Saturday, November 26, 2022

Giving Tuesday



#GivingTuesday is upon us and in the spirit of giving, we hope that you will consider supporting Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education (MLDSE) and our efforts in the many ways that we raise awareness, educate communities and support those afflicted with Lyme and Tick-borne disease with our free resources.

Did you know that 100% of all donations to #MLDSE go to local Lyme Disease Awareness efforts?

Did you know that 100% of donations to the Midcoast Lyme Aide fund stay local helping local people get the help that they need?

Did you know that members of #MLDSE donate 100% of their time and energy to helping others with free resources find their way back to health??
  • You can donate directly ~ MLDSE 4 Mills Rd (#120), Newcastle, ME 04553
  • You can click on our Donate Button:

     
  • Need a tax deduction? We’re a nonprofit 501c3 ~ Make a Year End Donation! {MLDSE/EIN#47-2502113}
  • Donate to the Midcoast Lyme Aid fund:  Click Here
  • When you shop on AmazonSmile, choose us to be your charitable organization:  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-2502113 
  • Share us with family and friends www.mldse.org

Science News

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=29652 

 

Study Shows that Mast Cell Activation (a Disorder Common in Lyme Disease) Causes Depression

By Georgin-Lavialle, et al. • www.ProHealth.com • November 23, 2022

 Mast cells' involvement in inflammation pathways linked to depression: evidence in mastocytosis

Editor’s Note: Mast Cell Activation Disorder (or mastocytosis) has, of late, become increasingly implicated in chronic degenerative diseases of all kinds. Therefore, this study’s assertion that mastocytosis is rare is most likely inaccurate, as researchers have been finding it to play a major role in the symptoms of many illnesses, including Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. For more information, see Lawrence B. Afrin’s book, Never Bet Against Occam (2016).

Abstract

Converging sources of evidence point to a role for inflammation in the development of depression, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. More precisely, the tryptophan (TRP) catabolism is thought to play a major role in inflammation-induced depression. Mastocytosis is a rare disease in which chronic symptoms, including depression, are related to mast cell accumulation and activation.

Our objectives were to study the correlations between neuropsychiatric features and the TRP catabolism pathway in mastocytosis in order to demonstrate mast cells' potential involvement in inflammation-induced depression.

Fifty-four patients with mastocytosis and a mean age of 50.1 years were enrolled in the study and compared healthy age-matched controls. Depression and stress were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory revised and the Perceived Stress Scale. All patients had measurements of TRP, serotonin (5-HT), kynurenine (KYN), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) activity (ratio KYN/TRP), kynurenic acid (KA) and quinolinic acid (QA).

Patients displayed significantly lower levels of TRP and 5-HT without hypoalbuminemia or malabsorption, higher IDO1 activity, and higher levels of KA and QA, with an imbalance towards the latter. High perceived stress and high depression scores were associated with low TRP and high IDO1 activity.

In conclusion, TRP metabolism is altered in mastocytosis and correlates with perceived stress and depression, demonstrating mast cells' involvement in inflammation pathways linked to depression.

Source: By Georgin-Lavialle S1,2,3 Moura DS1,2,4, Salvador A5,6, Chauvet-Gelinier JC7,8, Launay JM9, Damaj G10, Côté F2, Soucié E11, Chandesris MO1, Barète S1,2, Grandpeix-Guyodo C1, Bachmeyer C3, Alyanakian MA12, Aouba A13, Lortholary O1,14, Dubreuil P1,11, Teyssier JR15, Trojak B6,7, Haffen E15,16,17, Vandel P17,18, Bonin B7,8; French Mast Cell Study Group, Hermine O1,2,13, Gaillard R1,5,6,19. Collaborators. Mast cells' involvement in inflammation pathways linked to depression: evidence in mastocytosis. Mol Psychiatry. 2016 Nov;21(11):1511-1516. doi: 10.1038/mp.2015.216. Epub 2016 Jan 26.

Wiscasset Support Group Meeting Reminder


In the News

http://lymelife.bangordailynews.com/2016/09/05/a-lesson-in-lyme/the-unadulterated-and-unpleasant-truth-about-lyme-disease/

MLDSE Awareness Table

The Unadulterated And Unpleasant Truth About Lyme Disease


Sunday, November 20, 2022

Remembering Lyn Snow

Our December Rockland support meeting will be open to the public
 and run slightly different than usual ~
Please join us on Tuesday, December 13 from 6-8pm, as we will be "Remembering Lyn Snow"

Read this Events Press Release Here:
https://bangordailynews.com/community/remembering-lyn-snow/?ref=inline 


Daytime Support Meeting Reminder

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

MLDSE in the News!

http://www.boothbayregister.com/article/resources-lyme-disease-victims-now-community-center/78650#.WCuVdgZY9MA.facebook

Resources for Lyme disease victims now at Community Center
Posted:  
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 - 7:30am
Boothbay Register Newspaper
 
 Did you know that many of our neighbors are suffering from the effects of Lyme disease and the Midcoast is the center of the current epidemic in Maine?
According to Paula Jackson Jones, president and co-founder of Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education (MLDSE), many victims of tick-borne diseases may not even know the reason they are feeling so ill. As an example, the telltale bull’s eye rash only presents about 50 percent of the time and the most frequently administered test is only reliable about one third of the time, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
A Lyme disease victim herself, Jones explained the frustration of dealing with the scarcity of information about her illness. After being bitten by a tick in 2009, she was not diagnosed until two years later when her symptoms became very severe.  With her disease in remission, she founded MLDSE with Angele Rice of Bath in 2014. In May, 2016 the group was named the official Maine partner of the National Lyme Disease Association.
Jones explained that the disease is actually bacteria which cause a number of infections with clusters of symptoms that are difficult for the medical community to diagnose because the range and severity are so broad. As a result, many patients are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and the bacteria that cause the disease remain in their systems. Symptoms may mimic neurological, cardiac/pulmonary, gastrointestinal diseases and even behavioral issues.
Fortunately, according to Jones, there is now a blood test that is highly accurate (98.6 percent) in showing if there is a current or previous infection.
Those who have the disease may be suffering over a long period of time from fatigue, aches, chest pains, fever and other symptoms. According to the CDC, the average patient will see five doctors over almost two years before being diagnosed with the disease. Along the way, they may be abandoned by family members and friends who do not believe that the vague symptoms are real.
Among diseases caused by the bite or touch of an infected entity (“vector-borne”), the national CDC states that Lyme disease is the fastest-growing infectious disease in the U.S.
Half the ticks in our area are believed to be infected with the disease and it may be transmitted by a mosquito bite or as some physicians believe, through sexual contact with an actively infected person, according to Jones.
To assist Boothbay area residents, the Community Center is lending its offices to MLDSE on the third Thursday of every month for what Jones calls “Our whole package, including information about the local network of doctors and experts, advocacy and support resources. We will provide whatever support is needed.”  The hours are 6 to 8 p.m. and the center is closed to all other activity during that time to ensure privacy.
“(Attendees) can either be part of a group or meet one-on-one with our staff. You’re going to find your ’village’ because we know exactly how you feel.”  Lyme disease sufferers and their families can also set up appointments or receive more information by calling Angele Rice at 207-841-8757, Paula Jackson Jones at 207-446-6447 or emailing: info@mldse.org.

Ben Berkowski, member, and Paula Jackson Jones, president of Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education, provide advice to area victims the third Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Community Center. JANE CARPENTER/Boothbay Register

Boothbay Lyme Disease Support Meeting

Mental Health Workshop

 

Lyme disease workshop for mental health clinicians planned

BRUNSWICK — Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education is hosting a workshop for mental health clinicians titled Psychotherapy in the Era of Lyme Disease on Friday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mid Coast Hospital, 123 Medical Center Drive, Brunswick.
This workshop will offer tools for assessment and strategies for treatment as well as the opportunity for dialogue about the roles and ethical obligations of mental health clinicians in circumstances where complex medical disagreements prevent the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
Presenters will be writer, clinical social worker, and retired attorney and mediator Jane Sloven, and clinical social worker Leslie Abrons.
The cost for this workshop is $40. and space is limited. To sign up, contact Paula Jackson Jones at (207) 446-6447 or paula@mldse.org.

http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2016-11-10/Front_Page/Lyme_disease_workshop_for_mental_health_clinicians.html 

Saturday, November 5, 2022

Reminder