4. Lyme disease organizations on Lyme disease and fibromyalgia ************************************************************************ as of 4 May 1999 From America On Lyme web site: AOLyme STATEMENT ON LYME DISEASE "Lyme disease is a multi-systemic illness. It can effect most every system in the human body and mimic many other illnesses. It is important to note that the symptoms of Lyme disease are so wide ranging that it is often misdiagnosed as illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to name a few. Lyme disease is truly the "great imitator"." See complete article at: Welcome http://members.aol.com/ameronlyme/welcome.html ----- From The National Lyme Disease Network LymeNet Newsletter Volume 6 / Number 03 / 16-MAR-98 Yale Ignores True Consequences of Treatment Denial Sender: Phyllis Mervine, President, Lyme Disease Resource Center and Editor, the Lyme Times, Jean Hubbard, Associate Editor, the Lyme Times The following review represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the perspectives of the editors. - A recent AP press release reported on a study from Yale University Lyme Disease Clinic which alleged: "Fear of Lyme disease causes many people bitten by deer ticks to become depressed and pursue aggressive medical treatment they may not need." . . . "Of course the Yale authors were claiming that 60% of the study patients did not have Lyme disease after all. We have heard that story before and it is patently false. They use insensitive tests and case standards so restrictive that they have all but defined the disease out of existence. So much so that a patient who has once been treated with an arbitrary 2 or 3 weeks of antibiotics, who relapses after completing those antibiotics, and continues to have symptoms, is often reclassified with fibromyalgia (for which there is no cure), given aspirin, and sent home. It is not uncommon for such patients to be closely questioned about their sex lives and referred to a psychiatrist. This in spite of the fact that the Lyme disease bacterium is known to disguise itself and hide deep in tissues. This in spite of the fact that there are many published accounts, in the peer-reviewed medical journals doctors like to quote, of treatment failures and persistence of infection despite aggressive antibiotic treatment. In no other disease are patients treated with such callous disregard, or such denial of facts which seem to stare one in the face." See complete article at: http://www2.lymenet.org/domino/nl.nsf/UID/6-03 ----- Lyme Disease Survey 1998 The Lyme Disease Foundation is conducting a survey to determine the impact and cost of Lyme disease on society. Please complete this survey form as accurately as possible and return it to me at the LDF. Information obtained may help to reduce suffering from this disease. Your participation isappreciated. Please print clearly. Thank-you, Thomas E. Forschner, CPA, MBA, Executive Director, Lyme Disease Foundation Please return to: Lyme Disease Foundation, One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103 860-525-2000 fax: 860-525-TICK 24-hr Hotline: 800-886-LYME email: Lymefnd@aol.com web: www.Lyme.org . . . 17. Were you originally misdiagnosed? Y N If yes, with what condition(s) Hypochondria Multiple Sclerosis Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Alzheimer's Mental Illness Lupus Other . . . See complete survey at: Lyme Disease Survery 1998 http://www.lyme.org/survey/survey.html --------------- See: Lyme disease Misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia - Index http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/fms-index.html --------------- Prepared by Art Doherty Lompoc, California doherty@utech.net