NonA Non B Episode 6
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“Extremely well done! The conundrum of whether to treat or not to treat. As a family practice phys ican, I have faced this issue personally, and for patients. I developed symptoms consistent with Lyme disease, but a Lyme Elisa was negative. I saw a Rheumatologist who elected to treat me for presumptive Lyme disease: Four weeks of home IV Ceftriaxone plus oral Doxycycline for about 3 months. It worked My symptoms disappeared. Six months later, they were back. My doctor gave me the same treatment, but the IV antibiotic for SIX weeks, and Doxycycline for nine months. My symptoms disappeared completely and never came back.
Of course, living in Minnesota. An area endemic for the disease, I was fascinated to understand it better. Read all the literature. I saw Dr Alan Steere talk on a panel about the subject. He opined, “If the Lyme Elisa is negative it is not Lyme disease.” I knew that in an early paper, he had written: “There is no place for Penicillin (read antibiotics) in the treatment of Lyme disease.”
It is far harder to come to definitive conclusions when a practicing physician. I knew the arguments against treatment; I developed chronic C.difficle colonization of my gut. The IV meds scarred my veins. making a simple blood draw difficult. From the oral drug, I became allergic to sun exposure and can no longer tolerate the drug.
I developed an “achey braky” series of blood tests, to look for other causes of symptoms One day, working temporarily for a Minneapolis clinic, by an unlikely circumstance I saw a patient new to me, who had been treated a year earlier for Lyme disease, but only took a few days of Doxycycline, & returned with classic symptoms, another who I saw earlier who tested positive for Lyme disease, and a third, with classic symptoms, but all of her tests were negative.
I started all three on the expensive regime for tertiary Lyme disease on the same day. Politically, very bad for me—at a cursory glance.
But I believed it was the right decision for three different people, who all unfortunately showed up the same day! One other patient, at a different clinic of the same system had classic symptoms and a positive Lyme ELISA, who I also treated. This was a managed care system which emphasized cost containment.
In several months, those were the only four I treated, but the perception was that I treated patients recklessly with no thought for the cost.
I often saw six patients a day who thought they had Lyme disease. Usually, a careful exam and blood tests did not seem to bear that out.
Repeated treatment worked for me, but with as many serious side-effects I have since lived with, if my symptoms recurred, yet again, I don’t know that it would be reasonable to take further treatment of the same sort.
I have since learned about hyperbaric oxygen, which in conjunction with antibiotics could potentially be the magic bullet, but that is another lengthy topic.
I am impressed with the careful reporting in this story. It is accurate, presents different points of view fairly and thoughtfully, raising the spectrum of the many difficulties such a disease presents.
Did I have Lyme disease? Or another disease just like Lyme disease that we haven’t yet identified? I don’t know. I’m glad I was aggressively treated, despite the lingering side effects. I’m aware, though, that anyone with these side effects is at greater danger of dying from a future medical problem requiring antibiotics. There are trade-offs with most medicines. It is better that the general public knows this, and takes medication as sparingly as possible, while continuing needed medical treatment for chronic diseases.”
Foxposte via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/19
More reviews of Patient Zero
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“I have always been interested in Lyme’s disease and this podcast answered all my questions! Can’t wait to hear the rest of this series!”
saraleja via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/10/19
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“This show is so well-researchered and well-reported. It’s very thorough in looking at the science and medical history of Lyme - I’m learning so much and I’m really impressed with the level of professionalism and integrity of the reporter.
This podcast is really refreshing because it doesn’t feel...”Read full review »
Sanjoie via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/11/19
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“This is absolutely the kind of frank big picture look at when science, medicine, sociological factors and real human suffering collide.
The first duty as a health care provider is to listen, to try and understand those who come seeking help in their worst and weakest state. When we don’t do this...”Read full review »
Epic Music Addict via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
09/05/19
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