Fungus and Mold, Infections and What to do

[Guest guest]

Sorry (again) gang. Been trying to deal with all of the variables that living

through mites and fungus has wrought in my life. And I say " through " somewhat

tongue in cheek as I would not say I am through any of it really.

I wanted to provide you with some of the results of the inspection which I had

of my home last week. First, there were no visual samples taken, which I was

not happy with, but I understood were hard to do since they could not really

" see " anything. So, I had air sampling done of my upstairs, downstairs and the

outside.

As suspected, my downstairs came back with some different mold/fungus than the

upstairs.

The Downstairs (only) had counts of Cladosporium and Penicillium/Aspergillus

types.

Both the upstairs and downstairs had counts of Basidiospores and Others

(specifically, Myxomycetes and Periconia sp.). These " others " are referred to

as slime molds. I know that others here have suspected this fungus as being a

slime mold (I believe that Sally, ?? might have mentioned this?) as well,

in the records here are several thoughts about slime mold as being the

culprit...but first.

I spoke with the Inspector who thought that these black dots might be dead

mites, something I used to think as well, but after seeing them under microscope

have ruled out. He then came back after receiving the lab report and said that

these slime molds do have very large blackish spots and thinks that is possibly

what I have been seeing. I have the name and number of the lab and have phone

calls into them to see if I can have a better, more specific analysis run, which

might help to identify the exact slime mold. Plus I have samples which I have

ready to send in. AND on top of the ceiling in my bathroom there is a spot of

mold growing. The Inspector has indicated that he will be coming back out this

Wednesday or Thursday to take a sample. Not real happy if he tries to charge me

more money as I think that should have been covered in the initial visit. But

that is a different, and more human, battle I have to fight.

I do not have an amplified site as outside spoor count is so much higher than

the indoor spoor count. And it is possible that the dogs have been bringing

these spoors in from the outside, but I am not convinced about that. These are

almost all related to plants. I have taken out all of my house plants.

Actually, I took them outside some time ago. The Inspector thinks that is a

good idea as this mold could form onto the plants.

He understands that even though my house is pretty clean (from a health

inspection viewpoint), that is not to say that I am not hypersensitive to one or

many different molds. He suggested that since the air outside had a higher

spoor count, I should keep my windows and doors closed and not use any appliance

that could bring these spoors into the house.

He told me of a gentleman who was convinced that he had a mold problem as he was

sick all the time. Turned out it was something in a field in back of his house.

He had to learn to keep his windows all closed.

As to whether or not one is able to fend off this fungi once they start on abx,

well that is possible, I guess.

My little dog, a recent Lyme patient has had a relapse. And the spoors that

seemed to leave her alone during the time she was on abx has returned. In fact,

the sore she had on her neck which had healed and seemingly disappeared,

suddenly erupted with infection and blood. I cleaned it out, but yesterday when

I looked it was coated with black stuff. I was really shocked and dismayed. I

had recently been seeing these black spoors appearing on my kitchen counter

(repeatedly). I captured some and out of curiosity, scraped off the black stuff

from my dog...exactly the same thing!!! I think with Alcohol, Peroxide and

Antibacterial ointment on her, I have kept the spoors at bay, but she is off to

the vet again tomorrow. So, in her case, the abx either did not cure her and

she has had a relapse, or she is only okay so long as she is taking the abx. I

don't know.

I spoke with my own doctor who told me that he understands how to treat fungal

infections, so I am hoping to have a good conversation with him this coming

Friday.

So, here is where I am at:

1) Contact the Lab to see if they can more closely identify the slime mold.

Could it be Dictyostelium discoideum (a slime mold identified as a possible

culprit by this group a year or so ago).

2) Retrieve physical samples and have those analyzed by the Lab and send samples

to Dr. Sparagano - his last email response was:

Hi Terry

So far I have no offer from my molecular colleagues so will check around

further.

The clinical signs seem to be extremely worrying

I will see if some colleagues can come on board. I am on holidays at the end of

this week so I hope to get somebody who can do it while I am away.

Regards

Olivier

3) Receive information from my doctor this coming Friday regarding treatment for

fungus.

I will share this as quickly as I can.

In the meantime, I have noticed these tiny little flying bugs in my bathroom

sink. I thought at first these could be Springtails, but they have wings, so

perhaps they are fungus gnats. Anybody dealt with these before?

And it is still worse when I go downstairs. Even though I had a mask on, I

could feel myself breathing in a spore which immediately causes a bloody nose.

I am concerned that this could be a different mold then the slime mold.

Anyway, hang in there everyone. I am thinking about moving frankly. Just not

sure I want to keep fighting this what with my little dog having a relapse and

my daughter being pregnant. No way I would ever feel comfortable bringing a

baby over here.

Stay strong all, Terry