Letters to the Editor

Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION

Lyme disease serious problem in Manitoba

By: Uncredited

Wednesday, Jun. 20, 2012 | Comments: 2

It has come to my attention that Lyme disease is a prevalent issue in this province.

Over the past legislative session, numerous cases have come to my attention in which testing and treatment plans have proven to be insufficient, leaving patients to suffer. Many patients have been forced to travel outside the province to be properly diagnosed, and with that diagnosis, can be treated. Without early treatment, this disease can mask as other devastating health conditions, and ruin a lifestyle.

While I have the utmost confidence in the doctors of this province, I am aware that the infrastructure that this government has to deal with this disease is lacking. The State of Minnesota can diagnose more than 1,000 cases a year, while this province can only diagnose 25. We are all aware that deer ticks do not stop at the border and check in, so legitimate questions arise when we see cases in this province that are improperly diagnosed.

My office has received dozens of cases where treatment and diagnosis plans have failed. Cases like Mason French of Dominion City, whose mother had to take him to four doctors to receive a proper diagnosis, or Marie Hughes, who after years of fighting the bureaucracy still does not have a proper diagnosis, or Michelle Miller, who has to go on $2,000 IV treatment to curb the symptoms, provide a snapshot into this disease and the effects it can have on someone.

I want to encourage all those affected to contact my office with their story, as I believe that this government needs to hear the importance of this issue, and needs to properly act on it.

My office at the Manitoba legislature can be reached at 204-945-5639, and my constituency office is 204-324-9901, and I would be happy to talk with you.

CLIFF GRAYDON

Progressive Conservative

MLA for Emerson

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition June 20, 2012

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Posted by:Bill the Needle

June 20, 2012 at 9:32 AM

A question which always comes up and which few know the answer: are the ticks in my neighborhood in this season the ones that cause Lyme Disease?

Posted by:Bill the Needle

June 20, 2012 at 9:28 AM

If you have not seen with your own eyes what Lyme Disease can do, I have, and it is frightening.

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