Lyme Disease is a tick born disease found in all 50 states and every continent except Antarticia. While there is general agreement on the optimal treatment for early Lyme disease, there is considerable controversy over the existence,prevalence, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of "chronic" Lyme disease. Most medical authorities including the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Academy of Neurology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) advise against long-term antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme disease. However, in 2006, Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Attorney General, opened an antitrust investigation against the IDSA, accusing the IDSA Lyme disease panel of undisclosed conflicts of interest and of unduly dismissing alternative therapies and chronic Lyme disease. Paul G. Auwaerter, director of infectious disease at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, cited the political controversy and high emotions as contributing to a "poisonous atmosphere" around Lyme disease, which he believes has led to doctors trying to avoid having Lyme patients in their practices. The last 15 years has proved difficult for Lyme treating doctors as the IDSA and medical board have targeted physician after physician for treating patients with persisting symptoms. While pharma and insurance companies fight over the profitability of Lyme disease and the IDSA and CDC continue to hide the scale of the epidemic, patients are suffering and research is lacking.
What can we do?
The Challenge
The purpose of the Lyme Disease Challenge is to raise awareness and funding for improved Lyme Disease diagnosis and treatment.
Are you in? Great! Then follow the three easy steps below and donate $10. Prefer not to take the bite? That’s okay too! Donate $100 instead. All donations accepted by ILADEF (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society’s 501(c)(3) non-profit educational fund).
1. TAKE A BITE: Bite a lime and TAKE A PHOTO OR A SHORT VIDEO of the act – the more sourpuss your face, the better (and funnier!).
2. SHARE A FACT: State ONE BRIEF FACT ABOUT LYME DISEASE, such as the facts provided below. You can say them in your video, write them on your photo, or include them in your post. Help us spread the true facts about Lyme Disease!
3. PASS IT ON: Keep the campaign going — CHALLENGE THREE OTHER PEOPLE – your friends, family, whomever! – to take a bite! Mention them in your video or if you do a photo tag them in your post.
Learn more about the challenge here. Even though Lyme Disease Awareness Month is over, we still need your help. So please join the challenge and become a Change Maker!
Need a fact? Here are some great facts for your challenge! Or, if you are a Lyme Fighter, share your story!
See where the challenge is in the media here.
For the next few weeks I will be primarily posting on my new blog about my battle with chronic Lyme disease and the invisible illness that I am fighting. You can follow my journey at http://growingdeeperrootsinchronicillness.blogspot.com/
