Customer Reviews

Beating Lyme: Understanding and Treating This Complex and Often Misdiagnosed Disease

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read both this book and Pamela Weintraub's "Cure Unknown." This book touches on why Lyme is complex to diagnos and treat and gets into the history and politics a bit, but the title is misleading. It really doesn't say how to beat Lyme, not that there are any definitive answers on that anyway. It's an important book in that it's out there, but not nearly as well written or in depth or as good as a read as Weintraub.

Kim

[...]

This book has a wealth of information on the politics in treatment options for lyme disease patients and their families. This helps the reader to understand the obstacles and attitudes encountered when seeking medical diagnosis and treatment for lyme disease. I was disapointed that there was very little information on actually treating the disease besides the authors own experience. While trying to explain the whole lyme picture, I felt that too much emphasis was put on information that was dated, and not enough newer ideas or research were presented. I had to put the book down numerous times because it felt like the author was rambling on and on about the same thing over and over. Especially difficult for a late stage lyme disease patient with neurological issues to absorb.

Alot of info on the politics of Lyme. Yes Lyme is worse than you think

Ignore the ranty, meandering, flat-out weird foreword by a neurotic doctor and go straight for the book itself. I've been disappointed in a couple of other Lyme books and was finally relieved to find one that was thorough, well-written, well-researched, and informative without being overly emotional. This book gives you a detailed history of Lyme and FACTS (not whiney opinions and complaints, like the book "Coping with Lyme Disease," which is nothing short of an abomination). It is an intelligent book and helps if you have a vague background in science. I have a M.S. in biology and found it to be just below my level, which should be perfect for any intelligent individual. If you are easily confused by scientific terms and pedantics, you might want to look elsewhere though.

All in all, I thought I knew a lot about Lyme and I learned a LOT from this book.

Finally, I found a book on Lyme disease that tells me what I need to know in an easy to read and helpful format. This well written book is approximately 286 pages complete with chapter notes, an appendix on symptoms, contact resource information, and an in-depth index. The authors discuss cause, testing, diagnosis, and effective medical treatment of this difficult disease. After reading the book I am now armed with information on prevention and treatment of Lyme disease. I am also alerted to the possible political deception or (lack of understanding) by some providers in prescribing insufficient antibiotic treatment.

I have already used my copy of the book as a reference when I removed two suspicious ticks found on my husband following some yard work. We followed the book's protocol and sent them off to the lab for testing. I am glad to have my copy as a resource and sincerely recommend it to all who desire more knowledge about Lyme disease.

1. The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation

2495 Reece Rd.

Westbank, BC, Canada VV4T INI

President, Jim Wilson 1-250-768-0978

"The Book Beating Lyme lays out very well how the patient has been removed from the diagnostic and treatment equation relative to Lyme disease. It shows how well-funded researchers with self-serving interests control a disease from diagnosis to treatment in a broken medical system that allows only a select few to publish in medical journals. Their research was designed with a focus of not providing good evidence but instead providing a means to justify their needs. Tens of thousands are falling victim to this group every year. Beating Lyme is a must read for all!"

"An indispensable read for every medical student, physician, microbiologist and victim of Lyme disease. One blueprint does not fit all, yet physicians are forced to follow a rigid protocol for a disease that acts like a defiant teen. Patients are considered collateral damage to those who set policy, while protecting profits, and physicians have to toe the line or else. "

2. The Michigan Lyme Disease Association

President, Linda Lobes

Lpurdy1040@aol.com

"This book should be read by anyone who has Lyme, suspects Lyme, or has an unexplained illness that physicians are ignoring. It is a condensed version of nearly everything that has happened regarding Lyme and tick-borne illnesses since 1993 and also includes the history of germs and vaccines from hundreds of years ago." She says in another quote, "Incredible book! We have never seen so much comprehensive information on the clinical and political aspects of Lyme disease and related disorders."

3. Norma Swenson

Original Co-author of Our Bodies, Ourselves

Faculty, Harvard School of Public Health

1-617-969-8444

normameras@hotmail.com

"This searingly honest story of how medical politics today can block patient treatment and corrupt medical science must be read to be believed. It is also a glorious saga of how Lyme survivors and their doctors are challenging the status quo to help others recover. Bravo!"

4. Sue Vogan

radio show host of "In Short Order," an internet radio show, and author of the book No Compassion Observed

tvogan45791@embarq.com

3309 Walnut Grove Drive

LaGrange, North Carolina 288551

1-252-566-4461

"You are either involved in treating it, know someone with it, or have it - "it" is Lyme disease. It is the most controversial disease; 2nd most popular disease searched on the internet; and it is the disease most likely to be misdiagnosed, under treated, and under funded. This is exactly why Constance Bean's book is so necessary to the Lyme disease community - world-wide. She has taken a twisted and complicated subject and made it understandable for everyone."

5. California Lyme Disease Association

President, Phyllis Mervine

pmerv@hughes.net

P.O. Box 707

Weaverville, California 96093-0707

"This book would be helpful for any patient who wants a comprehensive overview of Lyme, from the historical viewpoint to an in-depth look at the problems that continue to plague diagnosis and treatment. "

6. Lyme Education Awareness Program, L.E.A.P. Arizona

Tina Garcia, Founder/President

[...]

contact information not to be included in book:

P.O. Box 2654

Mesa, Arizona 85214-2654

480-219-6969 phone

480-830-2788 fax

e-mail:leaparizona@hahoo.com

"Beating Lyme is an excellent narrative on the history of a painful, debilitating infection called Lyme disease. The author provides important information about the disease itself and the complex political issues that are causing tremendous and needless suffering in patients throughout the United States. This is a much-anticipated book that will educate the reader and increase public awareness of a dangerous and growing infectious disease epidemic. As a Lyme patient and Founder/President of the Lyme Education Awareness Program, L.E.A.P. Arizona, I am thankful to Constance Bean for sharing her personal experience with Lyme disease and for her willingness to pull back the curtain for a behind-the-scenes look at this American medical and insurance tragedy."

7. The Greater Hartford Lyme Disease Foundation

Randy Sykes, modelt1918@sbcglobal.net

860-658-9938

"This publication is one more brick in the wall of truth about this debilitating and insidious disease that is wreaking havoc on our nation and the world, while the powers that be pretend it is less of a danger than the common cold. It is a highly-recommended read that should be mandatory for all doctors."

8. Tracie Schissel and Leslie Wermers

(two sisters diagnosed with late stage Lyme)

Co-founders of the Minnesota Lyme Fighters Advocacy

"Thank you Constance Bean for your brilliant, brave and historical account of one of the most misunderstood, misdiagnosed and mistreated diseases of our time. Lyme.

"Constance Bean's book reveals how devastating and debilitating this disease can be. She demystifies the complicated issues surrounding the controversy.

"One may ask, 'what could possibly be worse than suffering with such a disease that still remains a hushed and hidden epidemic?' The answer is the 'plague of ignorance that surrounds it.'

An absolute must read with benefit to us all, now, and for generations to come."

9. Ernie Murakami, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus

University of British Columbia Medical School

Department of Family Practice

special interest Lyme disease

"I just read your book and I strongly endorse this book which speaks strongly for many of my patients who are unable to express themselves as you have done so eloquently. Your story speaks loud and clear for those who are suffering because the medical world remains divided and many have committed suicide rather than suffer a living hell. This is a must read for the public, Lyme patients and the medical profession."

I found "Beating Lyme: Understanding and Treating this Complex and Often Misdiagnosed Disease" by Constance A. Bean to be a very informative and helpful book. She helps to explain the history and the politics of lyme disease. She identifies the vast variety of symptoms of lyme disease as well as why there is often difficulty in getting adequite medical treatment for this disease. It contains information you NEED to know especially if you have been exposed to lyme disease. This is a disease that is widely misdiagnosed and often mistreated which can lead to devastating effects on your life and your health. I would recommend this book as a reference for not only yourself, your friends and family but also your Doctor or any other medical professional you deal with. It offers a host of important information and resources regarding lyme disease and its treatment. After reading this book, I can recognize that my own experience and my symptoms of lyme disease is not that unusaul just as Constance Bean has stated in this book. For your own protection you need to know this information so you will not join the legion of lyme disease patients who did not receive timely and adequite medical care.

This book clearly provides a most relevant, poignant, and straightforward description of successful Lyme disease treatment amidst the political quagmire imposed by the insurance and medical establishments. Constance Bean, who has suffered from Lyme disease herself, relates her first hand experience pioneering treatment of this most misunderstood and debilitating malady. I am impressed by her display of inner strength and tenacity in refusing to give in to the "status quo" treatment. Through her research she insisted on more aggressive protocol and reaped the benefits. A must read for anyone inquiring about Lyme! It answered my questions on prevention and treatment following a tick bite.

Dispassionate, well written and well-researched addition to the literature on Lyme disease oriented toward patients and the general public.

My husband was diagnosed with late-stage Lyme 1 year ago. This was after he had been to 12 doctors, and had been to 3 different hospitals. Lyme, if not diagnosed early, is very insidious, relentless,& sneaky. The author explains this disease well, although sometimes she uses just a bit too much medical "jargon" Overall, though, a very good book.