Just writing this blog takes so much out of me. My sweet friend Kim had a great idea to start updating with video but I have not been as brave as her to expose that part of this ugly, relentless disease. Maybe one day I can but for now I will just have to keep using pictures and my written word.
Aetna- http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0215.html
(If you actually read this all the way through you would be amazed at the constant contradictions in how it is confirmed and how it is treated. Just to give you an idea here is a clip from it.
Aetna considers outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy medically necessary in adult and pediatric members with the diagnosis of Lyme disease only when it is based on the clinical presentation of signs and symptoms compatible with the disease and supported by a positive serologic and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) titer ( So they want a SPINAL TAP)by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), Prevue Borrelia burgdorferi antibody detection assay, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which itself is validated by a positive Western Blot Test (see CDC criteria in note* below).~Aetna considers the following diagnostic tests for Lyme disease experimental and investigational because there is inadequate scientific evidence to prove their usefulness in clinical practice: (Click the link to see full list-you won't believe your eyes)
United Health Care-
https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/enUS/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/Tools%20and%20Resources/Policies%20and%20Protocols/Medical%20Policies/Medical%20Policies/Lyme_Disease.pdf
***This one actually admits in its studies section that "IV ceftriaxone therapy resulted in short-term cognitive
improvement for patients with posttreatment Lyme encephalopathy, but relapse in cognition
occured after the antibiotic was discontinued."
Blue Cross/Blue Shield- http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a050480.htm
Some interesting sites on how big this is...
http://www.nyhealthinsurer.com/2013/blog/lyme-disease-and-health-insurance/
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=128770
http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/healthcare/clinicians.html
http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2012/06/doctors-lyme-disease
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/lyme-disease/overview.html
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/blogs/daily-dose/2013/08/19/lyme-disease-times-more-common-than-previously-reported-cdc-says/6g8auDQH9DZaLN05WHANZK/blog.htmlhttp://www.lymeresearchalliance.org/signs-symptom-list.html
http://lymedisease.org/news/lyme_disease_views/2020-lyme-teen.html
http://www.lymeresearchalliance.org/signs-symptom-list.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lClS8IEkvok (Dr. Phil)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHSzYqS-7Sc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQcmggDan84
(one of the best interviews EVER!)
Dr.Phil Complete Show Parts 1-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qCmjLylxjQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXpXWfM65mo
Lots of love my friends it maybe awhile till my next post, so keep me and my fellow Lymies in your prayers...we need them! #Lymies4Life http://statigr.am/tag/lymediseaseawareness
Daryl Hall - Hall & Oates
Yolanda Foster Real Housewives
Amy Tan author
George W. Bush
Parker Posey
Alice Walker
Peter Sarsgaard
Richard Gere actor
Tim Simpson, professional golfer
Diane Varsi, actress
Alice Walker, author
Christie Todd Whitman, Governor
Ben Stiller & son, Comedian
Christie Brinkley, Model
Here is a longer list of famous people with LD or CDL
http://lymeinside.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/index-of-famous-people-with-lyme-disease/
http://hausfeldaboutlyme.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/celebrities-with-lyme-we-cant-all-be-crazy/
You may just save a life!
http://timeforlyme.org/join-donation.html
http://www.lymeresearchalliance.org/involved_donate.html