Rep. Chris Smith on Lyme disease 'culture of denial'

[Trellie]

Rep. Chris Smith is spot on! The disbelief in Chronic Lyme is a big issue for those who depend on a insurance company to provide their healthcare

t’s a subject Smith knows all too well. For decades he has pushed for advances in research and treatment of the condition, which is widespread in New Jersey. So when the guest said she suffered from a chronic case of Lyme and struggled to find proper care, Smith understood her frustration.

To read the rest, simply search the title of this thread online. You should be able to find it.

 

[lymegreen]

This seems to be the case so often. I've heard of Lyme Disease simply not being recognized in some countries (Australia is one that springs to mind) and I've also heard that in Canada it's tough to get diagnosis and treatment - a lot of people seem to be resorting to costly trips to the US for treatment and care. Slowly I hope that awareness is growing, and that people are learning more about Lyme, how to diagnose it and how to treat it effectively.

 

[nytegeek]

It is tough across the board to get diagnosed and treated. Even in places that recognize it as a chronic condition. Getting treatment is just the start of the battle to. People and even doctors face problems, sometimes legal ones, just for continuing treatment. Changes need to be made.

 

[Azrile]

It is tough across the board to get diagnosed and treated. Even in places that recognize it as a chronic condition. Getting treatment is just the start of the battle to. People and even doctors face problems, sometimes legal ones, just for continuing treatment. Changes need to be made.

A big part of that is just the science is not there yet. The legal issues are not the problem, they are doing what they are meant to do, protect people from experimental treatments that are outside the proven science. Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease still has not been scientifically verified and since one of the treatments being used is long term antibiotics, it is controversial since most of the scientific world knows of the huge risks we are facing because we are running out of effective antibiotics because they are overprescribed. So there is some merit of people want to crack down on long term antibiotic use for something where it isn´t a verified treatment.

 

[oportosanto]

It might be the case, but sometimes science is "delayed" due to economical interests...