Panel talks ticks in Sag harbor

Commentary: A scientific panel in Sag Harbor recently met to discuss the growing problem of Lyme and associated tick-borne diseases on Long Island. Dr Steven Schutzer from the Rutgers-NJ Medical School commented on the unreliability of blood tests, and Dr Benjamin Lutz from Stonybrook discussed the lagging research, difficulty with creating a vaccine, and how insurance companies are needing to step up and provide better coverage for the disease.”Despite improvements in recognizing Lyme, Dr. Schutzer said better tests are needed and researchers are working to provide them. Because Lyme is a slow developing disease—it can take 12 weeks to create a measurable lab culture—it is essential that more blood tests are developed”. Dr Luft commented “insurance companies are shirking their responsibility in providing coverage, governments are failing to invest enough in research and drug manufacturers are unwilling to take the risk of developing new tests and drugs”. We need more scientific forums where researchers, scientists, clinicians in the field, patients and insurers can meet to discuss the growing problem of tick-borne diseases.

Dr Luft from Stonybrook mentions in this interview that “we are stymied as to how to go forward” with treatment for chronic persistent disease, yet many clinicians in the field who have seen thousands of Lyme patients such as myself, have found solutions. Once Lyme is treated in combination with treatment for co-infections such as Babesia, while addressing the other 16 points on the MSIDS map described in detail in my book (such asimmune dysfunction, inflammation, environmental toxins and heavy metal burdens, detoxification problems, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal abnormalities, sleep disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, food allergies and sensitivities, as well as deconditioning and imbalances in the autonomic nervous system), many patients get better. I will be on a physician panel at the upcoming Harvard conference on Lyme disease in November with Dr Steere and researchers from the CDC, where I will be sharing this perspective in patient care, explaining the need to have a paradigm shift using a multi factorial health care model to improve outcomes in those suffering from chronic tick-borne illness. I will also be presenting a 21/2 day workshop at the Kripalu Institute in the Berkshires on December 5th-7th, 2014, called “Beyond Lyme and Other Chronic Illnesses: Reclaiming our Health and Well- Being”, where physicians, patients and interested family members are invited to participate in a fun, educational program on how to heal from Lyme and associated tick-borne disorders, as well as how to maintain and improve our present health using the 16 point MSIDS model “.

Panel talks ticks in Sag harbor, The Sagharbor Express