Lyme Blog Posts
NIH and CDC should dismantle barriers to proper Lyme treatment
Mira Shapiro gave the following public comment at the November 21 meeting of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Thank you for the opportunity to…
As TBD Working Group closes down, I offer seven final suggestions
Since 2017, the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group has been a big part of my life. I watched all 25 TBDWG meetings, many of which spanned…
Infected during basic training, vet urges “real” funding for Lyme disease
Paul Owen gave the following public comments to the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group on November 21, 2022. Thank you for having me today and…
Broadway star’s secret battle with neurological Lyme disease
Ashley Loren, who stars in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” on Broadway, says she has suffered from neurological Lyme disease since she was in grammar school….
What this boy learned young about his mom’s chronic Lyme disease
It can be tough to be a kid when your mom has chronic Lyme disease. Jessica Devine and her 14 year old son Parker know…
Crafting a career in the face of chronic illness
By Fred Diamond Being successful in any career when you have a chronic illness, such as Lyme disease, is a challenge. Performing at a high…
Swamp boy: A story about Bartonella and mental illness
By Kris Newby “Swamp Boy” tells the tale of a bright 14-year-old boy who suddenly hears demonic voices and experiences sudden-onset psychosis. He thinks he’s…
A Lyme rash doesn’t always look like a bull’s-eye target
We often hear the terms “erythema migrans” and “bull’s-eye rash” used interchangeably. But they are not necessarily the same thing. An erythema migrans, or EM,…
Treating chronic Lyme is complex, time-consuming and not covered by insurance
Clinicians who treat chronic Lyme disease patients say that treatment is complex, time-consuming, and does not fit within the standard insurance-based model of providing care….
“Nine EpiPens in a month.” The burdens of Lyme, AGS, and more.
Cortney McCord delivered the following public comment at the Oct. 25 meeting of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. I’m Cortney McCord, a registered nurse…
When alpha-gal syndrome is NOT related to a tick bite
Typically, alpha-gal syndrome is associated with the bite of a lone star tick, and can result in a life-threatening allergy to red meat. But, according…
Lyme patients still need diagnostics, treatment, & health equity
Holly Ahern delivered the following public comments to the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group on October 25. Let me begin by saying thank you to…