"... the depth of ignorance is staggering." Alasdair Crockett(1968-2006)
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"When wealth determines access to the public forum, it causes distortions."
"To take just one of many examples, for the past several years , the need to eliminate the inheritance taxes on the wealthiest 1/100 of 1 percent of the families in America (the only taxpayers who are still subjected to it) has been treated as a much more important priority than the need to provide at least minimal access to health care for tens of millions of families who currently have no access to health care coverage at all." From "The Assault on Reason"
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"And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose"
(Romans
8:28, NIV)
Life
can be full of ups and downs, twists and turns. We've all had to face
challenges and difficulties.
But did you know that everything you've been
through up until now is getting you prepared for what God is going to do in
your future?
Nothing in your life has been wasted. Every disappointment, every
setback, every person that did you wrong, every lonely night, God is going to
turn around and use for your good!
During
the difficult times, we grow and mature. That's when our faith is stretched and
our character is developed.
God didn't send that hardship, but He'll use it to
get you prepared for your next step. Those adversities will help make you and
mold you into the person you are called to be.
You
may be experiencing tough times today, but remember, nothing is ever wasted.
Have the attitude that says, "This is a new day. Things are shifting in my
favor. This difficulty is not going to stop me! God is going to use it to
lift me up and lead me into victory all the days of my life."
Father God, thank You for drawing me
close to You. I choose to dwell in the secret place of Your presence. I know
that with You, nothing in my life is wasted. Thank You for Your peace and
protection as You carry me through the difficult places into the place of
victory, Amen.
Have you been tested for babesia or bartenella? Both are very common co-infections and need to be treated with a separate class of antibiotics before you do IV treatment.
If you decide to do IV, expect it may take some time 6-12 months before you begin to feel better. I know many lyme patients who benefited from IV antibiotics.
One more thought is you may also have viruses that have popped up due to your weakened immune system. Have your DR test you for Epstein Barr and HHV-6 virus. So many lyme patients are testing positive and could use anti viral treatment.
Some great info on treatment you can download right here. Its Joseph Burrascanos Lyme Treatment Guidelines. Scroll down look on left side. You can click on the icon, download and than print out, its quite extensive but very helpful and educating.
Good luck, hang in there, I know its really tough.
I'm still on the prednisone and plaquenil, and I'm happy to report that feeling great. I have one or two days out of the month when I feel a little tired or sick, but otherwise I'm completely mobile, lifting weights, back at the karate, and functioning well in school. My pain levels are at a fraction of what they were, and joint swelling has become almost nonexistent. My hair is no longer falling out, and my skin looks pretty good. I added pristiq for the prednisone-related mood issues, and it's working out really well.
I think I might actually have a chance at a normal life--go figure--I feel like I'm well on my way!
I have to wonder if the combination of plaquenil and prednisone might be worth further research. I know a lot of Lymies have complained about prednisone causing relapse or worsening of symptoms; perhaps combining it with plaquenil (which has been known to possess some antispirochetal properties) is that special combination I was hoping for--something that has the ability to reduce the autoimmune sequelae (in my case Lupus), but also keeps the spirochetes in check.
Lung function has still been pretty bad, however, and the sputum culture came back with bacteria of "unknown type"; my GP is in the process of referring me to a pulminologist. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is not chronic bronchitis, as I was a smoker for about fifteen years (and the babesia seemed to have caused more damage IMHO than the cigarettes).
At least I'm not bedridden anymore. That was hell. My heart goes out to those of you who are still in that hell. I count my blessings that the greatest of my problems these days are my lung troubles and my hopelessly neurotic and b*tchy brain. ;-)
Lizzie, have you considered the possibility that you may have beat the Lyme long ago, and the C. pneumonae is the sole cause to your current health issues? From what I've read, Clamydia pneumonia (psittacosis, psittacine pneumonia) can cause some severe symptoms, and for those with impaired immune function (i.e. from hard-core, longterm antibiotic treatment), it can cause chronic infection that requires very specific antibiotics to treat.
I really would bet that many of your previous "herx" reactions were actually side effects from the intense regimen of antibiotics you were on. Many people attribute all of their antibiotic misery to herx, when in fact it's the toxicity of the antibiotics themselves causing all of the extra symptoms--not constant or recurring Bb die-off (which really only occurs right at the beginning of a new antibiotic regimen).
Just food for thought. I hope that you've found your magic bullet. Best wishes.
Thank you for sharing your story. My son also had lyme when he was younger and he is better now, going to college and doing well. I say that to encourage you that if you keep fighting you too will be better and be back to your old happy self again. My son had a girlfriend who had been sick since she was a little girl. Her family went camping a lot and she must have got lyme than but was not diagnosed until she was 19. My son is the one who got her to a good Dr and she was diagnosed with lyme and babesia. After 3 years of treatment she is doing much better! She recently told me shes even dancing again.
I know its really hard right now. Your friends are a blessing from God to help you get through it. Try to eat healthy food and stay away from soda and junk. Your body needs good nourishment and plenty of sleep to heal. Be patient with yourself and your recovery. I will be praying for you too! I am always here for you if you need anything. I have lyme too so I completely understand what your going through.
People with Lyme: Actress Parker Posey Talks About Her Battle with Lyme Disease
LymeBlog News
Lexington, KY USA
By Mac McDonald
Actress Parker Posey Talks About Her Battle with Lyme Disease In Support of New Documentary, RETHINKING CANCER
NEW YORK, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the announcement of her
diagnosis with Lyme disease in February 2009, actress Parker Posey has
kept a low profile about her battle with the illness. Now the actress
is revealing something about the state of her health and battle, which
ultimately took a decidedly alternative holistic course, while throwing
support behind a thought-provoking new documentary which parallels her
own experience with the illness, Rethinking Cancer.
The
new documentary tracks the experiences of five patients, four with
cancer and one with Lyme disease, who took alternative means including
nutrition and detoxification and have remained disease-free for up to
35 years. The film also chronicles the 40-year history of New York
City-based F.A.C.T., the Foundation for Advancement in Cancer Therapy,
which has led these and hundreds of others to alternative treatment
sources and practitioners. Clips and information about the film and the
bio-repair approach to battling disease it champions can be found at www.rethinkingcancer.org.
Producers had announced in August that Parker Posey had dropped out of the upcoming off-Broadway play, "This," after being diagnosed with Lyme disease
"As someone who dealt with Lyme disease recently, I had the
opportunity to approach it both with conventional medicine
(antibiotics) and homeopathic remedies and supplements," states Posey.
"The first round of antibiotics did not destroy all the bacteria and I
made a decision not to take them anymore and instead approach it purely
holistically -- through the help of my homeopathic doctor who guided me
with my diet and gave me the natural supplements to bring my body back
to its vitality."
"The five patients in Rethinking Cancer
share with us the path of their recovery: the courage to take their own
lives in their hands with a natural approach to healing their bodies,"
continues Posey. "It raises the questions: How can a natural approach
to healing oneself be considered so unconventional? Why do we think we
can't play an active role in getting healthy? Why do we give ourselves
away so easily to pharmaceuticals that deplete our system and confuse
the natural healing process? These people share with us the
responsibility they were impelled to take so that others can be
encouraged to follow the path of natural medicine and the healing arts.
Rethinking Cancer will enlighten and encourage anyone's approach in dealing with disease."
Unfolding like a real-life thriller, UNDER OUR SKIN
exposes the hidden epidemic of Lyme disease and reveals how our corrupt
medical system is failing to address one of the most serious illnesses
of our time. Open Eye Pictures is thrilled that the Academy has honored
the courageous Lyme patients and physicians whose stories are told in
this film. And we hope that this nomination will help spread awareness
about this devastating disease and serve as a catalyst for fixing our
country’s broken health care system.
The Documentary Branch
Screening Academy Committee viewed all eighty-nine qualifying
documentaries during the preliminary round of voting. Academy members
will now select five nominees from among the 15 titles on the
shortlist, and Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday,
February 2, 2010.
Director’s Statement
My journey into the depths of the Lyme disease controversy started by accident. A friend of
mine in San Francisco was getting sicker and sicker with severe and progressive neurological
illness. She was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and then ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease
(which is basically a death sentence). But she kept looking for possible explanations and, finally,
was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Lyme disease?! I recalled that my twin sister in Upstate New
York suffered from it years ago. I remember she was always tired and achy, even though she
looked just fine. So I never took it seriously, like most people, and I believed it was just an East
Coast disease, if a real disease at all.
So I was shocked that Lyme disease could be so debilitating, even life-threatening. I discovered
that the prevalence of Lyme disease in the U.S. may be at least ten times greater than HIV,
West Nile virus (and now swine flu) combined. Like its genetic cousin, the "great imitator"
syphilis, it mimics other illnesses, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis,
lupus, MS, ALS, Alzheimer's and autism. I learned it could be transmitted from mother to child
in utero and that sexual transmission has not been ruled out.
Photo: Under Our Skin
Lyme patient Marlena Connors suffers a seizure in UNDER OUR SKIN
Photo: UNDER OUR SKIN
Photo: UNDER OUR SKIN
Ben Petrick, once a Major League player, is now sidelined by Lyme disease
UNDER OUR SKIN Senior Producer Kris Newby and filmmaker Andy Abrahams
Wilson receive trophies at the International Health & Medical Media
Awards.
Photo: UNDER OUR SKIN
Under Our Skin
Directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson
See below for August showings
Runtime: 103 min.
Worse still: standard tests seem hopelessly inaccurate, and most physicians are untrained to
diagnose or treat the illness. Furthermore, physicians who do take on chronic Lyme patients
risk the suspension of their medical licenses. On the patient side, I found variations of the same
story repeated thousand-fold: doctor after doctor, years of misdiagnoses, hundreds of
thousands of dollars exhausted, denial of insurance coverage, accusations of hypochondria and,
finally if ever, a long road back to health.
What was going on? What if my friend had stopped after the ALS diagnosis? Would she still be
alive today? What if my sister didn’t persevere until she proved wrong those (like myself) who
thought it was all in her head? Sometimes I think the film is my way of making penance for the
way I treated my sister when she was sick. After all, William Osler, considered to be the father
of modern medicine, once said, "If you listen carefully to the patient they will tell you the
diagnosis." Our patriarchal, good-old-boy medical system is coming up against its limits of
knowledge and arrogance, threatened by "internet activists" (mostly women) who are taking
their family's healthcare into their own hands, sharing community and resources, and
demanding help.
After four years of research and production—and over 375 hours of footage, what we
uncovered is a chilling tale of microbes, medicine and money. Deregulation of scientific research
and conflicts of interest in medicine are poisoning healthcare, denying our citizens health, and
costing our citizenry profound loss of productivity and resources. We need an overhaul of our
medical research, health delivery and insurance systems. Lyme disease is the canary in the
coalmine and a case study for what's wrong and needs to be fixed. UNDER OUR SKIN is an
essential contribution to the current national debate about healthcare reform.
It’s true, Mount Allison has seen its first H1N1 (“heenee”) diagnoses.
Incidence in Canada is currently the third highest of all countries in
the world, falling just behind Mexico and the United States. While the
spread of the disease is real, maybe it’s just me, but it seems like
everywhere you look there’s a new myth about this infection. I thought
this week I’d attempt to dispel a few.
The vaccine is not going to kill you. As with any vaccine, there
are risks. Usually negative reactions are mild, but the rare patient
will have a severe reaction. Let me stress the rare part. The biggest
risk from the vaccine is Guillain-Barré, an auto-immune disorder that
attacks the nervous system. Odds of getting this from the vaccine are
about one in a million, but about forty in a million cases of swine flu
will see this. So you’re probably better off with the vaccine. All in
all, the vaccine is a hell of a lot safer than the disease.
Pandemic ≠ black plague. Yes, the heenee has been dubbed a
pandemic, but this doesn’t mean people will be dropping dead in the
streets middle ages-style. This term refers only to the global spread
of the disease, not its severity. More people have died from Lyme
disease in the last 300 days than from swine flu. Who even knows anyone
who’s had Lyme disease? This number is bound to increase as the flu
season progresses, but it’s likely that the mass hysteria seen in too
many homes is a bit of an overreaction.
Home remedies probably won’t work. For any illness, rumours of
home-cooked cures are bound to spread, but it’s usually in your best
interest to trust sources like your doctor and Health Canada over your
grandmother’s herbal tea. Sandra Oh (and that one Argosy editor) were
wrong to think that vitamins would ...
Obituaries: Remembering Leslie Wermers. One year ago today.
LymeBlog News
Lexington, KY USA
By LymeBlog News Staff
Source: Minnesota Lymefighters
Co-founded by Leslie Wermers
"If I die tomorrow and I save one life, I'll die happy."
Leslie Wermers 07/07/1967 - 11/02/2008
Leslie Gave Everything She Had, Cared & Loved So Deeply, Until the Very End.
~God Broke Our Hearts and Angels Rejoiced, the Day Leslie Entered Heaven~ November 2nd, 2008
~You've touched CountlessLives in so Many Beautiful Ways~She Was Always ALoving
and Giving Sister; Daughter; Life- Partner; Jayde's Lessie; Ralphie
& Dudley's Mommy; Cherished Lyme Patient Advocate; Aunt; Niece;
Cousin; & Friend.
Here is an excerpt from the beautiful tribute that Andy Abrahams Wilson wrote in memory of Leslie.
Andy is the Producer/Director of the Powerful Lyme Disease Documentary,"Under Our Skin".
"The
Lyme community has lost an important hero and friend–and so did I.
Leslie Wermers, 41, died from heart failure in her sleep on November
2nd, 2008."
"It is hard to imagine Leslie’s heart giving out, because for anyone
who knew her she was all heart."
"A dear friend to so many and a tireless
worker on behalf of the Minnesota and national Lyme communities, Leslie
gave everything she had to help others who were sick. And everything
she had was an abundant reserve of love and support–even as her own
health waned."
EDWARDSVILLE, IL -- A Troy man accused of
shooting down a church pastor during a sermon is mentally unfit to
stand trial, a Madison County judge ruled Tuesday.
Circuit Judge
Richard Tognarelli based the ruling on a report he received from
court-appointed psychologist Robert Heilbronner's examination of Terry
Sedlacek.
Photo: Provided to BND
Terry J. Sedlacek Jr. Sedlacek's mental health deteriorated after he contracted Lyme disease from a tick bite years ago.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed the
psychologist would testify that Sedlacek is schizophrenic and probably
wouldn't be able to understand the legal proceedings or assist in his
own defense.
Sedlacek, 27, is accused of fatally shooting the Rev. Fred Winters of First Baptist Church in Maryville on March 8.
Sedlacek
has no apparent connection to the church or to Winters. His attorneys
said early on in the case that Sedlacek's mental health deteriorated
after he contracted Lyme disease from a tick bite years ago.
His
attorneys, Ron Slemer and Madison County Public Defender John Rekowski,
filed a motion in July asking for the mental examination. They argued
that Sedlacek has "visual and auditory hallucinations," speaks in a
code and is bipolar and schizophrenic.
The motion also cited the tick-borne illness and other maladies, dating back at least 10 years.
He
has suffered bouts of erratic behavior his family has attributed to
Lyme disease, though Tognarelli's three-page ruling makes no reference
to the ailment.
Tognarelli wrote that prosecutors and defense
attorneys agree that Heilbronner, if called to testify, would describe
Sedlacek as ...
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