Lyme Awareness Protests

This weekend will see awareness protests around the world with the aim of increasing awareness of Lyme disease and gaining proper treatment for patients and updated information, based on current research for doctors, other health professionals, and patients.


Details, pictures, and media coverage from all the protests can be found on the Worldwide Lyme Protest facebook page.


In the UK, Friday saw a Lyme awareness protest in Manchester; Saturday will see a protest outside the Department of Health in London.


See the Lyme Disease UK facebook page for coverage of both events.


If you're in London and looking for something to do tomorrow - join in the protest; take the place of someone who wishes to be there but is too ill to attend because treatment is not available....

 

If you can't do that, show your support by supporting the GoLymeGreen campaign - wear green, turn your profiles pictures green and share awareness about Lyme!


Your help could save someone's life.

Dr Oz talks Lyme Disease

 This week, Dr Mehmet Oz, who hosts a talkshow on US TV, with viewing rating far exceeding a million, brought his audience's attention to Lyme disease.


With Lyme there are so many unknowns which create controversies, so the information discussed was not especially 'deep' - he did not delve into the intricacies of the disease, testing methods, or treatment.  What he did was bring Lyme to the attention of MANY people with a simple overview of the stages of Lyme, the symptoms at different stages, and the acknowledgement of a "chronic" version (also referred to as late-stage or disseminated Lyme disease).  The clip also shows exactly how to remove a tick - with a giant tick and giant tweezers prop.


These short clips from the show are definitely worth watching - take 6 minutes to watch something essential and please share to help someone else avoid chronic illness:

 

Lyme Disease: Dr Oz Show 5/5/14

PART 1

 

Lyme Disease: Dr Oz Show 5/5/14

PART 2

 For those not familiar with the name, Dr Oz rose to fame with his appearances on the Oprah show and is a definite celebrity in the US (TV) medical world.  His C.V. is definitely impressive - he earned a medical degree and an MBA, at an Ivy League University; and now hosts his own talk show while still working as a cardio-thoracic surgeon in NYC.  To add a little twist to his conventional knowledge, his wife is known to favour holistic treatments and Eastern healing which he has incorporated into some of his own methods. Between them they have also published several books.  For a little bio on Dr Oz, check out this New York Times article (from 2010).   


 

Shared experiences

A good clip on Lyme awareness from BBC South East today:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b041svy2/South_East_Today_03_05_2014/


(Starts about 40 seconds in; only available within the UK - if a YouTube clip becomes available I will post an additional link)

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(From Pinterest)

A huge thank you to Sarah for speaking out and sharing her story and helping increase awareness.  And to the BBC for taking note and giving air time to this important issue.

 

Some people don't realise how hard it is, to look over your life, think of the person you once were to the outside world - to feel that person still battling inside you, just waiting to get out again - and to speak to the world about the hardest thing you have ever had to deal with.  

Imagine exposing your most personal feelings to strangers - it's not an easy thing to do, but without ALL of those sharing their stories and doing just that, we cannot increase awareness which means we can't help others.

Share your story: www.facebook.com/golymegreen2014

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(From Pinterest)

Lyme: bite-sized facts

You can read more in depth information about Lyme disease by clicking on 'Lyme in Depth' above, but here are some bite-sized Lyme facts:



1. Not everyone with Lyme Disease gets the 'bullseye' rash.  Already, some articles in the media are suggesting the bullseye rash (or Erythema Migrans) is the most common symptom/ among the most common symptoms for Lyme - this is not the case; in fact studies vary greatly in their estimates - from as little as 4%.



2. Lyme Disease is not easily treated.  The attempts by the media not to 'scaremonger' are easily understood - but there is a big difference between presenting information sensibly and presenting entirely false information.  In many cases, Lyme that is treated early IS treated effectively, but the media fails to discuss the difficulty in getting an early diagnosis.  Public awareness and access to good, reliable information is essential for both doctors and patients to ensure Lyme is recognised early, giving treatment a greater chance to be effective



3. Ticks are everywhere! Again, there is a lot of misinformation regarding where Lyme Disease exists and where ticks can be found.  It is difficult to verify this with one specific reference, but searching and reading around different articles, websites and blogs, as well as academic journal articles shows there is only contradictory information.  Basically, it's another big 'we don't know' about Lyme.


4. Ticks don't just carry Lyme disease.  As if it's not horrifying enough to envision a tiny little bloodsucker, literally sucking the life out of you (really, yes, that's what it feels like later), these lovely little buggers often transmit coinfections such as Babesia, Bartonella, various viral infections, parasites and other microbes.  See the links below for further details.  


In an article published in the US edition of the Huffington Post last year: The Global Search for Education: the 300,000 - Ticks  Dr Richard Horowitz is quoted as saying: "I call this syndrome Lyme-MSIDS. MSIDS stands for Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome..."


Many people with Lyme disease don't 'just' have Lyme, their bodies are battling many infections at once - another reason for the difficulty in diagnosis and the disparate symptoms seen between patients.



5. Ticks do not have to be attached for a specific time period to transmit infections.  It is generally held (but more evidence is required) that the longer a tick is attached, the greater the chance of it transmitting infections.  However, removing the tick, squashing the tick, breaking the tick (by attempting to brush it off, for example) may all increase the risk of transmission as any of these scenarios can cause the tick to regurgitate its stomach contents and transmit infections quickly (yes, that really does mean the tick vomits into your bloodstream).  



On that happy, cheery, stomach-turning thought, we'll leave the info there for today.  

Just remember - the more you know, the less you are at risk!  Be proactive - learn about Lyme disease now.

Help promote Lyme disease awareness and help others too!


Some good resources for further info:

http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/about-lyme/faq/

http://www.bada-uk.org/diseases

http://worldwide-lyme-protest.org.uk/lyme-faq/



 References for the above facts can also be found on the links

May: Lyme Disease Awareness Month

MAY is LYME DISEASE awareness month

(This first post will remain on the "Go Lyme Green" page)

On May 16, 17 & 18 protests are planned around the world in support of people battling this devastating illness

AIMS

(Further info: Worldwide Lyme Protest UK site)

Increase awareness of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases

Replace outdated treatment guidelines with new guidelines which reflect current scientific understanding of Lyme disease & associated infections

Demand better treatment, increased recognition, and support for patients & doctors

Help spread awareness of Lyme disease 

& support global protests online

 'Go Lyme Green'

Promote Lyme awareness through social media by making your profile pictures green

Wear something green - and tell everyone why!

Share your story, your photos & why this campaign is important to you

When?

'Go Lyme Green' will coincide with protests around the world on May 16, 17 & 18

Learn more about Lyme disease & why awareness is important for everyone

Follow us on twitter: GoLymeGreen2014

Like and share our Facebook page
(coming very soon!)

Watch this space for daily updates, personal stories & important facts about Lyme

When caught early, Lyme can be treated easily

Know the facts, don't let Lyme ruin your life