Under Our Skin

[juliva]

I just wanted to mention also there is a new movie out called~

Under Our Skin *****

If anyone gets the chance to see it I highly recommend it. It's a real EYE opener to say the VERY least.

[wonko]

I've seen this film several time, and own both the pre-release and final DVD versions.  

I agree with many of the comments above.

My take on the film is that it doesn't really impose a message on the viewer.  Instead, it exposes the viewer to a wide range of opinions and people affected by Lyme.  I mean, we have Wormser in there saying how there simply is no such thing as chronic Lyme, and then we also have Burrascano waving his hand to a wall of filing cabinets, commenting on how many lives have been wrecked by this disease.  

There is no voice-over telling us what to think of all of this, so I think the director really just wanted to expose the audience to the confusing he-l-l those of us with Lyme endure.  

The final release has some updates on people featured in the film, and the movie also has a website with a blog and other updates.  The last I read, the ranger had sadly relapsed and his marriage ended due to the stress his illness caused.  Very sad since at the end of the movie he was doing well and credited his family for his will to keep fighting.  The baby born to the woman with Lyme was still doing well, but did test positive for LD.  I think the main character Mandy (blonde) continues to improve.  The basement researcher MacDonald is reported to be suffering from a dementia-like condition, though I don't think it is Lyme related.

One of my favorite parts of the film is actually right at the beginning, when we see many patients against a white background state the many misdiagnoses they were given before Lyme.  I think that segment best shows the diversity of Lyme patients (in terms of age, race, etc.) but the common experience of going through a nightmarish trek before getting a dx and treatment.

I forget who said it in the film, but one person notes that given how Lyme is spreading, sooner or later more and more of the doubters will be personally affected, and how that may be the only way to get past the frustrating stage we find ourselves in now.  I hope that isn't true, since I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but time will tell.

Here here to looking forward!

[JackieCalifornia]

Juliva

I agree, it is a worthwhile film.  

Lyme & Co. affect everyone so differently that it would be impossible to cover examples of every manifestion of the illnesses, so I wanted to note to those who might see the film (but not see their own situation in the film) that it's not the complete story.

I look forward to the day when the LLMDs who have stuck by their consciences and by us the patients will be recognized for upholding the highest standards of medicine:  'First, do no harm.'  And anyone who has been through the merry-go-round of MDs before finding a diagnosis of Lyme+ knows what harm is done by MDs who deny the reality of Lyme.

Here's to looking forward!

[juliva]

The Ranger guy did state in the movie that when he goes off the abx's he does not do as well. I found it encouraging though to see someone that ill regain their life. I know someone who was just as ill here in MI and they are 99% now.

I know not all stories are good but I think the point of the movie is.. proper treatment and getting Dx'ed. It really made me see how much these LLMD are really putting their necks on the chopping block to help. I look at mine differently now and with great apperication.  

[JackieCalifornia]

I've seen the movie, and it is interesting ... having had Lyme for several years before the movie came out, I found that, in the interest of presenting an interesting and compelling story, there seemed to me to be some distortions in the film:  not everyone gets as ill as the blonde (Mandy?); not everyone does well going off meds entirely as one person did; not everyone who gets Lyme is a 20-something.  I applaud the film, but just caution that viewers not take the stories presented as representative of what you 'should' feel or look or act like if you too have Lyme.