Letters to the Editor of the Star Democrat, Easton, Maryland

In response to their article “Study finds Lyme Disease tests unreliable”, which was published December 29, 2005.

Lyme disease test fails

I just read the article entitled “Study finds Lyme Disease tests unreliable” by Steve Nery and found it to be informative and well done. As someone who’s been battling with Lyme disease and other tick-born diseases for 20-plus years, I’m particularly grateful that someone is putting the word out that it exists, testing is inadequate and it needs to be treated early and not brushed under the rug. Thank you for printing this article.

name withheld

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Lyme disease sufferer lauds Nery's story

Regarding the study that finds Lyme disease tests unreliable, this is an excellent article! At last, a newspaper has the wisdom and courage to print the truth about this terrible disease that is so devastating to those of us who have it.

I have chronic nervous system Lyme disease diagnosed two years ago after being misdiagnosed by every specialist I could find. I was confined to bed for two years and just recently have begun to make some progress.

This disease which mimics so many other complex diseases appears to be “under the radar” of most conventional medical doctors, including infectious disease doctors. The testing is atrocious and there are only one or two labs which can test correctly for this disease which is one of the fastest-growing infectious diseases in the United States.

Lucy Barnes should be congratulated for her hard work over the years trying to help others with this devastating disease and the medical community in her efforts to educate them about the testing, symptoms and treatment.

Thanks again, keep up the good work.

Lymelady

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Lyme disease report

In his recent article, “Study finds Lyme disease tests unreliable” Steve Nery does a wonderful job of reporting on the fact that the tests are not what they should be. After 30 years, there still is not a decent test or a reliable treatment for Lyme disease. Seems unbelievable. Thank you so much for this piece and for quoting Ms. Barnes and all she does to help people with Lyme disease.

ANN Ohio