The Great Chronic Lyme Mirage – Advocates Gone Wild

Bullying Borrelia: When the Culture of Science is Under Attack
(Full Text PDF)

Paul G. Auwaerter, MD, and (by invitation) Michael T. Melia, MD

Abstract
Although Lyme disease responds to short courses of antibiotics, tick-borne Borrelia burgdorferi has been advanced by some as a frequent explanation for medically unexplained symptoms such as continual fatigue, musculoskeletal pains, and subjective neurocognitive dysfunction.

Often called “chronic Lyme disease” by adherents of this philosophy, it is loosely defined, and practitioners liberally prescribe nostrums, including prolonged antimicrobial therapies, in a belief that this eradicates suspected infection.

Perhaps due to the lack of supportive data, proponents of this theory have developed their own meetings, literature, activist groups, and substantial internet activities to advance their views.

Forces motivating this movement are explored, as are tactics used to advance non-scientific ideas that have included legal action and garnering legislative endorsement.

While neither logical nor evidence-based, “chronic Lyme disease” harnesses corrosive energies that taint modern medicine and society.

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We know it all too well from ME/CFS: A minority of quack-doctors are proposing valid sounding theories with regards disease mechanisms – which goes hand in hand with cures they claim to have – and some patients and relatives are more than happy to advocate in their name. And when one calls out their lack of evidence, and the likelihood that the supposed cure does in many (if not most) cases harm, one is branded as an enemy. To hell with those malicious patient advocates and malicious patient activists, and to hell with these "LLMD" quack doctors.

And yes, people who supposedly have "Chronic Lyme" are ill with an (in all likelihood) organic disease. But no, it is not "Chronic Lyme" and in most cases it isn't even Post Lyme.