Re: Re: Questions about Office Building Continuing Illnesses

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/16/2004 9:37:25 AM Pacific Standard Time, erikj6@... writes:

All I have to do is stay away from mold and the other problems justdisappeared.

Well, that probably works if you are not damaged extensively by mold, and if the immune system is not overwhelmed completely. I am simply a person with "it" and not an expert, but I know my body and what it feels like and how it reacts. I began testing various solutions to this problem. I bought a book that had some degree of insight in it, though it was written for a different audience, " Reversing Asthma" by N. Firshein, D.O., a practicing physician in NYC. Dr. Firshein described Sick Air problems, food hypersensitivities and elimination diets to deal with these, chemicals and intolerances, toxicities, and discussed the problem of mold in more than one chapter. When I got to the point that I experienced the above, I had that book (newly purchased) and it really helped to follow Dr. Firshein's advice. Basically, I was giving my immune system a rest from toxic chemicals and molds, as well as allergens. Then, in Oct. of this year, I saw Dr. Kaye Kilburne, in Pasadena, CA, (a mold researcher and medical professor at USC's Environmental Lab, and he gave me neurological and physical testing for 5 hours, individually, then reviewed the preliminary observations orally and gave me a report that diagnosed me with a number of neurological and physical disorders related to exposure to molds and mycotoxins, including those related to the lungs and chemical intolerances. His recommendations were to avoid toxic exposures and noxious substances, that if something bothered me I should immediately leave or get rid of that chemical. I should create a protected environment to feel comfortable in, in all of the environments I must live in. That means no exposures to toxins, molds, chemical fumes, perfumes, etc. that bother me. I have painstakingly followed this advice because I had to - I was getting so sick in November that it was impossible to continue daily living in a normal way. I had many of the symptoms described on this site and many were new ("it" had progressed) and frightening. I finally drew the line in the sand and decided not to allow my body to become sicker through continued exposures. So using Dr. Kilburne's advice and that in Dr. Firshein's book, in addition to my own experimentation with what made me feel better, I first became more ill (that was probably going to happen anyhow, with the degree of my exposures) and then gradually began to improve, bit by bit. I am not back to normal life yet, venturing out is tentative and I really am conscious of wanting to be in clean buildings that are healthy. I still am home much of the time, and feel that I am still "recovering".

For those of you who are still exposing yourselves to mold anywhere, the most important thing is to draw that line in the sand. You can't have it both ways - you can't continue your life as it was and be well. It simply won't work. And since this is a progressive illness that you can go downhill REAL fast from, it is not something to take lightly. The first thing to do is to get yourself situated so you are not exposed to mold or spores. Educated yourself and find out how to: get rid of the mold safely or get away from it. Period. That is the most important first step. And stay out of it, too. That is also a challenge. You must thoroughly check buildings out for mold. Of course, your body will now be on high alert and you will smell it - when others can't. Like in the grocery store freezers, or in your yard, in the soil, etc.

Then you can work on recovery. Personally, I know it is a challenge to deal with the medical world in this area. Doctors who understand can be counted on the head of a pin. But do not despair. There are people who are knowledgable on this website (discussion group) and running some great websites, like mold-help.com, etc., and you will learn enough to improve. But if you continue to live in the moldy house or work in the moldy workplace, there is no help to be had. You must "bite the bullet" on that one.

I would like to solve this problem, together with all the good people I am meeting through this site, so that no one else has to suffer from this preventable problem. We can do it, guys, just like MADD made such important inroads with drunk driving. We can do it. Let's get well AND work on prevention for others. Maybe our suffering and problem-solving is going to pave the way for preventative programs that deal with building maintenance and construction that will stop the mold epidemic in America.

May God bless you tonight and every day.