Cllr Maura Healy-Rae says Lyme disease sufferers failed by the state
Stephen Donnelly
Cllr Maura Healy-Rae has questioned whether the current diagnosis and treatment of chronic Lyme disease in Ireland is suitable to tackle what, for many people, is a debilitating illness.
The Kilgarvan-based Independent representative was referring to a letter sent by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to Kerry County Council in March.
In the letter, the Minister stated that Infectious Diseases clinics in Ireland are available to patients, and there is no need for Irish residents to travel to other countries for diagnosis or treatment.
Cllr Healy-Rae criticised this, saying the comments have infuriated sufferers of the disease and that it shows a lack understanding on Minister Donnelly and his Department’s part.
Cllr Healy-Rae said testing in Ireland is only able to diagnose those who are recently infected but not those who have been infected over a longer period.
She explained how these tests screen for antibodies. But as chronic Lyme-disease sufferers have suppressed immune systems, their system often does not produce detectable antibodies.
(See link for article)
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**Comment**
And herein lies one of the foibles in Lymeland – faulty and arbitrary testing perimeters based on antibodies for a stealth pathogen that hides, evades, morphs, and suppresses the immune system – creating a perfect formula for misdiagnosis, which is exactly what has gone on for over 40 years.
The article delineates how the Irish have to travel to Germany for better testing and treatment – another phenomenon in Lymeland – having to travel great distances to get any help at all.
The rep also points out the the “intensive” treatment required is not even available in Ireland – another issue felt globally in Lymeland.
The rep asks a beautiful question that has been asked for decades:
Why would patients go to such lengths by spending so much money and traveling such distances if they didn’t need to?
According to the CDC, AMA, FDA, NIAID, NIH, IDSA, and other bought out agencies, we are all hypochondriacs simply imagining our illness.
Ms. Healy-Rae’s Facebook page has numerous articles detailing the plight of Lyme/MSIDS patients.
Madison Area Lyme Support Group 