S.L.A.M.
SturbridgeLymeAwareness of Massachusetts
Lyme disease awareness and support
Lyme test negative?You may still have Lyme disease... People ask why is it so hard to be properly diagnosed and then treated for Lyme disease? It's because testing is poor and often testing turns out negative when in fact a patient is postive for Lyme. Without early treatment Lyme can become very serious and infect every part of the body. It will be through advocacy and legislation that our circumstances will change and with the advocacy of organizations on the front lines of tick-borne illnesses. Our primary care doctors are being told Lyme is hard to get and easy to treat. It is our hope physician education will improve and through the work of the organizations listed below those suffering will have resources to finding better testing treatment options.
Prevention is key but for those who are already infected consider checking out our resource links to learn how you can prevent Lyme disease and other tick borne infections.
S.L.A.M. is located in central Massachusetts and is committed to raising awareness of Chronic Lyme Disease and supporting legislation for better testing and treatment available to those suffering. Chronic Lyme remains controversial in the medical community and until legislation is passed, Lyme sufferers struggle to get appropriate treatment covered by insurance.
According to the CDC over 300,000 people a year are now affected with Lyme disease and the co-infections that are associated with tick-borne diseases. The CDC estimates only 10% of actual cases are ever reported. Lyme should be considered as a differential diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, MS, ALS, Parkinsons,Autism, Neurologic disorders, Psychological issues and other diseases not responding to standard treatment.
Currently our Lyme literate doctors are few and far between. These doctors, however, are our key to being properly tested for Lyme and the co-infections that might be making you ill. They are our only hope for up to date treatment of Lyme and TBD's. We can help you find one.
ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) is training doctors to become Lyme literate through their Physician Training Program, and are key to fighting for research and a cure for Chronic Lyme disease. Contact ILADS for great information. www.ILADS.org
Working with ILADS and helping to fund the program, is the the Tick Borne Disease Alliance. Visit their website for great information to educate and to donate. www.TBDAlliance.org.
The Lyme Disease Associationhas worked tirelessly to raise funds and has helped in opening the Lyme Disease Research Center at Columbia University in New York. Both sites have great Lyme information to educate yourself and information on how you can help in the fight for a cure!
www.columbia-lyme.org and www.lymediseaseassociation.org
The Lyme Research Alliance www.LymeResearchAlliance.org, is a CT base organization that funds cutting-edge research into Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and offers a school curriculum available at low cost.
The Lyme Induced Autism Foundation www.LIAFoundation.org will help you learn if your childs autism could be Lyme related and how to treat.
S.L.A.M. works to raise awareness of Chronic Lyme and works in support of State and Federal Lyme legislation that is supported by the Lyme community. We ask that you contact your state legislators to tell you story. Every voice counts!
S.L.A.M. is host to a monthly support group, "Tick Talk", which is open to lyme sufferers and their family members. Please see our calendar page for dates and times or contact S.L.A.M@msn.com
Together we can make a difference!
Governor Deval Patrick has signed a Proclamation declaring the month of May as "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in response to S.L.A.M.'s request. Thank you Governor!
S.L.A.M. has received citations from both the Senate and House of Representatives for their work in Lyme disease awareness! Thank you to Senator Brewer and Rep. Todd Smola for your support and recognition!
Together we can make a difference!
"Together we can make a difference"
"Together we can make a difference"
