Under Our Skin: The Untold Story of Lyme Disease is a 2008 film advocating for the existence of "chronic Lyme disease", a controversial and unrecognized diagnosis. The film was directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson, who became interested in the subject after his sister identified as a "chronic Lyme" patient.[1] The film had its theatrical premiere on June 19, 2009 at the IFC Center in New York City.
The film follows six individuals, including major league ball player Ben Petrick who report chronic symptoms, which they attribute to persistent Lyme infection. The majority of the film is devoted to the storyline of these patients and their reported recovery. At the same time, the film presents advocates of long-term therapies for chronic Lyme disease and briefly presents the position of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
The second half of the film focuses primarily on state medical board investigations of Joseph Jemsek and Ray Jones, two physicians who prescribe long-term antibiotics for chronic Lyme disease, a practice generally recognized to be dangerous and without provable benefit.[2][3][4] Jemsek was investigated based on the complaints of 10 patients who described "nightmarish experiences" as a result of his treatment; he was supported by a number of patients and advocacy organizations.[5] The board found that Jemsek had departed from standard medical practice and had failed to inform patients that his treatments were unorthodox; his medical license was suspended with stay, allowing him to continue practicing medicine.[6] Facing a lawsuit from an insurance company, Jemsek declared bankruptcy and closed his medical practice.[7]
The final act of the film focuses on Connecticut Attorney GeneralRichard Blumenthal's antitrust investigation of the IDSA Lyme disease guidelines. Blumenthal issued a press release in May 2008 stating that his investigation "uncovered serious flaws" in the development of the IDSA guidelines, although Blumenthal declined to file any charges.[8] Under pressure of mounting legal fees, the IDSA agreed to submit its Lyme disease guidelines to an independent review, which supported the scientific validity of the IDSA guidelines.[9][10] The expert panel's review was published in 2010, with the independent doctors and scientists in the panel unanimously endorsing the guidelines, stating "No changes or revisions to the 2006 Lyme guidelines are necessary at this time," and concluding long-term antibiotic treatments are unproven and potentially dangerous.[11] The case was described in Forbes as "intimidation" of the medical community by the Attorney General,[5] and in JAMA as an example of "elected officials advocating for health policies against the weight of scientific evidence."[12]
The film concludes with vignettes of two patients discussing their claimed recoveries.[13]
Critical receptionedit
The New York Times described the film as a "polemic" and "inflammatory."[13]Variety wrote that the film "sides with those advocating unconventional treatments, [but] gives gatekeepers from Infectious Diseases of America [sic, actually Infectious Diseases Society of America] their say."[14]The Baltimore Sun described it as "full of suspicions, assertions, and anecdotes; it’s low on science and objectivity".[15]
According to review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, as of December 2019, the film has received 26 positive reviews and 6 negative reviews for a score of 81% positive reviews from the site's approved critics; the average rating is 6.7/10. The critical consensus reads: "A scathing indictment of the American medical system, Under Our Skin is timely, frightening stuff."[16] On Metacritic, it has a rating of 63/100 based on 13 reviews, which the site categorizes as "generally favorable reviews".[17]
^Beckman, Rachel (June 17, 2008). "Film Focuses on Lyme Patients". Washington Post. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
^Wormser GP; Dattwyler RJ; Shapiro ED; et al. (November 2006). "The clinical assessment, treatment, and prevention of lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and babesiosis: clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America" (PDF). Clin. Infect. Dis. 43 (9): 1089–1134. doi:10.1086/508667. PMID 17029130.
^Halperin JJ, Shapiro ED, Logigian E, et al. (July 2007). "Practice parameter: treatment of nervous system Lyme disease (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology". Neurology. 69 (1): 91–102. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000265517.66976.28. PMID 17522387.
^ abWhelan, David (March 12, 2007). "Lyme Inc". Forbes. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
^Stephen Barrett, M.D. (2009). "Joseph Jemsek, M.D. Charged with Unprofessional Conduct". Retrieved May 19, 2017.
^O'Hehir, Andrew (June 20, 2009). . Salon.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
^"Attorney General's Investigation Reveals Flawed Lyme Disease Guideline Process, IDSA Agrees to Reassess Guidelines, Install Independent Arbiter" (Press release). Connecticut Attorney General Office. May 1, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
^"Agreement Ends Lyme Disease Investigation by Connecticut Attorney General" (Press release). Infectious Diseases Society of America. May 1, 2008. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
^Lantos PM; et al. (2010). "Final Report of the Lyme Disease Review Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America". Clin Infect Dis. 51 (1): 1–5. doi:10.1086/654809. PMID 20504239.
^Singer, Stephen (April 22, 2010). "No changes to Lyme disease treatment". Associated Press.
^Kraemer JD, Gostin LO (February 2009). "Science, politics, and values: the politicization of professional practice guidelines". JAMA. 301 (6): 665–7. doi:10.1001/jama.301.6.665. PMID 19211474.
^ abHolden, Stephen (June 19, 2009). "Ticked Off". New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
^Alissa Simon (May 2, 2008). "Review: 'Under Our Skin'". Retrieved May 19, 2017.
under, skin, untold, story, lyme, disease, 2008, film, advocating, existence, chronic, lyme, disease, controversial, unrecognized, diagnosis, film, directed, andy, abrahams, wilson, became, interested, subject, after, sister, identified, chronic, lyme, patient. Under Our Skin The Untold Story of Lyme Disease is a 2008 film advocating for the existence of chronic Lyme disease a controversial and unrecognized diagnosis The film was directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson who became interested in the subject after his sister identified as a chronic Lyme patient 1 The film had its theatrical premiere on June 19 2009 at the IFC Center in New York City Under Our SkinTheatrical posterDirected byAndy Abrahams WilsonProduced byOpen Eye Pictures Inc Distributed byShadow DistributionRelease datesApril 2008 2008 04 Tribeca June 19 2009 2009 06 19 United States Running time103 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Critical reception 3 Awards and honors 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksSynopsis editThe film argues that persistent infection with Lyme disease is responsible for a variety of debilitating symptoms It presents advocates of the position including chronic Lyme pressure group International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society ILADS This position is rejected by major medical bodies including the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Academy of Neurology who do not recognize chronic Lyme disease as a legitimate diagnosis The film follows six individuals including major league ball player Ben Petrick who report chronic symptoms which they attribute to persistent Lyme infection The majority of the film is devoted to the storyline of these patients and their reported recovery At the same time the film presents advocates of long term therapies for chronic Lyme disease and briefly presents the position of the Infectious Diseases Society of America IDSA The second half of the film focuses primarily on state medical board investigations of Joseph Jemsek and Ray Jones two physicians who prescribe long term antibiotics for chronic Lyme disease a practice generally recognized to be dangerous and without provable benefit 2 3 4 Jemsek was investigated based on the complaints of 10 patients who described nightmarish experiences as a result of his treatment he was supported by a number of patients and advocacy organizations 5 The board found that Jemsek had departed from standard medical practice and had failed to inform patients that his treatments were unorthodox his medical license was suspended with stay allowing him to continue practicing medicine 6 Facing a lawsuit from an insurance company Jemsek declared bankruptcy and closed his medical practice 7 The final act of the film focuses on Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal s antitrust investigation of the IDSA Lyme disease guidelines Blumenthal issued a press release in May 2008 stating that his investigation uncovered serious flaws in the development of the IDSA guidelines although Blumenthal declined to file any charges 8 Under pressure of mounting legal fees the IDSA agreed to submit its Lyme disease guidelines to an independent review which supported the scientific validity of the IDSA guidelines 9 10 The expert panel s review was published in 2010 with the independent doctors and scientists in the panel unanimously endorsing the guidelines stating No changes or revisions to the 2006 Lyme guidelines are necessary at this time and concluding long term antibiotic treatments are unproven and potentially dangerous 11 The case was described in Forbes as intimidation of the medical community by the Attorney General 5 and in JAMA as an example of elected officials advocating for health policies against the weight of scientific evidence 12 The film concludes with vignettes of two patients discussing their claimed recoveries 13 Critical reception editThe New York Times described the film as a polemic and inflammatory 13 Variety wrote that the film sides with those advocating unconventional treatments but gives gatekeepers from Infectious Diseases of America sic actually Infectious Diseases Society of America their say 14 The Baltimore Sun described it as full of suspicions assertions and anecdotes it s low on science and objectivity 15 According to review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes as of December 2019 the film has received 26 positive reviews and 6 negative reviews for a score of 81 positive reviews from the site s approved critics the average rating is 6 7 10 The critical consensus reads A scathing indictment of the American medical system Under Our Skin is timely frightening stuff 16 On Metacritic it has a rating of 63 100 based on 13 reviews which the site categorizes as generally favorable reviews 17 Awards and honors editThis article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Under Our Skin news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message Finalist Audience Choice Award Tribeca Film Festival 18 Winner Best Documentary Sonoma International Film Festival 2009 19 See also editThe Quiet EpidemicReferences edit Beckman Rachel June 17 2008 Film Focuses on Lyme Patients Washington Post Retrieved September 12 2008 Wormser GP Dattwyler RJ Shapiro ED et al November 2006 The clinical assessment treatment and prevention of lyme disease human granulocytic anaplasmosis and babesiosis clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America PDF Clin Infect Dis 43 9 1089 1134 doi 10 1086 508667 PMID 17029130 Halperin JJ Shapiro ED Logigian E et al July 2007 Practice parameter treatment of nervous system Lyme disease an evidence based review report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology Neurology 69 1 91 102 doi 10 1212 01 wnl 0000265517 66976 28 PMID 17522387 Chronic Lyme Disease Fact Sheet National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases April 17 2009 Archived from the original on June 11 2015 a b Whelan David March 12 2007 Lyme Inc Forbes Retrieved January 7 2010 Stephen Barrett M D 2009 Joseph Jemsek M D Charged with Unprofessional Conduct Retrieved May 19 2017 O Hehir Andrew June 20 2009 Beyond the Multiplex Under Our Skin Salon com Archived from the original on June 28 2009 Retrieved January 7 2010 Attorney General s Investigation Reveals Flawed Lyme Disease Guideline Process IDSA Agrees to Reassess Guidelines Install Independent Arbiter Press release Connecticut Attorney General Office May 1 2008 Retrieved January 7 2010 Agreement Ends Lyme Disease Investigation by Connecticut Attorney General Press release Infectious Diseases Society of America May 1 2008 Retrieved May 19 2017 Lantos PM et al 2010 Final Report of the Lyme Disease Review Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Clin Infect Dis 51 1 1 5 doi 10 1086 654809 PMID 20504239 Singer Stephen April 22 2010 No changes to Lyme disease treatment Associated Press Kraemer JD Gostin LO February 2009 Science politics and values the politicization of professional practice guidelines JAMA 301 6 665 7 doi 10 1001 jama 301 6 665 PMID 19211474 a b Holden Stephen June 19 2009 Ticked Off New York Times Retrieved January 6 2009 Alissa Simon May 2 2008 Review Under Our Skin Retrieved May 19 2017 Auwaerter PG Bakken JS Dattwyler RJ Dumler JS Halperin JJ McSweegan E Nadelman RB O Connell S Shapiro ED Sood SK Steere AC Weinstein A Wormser GP 2011 Antiscience and ethical concerns associated with advocacy of Lyme disease Lancet Infect Dis 11 9 713 9 doi 10 1016 S1473 3099 11 70034 2 PMC 4489928 PMID 21867956 Under Our Skin 2009 Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved December 3 2019 Under Our Skin 2009 Metacritic Retrieved December 3 2019 https www csindy com coloradosprings theres a lot of money being made Content oid 1146287 Colorado Springs Independent January 15 2009 Sonoma International Film Festival News amp Updates www sonomafilmfest org External links editOfficial website Under Our Skin at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Under Our Skin amp oldid 1159043935, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
