Follow-up email to Cathy Wurzer, Host of Mayo Clinic's “Tomorrow's Cure” podcast.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: CARL TUTTLE <runagain@comcast.net>
To: "cathy@cathywurzer.com" <cathy@cathywurzer.com>, "d.balzer@mayoclinic.org" <d.balzer@mayoclinic.org>
Cc: "newsbureau@mayo.edu" <newsbureau@mayo.edu>, "cwurzer@mpr.org" <cwurzer@mpr.org>, "Pritt.bobbi@mayo.edu" <Pritt.bobbi@mayo.edu>, "tomorrowscure@mayo.edu" <tomorrowscure@mayo.edu>, "mayoclinicnewsnetwork@mayo.edu" <mayoclinicnewsnetwork@mayo.edu>, "genevieve@prx.org" <genevieve@prx.org>, "Secretary@HHS.gov" <Secretary@HHS.gov>, "pam.bondi@usdoj.gov" <pam.bondi@usdoj.gov>, "asteere@mgh.harvard.edu" <asteere@mgh.harvard.edu>, "info@lymeadvise.com" <info@lymeadvise.com>
Date: 07/29/2025 8:22 AM EDT
Subject: Re: Tomorrow’s Cure: New frontiers in Lyme disease detection — just in time for summer
Mayo Clinic “Tomorrow's Cure” podcast
Attn: Cathy Wurzer, Host
Cathy,
I received the following email from the individuals at Lyme Advise referencing the consequences of missing a timely diagnosis. The medical community has been misguided by the collusion to deny chronic Lyme and the junk science as I have previously pointed out. In my opinion, Steere and Wormser are 100% responsible for this travesty and belong in jail.
Quote from chronic Lyme patient Vicki Logan’s treating physician:
“In the fullness of time, the mainstream handling of chronic Lyme disease will be viewed as one of the most shameful episodes in the history of medicine because elements of academic medicine, elements of government, and virtually the entire insurance industry have colluded to deny a disease. This has resulted in needless suffering of many individuals who deteriorate and sometimes die for lack of timely application of treatment or denial of treatment beyond some arbitrary duration.” -- Kenneth Liegner, MD
From Lyme Advise:
https://www.lymeadvise.com/about
Why so many Lyme patients end up homeless or institutionalized
No one plans to become homeless.
But in the Lyme community, it happens far more often than most people realize. Not because patients are careless—but because they’re fighting for their lives in a system that wasn’t built to protect them. When a disabling illness is dismissed as mental illness… when families walk away instead of leaning in… when treatment drains every dollar and disability claims are denied… it creates a perfect storm. The truth is: many people in our community are just one flare, one eviction, or one medical bill away from the streets. And it’s time we talk about why.
Why the Lyme Community Is at High Risk for Homelessness & Mental Health Struggles
1. Delayed Diagnosis & Mislabeling
Many people with Lyme are misdiagnosed with psychiatric conditions (e.g. bipolar, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia) instead of being evaluated for infections. This not only delays proper treatment—it erodes trust, disrupts relationships, and can lead to involuntary holds.
2. Inability to Work
Chronic Lyme, coinfections, and mold illness can be completely disabling. When someone loses the ability to earn income—and lacks family support—they’re one step away from losing housing.
3. Medical Bankruptcy & Insurance Denial
Because most Lyme treatment is out of pocket, many patients burn through savings or go into massive debt. Insurance rarely covers Lyme-literate care, and disability benefits are notoriously hard to secure.
4. Neuropsychiatric Manifestations
Lyme can trigger neuroinflammation, psychosis, rage episodes, memory loss, depersonalization, and suicidal ideation—all of which may be misunderstood as “mental illness” by uninformed providers or authorities.
5. Social Isolation & Family Rejection
Many patients report losing family support because their symptoms aren’t believed. Some are even kicked out or institutionalized by relatives under the assumption that their illness is psychological.
6. PANS/PANDAS, MCAS & Mold Trauma
These overlapping conditions worsen mental health outcomes. Patients with childhood-onset Lyme or PANS/PANDAS often experience trauma, identity disruption, and breakdowns in cognitive function—placing them at higher risk for exploitation and homelessness later in life.
Carl Tuttle
Independent Researcher
Hudson, NH