This past spring, while working in my yard, I contracted Lyme disease. I have been aware that it is not uncommon in Harvard and in similar communities with an abundance of deer. I write to alert townspeople of the need to be constantly vigilant about this disease.
The Press has had some excellent articles on the problem and suggestions as to how to protect oneself from becoming infected. By good fortune, I happened to see a two-hour program on the education channel that I recommend to all. It can be found on www.underourskin.com. The film documents, in explicit detail, the science research, history, symptoms, and prognosis of this devastating disease. Further, it elaborates on some political and economic forces at work in the 1980s, when the disease was difficult to diagnose. It seems that a board of 14 doctors set up by the government to determine the treatment protocol for Lyme disease was tainted by vested interests in the health, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries. At issue was the question of whether or not there are long-term chronic effects from this disease. In the face of countless documented case studies and opinions of doctors who presented evidence to the national board as to the disabling nature of this chronic disease, which sometimes lasted 10 years or more, the board continued to assert that the patients were suffering from a psychosomatic illness!
Financial interests caused this group of 14 doctors to continue to deny the need for long-term antibiotic treatment. This kind of unconscionable behavior caused thousands of people to suffer unnecessarily. Many who were later treated with antibiotics over time regained their vitality and were able to get their lives back.
It was the work of a pathologist, Dr. McDonald, working nights in his basement, that finally produced hard scientific evidence that brought about a long-term protocol of treatment. Thanks to people like him, the public is now better protected.
I urge people to check out this enlightening documentary. I wish I had seen it prior to this past spring!
George Kerivan
Mettacomett Path
