I was at your premier in NYC and found the movie to be quite accurate in describing the obstacles of being in the middle of this debate on treatment .
I also have been a sufferer of neurological lyme disease and co-infections babesia and bartonella .I have chosen to go the entire route and have made some important gains with the long term antibiotic treatment . Still a ways to go but by far better than what I was, which was barely being able to think walk or talk .
I still find it amazing how often physiscians disregard being exposed to a tick bite and the slowly progressing symptoms that accompany it. It makes me so frustrated that 30 years later we are in the middle of this debate .
I have been at this long battle for over 2 years after my doctor ignoring me with two different exposures to tick bites for over 18 months .
I have been shunned by family and friends for chosing the route I have and very depressed at times with the fallout of the ignorance of people to at least take a look at the options .
I am living proof as well that my choice of therapy through Lyme Literate Dr’s have improved my chances for recovery
Not there yet but not willing to give up yet either.
Thanks again for the production of your film on this very important issue.
I hope changes will be forth coming. No individual should have to suffer like this and no family should have to stand by and watch it . It is very difficult on all of us.
My thoughts go out to all the Lyme Literate Doctors who take the chance to treat their patients accordingly to improve our chances of recovery and quality of life .
Up here in NH

It took me years to get accurately diagnosed with neurological Lyme disease.  By that time, I couldn’t walk and the pain was excruciating.  I lost my home, everything, except my spirit!  I experienced the same marginalizing and demoralizing scenarios with doctors that your documentary showed, from “it’s all in your head”, to trying to push narcotices and anti-depressents on me, to “Why don’t you find a nice man to take care of you”..  The specialists I went to were a reumotologist, internist, neurologist and a neurosurgen - recommended as some of the best in the area I once lived in!  They did try to diagnose me with MS and Parkinson’s…

What was so unfortunate and sad was that none of those doctors was the least bit curious beyond what they believed they knew - no attempts to solve or really discover other potential possibilities because in part, I discovered, they had no time.  There were usually several patients waiting, and people were given about a 20 minuute session with the doctor.  They seemed to be herding people in and out their doors like cattle, short of a willingness to write a prescription for about anything.

So when I found my LLMD’s (Lyme literate MD) everything changed! A new world opened up.  I was treated with compassion.  No one was looking at their watch.  “Whole healing” is now in progress.  These highly intelligent, knowledgable beyond words, visionary, kind and gentle doctors who don’t give up on you, whose thirst and desire for information/knowledge, and who use of an integrative approach with medicine, are indeed the pioneers of the future.  These doctors are the cutting edge of a healthy, holistic, and humane way of medicine.  Thank God!

Finally, thank you… Thank you so much for creating this dcumentary.  My prayer is that this will help bust wide open the veil of secrecy, denial, and ignorance.  Thank you!!  Bless you all…

Speaking of celebrities with Lyme, do you ever think the public will hear the truth about President Bush’s encounter with Lyme disease and which treatment he received?  Obviously if it were per “guidelines” it wouldn’t be such a guarded secret.  At least he was deserving of the best care and it was caught early.  If only we were all so fortunate and not just another number with $ signs attached ;(

Thanks, everyone, for your posts--and for your support! It’s wonderful to get your feedback and encouraging to others as well. Keep it up, and feel free to visit our website for additional resources: http://www.underourskin.com

Warmest Greetings,

Andy Abrahams Wilson
UNDER OUR SKIN, Director

Thanks, everyone, for your posts--and for your support! It’s wonderful to get your feedback and encouraging to others as well. Keep it up, and feel free to visit our website for additional resources: http://www.underourskin.com

Warmest Greetings,

Andy Abrahams Wilson
UNDER OUR SKIN, Director

Thanks, everyone, for your posts--and for your support! It’s wonderful to get your feedback and encouraging to others as well. Keep it up, and feel free to visit our website for additional resources: http://www.underourskin.com

Warmest Greetings,

Andy Abrahams Wilson
UNDER OUR SKIN, Director

Bravo Andy Abrahams Wilson! I saw this films debut at the Tribecca Film festival this past spring, bought the DVD and am spreading it around Maine. We were fortunate to view it again at the Camden Film festival this fall where 95% of the audience had a connection with Lyme.  Please buy the DVD and give it to your doctors Educate yourself. Do all you can to support this film. Its the key we need. I have had Lyme disease for 8 years. It has attacked my heart and my brain.  Pacemaker and betablockers are often the result. I deal with terrible pain every day, The local infectious disease specialist says Lyme does not exist in Maine. I have had two more tick bites recently. I have a farm. Do I stop living?  Trust me I have considered that as an option but have chosen to fight.

I am so filled with love and compassion for all my fellow/sister Lyme victims. When I retrospect what my life has been for the past 8 years, I am amazed, such insane experiences. Docs refusing antibiotics because they are dangerous, then whipping out the pen to prescribe antidepressants, even though I’ve taken millions of milligrams of zithromax with no side effects—except feeling better!

I am so grateful that I now feel well enough to participate in life, even though it’s not the life I once had. I am also so grateful to Andy for doing the film and for the docs who are risking their livelihoods and licenses to care for us.

Don’t seem to be able to get it downloaded on here. (But maybe it’s just my crap slow computer..)
You can also watch it on here
http://www.underourskin.com/watch.html
and there are copies on youtube too…

Excellent film, couldn’t be much better, well done!

How can that guy -"Yale Graduate” - Dr Wormser say with a straight face that lyme can’t be passed on to your children and thru “sexual contact” -how dare he says that and was one of the ones that wrote those CDC guidelines for lyme disease...He says the science isn’t there? How can
he be so dishonest and bold? Because nobody challenges them-
Wait until a famous hollywood star/celebrity goes thru this or someone they love and we will see more attention to this overlooked and underestimated devastating disease.
I passed it on to my 3 children now ages 2, 5 and 7 all have symptoms and are positive in western blots- meeting strict CDC criteria and low CD 57’s which are now immune suppressed-also my husband as well...I passed it on to them and my husband thru sexual contact as it is the cousin of syphilis. I got bit by a tick 8 yrs ago.
Sad-so sad… Why he does it with a straight face? well Dr Wormser and his collegues had conflict of interest when writing the guidelines and didn’t disclose that information. Also, they/he particularly included so called studies and REFUSED to include other relevant studies and data from lyme literate doctors who indeed treated people with lyme with great success… They didn’t allow for anybody input or data to contradict what they believed.  That is plain evil and dishonest-and what upsets me is that he claims to serve the public and we paid for their salaries…
Shame on you!  We need HONEST Doctors in the CDC panel/medical board and new CDC Guidelines.  Austin, TX

I have tried to watch this preview of under our skin 3 times.Each time at different points there is flutter and then the film kicks off.Does anyone know a site other than snag where I can watch this.A late stage lyme sufferer.

Thank You all who participated in this film, it is an urgent wake up call to our health care system.This film has opened many peoples eyes to the pandemic upsurge of Lyme and its horrific reprucussions, it is also the tip of the iceberg.
It’s not just ticks causing problems: it is sand fleas, flies and mites, lice and people being misdiagnosed with scabies.Our soldiers are coming back from Iraq with horrendous cases of Leshmaniasis caused by the bite of sand fleas.
The medical community better wake up, we not only have an increase in Chronic Lyme but in other deadly vector borne diseases, as a Medical Professional I am in contact with people every day with Leshmaniasis, Lyme, Bird Mites, Chagas Disease and Morgellons. These people are debunked, dimissed and told that parasitic diseases do not exist in the United States. I am one Nurse in Florida who has spent the last 3 years listening to and fighting for the rights of these people. The Current pesticides on the market are not effective against these diseases. People are having to take
horse dewormers, make colloidal silver in their back yards and are slathering toxic chemicals on their bodies in order to try and stop the progression of these vector borne diseases.After multiple trips to the “Doctors” all hope is lost when they are tagged as delusional or mentally ill.  They have lost jobs, homes, have no insurance coverage and families are being destroyed by vector borne illnesses. This film is a huge start and as we dig deeper we will uncover many parasitic diseases are actually causing neurological, muscular, blood diseases, paralysis and death of children, adults and the elderly. When will our Medical System wake up and understand these diseases are not just skin deep.These diseases are world wide, escalating and are of epidemic proportions.My concern is also what is being missed in our blood supplies and have they been comprimised also.Thank You for opening the door and making people see that what we may think is incredible...is indeed CREDIBLE.

My story is like most who suffer Chronic Lyme Disease.  I suffered for over 8 years, my husband & I traveled all over the US trying to find a diagnosis for whatever this was that had me completelt debilitated,,,,and even wheelchair bound, doctors and hospitals and some very prestigious university hospitals and clinics said basically they could find Nothing wrong with me.  Then by some MIRACLE I found my LLD and 2& 1/2 years ago started on my way to recovery.  This will probably Never leave me completely, I still Do have many bouts but I can walk & function like most normal human beings.  Everyone MUST see this film and take some action to educate both the doctors and the public on the simple things to do in case there is a tick on the body and doctors, above all else must be made to learn & understand CHRONIC LYME DISEASE DOES EXIST and IT MOST BE TREATED WITH NEW GUIDELINES.

This is a message to Peggy of Family who posted a message below:  Peggy- you are fortunate because there is an excellent clinic in Kansas for Lyme.  I have or had the disease and used this clinic for the last three years.  It is in Wichita and is well described in its web site under the Hansa Clinic, headed by Dr. David Jernigan.  email me for any needed information!

Erik

At first I thought hmm, a doc about Lyme disease… And that’s it? I’m probably like a lot of people out there. I’ve read about Lyme disease in newspaper headlines, but never knew there was much to worry about or even discuss. But I’m glad I watched all the way to the end. When I heard mention of biological patents, I knew there was something important to this - something that’s part of an ominous larger picture in the health care and pharmaceutical industries today. I also live in a part of the country where there is risk of the disease. Thank you for educating people and fighting for what is right in this disturbingly profiteering world we live in.

Thank-you for this film.  It will open up the eyes of the people who have the power to make change.  As a nurse who has many chronic late stage Lyme Disease patients on long term IV antibiotics, I’ve seen what they go through from their beginning stories and how well they do after Antibiotic treatment is finished.  I also suffered through my own Lyme disease and co infections.  Thank God there are intelligent,caring LLMD’s that put patients ahead of strict guidelines of IDSA(Who would rather let patients suffer and go on diability.) Treatment and education could prevent disability from this devastating illness.

HI:

We are a family of six. All of us have Lyme disease and many coinfections. I can’t find adequate testing or treatment in my state of Kansas.

I worry alot about my oldest daughter’s pregnancy. Her OB GYN refuses to check her or the baby for Lyme disease.

Doctors in our town are now refusing hospitalization and primary care to me, my family, and all “past, present, or future Lyme patients.” Why? Because the doctors are “hired by the hospital.”

Peggy

Something very important to know.

Chronic Lyme Disease has changed my life, put me on disability and changed every facet of my life.

We need more study about this illness, we need assistance and more doctors to understand it, diagnose it and treat it. Without it, this will weaken our world by weakening each person one at a time.

Do you have copies of the abbreviated version of Under Our Skin that you showed at the NATCAPLYME Briefing Sept 24.

I have an opportunity to show it at a Clinic Meeting - Board of Directors - here in Nelson County, VA.

I am also in contact with several other community groups here in Central VA and would like to show the shorter version, if at all possible.

Thank you,

Joe LeBlanc, Director
Central Virginia Chapter
National Capitol Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Association
c/o 235 Dug Hill Road
Amherst, VA 24521-3843
(434) 277-8346
http://www.natcaplyme.org

Thank you Andy and all the people who helped you make this film come to life.  Finally, the truth about Lyme Disease.  This Documentary will be pivotal in educating our public about Lyme Disease and the unfortunate controversy that surrounds it. Great film and it is obvious how much work went into it!!!!!
Renee (ILLINOIS)

Bless you for making this film about this hidden epidemic I have suffered with Lyme disease for 18 years with neurologic and neuropsychiatric symptoms.  I went through a living hell. I am still on daily antibiotics and cannot stop without having my symptoms reappear as violently as in the beginning.  So many people are misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ALS, multiple sclerosis, psychiatric disorders, etc.  My family have all been bit many times.  My daughter was sick for five years (until finding Dr. Jones - wonderful, giving soul), my husband had a positive test 9 years ago and now has been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease diagnosis of PLS (a slowly progressing disease similar to ALS.  The government has to step up, admit to their biological warfare research and help all of us stricken with this illness to get the help we need. This is the most pressing issue the United States is being faced with, not the economy, education, wars, and unbelieveably it is all being kept a secret. For fear of losing their licenses, doctors are afraid to treat Lyme and don’t want to get involved.  Thanks, Thanks so much to Andy Abrahams Wilson and staff for this very telling documentary.

I saw the film in New York and was completely blown away by the in depth research that went into it.  I have late-stage Lyme disease and several of the patients followed in the film are telling my own story.  This film could literally save lives.  I only wish I had known about Lyme disease and it’s potentially devasting effects long ago.  Andy Abrahams Wilson and all of those who spent long hours working on this film documentary are to be commended for bringing this controversial and difficult disease to light.

Thanks so much to everyone involved in making this film. My doctor is in this film.....he has lost just about everything he has worked for because he chose to help Lyme sufferers.

God bless,

Elaine in Virginia

Thanks so much to the makers of this film.

It is SO helpful for Lyme patients to have something like this to hold onto and to show other people who are skeptical of what we know to be true about the disease.

Thanks again.

After my family and I viewed the movie I purchased at the showing in Silver Spring, Maryalnd in June 2008,we all understand what I have been going through.

I do have Lyme and am seeing a doctor in Rockvile, Maryland. I moved here from Oregon in 2003 with symptoms that started in 1999. The doctors in Oregon… even specialists at a University could not diagnose the problem. I moved here to Maryland to be with family after my mother retired.  Finally in April 2008 a Doctor in Rockville diagnosed me with Lyme Disease.  I now have my sense of taste and smell returning after a year with treatment only 3 months old. Thank you God.  Still have other problems, but I understand it is a long process and I am willing to continue antibiotic treatment to resume my health. I am so thankful someone has taken the steps to educate us about this horrible disease, I have purchsed 3 of the dvds and have given them to neighbors and friends to educate them and spread the word.
Thank you

Kudos to all work worked on this film. Finally, something that speaks the truth about this disease, and the crimes that are being done by physicians in pursuit of profit, and not patient care.

This film was thought provoking and heartbreaking and tremendously done all wrapped up into one. 

My family who saw this film this weekend has a better sense of what my son has been going through.  One even appologized for the crititism given over the years.

Everyone in the Nation needs to see this film. 

I want to thank Open eye pictures for the sacrifice and time spent making this movie. 

Thank you

Mom in Texas

This is an excellent film. I own a copy. We need to support this film and its producers in two ways.

1.  Spread the word about the film

2. Buy a copy and then show to family and friends and if permissible show at local libraries and community functions

saxmar

This is a tremendous film that is finally bringing the true story of Lyme and tick-borne diseases to the public.  Thank you Andy Wilson for the sacrifice you have made by devoting so much of your life to telling the story that had to be told.  Everyone needs to see this film.

Excellent