The spring, summer and fall months have the greatest risk for contracting Lyme disease and other tick borne infections during outdoor recreational activities.  Lyme disease is a serious and complex bacterial infection transmitted by Ixodes pacificus, or the “deer tick.” Lyme disease is a neurological disorder and also manifests with arthritic and cardiac issues. Once the bacterium is established throughout the body, Lyme disease can be difficult or impossible to eradicate. Lyme disease can be totally debilitating and complications of Lyme disease can be fatal. This is why it is extremely important to be on alert when pursuing outdoor activities. Lyme disease can be eliminated if treated promptly.

The tick that most commonly transmits Lyme disease, the nymphal I. pacificus,  is so tiny that most people, about 80%, are not aware they have been bitten. The same tick can also transmit a variety of coinfections including babesiosis, bartonella, HGE and other diseases. The distinctive Lyme disease rash, or erythema migrans, is the only symptom specific to Lyme disease. Fewer than 50% of those infected get the rash. If you get the rash, photograph it and seek immediate attention. Do not let Kaiser undertreat you with only 10 days of a cheap antibiotic. Some of the worst cases of treatment resistant Lyme disease result from initial undertreatment. Please see a tick borne disease specialist, not to be found within Kaiser, if need be. The alternative could be a potential lifetime of misery.

The “Lyme test” that Kaiser uses is virtually worthless for West Coast cases. Kaiser is also not likely to test you for possible coinfections that reportedly occur in more than 20% of Lyme cases. Again, the tests and laboratories that Kaiser uses are not likely to find these infections, even presuming Kaiser will give you the tests in the first place. And their clinicians  have not demonstrated expertise in Lyme disease and tick borne coinfections. This is another important reason to see a specialist outside of Kaiser.

If you have late-stage Lyme disease, Kaiser can misdiagnose you as having chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, MS, Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), early Alzheimers, Parkinson’s and other syndromes of unknown cause and unknown cure.

There are Lyme disease support groups in every part of the country. You should contact your local support group if you suspect you have Lyme disease. Also, the article “Advice to Kaiser Lyme Disease Victims” may be helpful…

http://lyme.kaiserpapers.info/lymevictimadvice.html

I was a Lyme disease victim of the Kaiser system in the Pacific Northwest. My primary care physician refused to give me an appointment when I told him I had Lyme disease and three infectious disease clinicians denied me a diagnosis. Two of these clinicians never saw me and never reviewed my medical file.

We have had reports of Kaiser physicians being reprimanded for diagnosing Lyme disease. For this and other reasons, it is highly unlikely that a member with Lyme disease will get appropriate help from Kaiser.

Miguel Perez-Lizano

http://lyme.kaiserpapers.info/

Miguel may be reached at:

mikijean@pacifier.com

By Sharon Rushford

Many people don’t realize that arbitration is now the justice system of choice for corporate America. It is touted as faster and cheaper, with judgments being final so there is an end to the dispute once and for all. No appeals going on and on for years.

Having been through this system of justice with Kaiser Permanente, I can tell you it is neither fast nor cheap. As for the judgments being final, I ask the question “why is there an appeals process in America”? The answer, to overturn unjust judgments.

The process is wrought with problems. Kaiser refuses to play by the rules from the onset with their constant failure to timely provide the evidence necessary to prosecute your case. In other words failing to provide the crucial “intact” medical records.

The arbitration system requires selection of a “neutral” arbitrator. These are mostly retired judges who depend on repeat business for their income. Studies have shown that if they award a plaintiff $1 million or more they most likely will not be selected in the future to arbitrate cases. How can this not affect their “judgment”?

As far as the cheap goes, I can tell you that it costs the same to arbitrate a case as it does to try one. The rules of law are the same in “proving” your case. I think most people have the idea that arbitration is one person telling a judge in an informal setting their story, then “Kaiser” for instance has their lawyer tell their side, then a judge makes a decision. I can tell you the only thing informal about arbitration is the setting. Instead of a courtroom it is usually held in a conference room with all parties seated at the table.

If you want to prevail, you must present your case as if you were at trial. Even then, there are no guarantees you will. And if you lose, there is no appeal, even if you now have the clear evidence to prove your case that you maybe didn’t have during the arbitration.

You would think in cases where this happens, Kaiser would step up to the plate and make good for what ever damage they had caused, but they don’t. In the end it’s all about money over humanity.

http://www.rushfordfiles.com/pages/1/index.htm