New York Times, and Health of the Message Group

[Guest guest]

From the NYT article:

> One complicating issue is that among patients who have recurrent Lyme

> symptoms, at least two distinct groups seem to have emerged.

>

> One group's symptoms are centered on arthritis symptoms like pain and

> swelling, usually in the knees. A second group has nervous system symptoms

> like memory loss, confusion, fatigue, muscle weakness and numbness or

> tingling.

My experience, going by the messages on this group and from my local support

group, is that nearly all of us have experience BOTH types of symptoms! I do

think the theory of " autoimmune reaction " is a possibility, but again,

another example of poorly designed studies and lack of knowledge from the

doctors involved.

I'm behind on reading messages, but I was very disheartened by those recent

ones attacking one subscriber. I noticed that several folks were continuing

to reply to previous messages without changing the subject line that

mentioned Lyra's name. If that were me, I would be further bothered to see

those in my incoming email.

I don't want to delve in a conversation that I only half read and don't

understand, but it was just shameful, in my opinion, the comments posted on

pregnancy and attacking someone based on their profession. I hope appropriate

apologies were made. No one has the answers, not you, you, you or you. That

much is clear.

Again, I don't want to meddle in something that doesn't involve me, but as a

subscriber, I was very shocked and upset. Had it been me, perhaps six months

ago at the height of my illness, I don't know how I would have coped with

messages like that. Robynn runs a fantastic group that has been a big help to

me and I would like to continue to subscribe. Perhaps everyone (including me)

should compose their messages, re-read them, then click send at least a few

hours or a day later.

Outside the list, I was just asked several questions at a party, about

pregnancy and sexual transmission, and I found it very hard to answer, not

wanting to give misinformation or scare anyone, yet wanting to suggest

concern and precaution.

Best to everyone.

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