MN Elected Officials
Welcome and THANKS so much for taking time to learn about Lyme disease, a critical public health issue.
New evidence-based, patient-centered treatment guidelines on Lyme disease were published online in the peer-reviewed journal Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy on July, 30, 2014. The paper, Evidence Assessments and Guideline Recommendations in Lyme disease: The Clinical Management of Known Tick Bites, Erythema Migrans Rashes and Persistent Disease, was written on behalf of the International Lyme and Associated diseases Society (ILADS). Guidelines HighlightsGeneral points about the ILADS guidelines:
1. Conclusively demonstrate that Lyme disease can cause a chronic illness in some patients
2. Discuss the health and financial burdens that Lyme imposes on those who are chronically ill
3. Stress the need to prevent chronic disease by choosing antibiotic protocols for the treatment of deer tick bites and the erythema migrans (EM) rash that are highly effective.
If you have any questions about the science of Lyme disease and/or diagnosis and treatment or general questions, feel free to contact MLA’s medical advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Maloney: at [email protected].
We’ve compiled information on this page to make it convenient for you to learn more about Lyme.
State of Lyme in Minnesota:
Find your state representative – click here
We need your help. The Minnesota Lyme Association is forming a Speaker’s Bureau to respond to numerous requests from groups all around the state. We would like to identify two or three potential speakers in each region of the state so we can effectively respond to these requests. Read more
Learn more about Lyme
Doctors and patients have the right to choose.
In March 2010, the MN Board of Medical Practice voted to adopt a moratorium on investigating or disciplining doctors who treat chronic Lyme with long-term antibiotic therapy. Stating the science for diagnosis and treatment is unsettled, the Board agreed to a 5-year period in which to allow science to answer unresolved questions
Legislative Update for Minnesota support groups & MLA Chapters
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society has published new guidelines that call for patient care to be individually tailored based on patients’ response to the course of treatment.
Print a copy of the new guidelines and encourage your physician to review.
Read the talking points here
Here is a letter you can bring to your physician along with a copy of the new guidelines.
If you have been denied insurance coverage print this letter along with a copy of the guidelines when appealing your case.
Welcome district coordinators!
Hello MLA district coordinators!
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society has published new guidelines that
call for patient care to be individually tailored based on patients’ response to the course of
treatment. Minnesota Lyme Association’s medical advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Maloney, is a
co-author of the new guidelines.
This is a victory for Lyme patients across Minnesota and across the country. But this only beginning of the next phase of outreach we’ll be conducting in the months ahead.
We need your help, please print copies of the guidelines and talking points and send them to your physicians.
Guidelines
Talking points
The guidelines:
1. Conclusively demonstrate that Lyme disease can cause a chronic illness in some patients
2. Discuss the health and financial burdens that Lyme imposes on those who are chronically ill
3. Stress the need to prevent chronic disease by choosing antibiotic protocols for the treatment of deer tick bites and the erythema migrans (EM) rash that are highly effective
4. Analyze the original studies of commonly prescribed antibiotic protocols and shows that they frequently failed to cure
5. Review the potential causes of chronic symptoms of Lyme disease, such as misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment
6. Discuss the peer-reviewed research that conclusively demonstrates persistent infection
7. Review the trials demonstrating that some patients benefit from antibiotic re-treatment
8. Encourage physicians to use their clinical judgment to tailor treatment to meet the needs and goals of individual patients
9. Encourage physicians to discuss treatment options with patients and consider patient values when selecting a specific treatment approach
