Newport Hospital Leads State in Opening First Lyme Disease Center

Too many Rhode Islanders suffering from symptoms of chronic Lyme Disease have felt helpless and alone in the search for a physician who can help.

Despite Rhode Island being an epicenter for Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses, the state has lacked a cohesive approach to helping find, diagnose and treat patients. Reported cases have quadrupled over just the past six years, but many doctors struggle or fail to properly diagnose Lyme. Or, they might not be aware of the latest research and treatment guidelines.

Yet Rhode Island also has some of the smartest experts who have been studying Lyme Disease for years at the University of Rhode Island and other colleges and institutions.

It’s a long time coming, but Newport Hospital has taken the first step in uniting the academic and medical professions to form a comprehensive central hub for the latest in Lyme research and treatment. It’s the first such facility in Rhode Island.

“This is a big medical problem and a big challenge, particularly in Rhode Island,” said infectious diseases specialist Timothy P. Flanigan, MD, medical director of The Lifespan Lyme Disease Center, who noted that the rise in other tick-born illnessess like babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis “is almost as steep.

“Our team of infectious diseases specialists is highly experienced in treating patients with these conditions, particularly those coping with Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, sometimes called chronic Lyme disease. We collaborate with specialists in neurology, rheumatology and other fields to provide integrated, seamless care for patients with acute tick-borne illnesses, especially those who continue to struggle with symptoms after the initial infection has been treated.”

At the center, the latest methods are used to test and diagnose Lyme and can help a person determine if their symptoms are in fact due to Lyme or not. The myriad ways the disease manifests symptoms can vary, ranging from flu-like feelings, migraines, aches and pains to debilitating breakdown of the nervous system. Many people suffering from chronic symptoms need to rule out Lyme to move forward with treatment options.

The center develops individualized treatment plans for every patient, which can include nutrition, cognitive behavioral therapy and physical therapy. Doctors there are also trained in the latest in antibiotic therapies. Simply blasting the body with an antibiotic isn’t necessarily the best approach.

According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients treated for Lyme disease with a recommended two to four week course of antibiotics will have lingering symptoms of fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches. In some cases, these can last for more than six months.

“There are newer tick-borne illnesses that we are just starting to discover and all of these can affect patients’ lives their ability to work and live as they wish,” said Rebecca Reece, MD, a lead physician at the Lifespan Lyme Disease Center. “This is a place where patients will be cared for long term. It’s not enough to tell patients that the infection has been treated. We want patients to know that we’re going to work through the lingering effects to help them feel better.”

There has been a growing call for a unified approach to addressing Lyme Disease in recent years here in the Ocean State. The Rhode Island House in June passed a bill sponsored by Sen. James C. Sheehan of Narragansett and North Kingstown calling upon the state Department of Health to study and report on how widespread Lyme is and what’s being done about it.

“The threat of Lyme disease is very serious and an important public health problem,”Sheehan said. “Sen. Jack Reed has called for a national strategy to combat the disease. It’s concentrated most heavily here in the northeast and we need to make certain that we are all doing whatever we can to combat this awful illness.”

The center’s multidisciplinary team includes physicians with expertise in infectious diseases and tick-borne illnesses; behavioral, physical and occupational therapists; and specialists in nutrition and other fields. In addition to Dr. Flanigan, the core team includes adult infectious diseases specialist Rebecca Reece, MD, pediatrician Jerome Larkin, MD, and behavioral therapist Anne Davidge, PhD, Individual treatment plans, which feature evaluation and collaborative assessment over a period of six to 12 months, include:

• Appropriate antibiotic therapy, which is carefully evaluated;
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to assist with the cognitive and emotional issues some patients experience;
• Physical therapy to build strength and resilience and alleviate muscle and joint pain;
• Nutritional consultation to review a patient’s current diet and educate them about optimal dietary choices; and
• Complementary therapies, including non-traditional approaches such as yoga, acupuncture and more.

“There are newer tick-borne illnesses that we are just starting to discover and all of these can affect patients’ lives their ability to work and live as they wish,” Reece, a lead physician at the Lifespan Lyme Disease Center, said. “This is a place where patients will be cared for long term. It’s not enough to tell patients that the infection has been treated. We want patients to know that we’re going to work through the lingering effects to help them feel better.”“This is a wellness model,” added Flanigan, “and our aim is to help patients build their immune response, their resilience, and quite simply – to feel better and get back to daily living.”

The Lifespan Lyme Disease Center at Newport Hospital is currently accepting patients. It is located in Suite 340 of the Borden-Carey Building, 19 Friendship Street, Newport. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with clinics held on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. For more information, please call 401-845-1644 or visit www.Lymediseaseri.org.