The Lyme Action Group of Ontario has published a great synopsis of the hearing on lyme disease guidelines held recently in the United States.
Last Thursday, July 30th, 2009, was a historic day. A hearing took place in Washington DC to consider a broad range of medical opinions with regard to Lyme disease. This hearing came about as the result of another historic event — the antitrust lawsuit that the Connecticut Attorney General brought against the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
[From LYME ACTION GROUP: IDSA Hearing on Lyme – Washington, DC]
My own experiences with lyme disease have made me somewhat skeptical. I have met fierce medical resistance, insurance industry tactics and pressure, and personal health issues that have only allowed for limited high-dose treatment with long-term antibiotics.
On the other hand, every movement toward comprehending and dealing with human problems has to start somewhere. Perhaps this is our tipping point. We can only hope that the doctors of the Infectious Disease Society of America reflect on the oath that they took when they started out.
I am cautiously optimistic that the new guidelines will give doctors the freedom that they need to make the decisions that are right for each patient under their care.
@ Irene: Absolutely! And as this freedom is put into place, doctors need to arm themselves with true and relevant data re. lyme disease.