By WILLIAM HATHAWAY | Courant Staff Writer 7:41 PM EST, November 29, 2007
In a decision with national implications for how suspected cases of Lyme Disease are treated, a state physician review panel is recommending that controversial pediatrician Charles Ray Jones be reprimanded and put on two years' probation for his diagnosis and treatment of two Nevada children.
If the panel's recommendation is upheld next month, the New Haven area pediatrician -- who gained support across the nation because of his willingness to ignore consensus treatment guidelines and prescribe long-term antibiotics to children suffering symptoms of Lyme -- would also have to pay a $10,000 fine and pay a doctor to review records of his patients.
The decision, in criticizing Jones, could have broad implications. It calls into question the medical validity of treating patients who show symptoms of Lyme Disease -- such as aching joints and fatigue -- but don't meet the criteria established by mainstream doctors.
Advocates for patients who say they have chronic Lyme Disease argue those criteria are too narrow and lead to needless suffering.
But the panel from the Connecticut Medical Examining Board upheld most, though not all, of the state health department's allegations about Jones' diagnosis and treatment of two Nevada children in 2004 and 2005, which came into question during a bitter custody dispute.
Jones prescribed antibiotics to the son of Jeffrey and Robin Sparks and told the boy's school principal that he had diagnosed late-stage Lyme Disease without ever having seen the boy, the panel found.
Jones also prescribed antibiotics to the Sparks' daughter before examining her.
When Jones finally did see the Sparks' children, he persisted in his diagnosis of Lyme Disease for children without compelling medical evidence to support his diagnosis, the three-member panel found.
"The respondent diagnosed a disease when the exposure risk was extremely low, medical history was non-specific, the signs and symptoms were non-specific, and the laboratory tests were negative,'' the panel found.
Jones defended his actions, saying he has successfully treated thousands of patients suffering from Lyme Disease.
The panel's finding, which will be reviewed next month by the full board, goes to the heart of bitter feud over Lyme Disease.
The majority of medical experts say there is little evidence to support the idea that Lyme Disease, if treated properly, will nonetheless continue to cause ongoing symptoms, a view that has been bolstered by the treatment guidelines issued by two medical associations for the disease.
There is no good evidence, these doctors say, that extended courses of antibiotics have long-term benefits for patients suffering from Lyme-like symptoms. And symptoms experienced by these patients are more likely attributable to causes other than a lingering infection from the tick-borne pathogen.
But advocates for Lyme patients insist there is abundant evidence that the bacterium which causes Lyme can persist for years, even after initial antibiotic treatment and often eludes detection by existing tests. They believe that thousands suffer needlessly because their doctors do not recognize clinical signs of Lyme and refuse to prescribe long courses of antibiotics. Members of the so-called long-term Lyme camp crowded Jones' hearings, which lasted more than a year, in support of the doctor. They raised money to aid in his defense.
"Dr. Jones is being charged with improperly diagnosing and treating Lyme Disease after having treated and cured two children whose health was of great concern to their mother for years,'' said Jones' attorney, Elliot Pollack. "Instead of being sanctioned, he should be complimented.''
Jones treated three of Maggie Shaw's children for Lyme Disease and all got better, the Newtown mother said.
"My concern is not only for my kids, but how will this effect treatment for all children,'' Shaw said.On the other side of the divide, the decision was well-received by the doctors who argue that treating patients with Lyme-like symptoms with long-term antibiotics is not only misguided, but can lead to a failure to properly diagnose other ailments in those patients.
"This decision sends a message to very small cadre of physicians who do not conform to standards of care for diagnosing and treating Lyme Disease,'' said Dr. Lawrence Zemel, chief of rheumatology at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.
That view was bolstered by a recent review in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In addition to the fines and probation, the panel is recommending Jones hire a doctor to review his treatment regimens quarterly while he is on probation. Future misconduct could lead to a suspension of his license.
The full board is scheduled to review the findings on Dec. 18. They can confirm, reject or modify the findings of the panel.
-------------------- 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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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Thanks Sarah.
This could be much worse.
But it could be, and SHOULD be, a whole lot better.
This blatantly ignores SO many scientific studies proving the existence of seronegative lyme. Studies by even such dorks as the Steere camp, et al.
It's sickening.
If this is as good as it gets, Dr. J will be able to work around it. Tough, but I know he will find a way.
We need to keep supporting him!!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Dr. Jones got a standing round of applause at the latest ILADS conference.
He has cured tens of thousands of severely suffering children from Lyme Disease.
The paper he presented was excellent.
He is a hero in many minds, and he is very clear about his continuing position and expertise about Lyme.
The comments the board made about 'nonspecific" symptoms was something I heard from doctors for 20 years until finally diagnosed by an ILADS doctor who knew his stuff.
This is a sad commentary on modern medicine in the US.
A side note: i was in the ER in Northern Calif and the doc there said, "how do you know you have lyme? only people from lyme, ct. get lyme". He softened as I spoke to him. But this is what the average doc believes because it is what the IDSA is pumping into their heads. I hope the governer of Ct. goes forward with his antitrust suit against IDSA and ANA.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
This breaks my heart. I feel like as a group we are being beat down doctor by doctor. What are we going to do? A very large and powerful group are making us and the children out to be crazies?
I feel so defeated right now.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Note that this isn't a final verdict, it's a recommendation made to the board. According to the memorandum below, the board will meet on December 18 to consider the proposed decision.
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Whoops- sorry TerryK, didn't see that!*)!!!!!!
-------------------- 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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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
go to activism and read post sizzled i believe started; solelpie gave link of update.
i copied 25 replies and you can VOTE on article; check it out; no time to edit unnecessary stuff; leaving for afternoon NOW!
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