Tuesday, January 5, 2016

The Ugly Side of Lyme

   

       A family member asked me recently, "Okay, help me understand how I could be on intense antibiotics to get rid of acne for two years and yet doctors refuse to write you a prescription?"

       This is a question Lyme patients have been trying to understand for years. Prior to my Lyme relapse fours years ago I was on a pretty high dose of Doxycycline for acne. And only a year later when I begged a doctor to put me on a LOWER dose of Doxycycline for Lyme they refused citing the horrible side effects it could cause. A life threatening disease was given less treatment and concern than acne! What does this say about what our culture values? Outward beauty is readily fixed even at the risk of supposedly horrible side effects while Lyme patients are left to suffer! How does flawless skin matter more than a potentially deadly disease? It is abysmal that doctors can hide behind their oath to "Do no harm." while the patient could very well die without treatment. 

How long will this go on? When will doctors who refuse to treat Lyme with antibiotics see the double standard? Who will be brave enough to change the guidelines so doctors will be taught the truth? When will insurance companies accept that Chronic Lyme exists and treatment is vital. Change in the medical world is crucial. Lives are at stake so please continue to spread the truth about Lyme Disease and pray for change.


P.S. I recently explained this dilemma to a different doctor and he was in shock at the comparison and that other doctors had scoffed at me. He even commented on how little the side effects are especially compared to what Lyme could do. On another note as much as antibiotics have helped me I am also very grateful for natural remedies. I don't think antibiotics are the only option but I do think they should be available to patients who need them!