Here's a 'stupid doctor' story to make you laugh -- or sigh

[JackieCalifornia]

I just saw a new dermatologist today (my old one retired) and in looking through my history, she saw Lyme and babesia and asked how I got it (from a tick, duh), and I said I got sick from a trip to the East Coast going to all kinds of grassy places.  Then she asked what the tick looked like, I said I never saw it, then she asked how big the rash was, and I said I didn't get one.  So she's looking at me like I'm nuts, of course.

And then she goes on to say something about being surprised about the babesia, how did I get that?  I said Lyme ticks about half the time carry other diseases too, and it was clear this was news to her.  And she kept correcting my pronunciation of bah-BEEZ-ee-oh-sis, saying it as some mangled version like BAB-zee-ah-OH-sis.  

This, friends, is the ignorance we are up against.  A dermatologist who knows so little about a serious disease that may manifest in the skin.  Egad!  And the fight goes on.  :)  Tally ho!

[youvegottobekidding]

Shocking and downright scary in a dermatologist.

Every doctor I've met in Italy has been this clueless, but what I love about them is that ALL OF THEM (with one horrible exception) were open about their knowledge void, and listened attentively as I told them what I know about it.

There's nothing like a bit of humility to make you respect someone.

[mojogal]

Frustrating!

[Ricobord]

Wow.  That's pretty bad.  Before I became familiar with Lyme, I knew it came from ticks and I have no medical training whatsoever.  I wouldn't have much confidence that this doctor is very current in her knowledge.

It still drives me crazy that doctors think the rash is required. This has never been stated anywhere in any literature I can find.  The dispute has been over what percentage have an erythema migrans with ranges varying from 25%-80%, but with either number, no doctor should assume that it's required for a diagnosis.

This goes to show how incredibly damaging the CDC surveillance criteria has been.  What was intended as a strict, narrow definition for sampling purposes became misunderstood as a diagnostic requirement.