald Weissmann, ``Chronic Lyme'' and other medically unexplained syndromes, 21 FASEB J. 299 (2007).
Infectious disease specialists carefully considered Lyme disease and came up with treatment guidelines, which have been endorsed by the CDC. They discourage long-term antibiotic therapy, because symptoms claimed for the condition called ``chronic Lyme disease'' seem more like normal background complaints unrelated to a specific disease. The experts noted that:
In many patients, post-treatment symptoms appear to be more related to the aches and pains of daily living rather than to either Lyme disease or a tickborne coinfection. Put simply, there is a relatively high frequency of the same kinds of symptoms in ``healthy'' people.
But in response to outcries from the Lyme advocacy community, the attorney general of Connecticut reportedly has invoked the antitrust laws against the Infectious Disease Society of America. Seems there's money at stake, because insurers might decide, based on the guidelines, not to pay for long-term antibiotics. The attorney general's approach is reminiscent of earlier private litigation in Dallas, in which clinical ecologists challenged medical authorities for allegedly failing to recognize their protocols.
Weissmann points out that amplification of normal aches and pains into a ``disease'' is a practice with a long history. The 19th century had ``railway spine,'' ``chronic appendicitis,'' and ``female hysteria.'' Modern disease advocates have produced ``chronic fatigue syndrome,'' "myalgic encephalitis,'' and ``total chemical allergy.'' People who have vague, unexplained symptoms have long sought the :''dignity'' that a specific disease diagnosis confers.
Physicians practicing valid science may become exasperated with patients who insist they are afflicted, and if only the doctor is more persistent or creative, he or she could find the true agent of disease. Such patients may go from provider to provider until they find someone willing to name the illness, be it as far-fetched as ``chronic Lyme disease.'' The cost for society in all this may be more than fiscal, if the patients undertake dangerous and unnecessary therapies, as discussed in a previous post on Lyme disease.
If you following that link, there is a places to post responses, just fyi.
quote:Originally posted by BorreliaBrain: They discourage long-term antibiotic therapy, because symptoms claimed for the condition called ``chronic Lyme disease'' seem more like normal background complaints unrelated to a specific disease. The experts noted that:
In many patients, post-treatment symptoms appear to be more related to the aches and pains of daily living rather than to either Lyme disease or a tickborne coinfection. Put simply, there is a relatively high frequency of the same kinds of symptoms in ``healthy'' people.
................. Weissmann points out that amplification of normal aches and pains into a ``disease'' is a practice with a long history.
They are SOOOOO sick!!!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well when I tried to follow the link the message I got was:
HTTP 403 Forbidden!!!
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
JERKS! Wish mine were just normal daily life aches and pains, then I could GO ON WITH IT!!!
-------------------- Seeking renewed health & vitality. --------------------------------- Do not take anything I say as medical advice - I am NOT a dr! Posts: 830 | From TN | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
quote: Put simply, there is a relatively high frequency of the same kinds of symptoms in ``healthy'' people.
I find it interesting that they use the word 'frequency', since I have problems with electromagnetic field exposure myself.
I think everybody does have similar complaints, but when you add an aggressive bacteria to the mix, one that has a magnetic sense, it's not just a mild case of the aches.
IP: Logged |
posted
I looked at the author's credentials, by clicking on his name above that article. He's a lawyer, and his firm says this, on their web site, about their goals:
"Our history is one of innovative and lasting alliances with our clients. Our client relationships are based on trust, an understanding of our clients' businesses and our sincere commitment to achieving our clients' objectives. We diligently pursue "first-ever" results that enable our clients to out-pace their competitors. Our strongest asset is the reputation we have for helping our clients succeed.
"While our offices are in Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth, our clients are national and international, with business interests throughout the world. Regardless of our client's location, we identify ways our clients can raise capital, enter new markets, develop and distribute products and services, acquire or divest businesses, and realize their goals. When our clients are faced with business disputes, we assist them in identifying and pursuing the fastest and most productive solutions.
"Hughes & Luce serves clients in numerous industries, including technology and telecommunications, transportation, energy, venture capital, financial services, investment banking, insurance, food, beverage and dairy, gaming, government and education, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, hospitality, hotels and resorts, manufacturing, professional sports, real estate development, sporting goods, publishing, elections and campaign finance, construction, and leasing.
"We have a particular dedication to working closely with emerging and mature technology companies--ensuring that their ideas have global protection and that they have the resources available to grow into world-wide leaders in their industries.
"From the start of our relationship, our clients count on us for several things: our entrepreneurial spirit and innovative problem-solving, our expertise and knowledge of our clients' businesses, and our dedication to our clients' success. We place our clients' objectives first and deliver the solutions they need."
END of QUOTE
I am curious as to who the client is that they are serving, with this article!
Obviously, it would be against the firm's stated principles, to do anything that would help, say, sick people, if that conflicts with the client's business objectives.
Lorima
Posts: 74 | From MA | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
I was a "healthy people" once.
My symptoms are not "vague" nor "unexplained."
Maybe this author would like to come over and cook and clean for me while I very cleary explain how the difference between the "healthy people" I was once and the "chronic lymie" I am now.
I didn't spend $40,000 to get a graduate degree from Boston College to lay in bed all day and make up excuses for it.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
thanks someone for finding the link to write to,
and oh the lawyer's comments on THEIR site is so full of HOG WASH as what they wrote!
yes, we'll never know who their client is!
as time permits, i'll write them too!
IP: Logged |
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!
![[shake]](graemlins/shake.gif)
![[rant]](graemlins/rant.gif)
![[cussing]](graemlins/cussing.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic