<span style='color:darkblue'>Ben,
I read both of the URLs you put up and one of the links which is referenced below. Real interesting. To follow are a couple of interesting quotes, the first being from the first URL and the second is from the link. Also a quote is included that makes it clear that the bacteria itself is getting across the blood-brain barrier (which is continuous around the brain and spinal cord -- the central nervous system). I know that the cerebrospinal fluid is manufactured in the brain, and "migrates" down the spinal cord, so certainly this implies that any organism with access to the spinal fluid would have access the brain (rather than just the toxins).
The conjecture that the toxins are initiating and promoting the various autoimmune diseases/conditions and that the bacteria themselves have a special affinity for nerve cells (especially the cranial nerves and various nerve plexuses including for the heart) is almost certainly correct. In fact, I can see where these two could directly or indirectly account for ALL of the symptoms cited. The problem making the infection chronic (as I know you are aware) is the ability for the spirochete to get in to difficult to treat places (low vascular supply). Tendons were cited as being a hiding place. Tendons (like cartilage & bone) are largely composed of an extracellular matrix material secreted by these specific cells (e.g., tendon cells). These particular cells are often "islands to themselves" not touching any other cells as opposed to muscle and skin cells which are always together, adjacent and attached to each other. The bacterium can make its way into these areas, through the matrix, where it cannot be reached with either type of antibiotic. There are several other diseases like this that are chronic conditions for the same reason. (HIV is chronic because it lives in the very blood cells that were designed to kill such invaders.)
The following quote reminds me of appraising in NC. Coming out this week (supposed to be tomorrow/today) in the "Greensboro News & Record," a major NC newspaper, will be a story others and I were contacted on by an investigative reporter last week. Sizable scandal. And our Board (the NCAB) has now gotten themselves involved. However, in this case, regarding the Board, so far it appears to be more a function of them being idiots rather than crooks. Regardless, it is about time for some justice. Depending on what he chooses to write, it is going to be interesting news for some people on this forum too. (He is talking about maybe doing a series.) I will likely reprint it in the "Improving the Profession" forum. State boards are often packed with notoriously worthless hacks. That's just how it works. The reason there should be a special place in hell for some of them is because they take these positions to do EXACTLY the opposite of what they have sworn to do. They just find that this is the logical place to do their work. And they are right. The fox guarding the hen house all the way. Always remember, it's all about the money:
"In researching Lyme, horror stories surface
not only of patients’ woes, but of persecuted
physicians, hounded by state medical boards,
threatened by the CDC, harassed by the board
of health, and sued by insurance companies;
frightened of seizure of their medical records
and facing the possibility of loss of licensure,
they “throw up their hands in frustration,”
according to one well-respected author on
Lyme disease."
_______________________
The Lyme Disease Conspiracy
by Joseph J. Burrascano, Jr., M.D.
Reprinted from Senate Committee Hearing on Lyme Disease
August 5, 1993
http://www.jersey.net/~joebur/conspire.htm
"There is a core group of university-based Lyme disease
researchers and physicians whose opinions carry a great
deal of weight. Unfortunately many of them act unscientific-
ally and unethically. They adhere to outdated, self-serving
views and attempt to personally discredit those whose
opinions differ from their own. They exert strong ethically
questionable influence on medical journals, which enables
them to publish and promote articles that are badly flawed.
They work with government agencies to bias the agenda of
consensus meetings, and have worked to exclude from these
meetings and scientific seminars those with alternate opinions.
They behave this way for reasons of personal or professional
gain, and are involved in obvious conflicts of interest."
And then from your URL itself:
"One man's insurance company denied him even oral antibiotics,
stating there was no proof he'd ever had Lyme disease, then
denied his application for life insurance on the basis of "a history
of Lyme disease." Figure that one out."
And then the proof of the barrier penetration:
"Sadly, sometimes even multiple, prolonged IV treatment can not
eradicate Lyme (live spirochetes have been found in spinal fluid of
persons who had been treated, and had even shown some good
response, for a period of years)."
_______________
Will Lyme get whipped within the next 10 years including in those with the infection? Yes, it is very likely it will be.
Goose goes to the vet on Thursday afternoon.
Regards,
David C. Johnson, Raleigh, NC</span>
I am surprised that more of us have not had Lime Diaease. I had the bulls eye rash last year. Luckily I went straight to my doctor the same day and recieved antibiotic treatment and testing. After several weeks I was re-tested just to be sure. Its a serious disease that doesn't get much attention. Thanks for the reminder. Tick season is just starting here in SE PA.