Re: Fw: Dr. Steere's Letter Regarding Persiste

[Guest guest]

I am unable to download this file.. Can someone kindly post the file, if

necessary, in parts so I and others can read this letter?

thanks,

elizabeth

[Guest guest]

> I am unable to download this file.. Can someone kindly post the file, if

> necessary, in parts so I and others can read this letter?

I will post it later if I can find it, right now lymenet is

down. A friend sent me this, but I see that it is in the lymenet law

resource pages. were you able to read any of it? or did it come as an

attachment? I sent it as a letter, hate puters sometimes, they change things

around on their own *-)

[Guest guest]

>

>

> > I am unable to download this file.. Can someone kindly post the file, if

> > necessary, in parts so I and others can read this letter?

>

Is this the letter you want?

LymeNet Law Pages

Web Resources

Title: Dr. Steere's Letter Regarding Persistent B. burgdorferi Infection

Entered By: Ira M Maurer/LymeNet Date Created: 10/29/97

Internet URL:

A former patient of Dr. C. Steere received the following letter dated

August 11, 1994 extending an invitation to participate in a " long-term

follow-up " study of Lyme disease patients. This letter is of great importance to

patients who are seeking authorization from their insurance company for

continued intravenous and/or oral antibiotic treatment of their chronic Lyme

Disease condition. Insurance companies love to quote from Dr. Steere in denial

letters. Now patients can counter quote Dr. Steere who, among other things, said

in the letter in question:

" It has become increasingly apparent that the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia

burgdorferi, may persist in some patients for years. Of particular concern,

recent studies have shown that the spirochete may persist in the nervous system

in a small percentage of patients and may cause chronic neurologic involvement. "

________________________________________________________________________

TUFTS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL CENTER

August 11, 1994

New London, CT 06320

Dear

We would like to Invite you to participate in long-term follow-up studies of our

patients who have had Lyme disease. It has become increasingly apparent that the

Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, may persist in some patients for

years. Of particular concern, recent studies have shown that the spirochete may

persist in the nervous system in a small percentage of patients and may cause

chronic neurologic involvement. The purpose of our long-term follow-up studies

is to determine whether past patients may still have evidence of Lyme disease

and, if so, to offer appropriate treatment. These studies are being funded by

the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

As a part of our long-term follow-up studies, we are particularly interested in

contacting patients who had facial palsy, or Bell's palsy, as an early

neurologic manifestation of Lyme disease. To facilitate this evaluation, we have

established a clinic In East Lyme, Connecticut. The evaluation will include a

history, physical examination tests of memory, and a blood test to determine

your current antibody response to the Lyme disease spirochete. The examinations

will be done by Dr. Kalish and Dr. Kathy Workman. They are members of our

Lyme disease clinic at New England Medical Center. The entire evaluation should

take two hours. This part of the evaluation will be done without cost to you.

However, if further testing is needed or if treatment is recommended1 grant

funds will not cover these costs.

Elise , the Clinical Studies Researcher for this project, will be calling

you to obtain some preliminary information and to invite your participation in

this research effort. If you want to reach her, the telephone number is

617/956-5951. We greatly appreciate your interest in and support of this work.

C. Steere, M.D.

Chief, Rheumatology/Immunology

The Lyme Disease Network of NJ, Inc.

43 Winton Road

East Brunswick, NJ 08816

http://www.lymenet.org/

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

[Guest guest]

yes thanks for posting the letter.

elizabeth