Review of "Ticked off - The Mystery of Lyme Disease"

I sat down to watch the highly anticipated (among Lyme sufferers) episode of The Nature of Things on Thursday evening, hosted by world renowned scientist David Suzuki.  We all know that when David Suzuki talks, people listen.  So I was hoping that he would have accurate information to impart to inquiring Canadians.

The episode was well-written, with a very balanced portrayal of this awful illness.  By balanced, I mean this:  Basic, true information was given about how the disease is contracted, where in Canada it has spread, why we are seeing more ticks in our region, what the symptoms are, and how it is ruining people's lives.  The episode spoke about the political nature of the illness, and why physicians are polarized in their opinions about how to diagnose and treat it.  It gave equal representation of the two sides, and perhaps even a little more to those who recognize major flaws in the current treatment protocol. 

The sad part about the whole issue is the lack of scientific studies to back up what so many people, including myself, have experienced personally.  I appreciate what Dr. Harris (LLMD from California) said: "I have to treat these people (with long-term antibiotics), even if the science hasn't caught up yet." 

 

I'm so thankful for the few Lyme-literate doctors who recognize this as a moral issue, and who go out on a limb for their suffering patients, and in some cases have risked their reputations and practices.

 

I was fortunate enough to have been able to see Dr. McShane, who was interviewed for this special, in 2011.  She diagnosed me with Lyme disease and possible co-infections.  I don't know what life would be like for me today if she hadn't headed me in the right direction with treatment.

 

If you missed the episode, you can watch it here.

 

This Thursday, October 10 at 8:00 p.m. on CBC

Here is an excerpt from the CBC press release, on the CanLyme website:

Lyme disease, a mysterious tick-borne illness, is the fastest spreading vector-borne disease in the United States, and over the past decade, the tick that carries Lyme has been spreading across Canada with alarming speed. On Thursday, October 10 at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT), CBC-TV’s The Nature of Things premieres TICKED OFF: THE MYSTERY OF LYME DISEASE, a fascinating and eye-opening documentary that explores a disease that has devastating effects, is often misdiagnosed and mistreated, and continues to be mired in a medical controversy.

I watched one of the trailers, and Dr. Maureen McShane is interviewed for this special.  She is the Lyme-literate MD who diagnosed me with Lyme disease and headed me in the right direction towards recovery. 

Click here to view an excerpt from the program.

Be sure to watch or set your PVR!

This doctor knows the facts!

I came across this interview via Facebook.  This dermatologist, Dr. Day, has her facts straight about Lyme disease!  The interview was apparently aired on CBS, though I'm not sure if it was nationally or just locally somewhere.  Regardless, at least a number of people were exposed to the truth about Lyme.  When you watch, take note of how small those ticks can be.  Protect yourself!

Click here to see the interview on YouTube.

Faces of Lyme

Thank you to these 4 women who participated in this short video interview by The Poughkeepsie Journal.  I believe that it is our stories that are causing politicians and the public to sit up and take notice of this illness.  And this is one of the reasons for my blog - to add my story to the thousands of other stories out there.

How can we continue to deny all of this clinical evidence for chronic Lyme disease?  Well, the answer is, we can't.  There are just too many people with the SAME story to ignore! 

As I listen to these women, I feel like it is 'me' talking.

Faces of Lyme - If the video does not appear when you click on the link, you will see a search bar on the website.  Just type in Faces of Lyme, and the video should appear in the group of recommended videos.  Click on it from there.
*I seem to be having trouble accessing the video a second time from my computer.  I think it may restrict multiple viewings because they want subscriptions.  Please let me know if you are not able to access the video.  I have had no trouble accessing it from Facebook.  Go to the California Lyme Disease Association on FB, and find the status update there.

Interview with Jim Wilson of CanLyme on the CBC

The CBC strikes again - in a good way!  If you have followed my blog, you may know that CBC radio is close to my heart because it was an interview I heard on their station in 2010 that helped me to self-diagnose my Lyme disease.  The CBC continues to shine a light on Lyme.  Today, the CBC aired a 1 hour segment on Lyme disease with guest Jim Wilson, founder of the Canadian Lyme Foundation, or CanLyme.  They also took numerous calls from Ontarians afflicted by Lyme disease.  The majority of those people, like myself, have had to travel to the U.S. for treatment.  Jim Wilson, a former Lyme sufferer, is so knowledgeable, and a very calm, rational speaker.  His foundation has helped to provide guidance to Elizabeth May's team in preparing the bill.  The segment also featured a short interview with an infectious disease specialist from Toronto who pretty much toed the old party line - the one we're trying so desperately to change!!!

Click here to listen to the program on CBC's Ontario Today.

Click here to visit Jim Wilson's excellent website, CanLyme.

Thank you, CBC!

I am so thankful for the CBC's openmindedness in reporting on Lyme disease several times in the past couple of years.  Had it not been for an interview I heard on the CBC in 2010, I don't think I would have my Lyme diagnosis.  Here are some recent CBC reports on Lyme disease that I found on the CanLyme website.  Thanks, CBC!

Lyme disease victim in Fredericton (July 5, 2012)

Lyme disease: Dealing with the disease no one believes in (July 6, 2012)

Lyme disease comes to Fredericton (July 9, 2012)