Gibson: Lyme disease a major health problem
Excerpted from the Register-Star: (05/05/2013)
COLUMBIA COUNTY – Columbia County has “become ground zero” for Lyme disease, Rep. Chris Gibson, R-19, said recently.
It’s a “major public health scourge,” he said, especially in the Northeast — and it’s spreading across the country.
During a Lyme forum held in early March, he said ever since he took office, Lyme disease has been at the top of his constituents’ minds. During an April 18 phone interview, he said a symposium held in May 2012 in Saratoga on Lyme disease was “constituent driven.”
But this “public health scourge” also weighs heavily on his mind. Gibson grew up in Kinderhook and after retiring from the Army in 2010, he, his wife and three children, moved back to his hometown. He said he’s “very concerned on a personal level,” as he has family and friends afflicted with Lyme disease.
As a resident in “ground zero,” this may make him one of the best champions for better Lyme disease awareness, testing, treatment and research.
Gibson has teamed up with U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, who called Columbia County home not that long ago, and Richard Blumenthal. The three legislators have partnered with the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance (TBDA) to build support in the fight against Lyme disease. The alliance is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting advocacy to find a cure for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
The forum held in March brought together a panel of doctors, experts, advocates and even nationally syndicated cartoonist John McPherson, creator of the “Close to Home” comic, who has had Lyme disease since 1998.
During the forum, Gibson noted some of the investments are starting to take root and that last year, there was $8.75 million in appropriations for better testing.
Calling from his Washington, D.C. office, he said the five areas of Lyme he’s focused on are awareness, testing, treatment, health care coverage and tick suppression.
With awareness, he said, there are steps individuals can take to lessen exposure, like wearing clothing in particular settings or when returning from certain areas, take a shower, check vulnerable areas on the body and tumble-dry clothes.
For more: http://www.registerstar.com/news/article_aac7094c-b77e-11e2-86c2-0019bb2963f4.html
Lyme Handbook 
Hi I just have a question I had 3 positives I just had more test from different dr and lab plus a negative spinal test could I still have Lyme disease
My new test were all negative
Danielle,
aside from the fact that Virginia just passed legislation that require doctors inform patients that LD tests are inconclusive, a clinical diagnosis from a Lyme Literate doctor is more promising.
That said, if you do have a Tick Borne Infection and it is not being addressed, postponing treatment will most likely make matters worse. Until you get properly diagnosed, try avoiding inflammatory foods, sugars, and try to have plenty of garlic in your meals.
If you can, exercise often. Blood circulation is key for your immune system.
Best of luck, and let us know how things go.
FWIW, I also had some negative test results and a negative spinal and in the end had very high titers for all of the co infections.