Guest guest Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 You don't have to have any allergies to have a reaction to toxic molds!! My problems were all respiratory ( coughing, sinus, bronchitis, post nasal drip, sore throats, etc.) before the neurological problems began. I suggest you take the VCS test on line at _www.chronicneurotoxins.com_ (http://www.chronicneurotoxins.com) . It is inexpensive & very accurate! If you test positive you can be fairly certain that you have been exposed to toxic mold. Then you need to find a Dr. that can help you. Hello everyone, I am frustrated and hoping someone might be able to help me. I will try to give you the short story. I started teaching about 6 six years ago. Since then I have had numerous cases of bronchitis increasing in length and frequency each year. Prior to this, I was free of any respiatory illnesses. A little over a year ago at 30 I was diagnosed with Asthma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Colleen Some do not respond positively to allergy tests for mold. It could also be that you are reacting to mycotoxin which they probably did not test you for. I even knew someone who showed no mold exposure in her blood stream even though she had high levels of tricothecene mycotoxin in her urine. Sometimes when a person's immune system becomes too compromised and shuts down, it does not produce antibodies to mold during the tests (skin and/or blood). Kathy Colleen <cpkelly2@...> wrote: Hello everyone, I am frustrated and hoping someone might be able to help me. I will try to give you the short story. I started teaching about 6 six years ago. Since then I have had numerous cases of bronchitis increasing in length and frequency each year. Prior to this, I was free of any respiatory illnesses. A little over a year ago at 30 I was diagnosed with Asthma. 3 months ago I had a series of progressively worse asthma attacks landing me in the ER. On the third visit I was admitted to ICU and was in the hosptial for 10 days. I have been out of work since and am on countless medications. I attempted to go back to work last week and was there a day and a half before I was back in the hospital. Thankfully just an overnight stay this time. I have had allery testing done and the allergist claims I am not allergic to anything. The school library was shut down 2 years ago to clean mold for two months. Currently a classroom has been closed due to the mold and is being completly redone. I have been being treated by a pulonologist since the first hosptial visit, but I am not sure if there is anything else i should be doing. Can it still be the building if they say I am not allergic to anything. Any help would be appreciated!! COL FAIR USE NOTICE: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Colleen, I hope this fact sheet will help you understand a little more. KC http://www.germology.com/indoor_mold.htm FACT SHEETS HEALTH EFFECTS OF INDOOR MOLD Exposure to indoor fungi and their biochemical products may occur by means of one or more routes or " pathways " : 1) inhalation (breathing of inhaled spores, spore fragments, or volatile compounds), 2) absorption or dermal contact (contact with skin), and 3) ingestion (consuming contaminated materials). Inhalation and dermal contact represent the most probable exposure pathways for occupants under typical indoor conditions. The presence of fungi on indoor building materials does not present unequivocal proof of exposure. Cells, spores, cell fragments, or metabolites must first come in contact with the occupant. This is often achieved by direct contact with contaminated materials or by indirect contact after contaminants become aerosolized and disperse to areas not directly affected by fungal growth or water damage. Depending on the location and extent of contamination, air currents within buildings and homes as well as normal occupant activities are sufficient to disperse fungal contaminants. Remediation activities may cause even greater releases of aerosolized microbes (Rautiala et al, 1996). Microbial contamination within concealed building cavities also poses concerns for occupant exposure as spore dispersal may occur via through-wall openings and structural joints. Exposure assessments must also account for the fact that nonviable (i.e. dead) spores retain their allergenic, irritant, and toxigenic properties. The viability of fungal contaminants is therefore irrelevant when considering risks other than infection. Cell or spore fragments, which are not measured by routine sampling, also retain their physical properties. Cell fragments may actually present even greater risks because their smaller size enables deeper penetration into airway passages (Gorny et al., 2002). Furthermore, many common contaminants produce metabolites called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that readily migrate through building materials such as wood sheathing, concrete, drywall, and even plastic vapor barriers. Health effects caused by fungal contaminants are difficult to predict and reactions depend on several important variables such as duration and frequency of exposure, concurrent exposures to other sources (e.g. outdoor fungi), the type of agents involved, the physiological condition of the agent, and the sensitivity of the exposed individual. Still, it is well established that fungi cause or exacerbate numerous ailments (Ajello and Hay, 1998; AAP, 1998; Burge and Ammann, 1999; Croft et al., 2002; Hardin et al., 2003; Horner, et. al., 1995; Yang and Johanning, 1996). Examples of typical mold-related effects include cough, congestion, wheezing, chest tightness, runny nose, headaches, flu-like symptoms, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, nosebleeds, eye irritations, infections, confusion, memory loss, and anxiety. Furthermore, exposures to fungal antigens and irritants such as proteins, beta-(1- ->3)-D-Glucans, mycotoxins, and other secondary metabolites may have complex results with unknown etiological mechanisms. Allergy effects The contaminants documented by this investigation may cause short and long-term hypersensitive reactions (allergies). Hypersensitive reactions are exaggerated immune responses resulting in tissue inflammation or damage. Such responses are categorized based on the timing of the reaction as well as the nature of the immune components involved. The most common allergenic responses caused by fungi include Type I, Type III, and Type IV hypersensitivities (Burge and Otten, 1999; Horner et al., 1995; Yang and Johanning, 1996). Type I hypersensitivities involve an immediate but localized response to allergens such as fungi, pollen, dust mites, or animal dander. By virtue of common components of spore walls, most fungi are capable of causing Type I reactions. Type I responses are mediated by a particular class of circulating antibodies or " immunoglobulins " referred to as IgE, which can be detected directly by antigen-specific analyses of blood serum or indirectly by allergy skin tests. Common symptoms of a Type I response include itchy or watery eyes, runny nose, sinusitis, coughing or sneezing, congestion, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Type III hypersensitivities involve delayed responses (usually within hours or days) caused by the formation of insoluble antigen- antibody complexes. These complexes migrate within the blood stream and may eventually cause acute inflammation, constriction of blood vessels, and tissue necrosis. Such reactions may persist for weeks or even months following the last known exposures. Examples of this type of disorder include " Farmer's Lung " and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, both of which are caused by wide variety of fungi and other microorganisms. Type III reactions are mediated primarily by antibodies referred to as IgG and IgM, which are best assessed by antigen-specific analyses of blood serum. Symptoms of Type III hypersensitivities may include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, respiratory disorders, chest pressure, and general flu-like symptoms. Type IV hypersensitivities or " delayed hypersensitive reactions " are not mediated by antibodies. Instead, these reactions are mediated by T-Cells, a type of lymphocyte produced in bone marrow and modified within the thymus. Delayed hypersensitive reactions are wholly or partly responsible for extrinsic allergic alveolitis and contact dermatitis - a common skin disorder resulting in inflammatory responses to antigens such as detergents, solvents, poison ivy, latex, and various cell wall components or metabolites of fungi. Irritant effects Irritants are biological, physical, or chemical substances that cause cellular changes in epithelial, connective, nervous, or muscle tissue. Although the terms " irritant " and " allergen " are often used synonymously, the term " irritant " is typically used to denote symptoms that cannot be diagnosed or explained by other etiological mechanisms, including immune responses. Because conditions caused by allergens and irritants are manifested as similar inflammatory responses, careful evaluation is necessary for proper diagnosis. For example, conditions such as bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye) are the result of allergic and irritant (non-allergic) responses. Allergy symptoms such as airway constriction, headache, fatigue, nausea, and memory loss, and inability to concentrate are also caused by irritants. In many instances multiple etiological mechanisms and their respective symptoms may coexist and the cause might not be distinguished by routine or even specialized medical evaluations. Diagnostics for irritants such as VOCs, mycotoxins, endotoxins, or other cell wall constituents may be altogether lacking; and it may therefore be extremely difficult to establish definitive causation. Most fungal contaminants produce spores, cell wall constituents, VOCs, and other metabolites that cause irritations in a wide variety of tissue types. Of particular concern are irritations caused by fungal glucans and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Glucans represent structural components in cell walls of most fungi as well as some bacteria and plants. Glucan exposures are expected wherever fungi occur in high abundance. Symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing are suggestive of glucan inhalation in susceptible individuals or for otherwise healthy individuals exposed to high levels of airborne fungi (Burge and Ammann, 1999; Rylander and Lin, 2000). Volatile organic compounds are chemical irritants responsible for the moldy or musty odors often associated with microbial contamination. Other common odors are described as being chemical, sweet, or pungent. It is important to note that not all VOCs are detectable by human sensory receptors. In other words, the absence of odors does not rule out the possibility of irritant effects. Examples of VOCs produced by fungal contaminants include hexanol, benzene, toluene, acetone, 2- butanone, cyclohexane, and ethanol. Although the etiological mechanisms remain poorly defined, some of the symptoms of VOC- exposure include headache, nausea, rhinitis (runny nose), acute or chronic respiratory effects, attention deficit, and inability to concentrate (Ammann, 1999). Toxic effects Many species of fungi produce cell wall substances (e.g. proteins and glucans) and secondary metabolites (e.g. mycotoxins and volatile organic compounds) that are toxic to humans and other animals (Burge and Ammann, 1999). Because glucans and mycotoxins have low volatility they are not readily removed from the spore. So it is presumed that wherever spores are found, toxic cell wall components may also be present. As previously discussed, fungal cells/spores retain their toxigenic properties regardless of whether the cell is actually alive or dead. Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by certain species of fungi. Although a given fungal species may produce several mycotoxins, a particular mycotoxin is often produced by more than one genus or species. Toxin production is also highly variable with regards to environmental conditions and the metabolized substrate. As a precautionary measure, it is assumed that if toxigenic species are present, the associated mycotoxins may also be present. Still, irritant or toxic effects are dependent on a number of variables including the toxin type and concentration, the exposure pathway, and the susceptibility of exposed individuals. Epidemiological investigations involving airborne exposures suggest that mycotoxins cause a variety of human diseases. The significance of these findings has been previously assessed by several peer-reviewed publications (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1998; Burge and Ammann, 1999; Dearborn et al., 2002; Health Canada, 1995; Hendry and Cole, 1993; Yang and Johanning, 1996). Common complaints associated with mycotoxins include depression, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, nausea, and upper or lower respiratory disorders. Other symptoms may include chills, fever, tremors, sensitized skin, numbness, vasoconstriction, nosebleeds, blood in feces or urine, immune dysfunction, and altered conditions involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. Despite the growing evidence supporting a causal relationship between airborne mycotoxins and health effects (Croft et al., 2002), mycotoxicosis due to inhalation of indoor spores remains highly controversial (Robbins et al., 2000; Hardin et al., 2003). The amount of toxins contained in aerosolized spores, even at high levels, may be insufficient to cause classical mycotoxin poisoning such as that caused by mycotoxin-contaminated food. Nonetheless, many mycotoxin-related effects may actually involve mechanisms not explained by conventional dose-response models. In other words, the mycotoxins could act as irritants or allergens. The synergistic effects of mycotoxins, VOCs, and fungal glucans also remain unknown and it is conceivable that such complex mixtures could account for effects that are otherwise unsubstantiated by quantified mycotoxin concentrations in sampled spores. Exposures to complex and nonspecific mixtures of compounds such as fungal toxins, bacterial endotoxins, fungal proteins, and glucans may result in non-allergenic, noninfectious lung reactions termed Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS). The clinical features of ODTS resemble a flu-like illness and include breathing difficulty, cough, headaches, fever & chills, fatigue, acute inflammatory lung reaction, and negative chest X-ray (Burge and Ammann, 1999; Yang and Johanning, 1996). The symptoms of ODTS (also called toxic pneumonitis) are also very similar to a hypersensitive reaction called hypersensitivity pneumonitis or extrinsic allergic alveolitis; however, ODTS differs by being nonallergenic, thus high antibody precipitins are not formed. Infectious Agents Fungal infections in healthy individuals are relatively rare. Nonetheless, many common indoor contaminants represent potentially infectious agents that are capable of causing localized and systemic infections in susceptible individuals (Ajello and Hay, 1998). Conditions such as antibiotic treatment, steroid treatment, chemotherapy, and immune disorders are examples of predisposing or susceptible or pre-disposed states. Children, pregnant women, and elderly individuals also show greater susceptibility. Literature Cited ACGIH. 1999. Bioaerosols Assessment and Control. (J. Machler, Ed.). American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH. Ajello, L. and R. Hay. 1998. Topley & 's Microbiology and Microbial Infections, 9th ed., Vol. 4: Medical Mycology, Arnold, New York. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 1998. Toxic effects of indoor molds. Pediatrics 101:712-714. Ammann, H.M. 1999. Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds. In: Bioaerosols Assessment and Control. (J. Machler, Ed.). American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH. Burge, H.A. and H.A. Ammann. 1999. Fungal Toxins and b-(1®3)-D- Glucans. In: Bioaerosols Assessment and Control. (J. Machler, Ed.). American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH. Burge, H.A. and J.A. Otten. 1999. Fungi. In: Bioaerosols Assessment and Control. (J. Machler, Ed.). American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH. Croft, W.A., B.M. Jastromski, A.L. Croft, and H.A. s. 2002. Clinical Confirmation of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis in Patient Urine. J. Environ. Biol. 23:301-320. Gorny R.L., T. Reponen, K. Willeke, D. Schmechel, E. Robine, M. Boissier, and S.A. Grinshpun. 2002. Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants. Appl Environ Microbiol. 68:3522-3531. Hardin, B.D., B.J. Kelman, and A. Saxon. 2003. Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 45:470-478. Health Canada. 1995. Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: A Guide to Recognition and Management. Federal-Provincial Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health, Ottawa, Ontario. Hendry, K.M. and E.C. Cole. 1993. A Review of Mycotoxins in Indoor Air. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 38:183-198. Horner, W.E., A. Helbling, and J.E. Salvaggio.1995. Fungal allergens. Clin. Micro. Rev. 8:161-179. Milton, D.K. 1999. Endotoxins and Other Bacterial Cell-Wall Components. In: Bioaerosols Assessment and Control. (J. Machler, Ed.). American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH. Olenchock, S.A. 1996. Airborne Endotoxin In: Manual of Environmental Microbiology, C. Hurst (Editor in Chief), ASM Press, Washington, D.C. Rautiala, S., T. Reponen, A. Hyvarinen, A. Nevalainen, T. Husman, A. Vehvilainen, Pentti Kalliokoski. 1996. Exposure to Airborne Microbes During the Repair of Moldy Buildings. AIHA Journal 57:279-284. Robbins, C. A., L.J. Swenson, M.L. Nealley, B.J. Kelman, and R.E. Gots. 2000. Health Effects of Mycotoxins in Indoor Air: A Critical Review. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 15:773-784 Rylander, R. and R.H. Lin. 2000. (1®3)-Beta-D-Glucan – Relationship to Indoor Air-Related Symptoms, Allergy and Asthma. Toxicology 152:47-52. Wallace, L.A. 1997. Sick Building Syndrome. In: Indoor Air Pollution and Health E.J. Bardana Jr. and A. Montanaro (Eds). Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York. Yang C., and E. Johanning, 1996. Airborne Fungi and Mycotoxins, In: Manual of Environmental Microbiology, C. Hurst (Editor in Chief), ASM Press, Washington, D.C. --- In , " Colleen " <cpkelly2@h...> wrote: > > Hello everyone, > > I am frustrated and hoping someone might be able to help me. I will > try to give you the short story. I started teaching about 6 six > years ago. Since then I have had numerous cases of bronchitis > increasing in length and frequency each year. Prior to this, I was > free of any respiatory illnesses. A little over a year ago at 30 I > was diagnosed with Asthma. > > 3 months ago I had a series of progressively worse asthma attacks > landing me in the ER. On the third visit I was admitted to ICU and > was in the hosptial for 10 days. I have been out of work since and > am on countless medications. I attempted to go back to work last > week and was there a day and a half before I was back in the > hospital. Thankfully just an overnight stay this time. > I have had allery testing done and the allergist claims I am not > allergic to anything. The school library was shut down 2 years ago > to clean mold for two months. Currently a classroom has been closed > due to the mold and is being completly redone. > I have been being treated by a pulonologist since the first hosptial > visit, but I am not sure if there is anything else i should be doing. > Can it still be the building if they say I am not allergic to > anything. > > Any help would be appreciated!! > COL > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Asthma headache and skin problems Yeast infection women must wash hands before going to the toilet in the Think you are living in mold. the Doctor sure want tell you this I learn the hard way before and after you must wash your hands. 1.allergist claims I am not allergic to anything. see another allergist and say nothing about mold or any thing else let them tell you. 2.The school library was shut down 2 years ago to clean mold for two months. Currently a classroom has been closed due to the mold and is being completely redone. There's some type of problem in the past 10 to 5 years in the Air-condition system it's very bad on a tree it looks light green but around the AC it's black beware,New Buildings most of all. 3.Can it still be the building if they say I am not allergic to anything. Yes it could also be in your home as well it's every where and getting much worse hummmmmm question is who will stand tall on this issue we need to stay on top of State, City,County, and the Congress. also try to get people like Oprah to do shows on it also Dr Phil. WETHEPEOPLE Elvira [] Looking for Help Hello everyone, I am frustrated and hoping someone might be able to help me. I will try to give you the short story. I started teaching about 6 six years ago. Since then I have had numerous cases of bronchitis increasing in length and frequency each year. Prior to this, I was free of any respiatory illnesses. A little over a year ago at 30 I was diagnosed with Asthma. 3 months ago I had a series of progressively worse asthma attacks landing me in the ER. On the third visit I was admitted to ICU and was in the hosptial for 10 days. I have been out of work since and am on countless medications. I attempted to go back to work last week and was there a day and a half before I was back in the hospital. Thankfully just an overnight stay this time. I have had allery testing done and the allergist claims I am not allergic to anything. The school library was shut down 2 years ago to clean mold for two months. Currently a classroom has been closed due to the mold and is being completly redone. I have been being treated by a pulonologist since the first hosptial visit, but I am not sure if there is anything else i should be doing. Can it still be the building if they say I am not allergic to anything. Any help would be appreciated!! COL FAIR USE NOTICE: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 Where would you get this urine test done? Loni Treat <treats4you@...> wrote: Colleen Some do not respond positively to allergy tests for mold. It could also be that you are reacting to mycotoxin which they probably did not test you for. I even knew someone who showed no mold exposure in her blood stream even though she had high levels of tricothecene mycotoxin in her urine. Sometimes when a person's immune system becomes too compromised and shuts down, it does not produce antibodies to mold during the tests (skin and/or blood). Kathy Colleen <cpkelly2@...> wrote: Hello everyone, I am frustrated and hoping someone might be able to help me. I will try to give you the short story. I started teaching about 6 six years ago. Since then I have had numerous cases of bronchitis increasing in length and frequency each year. Prior to this, I was free of any respiatory illnesses. A little over a year ago at 30 I was diagnosed with Asthma. 3 months ago I had a series of progressively worse asthma attacks landing me in the ER. On the third visit I was admitted to ICU and was in the hosptial for 10 days. I have been out of work since and am on countless medications. I attempted to go back to work last week and was there a day and a half before I was back in the hospital. Thankfully just an overnight stay this time. I have had allery testing done and the allergist claims I am not allergic to anything. The school library was shut down 2 years ago to clean mold for two months. Currently a classroom has been closed due to the mold and is being completly redone. I have been being treated by a pulonologist since the first hosptial visit, but I am not sure if there is anything else i should be doing. Can it still be the building if they say I am not allergic to anything. Any help would be appreciated!! COL FAIR USE NOTICE: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 The test was done through a labe called NeuroScience. They are in Wisconsin. Phone number 715 755 3995 Kathy Loni Rosser <loni326@...> wrote: Where would you get this urine test done? Loni Treat <treats4you@...> wrote: Colleen Some do not respond positively to allergy tests for mold. It could also be that you are reacting to mycotoxin which they probably did not test you for. I even knew someone who showed no mold exposure in her blood stream even though she had high levels of tricothecene mycotoxin in her urine. Sometimes when a person's immune system becomes too compromised and shuts down, it does not produce antibodies to mold during the tests (skin and/or blood). Kathy Colleen <cpkelly2@...> wrote: Hello everyone, I am frustrated and hoping someone might be able to help me. I will try to give you the short story. I started teaching about 6 six years ago. Since then I have had numerous cases of bronchitis increasing in length and frequency each year. Prior to this, I was free of any respiatory illnesses. A little over a year ago at 30 I was diagnosed with Asthma. 3 months ago I had a series of progressively worse asthma attacks landing me in the ER. On the third visit I was admitted to ICU and was in the hosptial for 10 days. I have been out of work since and am on countless medications. I attempted to go back to work last week and was there a day and a half before I was back in the hospital. Thankfully just an overnight stay this time. I have had allery testing done and the allergist claims I am not allergic to anything. The school library was shut down 2 years ago to clean mold for two months. Currently a classroom has been closed due to the mold and is being completly redone. I have been being treated by a pulonologist since the first hosptial visit, but I am not sure if there is anything else i should be doing. Can it still be the building if they say I am not allergic to anything. Any help would be appreciated!! COL FAIR USE NOTICE: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2007 Report Share Posted September 13, 2007 As many of you know has been approved for a service dog through 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia Ohio. has an online fundraiser going on now and is sitting at 46% pledged. We are looking for 92 people willing to pledge $15.00 before Sept 21st when the fundraiser stops. If can reach this goal online we will only have 3500.00 more to raise and are confident we can do this at the spaghetti dinner Oct 27th. This has been a great thing for and helps him feel a bit in control. He has also enjoyed reading everyone comments. So if you get the chance to read his fundraising page please do leave a comment for him. They put such a great smile on his face. He has had a lot of fun looking on maps and seeing where everyone is located at. will be admitted to the hospital on the 20th and have surgery on the 21st. We are unsure if we will have internet available to us so we can check how the fundraiser ends. The ending is Sept 21st at 11:59 PM. We are praying that can meet his goal before be admitted to the hospital. Otherwise I am sure that he will pest the devil out of us until we are able to check on how it ends. I know money is tight for everyone. If you can pledge 15.00 to help mets his goal it would mean the world to him. If you can not please help us get the word out and pass along the link below. Thanks to all who have already donated and helped pass this request along. the more people who see his page the better his chance are of meeting his goal. Becky http://www.fundable.org/groupactions/groupaction.2007-08-25.3476193947/view?searchterm=service%20dog Becky Mother to , 16, Autism, Epilepsy, Cerebal Palsy, MR, ADHD TAKE A LOOK AT JAMES NEWEST PAGE http://www.fundable.org/groupactions/groupaction.2007-08-25.3476193947 Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join 's user panel and lay it on us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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