Response to Chicago Tribune’s Misinformation Attempts
I posted these news stories because they’re news, however, this is what I feel about these: Chronic Lyme disease: A dubious diagnosis, (the other two were When faith and trust erode, Behind the curtain on our investigation into dubious medicine), in the Chicago Tribune today.
As I read these news stories in the Chicago Tribune, three within one day! I was infuriated so I began by dissecting the article and to my surprise Trine Tsouderos ’ points had no “meat” to substantiate her key points and no key evidence to supplement her ramblings. So, these news articles did not hold any relevance to my already thoroughly researched and informed (not to mention experience) point of view regarding her absurdities as to the fact that to quote the header of the article: “there’s little good evidence that chronic Lyme disease exists.” (Plus, LYMEPOLICYWONK: Chicago Tribune article. Is it journalism? Call it what you will— has done a good job dissecting the article.)
From a glorified “food critic” to an investigating quack-busting medical reporter, Trine of the Chicago Tribune, does it once again, “fails to educate herself in the actual science or history of what she writes about” or, as in my thinking, intentionally trying to misinform the public. Trine to the rescue! What to just “skim the surface, believing the answer to every complex medical question can be answered persuasively by dialing up the doc with most impressive Ivy League degree—Harvard being the ne plus ultra—or the government health official with the highest pay grade.”1
Why am I not surprised? An investigative medical reporter that wrote several articles as follows: “Gourmet fests Family Village Short on Food”, “Onion-Spinach cake? Avocado Cake? It’s the Chaos Theory”, “Peanut Butter Gelato Anyone? Maybe Black Pepper Olive Oil?” to “Not Dyeing for Colored Eggs” to her unsupported ramblings regarding XMRV and Autism treatments in November 2009. As quoted from one Autism advocate. “The Tribune has appeared to make it a mission of theirs to try and paint a picture of desperate parents doing voodoo to treat children who have some sort of genetic and incurable developmental disorder. Hardly the reality as we now look at 1:100” “Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, United States, 2006.”2 Then, Trine once again efforts are to “undermine the OSR antioxidants”. In each of my sources as I dug deeper and deeper into their research, a pattern began to emerge. You guessed it! Trine and her partner in crime Callahan always seemed to be doing their best to “misinform the public”. In my reading, I have found that much of this “quack-busting” would benefit major players that would benefit from these articles. No need to mention them-we know how we feel about the IDSA Panel and the conflict of interest issue.
I also found it quite interesting that most accomplished reporters, even the average “Joe” would proudly display all their accomplishments in experience and education. So, I began my search with Trine herself in a search for her credentials. Unsurprised I didn’t find much as to her experience related to classify her as a “medical” reporter. Thus, I searched other noted medical reporters, writers, etc. In each case, these accomplished reporters had an impressive list of educational and experienced-based achievements. I found Trine’s to be lacking, quite lacking. I’ll let you judge the lack of information yourself.
I cannot say it better than Dr. L’Hommedieu: “On the front lines of this battle for your mind, unrestrained organized efforts of major media are employed to discourage the public from investigating principled scientific research and alternative approaches in health care. Their intimidation and obstructive tactics include ridicule, discrediting, lying, deception, and selective media coverage. Their concern is that if people were to be presented with accurate scientific evidence on health issues, they would soon realize much of what they thought to be real science was, in fact, only an image of scientific authenticity. The vital role of major media is to preserve that image.”3
My opinion, the role of Trine is to “misinform the public” and no more. As we all know, when it comes to family and loved ones and their health, we will research, research and research. Take the time to learn all that you can, then, and only then, make your own determination. Advocate for yourself, inform yourself. I am confident that you will find that those that are fighting to change the current IDSA guidelines want the best for everyone—that is, treatment according to the individual’s needs and not the “rubber stamp” and “one size fits all” that is currently being administered.
ADDED SIDENOTES:
Now, I’ll take a quote from the article: “Given the lack of benefits, ‘why take needless risks with people’s lives?’” In my personal experience, if had not continued my efforts to research and continue the long-term treatment, I would not have fully recovered as I did; the “rubber stamp” treatment only left me disabled and bedridden. I had the tick, the bulls-eye rash, and all the symptoms.
Lymenaide
Ashley Van Tol: “I was recently quoted in an article from the Chicago Tribune entitled, Chronic Lyme disease: A dubious diagnosis.” “…Would 10-28 days of oral antibiotics have gotten me to where I am now after nearly two solid years of treatment? No. There is no way that the IDSA treatment protocol for Lyme disease would have made me healthy. How do I know? I know because the actually Lyme part of my illness was never my biggest problem. Without having addressed my entire illness, I would not be on the doorstep to health like I am today. How could I be?
The IDSA guidelines state- When Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated quickly, 95 percent of people are cured within a few weeks of treatment.
About the other five percent they say this- The number of people who continue to have problems is very small. Most likely, their symptoms are related to one of the following:
• They never had Lyme disease at all and received the wrong treatment for their illness
• They had Lyme disease and another infection simultaneously and were only treated for Lyme disease
• They contracted a new illness unrelated to Lyme disease but with similar symptoms
• They have again been bitten by the tick that causes Lyme disease
Exactly! The reality is Lyme disease is not just borrelia burgdorferi.” Read more.
ADDED SIDENOTE:
Also, if you take a look at the comments to these stories, you will note there will be information giving you proof that chronic Lyme exists as well as how the IDSA and the whole conflict of interest issue is addressed as well as their insufficient guidelines.
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Osler’s Web Update: Trine Tsouderos From Cupcake Cop to Autism Science Expert, Inside the Labyrinth: Osler’s Web Updates, by Hillary Johnson, June 8, 2010 http://www.ageofautism.com/2010/06/trine-tsouderos-from-cupcake-cop-to-autism-science-expert.html
3Chicago Tribune’s Trine Tsouderos undermines OSR antioxidant by Dr. Stephen C. L’Hommedieu, February 12, 2010 http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/lhommedieu/100212
1,2Tribune Watchdog Or Tribune Skunk? By Teresa Conrick, January 20, 2010 http://www.ageofautism.com/2010/01/-tribune-watchdog-or-tribune-skunk-part-2.html
Proof That Chronic Lyme Disease Exists http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ipid/2010/876450.html
My Lyme Disease is not the IDSA Lyme Disease by Ashley Van Tol, Lymenaide, December 8, 2010
http://lymenaide.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/my-lyme-disease-is-not-the-idsa-lyme-disease/
LYMEPOLICYWONK: Chicago Tribune article. Is it journalism? Call it what you will—
http://www.lymedisease.org/news/lymepolicywonk/609.html
Just Don’t Eat The Plums On Plum Island ~ Lies More Lies & More Denial From the Chicago Tribune
http://lettherebeelight.blogspot.com/2010/12/just-dont-eat-plums-on-plum-island-lies.html
My Lyme Disease Is Not The IDSA Lyme Disease – Molly http://dizzygrl05.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/my-lyme-disease-is-not-the-idsa-lyme-disease-molly/
Chronic Lyme disease: A dubious diagnosis
When faith and trust erode http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-chronic-lyme-sidebar-20101207,0,3967903.story
Behind the curtain on our investigation into dubious medicine http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/tribnation/2010/12/behind-the-curtain-on-our-investigation-into-dubious-medicine.html
Rebuttals: