31002130

CHRONIC LYME DISEASE In some patients, Lyme disease can be fairly easy to treat while in others, it can feel like a never-ending battle. Chronic Lyme disease, which is surrounded by much controversy, is a systemic, debilitating condition which persists despite antibiotic therapy. The seriousness of this condition and its resistance to treatment necessitates an individualized treatment plan not based on arbitrary insurance guidelines.Chronic Lyme disease is also unique in that it is widely misunderstood and surrounded by controversy, leading to problems with physicians, friends and family, insurance companies, disability coverage, etc. The devastating symptoms and the myriad of secondary issues Lyme disease patients face often combine to leave the patient feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.There is no established cure for chronic Lyme disease. The response to treatment varies greatly from patient to patient. Many patients find they need to stay on antibiotics long-term (ie. years). Patients may also need antibiotic combos, coinfection treatments, symptomatic medications, and natural therapies. With these treatments some patients experience full recovery. Those who don't are left to continue the search for treatment options.Support groups, both online and offline, are very helpful for patients suffering with chronic Lyme. These groups enable patients to learn about new treatment options and to connect with others facing the same uncertainties.Increasing numbers of those with chronic Lyme disease are being found to have other tick-borne illnesses as well. These other illnesses contribute to the difficulty with treatment. For more infomation about coinfections, see Coinfections.html.Hi Im Lisa. I am a medical assistant.I work at a nursing home and at a home health care agency. On weekends I DJ. Mom of three kids. That are mostly grown up now. And I have Lyme Disease. Most of this page is devoted to lyme awareness, but once in a while I remember I used to have a life before this disease hit. Hope I can help anyone with any questions they may have. But I am not a Dr just someone that has this damn disease like you!ABOUT LYME DISEASE The CDC documented over 23,000 new cases of Lyme disease in 2005, however they estimate that only 10% of cases are reported. Over 230,000 new cases a year is more than AIDS, West Nile Virus and Avian Flu combined.Cases have been reported in 49 states.It takes the average Lyme patient over four years and $60,000 to be diagnosed, and many are denied treatment.Known as “the great imitator,” Lyme mimics ALS, Alzheimer’s, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s – a reason thousands go misdiagnosed each year...OTHER GOOD LYME FORUMS: lymenet.com TruthAboutLymeDisease.com canlyme.com http://bcclocks.com/lyme.htmlAuthor Paula Langhoff is writing another book and is looking for unique Lyme experiences. Send me your stories and I will forward them to her. Thanks bunches. She also wrote "The Singing Forest" about her experience with Lyme........................................................ ............................................................ ................WHY WE DON'T GET BETTER ON SHORT TERM ANTIBIOTICS: (From Dr. Burrascano)............................................ As the spirochete has a very long generation time (12 to 24 hours in vitro and possibly much longer in living systems) and may have periods of dormancy, during which time antibiotics will not kill the organism, treatment has to be continued for a long period of time to eradicate all the active symptoms and prevent a relapse, especially in late infections. If treatment is discontinued before all symptoms of active infection have cleared, the patient will remain ill and possibly relapse further. In general, early LB is treated for four to six weeks, and late LB usually requires a minimum of four to six months of continuous treatment. All patients respond differently and therapy must be individualized. It is not uncommon for a patient who has been ill for many years to require open ended treatment regimens; indeed, some patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy for years to remain well. Several days after the onset of appropriate antibiotic therapy, symptoms often flare due to lysis of the spirochetes with release of increased amount of antigenic material and possibly bacterial toxins. This is referred to as a Jarisch Herxheimer-like reaction. Because it takes 48 to 72 hours of therapy to initiate bacterial killing, the Herxheimer reaction is therefore delayed. This is unlike syphilis, in which these reactions can occur within hours.
Glitter Graphics & Comments This layout was handmade with love by the folks at My space or yours? using original artwork by Marah Johnson. Go get one!