CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
Maybe this should go only in activism, but I'm posting it here because I know a lot of folks don't go to the activism section. This is "LymeMD" an ILADs doc who blogs about his experience treating Lyme. Please help or we'll lose another one! -----------------------------------------
PLEASE READ THIS- IT MAY BE MY LAST POST This should be my last entry.
My lawyer has advised me to stop treating all Lyme patients.
He has advised me to send all my Lyme patients "somewhere else." Just where that is he doesn't say. The fact that there is virtually no one to send them to- underlines the point that I am the outlier- the target.
I have been under active investigation by the Maryland State Medical Board for over 18 months.
Five patient charts were subpoenaed based on a complaint filed by an infectious disease-IDSA doctor.
The cases have been sent to peer review. That means that 3 IDSA doctors will be passing judgment about my care of patients. In Maryland, Johns Hopkins is the final arbiter: They say there is no chronic Lyme disease. I will be evaluated to see if I am within the standard of care. The mainstream/IDSA sets the standard. Period.
I will loose. Bank on it.
My medical license may be suspended or I will be instructed not to treat Lyme disease. Then I can take my case to court. I need political pressure to help in this fight.
I will end up in legal battle which will cost more than $100,000, which I do not have. This apparently will be the first case of its kind in Maryland. My colleagues who charge up to $3000 up front are in a financial position to fight this fight. I treat many patients for free or practically nothing.
If I am going to have a chance to win the inevitable court battle I need your help.
Please contact the Maryland General Assembly- you can get info on line. Write/call your local congressman. Write call/fax the Senate President Thomas Miller, Jr 410-841-3700, 301 585 3700 and the speaker of the House Michael Bush 410 841 3800, 310 858 3800.
If I do not get support from my patients/readers- I will have to "go away."
The only issue is: Can I prescribe long term antibiotics for Lyme disease. That is all.
Thank you for your attention.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
We need to have an organized response on this. Everyone's help will be needed.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Sorry, CD. When I posted, I didn't see that you had posted this already.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
One question I now have: we can't give his name out on the board so how do we know who he is? When I called the Senate just now I realized that we can't offer support for someone whose name we don't know.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I think we need to wait until we have our ducks in a row, if you will pardon the expression. Am sure there is some organizing going on right now, and the results will be posted.
Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines.....
(but wait until we have a track designated)
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I'm happy to write and call. Just tell me what to do.
Ironic that the IDSA duck who turned him in is probably letting countless people suffer with a treatable infection.
He or she should be the one to answer for their inaction.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Didn't Maryland Senator Mikulski push for a lyme-related rights law? I think it was to support a patient's right to treatment. Perhaps either that law or she can be of help.
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
As this news just came out a few hours ago, we will have to have patience on the details, I think.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
But the doctor does not identify himself (which is understandable but, still, I think it's vital to know who this is before writing a blank statement of support).
Perhaps in addition to seeing if the LDA would back him, are his patients writing in support?
And . . as lou says . . . patience. If this just came out a few hours ago, the dust may need to settle before more details come to us.
I will say that many things this doctor has said in prior blogs I have not agreed with, however, he deserves the right to his opinion - and he does offer much thought to the treatment of chronic lyme.
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
You can always call ILADS to get the identity of this AWESOME doctor. If you take the time to read his blog it becomes very evident that he is a good man who wants nothing more than to see his patients get well.
I am very saddened that he is being investigated and attacked by these IDSA vultures.
Please count me in when the course of action is solidified.
Anyone who wants this doctors identity can PM me.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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TerryK
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posted
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the issue is long term abx for chronic lyme isn't it?
I don't necessarily agree with everything the doctor say's in his blog but I don't need to in order to suport long term abx for chronic lyme disease, his right to prescribe it and my right to receive it. Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Very good point Terry! And that is the issue in a nut shell.
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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He is a caring Dr. who goes the extra yard for his patients. While you might not agree with his theories and opinions - he has put himself out there for his patients but also the general Lyme community through his blog.
I am a patient and horried about what to do. I have a PICC and expected long term treatment. I know I can probably find another LLMD but we will eventually lose them all unless we fight.
I too am happy to tell you his name by PM if you want.
Outrageous.
Posts: 30 | From DC | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
So do these IDSA doctors do this so that they'll have a constant flow of sick patients to suck money out of? Or do they take bribes from insurance companies to shut the good doctors down? They never file complaints about dermatologist treating acne.
Posts: 499 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
The information I have gotten is that he was turned in to the state board by another doctor for longterm treatment of lyme. No patient complaints or patient harm was involved. It was an ID doc, wouldn't you know!
Some of the things in his blog will cause him to lose support from people he has criticized, likewise some of his views. But he is a relative newby to lyme treatment, just the kind of doctor we need more of, who will learn as they get more experience.
And what you need to keep in mind is the effect this will have on lyme patients and other lyme doctors, especially those in MD and neighboring states. Anyone who goes to a Maryland lyme doctor had better start worrying. As with any doctor who is taken down for treating chronic lyme, this will have effects far beyond one doctor and his patients.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
Staris,
thanks for your comment. It's good to hear from his patients. I hope there will be an organized effort here - one that will work. -
Yes, the issue is long-term treatment.
I think I said something wrong a few posts above. Perhaps I should try to restate what I said about not agreeing with everything he has said in his blog over time.
That was not meant to be critical but to point out that diverse points of view - from various angles - are necessary among those who are educated and push forward on the front lines of treating chronic lyme.
I meant that - even if I disagree with some of his thoughts - his thoughts - the freedom to openly discuss of treatment - and the freedom to treat as he sees appropriate is vital.
What the IDSA is doing is terribly wrong. It's ego, lobbying from the insurance industry, ego, bullying, support for long-term drugs of a different nature that are only a band-aid approach but forever, etc.
My heart goes out to any doctor who is threatened by the IDSA.
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I don't see your comment now keebler, you must have removed it?
I wasn't trying to call you out keebler, just trying to understand your point. Thanks for clarifying your thoughts.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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No, did not remove it, but got the idea I said something wrong from follow up posts. I'm so much better at cutting and pasting from articles and actually typing a coherent thought is very hard.
posted
My daughter and I have just begun to see him. He was in fact turned in by an ID doc that I also saw on my original quest for help. She is a bitter, angry IDSA spokesperson. She is homophobic, heterophobic...you name it, she's against it.She talked about lymemd to a young colleague of mine who just went to her. I will do anything-but who is spearheading this? Who are we waiting for? Please pm me, public post-whatever. Kris
Posts: 520 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2007
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TerryK
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posted
Have to disagree keebler. I think you do a great job of making a lot of sense. I'm rather spacey today so I'm probably not making sense. LOL
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Tracy9
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Member # 7521
posted
If he is already under investigation, they know about him. So his name should be public. No one can do anything without his name. And there is no reason to hide 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
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TerryK
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posted
Pry wrote: So do these IDSA doctors do this so that they'll have a constant flow of sick patients to suck money out of?
No, I don't beleive so. I think most do it because they are robots of the IDSA and don't do the research necessary in order to truly understand the issues.
You can bet if they or a close family member were infected and needed long term treatment, they would get it.
The few people who are in charge of lyme guidelines have their own agenda. Ego, reputation, financial etc..
The quickest way to understand the issues (the science, history and politics) is to read "Cure Unknown". It is a wonderful tool in helping to understand the issues.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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If we are going to post the doctor's name, I think we should also post the name of the ID doctor who turned him in.
It bothers me that the credibility of the LLMD is always being challenged. What about the credibility of these ID doctors? I'd like to see their practices put under a microscope...
Posts: 67 | From SF Bay Area | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
One more thing: it's clear that one of the main reasons they singled out this doctor was because of his blog. So he's being punished for expressing his views, and these ID doctors are manipulating a state agency to suppress free speech.
Any chance that angle might encourage interest from some organization like the ACLU?
Posts: 67 | From SF Bay Area | Registered: Jun 2008
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It is my understanding that the doc started the blog AFTER the investigation started. He has actually already been under investigation for either 12 months or 18 months I think. But these things take time as is evident from Dr Jones case.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Actually Julie,
LymeMD started his blog after he came under scrutiny as I understand it.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I think posting his name on public forums would not be a good thing to do at the present time. And it is true that for anyone to act on his request to contact the legislature they would have to know his name. We are just going to have to hold our horses for a while until the dust settles and things are better organized.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
OK. Do you all want me to post the name of the ID doc? I know who it is. I saw her myself. And Lou, please help me out. Who is organizing? What dust is settling? Am I missing something? PM me, post here, but please tell me what I am waiting for. Thanks Kris
Posts: 520 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Sorry to do it this way... but I am getting a lot of emails and am neck deep in CT stuff- getting ready for the hearing.
This is MY opinion... Q & A style.
Q- His blog said he wanted help.
A- I highly recommend he stop posting on that blog and on patient web sites, like his lawyer has advised. If he expects help from certain people he will need to approach this in a professional manner.
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Q- What about the charges?
A - As far as I can tell he hasn't been charged yet. This could take years, IF it happens at all. His blog said the records were going to be reviewed which happens with nearly all LLMD's at some point and many non-Lyme docs. Many times they review records and just let it go because there isn't enough to charge them with.
A- I can't speak for all the Maryland groups and won't. The leaders I have spoken to about this have considered what he has written and pretty much feel like I do in this situation... but I speak only for myself.
If any LLMD needed help I would drop everything, health permitting and go with all I've got. BUT.. several things have to be in place first.
1. There has to be actual charges before anything can be done. Before I stand behind any cause I will know the facts or I just won't do it.
In this case there is nothing really to do yet until he is charged.. IF he is even charged.
I personally offered him my help a good while ago on this matter and I was not contacted. In fact, I tried once before to help him and was basically told to buzz off.
I can only assume by his words and actions that he didn't want my help or the help of others at that time.
2. Any time a doctor is in trouble they MUST be in agreement with their lawyer and have a well thought out plan of action in place before WE can do anything to help.
There are no charges at this point and therefore, I assume, no plans. We only have an unofficial "maybe" this might happen, so we can not proceed.
3. I am up to my eyeballs in Lyme stuff, as are the other leaders I've been in touch with, however, I will work on this if I am asked to by the doctor and lawyer, but not until such time.
I am sorry to say that help from various sources, I would imagine, may be thin because this doctor has been publicly criticizing ILADS, their methods and their doctors.
Disagree, ok, but to broadcast details in a climate like we still have here is dangerous and can initiate these types of problems for doctors who are treating Lyme.
It is sad because the doctors he took punches at are the ones who could have helped him the most. Maybe the "idiots" saw that and took advantage of it?
4. I will not, nor can I encourage others to jump on a band wagon that hasn't even been built yet... or one we don't have all the facts for in advance.
5. When we take up a cause, we won't quit and we will go the extra 500 miles, but we must insist on knowing the all facts before we jump on or ask others to go in that direction.
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Q- Should we go ahead without you?
If anyone wants to do something, it is your choice and your right to do so. Just please remember for all of our sakes that the actions you (or I) would take may do more harm than good (for the doctor himself and those to follow)....
And more often than not, without a detailed plan, disaster can happen and will. If you are comfortable taking that risk on your own ... rather than waiting for a plan and/or help and advise from others (his lawyer)... that is your decision to make.
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Q- Should we contact the legislators now?
A- What would we say? So, I would advise no ... not now.. maybe later IF anything becomes of this. I've tried to educate legislators for years. I know pretty much who can help and who will turn this into a disaster (most of them will have this in disaster mode- knowingly or not).
And until there are actual charges, there is nothing they can do for him. Their standard answer basically will be .. if there even is one... that the medical board has a job to do and there is nothing wrong with what they are doing- and the legislators will be correct in that answer.
Worse yet, they will most likely just forward your letter to the health department (aka Hopkins) for them to respond to it.
THEN you've notified people who gutted our bills and those who play kissy face with the IDSA down at the school yard. If you only knew, well, I just would NOT stir that pot right now.
We have time to act IF action needs to be taken. And IF we need to act, LOTS of action from us as a group vs a few here and there is better, don't you think?
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Q- Should we begin immediately.
A- It has been less than 12 hours since a comment was made about this on an internet blog. I will not go into action on that say alone.
If someone wants to prep quietly behind the scenes- get emails of legislators lined up, make lists of newspapers/radio/tv for press releases, interviews, etc... and such.. good. If not used for this, we can use it elsewhere.
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Q- This is different from other doctor's cases because it is Hopkins.
Oh how awful Hopkins has been to so many of us! I understand THAT concern, I do. But...
The IDSA has most likely been behind all of these cases against our doctors. I can't think of one where they haven't been.
If there is a fight.. it will be hard. The one thing I've learned is before we do anything.. we must have a plan in place. And remember... by sticking together we have whipped them before.
But it took ALL of us working together to do it and LOTS of good hard work and planning.
My suggestion is .. if this is your doc... to try to find another doctor if you can, ASAP.
Once a doctor is distracted by this sort of thing, their attention is diverted and you are better off finding help elsewhere, for their sake and yours.
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Who is this doctor?
It is Dr. J.. (NOT our Dr. J in CT... and NOT our Dr. J in SC).
A newer doctor who is treating a few Lyme patients... NOT one of the ILADS docs.
I think a list of legislators emails is available. Not sure why newspapers would be involved. In general, they get it wrong. Nearly every story about a doctor facing medical board or other action is assumed guilty in advance by the media.
Pretty sure this doc is a member of ILADS
If people think it is OK to let this guy go down because of some ill-advised remarks he made in a blog about colleagues, they should remember that this will affect other doctors in the state too. And a lot of patients.
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I think he is a member of ILADS too. He refers people who read his blog to ILADS to get information on contacting him for appointments and for his name.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I have to say that if newspapers are involved - they will need to learn so much to get up to speed. I am not sure it is possible to get fair coverage from journalists who know very little about the science of chronic lyme and TBD.
News stories usually condemn the doctor and the patients who step out of the usual line.
In the case of any broadcast media, the vocal inflection itself is usually alarming and condemning even in the teasers.
He has been treating with a lyme focus for about 2 years. He learned under a doc from Northern Virginia who doesn't see new patients.
The records were requested 18 months ago but they were radio silent for a long time. I think the impetious now is that they are actually sending them for peer review and will proceed with the investigation.
I have read the blog for awhile and have not seen him attack ILADS members. He may disagree with those who use CAM but thats about it. I think he respects those who treat persistent Lyme. These are my thoughts and I may have missed some stuff.
I do not know how these investigations work. Tincup - maybe you would be able to talk to him and let him know your thoughts and how to proceed since you have seen this before. You probably have a better idea than he does. I am happy to get you his name and number if necessary. I am sure he would greatly appreciate it.
Joysie - I would like to know the IDSA members name - please post ot PM me.
Posts: 30 | From DC | Registered: Oct 2008
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This Anonymous person posts for help on a pstient Lyme board and does not even offer his or her name.
This person needs to take a little responsibility and go a more professional route.
If a bunch of Lyme advocates jump in and start sending crazy emails and the like--- YOU WILL BE CERTAIN TO RUIN ANY CHANCE THIS PERSON HAS- TO BE CLEARED.
I would not put it past a troll to post this Just to get all the Lymies up in arms and make the situation worse.
This is a job for ILADS Dr's, the LDA and his medical malpractice insurance.
By the way I am familiar with file reviews and they are not out of the norm. He will have his chance to respond in writing and in person before it ever gets referred to a medical board panel.
-------------------- Positive 10 bands WB IGG & IGM + Babesia + Bartonolla and NOW RMSF 3/5/09 all at Quest
posted
hcconn22, who are you referring as "anonymous person", the "LymeMD" person or someone else. It is not clear to me from your post.
Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
hi -- if you're talking about me, I'm definitely NOT a troll! Been around this here place for awhile. Should I be insulted? Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Are we doing anything as a group? What can I do to help?
-------------------- Michele:) Posts: 30 | From York, PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
About the media...
Keebler- you are right... some good, some bad. Baltimore paper- totally forget. IDSA actually has gone into their offices and demanded space when they didn't like what we've said. They manage to bully them around.
And Annapolis papers, forget! Some decent folks there I know... but then the editor there is buds and neighbors with our one big Maryland nightmare... and has been snookered by him... unfortunately. Use to LOVE that paper.
Others I've worked with and they are mostly reasonable.. some very good.
And having a list will help when the bottom line comes down to people writing letters to the editor, etc.
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ILADS member or not?
Hey Staris... I don't know. By reading some of the blogs my guess would have been no. I can't understand if you are a Girl Scout for example, why would you publicly bash other Girl Scouts?
I know he tells people to contact ILADS for a referral but that doesn't always mean they are members. Example- they refer people to me and I am not a member... that is why I assumed that. Thanks for sharing your information.
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YO CD 57.. you? A troll? I'd have never known! Glad that is cleared up. HA!
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hc22...
You are right on. Acting on a blog post could be bad. Also.. contacting the wrong legislators is worse! Know before you blow!
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Schelyn...
I am not doing anything yet (see post above). If you would like to, please do.
Well, actually... a prayer might help. So yes, that is what I'll do for now.
I see very mixed messages here. One is to wait until we "organize". The other is to wait because maybe we shouldn't be supporting this doctor.
I will echo what Staris said.He is not anti-ILADS. He is anti making money from Lyme patients. He feels strongly about conflicts of interest like selling supplements, books, and treatment that have no empirical basis. He is anti-anything that makes our doctors look shady and suspect.He is anti-anything that makes us fall into the hands of the IDSA.
The woman who reported him is the worst example of an IDD you could dream of.
Maybe lymemd shouldn't have posted his blog. But didn't we all read it? It's alot more sane than some of the postings on lymenet.
He is a highly charged character. Aren't all of us at some point? Don't we all get on here and gripe about our doctors?
Dr. J's goal to gain respect for his profession and us as his patients has surpassed the other LMDs I have seen who have lovely, calm offices, feng-shui'd interiors, and charge me more than I can afford.
Is he handling this the "right way?" I don't know. But I am willing to call him and call anyone I need to to find out what to do. I am bitterly disapointed at the responses here. Maybe people are right about lymenet.
Please pm me if you are interested in figuring this out further. I can't believe we are willing to lose another doctor because he is not lock-step ILADS. Another local LLMD is about to close up shop to go into cosmetic surgery, his wallet already fattened by treating my daughter and countless others for outrageous fees.Tincup, I'll email you the name of the IDD.
Kris
Posts: 520 | From Maryland | Registered: Jan 2007
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He treats how he thinks is most effective and patients choose him knowing where he stands. He truly cares. He takes insurance and charges very low rates to those without insurance or who can't afford it.
I am 99% he is an ILADS member. I know he went to the ILADS conference in the fall.
I don't jusdge people who use CAM. I have tried it. But some invidual LLMDs do push the line. Dr. J wants credibility for the Lyme movement which is why he is against CAM and conflicts. That is all.
I have no idea if he individually bashed members for things other than set forth above. I would think not though.
Posts: 30 | From DC | Registered: Oct 2008
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oxygenbabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5831
posted
Tincup has it 100% right. There's nothing to be done now. Blog readers who don't even really know about his practice--would write on behalf of whom and for what reason? Because his blog says so? Patients might write--but right now his files are simply being reviewed. This always takes a while. Might result in nothing, might result in probation who knows. There's nothing that can or should be done right now.
Something's a little off about his blogging--why he did it in the first place, and continues to do so against his lawyer's advice. As for attacking other ILADS--Tincup is probably referring to his post on Dr. B's guidelines regarding supplements.
What was the point of attacking Dr. B who pioneered and understood so much? Was it necessary?
One has to wonder a little about his psychology. He likes attention, that's clear. Why did he up the ante now--there's nothing new happening with his "investigation" as far as I can see-it's just crawling along as these things do.
He does seem to have devoted patients and that's in his favor--they post.
But there are more important fish to fry right now--IDSA's new "panel" of docs reviewing guidelines, and both Dr. J's.
And I say this as one who doesn't even tolerate abx--so all this is kind of irrelevent to me!
Posts: 2276 | From united states | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
I withdraw my remarks about waiting for a plan. There doesn't seem to be one. So our choice is to do an individual sort of protest, with no organization, or no action at all.
Ain't lyme activism grand?
The major failing in the lyme world is inability to organize people who want to help, and steer them in the right direction. This involves good people skills, the understanding that many hands make lighter work. Instead we have a few seriously overworked people, an inner sanctum that keeps its plans secret, and the outcomes are seldom known. And out in lymeland we want to be partners but are only occasionally asked to write a letter now and then, and contribute money.
There are a lot of people who are qualified and capable of doing more, but very frustrated with the inability of the lyme leaders to use and focus this ability. A small underdog activist organization needs to do a better job at responding to interested people, recruiting them, grooming them for bigger roles. Otherwise we end up with warring splintered groups and disgruntled activists dropping out, and burned out leaders.
As far as this current crisis is concerned, anyone who thinks this will not lead to charges and be followed by attacks on other doctors in the state is naive. When this doctor is finished off and they start on the next one, will someone decide a plan is needed?
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Without knowing the details of his case that is being reviewed by the Md. State Board of Medicine, it's difficult to comment.
If his attorney really did tell him to cease and desist treating all Lyme patients at this point in the process, merely because he is being reviewed by the Board for treating chronic Lyme with long term antibiotics then ....
I honestly think he needs a new and better attorney. Someone from a top-tier law Firm.
Taking his current attorney's advice (to no longer treat Lyme patients) could be perceived as an admission of guilt. A completely unnecessary and inaccurate admission. Especially in light of the fact that the IDSA Guidelines are in the process of undergoing a formal review for accuracy, among other things.
From what I see, there has been no formal charge by the Board, but an investigation. There are two medical Standards of Practice for treating Lyme Disease (i.e., IDSA and ILADS). These are published at the National Clearinghouse maintained by the U.S. Government.
Just a rhetorical question here:
At this point in time, how could a physician be charged in this circumstance for not following medical Standard of Practice when the Standard of Practice itself is undergoing formal review for accuracy (and other things) by the very body that wrote them?
I also think that when he retains his new, better attorney, that he should heed his attorney's advice. Stop blogging. Stop posting on patient support forums.
This is not only for LymeMD's protection but for the protection of his existing patients and any new patients to come.
When he started his blog last year, it contained his full name and location and contact information. He later removed most (but not all) of those identifying factors. He also identified himself rather clearly on a patient support forum as well.
I don't understand why he felt the need to draw such attention to himself in such a public way while he was actively under investigation. Perhaps he did these things as a form of professional development (i.e., to attract new customers/patients). Or, perhaps he was using these public venues as a means of garnering support, if it was ever needed.
Legally speaking, it's just not a sound move. And in certain cases, one could question the professionalism of those moves.
He's entitled to due process within the Board and also in the court system. But, placing an emotional call to arms to his "readership" on his blog might have been premature. And this certainly wasn't the way to go about arming himself for the many reasons that have been stated above by others.
There will be a time and place for the wagons to circle, if necessary. But it will need to be done professionally. Good attorneys, experienced activists, and Lyme organizations/support groups can all help and certainly know how to do the job. And at the appropriate time, the patients can make their voices and opinions known.
Lest anyone misunderstand what I've said, I support LLMD's. I don't want them harrassed. They are desperately needed and they deserve our support. But, as I said, there is a time and a place . . .
Fuzz
p.s. By the way, I hope LymeMD reads this thread. In my view, I think ALL of the comments that Forum members have made -- critical and supportive -- are all worthy of his consideration.
He needs to keep his cards close to the vest and stop revealing his hand. It's gonna be used against him if he's not careful. Stop blogging in such a public manner.
He said in a recent blog entry that he has decided to "go the political route" to deal with his situation. I don't know what his attorney advises about that -- but I would nearly bet the farm that that an attorney would not support LymeMD lashing out on a blog as "going the political route" right now. He's already admitted that he was blogging against his attorney's advice.
I think he needs to reconsider his methods. He will need effective support and this is not the way to go about getting it.
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