Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Dr. Shoemaker's website is _www.biotoxin.info_ (http://www.biotoxin.info) As for SS have you checked out Allsup, Inc. _http://www.allsup.com/_ (http://www.allsup.com/) to help you get your social security? I had excellent results working with them. Very nice and you only pay them if they are successful. Sue while waiting for extra$$$ for test, I forgot I was going to do it...Go figure, memory problem! Anyway I need his new web address and info if any of you guys have done it. Oh and know SS is sending me to a Pyschologist.Pyschologist.<WBR>..I guess that your mind is capable in cre various infections I have been treated for! I do know mind over matter doesn't work...cuz if it did none of us would be on this group..LOL Thanks again! **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 The VCS test is important and a first screening to see if you have a toxic illness. A toxic exposure shows up in your optic nerve so the test is usually 98% accurate. The following is info from the website Many standard medical diagnostic tests are usually normal in patients who have biotoxin related illnesses. In order to help screen for the possibility of a biotoxin being present, we use a specialized test called visual contrast sensitivity (VCS), which can detect the effects of biotoxins on the visual system. The VCS test has been our most sensitive indicator of effects caused by biotoxins and other neurotoxins. The online VCS test is a screening version of the card test of visual contrast sensitivity that is used in a physician’s office. The VCS test can be compared to a hearing test (audiometric test). The VCS test uses different size bars (spatial frequencies) because different physiology underlies perception of different size bars. Some toxic exposures can preferentially affect perception of the large or small bars. Biotoxins primarily affect perception of the mid-size bars, but can effect the smaller and larger bars as well. We measure the least amount of contrast (difference in light intensity between the light and dark bars) you need to see bars of 5 different sizes in order to generate you contrast sensitivity function across spatial frequencies. Criteria are applied to your test results to determine whether or not they are " positive " or " negative " for the potential presence of a neurotoxic effect. The criteria for a positive result are set high to avoid false positive results so realize that a negative VCS test result does not necessarily preclude the presence of biotoxins. Also realize that the presence of key symptoms weights heavily in the BIRS analysis. Occasionally, people with biotoxins do pass the VCS test, thereby getting a false negative result on the VCS portion of the test. Most of these individuals still show a combination of symptoms that is consistent with Biotoxin Illness, which is reflected in the BIR score. Thus it is possible to have a negative VCS test result but still have a high BIRS © value. If this is the case, and you have had a thorough work-up to rule-out other causes, you should consider biotoxin involvement. Finally, a small percentage of individuals can test negative for the VCS and also have a low BIR score, and still be dealing with biotoxins. >> Eli wrote; , If your not going to see Dr Shoemaker you dont need to waste your money on the VCS tests. It just tests your vision. Save your money if your not going to see Shoemaker in person. Eli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 , If your not going to see Dr Shoemaker you dont need to waste your money on the VCS tests. It just tests your vision. Save your money if your not going to see Shoemaker in person. Eli From: reb_black <reb_black@...> Subject: [] Shoemakers VCS test Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 12:57 PM while waiting for extra$$$ for test, I forgot I was going to do it...Go figure, memory problem! Anyway I need his new web address and info if any of you guys have done it. Oh and know SS is sending me to a Pyschologist. ..I guess that your mind is capable in creating all the various infections I have been treated for! I do know mind over matter doesn't work...cuz if it did none of us would be on this group..LOL Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 The VCS test has come in very handy as a way to monitor my condition. If you know you have the genetics that make it hard to get rid of biotoxins, it seems like a good idea to have a baseline so you will know if you are feeling sick from an exposure. I found that despite using cholestyramine 3X's per day, lyme treatment had made my VCS test much worse. Terry > > The VCS test is important and a first screening to see if you have a toxic > illness. A toxic exposure shows up in your optic nerve so the test is usually > 98% accurate. The following is info from the website > > Many standard medical diagnostic tests are usually normal in patients who > have biotoxin related illnesses. In order to help screen for the possibility of > a biotoxin being present, we use a specialized test called visual contrast > sensitivity (VCS), which can detect the effects of biotoxins on the visual > system. The VCS test has been our most sensitive indicator of effects caused by > biotoxins and other neurotoxins. The online VCS test is a screening version of > the card test of visual contrast sensitivity that is used in a physician’s > office. > The VCS test can be compared to a hearing test (audiometric test). The VCS > test uses different size bars (spatial frequencies) because different > physiology underlies perception of different size bars. Some toxic exposures can > preferentially affect perception of the large or small bars. Biotoxins primarily > affect perception of the mid-size bars, but can effect the smaller and larger > bars as well. We measure the least amount of contrast (difference in light > intensity between the light and dark bars) you need to see bars of 5 different > sizes in order to generate you contrast sensitivity function across spatial > frequencies. Criteria are applied to your test results to determine whether or > not they are " positive " or " negative " for the potential presence of a > neurotoxic effect. > The criteria for a positive result are set high to avoid false positive > results so realize that a negative VCS test result does not necessarily preclude > the presence of biotoxins. Also realize that the presence of key symptoms > weights heavily in the BIRS analysis. Occasionally, people with biotoxins do > pass the VCS test, thereby getting a false negative result on the VCS portion of > the test. Most of these individuals still show a combination of symptoms that > is consistent with Biotoxin Illness, which is reflected in the BIR score. > Thus it is possible to have a negative VCS test result but still have a high > BIRS © value. If this is the case, and you have had a thorough work-up to > rule-out other causes, you should consider biotoxin involvement. Finally, a small > percentage of individuals can test negative for the VCS and also have a low > BIR score, and still be dealing with biotoxins. > > >> > Eli wrote; > > , > If your not going to see Dr Shoemaker you dont need to waste your money on > the VCS tests. It just tests your vision. Save your money if your not going to > see Shoemaker in person. > Eli > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Eli, I disagree, somewhat. I have the equipment and I've used the VCS with my clients for several years. It helps them (and me) to understand if their persistent complaints are because of their genetics or not. Especially when only some family member have problems and others don't. If not genetic, then it is likely the cause is something other than mold or other biological toxins. In which case we have to identify what they are and remove them or else the exposures continues as do the harm. But it helps if you can find physicians and health care providers who will use the VCS results in their evaluation. They don't treat it the same way as Shoemaker but many people are helped with just the cholestyramine, especially if caught early before long term mold exposure creates generalized reactions or irreversible conditions. Carl Grimes Healthy Habitats LLC ---- > > , > If your not going to see Dr Shoemaker you dont need to waste your money on the VCS tests. It just tests your > vision. Save your money if your not going to see Shoemaker in person. > Eli > > > From: reb_black <reb_black@...> > Subject: [] Shoemakers VCS test > groups (DOT) com > Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 12:57 PM > > while waiting for extra$$$ for test, I forgot I was going to do it...Go > > figure, memory problem! Anyway I need his new web address and info if > > any of you guys have done it. Oh and know SS is sending me to a > > Pyschologist. ..I guess that your mind is capable in creating all the > > various infections I have been treated for! I do know mind over matter > > doesn't work...cuz if it did none of us would be on this group..LOL > > Thanks again! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Toxins (through multiple unconnected mechanisms, things as varied as inhibition of cellular repair and inhibition or protein synthesis, as well as destruction of neural progenitor cells, i.e. accelerated aging, as well as DNA damage and formation of damaged protein adducts, disruption of sleep cycle leading to deranged serotonin metabolism) For example chronic low-dose eposure to Ochratoxin A (aspergillus/penicillium species) causes neurological damage that if left unchecked, would lead to Parkinsonism.. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16844142 " J Neurol Sci. 2006 Nov 1;249(1):68-75. Epub 2006 Jul 14.(also read the related papers link.. ) Can low level exposure to ochratoxin-A cause parkinsonism? Sava V, Reunova O, Velasquez A, -Ramos J. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites with pharmacological activities that have been utilized in the production of antibiotics, growth promoters, and other classes of drugs. Some mycotoxins have been developed as biological and chemical warfare agents. Bombs and ballistic missiles loaded with aflatoxin were stockpiled and may have been deployed by Iraq during the first Gulf War. In light of the excess incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in veterans from Operation Desert Storm, the potential for delayed neurotoxic effects of low doses of mycotoxins should not be overlooked. Ochratoxin-A (OTA) is a common mycotoxin with complex mechanisms of action, similar to that of the aflatoxins. Acute administration of OTA at non-lethal doses (10% of the LD(50)) have been shown to increase oxidative DNA damage in brain up to 72 h, with peak effects noted at 24 h in midbrain (MB), caudate/putamen (CP) and hippocampus (HP). Levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in the striatum (e.g., CP) were shown to be decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The present study focused on the effects of chronic low dose OTA exposure on regional brain oxidative stress and striatal DA metabolism. Continuous administration of low doses of OTA with implanted subcutaneous Alzet minipumps caused a small but significant decrease in striatal DA levels and an upregulation of anti-oxidative systems and DNA repair. It is possible that low dose exposure to OTA will result in an earlier onset of parkinsonism when normal age-dependent decline in striatal DA levels are superimposed on the mycotoxin-induced lesion. PMID: 16844142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] " This destruction can cause traumatic life events as people's lives fall apart around them.. Its very clear that prolonged exposure to xtreme uncontrollable stress (losing home, job, family, health) is neurotoxic.. Restraint stress an its human equivalents are known to cause permanent destruction of brain structures (such as shrinkage of the hippocampus and amygdala) and changes in neurotransmitter metabolism. That leads to loss of one's short term memory and capacity for clear thinking. This is why people returning from wars are often changed irreversibly. So, the two go hand in hand.. Toxin exposure in the real world leads to brain damage which leads to life changing events as your ability to earn money, (dependent on your cheapest-supercomputer-brain) disappears, and stress. Lab animals, who don't have to hunt for food, are not exposed to the same kinds of stressors.. (even their decapitation occurs quickly and one would hope, with less pain than the pain of losing ones health, then job, then home, then family and physical belongings) NASA uses a technique called " root cause analysis " to determine what single cause can be blamed for a cascade of events in which things go wrong. I think tht most of us can say with confidence that had our homes been healthy the cascade of life-destroying events would not have happened. Look it up.. " root cause analysis " http://www.google.com/search?q= " root+cause+analysis " On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 3:57 PM, reb_black <reb_black@...> wrote: > while waiting for extra$$$ for test, I forgot I was going to do it...Go > figure, memory problem! Anyway I need his new web address and info if > any of you guys have done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 My lyme doctor gives this test, and my results have improved somewhat since being treated for misdiagnosed long term chronic lyme disease. I also have the hold back genetics for both lyme and mold neurotoxins so it has been a struggle. V --- In , " Carl E. Grimes " <grimes@...> wrote: >> I have the equipment and I've used the VCS with my clients for > several years. It helps them (and me) to understand if their > persistent complaints are because of their genetics or not. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 If you are still toxic then the VCS test will show a positive result. Read about it at _www.biotoxin.info_ (http://www.biotoxin.info) it is 98% accurate. It doesn't cost much and a very valuable tool! Sue >> Thanks for all the imput...one more question.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 _http://biotoxin.info/test_instructions_ (http://biotoxin.info/test_instructions) $14.95 for one test. Try it, what do you have to lose? >>> What is the cost of this test? thanks cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Thanks for all the imput...one more question....It has been 1 /2 years since exposure...although I seem to have one kind or another infection, usually fungal...would the VCS test still pick up biotoxin illness and be acurate? I have done some detoxing over this time and lord knows other homeopathic treatments (h2o2 35% food grade therapy, just started collidal silver, Paragone, colon cleanse, yeast gaurd) list goes on and on trying to get the miricle results! Just wondering if this would have an effect on the test. Once again my thanks to everyone in this group..you all keep me sane knowing I am not the only one and it is NOT in my head! Health and Happiness > From: reb_black <reb_black (DOT) com> > Subject: [] Shoemakers VCS test > > Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 12:57 PM > > while waiting for extra$$$ for test, I forgot I was going to do it...Go > > figure, memory problem! Anyway I need his new web address and info if > > any of you guys have done it. Oh and know SS is sending me to a > > Pyschologist. ..I guess that your mind is capable in creating all the > > various infections I have been treated for! I do know mind over matter > > doesn't work...cuz if it did none of us would be on this group..LOL > > Thanks again! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 What is the cost of this test? thanks cathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 cathy, Information about the VCS, including cost, can be found at: http://www.chronicneurotoxins.com/learnmore/genqnas.cfm Carl Grimes Healthy Habitats LLC ----- > > What is the cost of this test? thanks > cathy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 How much does the adrenal test cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I don't know who posted about adrenal test. I can't find it but is person referring to cortisol test? My doctor wrote me an Rx to test my cortisol. Is that an adrenal test you all are talking about? --- In , LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote: > > How much does the adrenal test cost? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 How much do these tests cost? On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 9:14 AM, barb1283 <barb1283@...> wrote: > I don't know who posted about adrenal test. I can't find it but is > person referring to cortisol test? My doctor wrote me an Rx to test my > cortisol. Is that an adrenal test you all are talking about? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 It's a salivy test and I have to send sample to Diagnos-Techs, Inc. Test doctor has checked off for me is test for 'Adrenal Stress Panel'. It says it includes TAP (Cortisol x4), DHEA, MB2-S, FI-4, ISN x2, & P17- OH. I have to send a check for $99.00 I know my Cortisol and DHEA will be low already, as this has been tested before but cortisol supplements I've tried, you take in the morning, don't wear off enough for me during the day and at night cause me increased sleep problems. This may have to do the benzo I take disrupting my P450 or whatever that is that helps to clear substances out of my system, so I don't know, doubt, I will take the test. My cortisol and DHEA are low I feel sure due to insomnia. I only sleep a few hours a night. I will go through period where I will sleep better and get 6, on medicine, but will go through equally long periods where I only get 4 or sometimes even some sleepless night (interestingly the more allergy free my surroundings, I notice the longer I sleep so that is where I am headed as my own treatment). Anyway, so with inadequate sleep there is no surprise in test results. I've had my DHEA-S, which is a more stable DHEA test as DHEA-S doesn't fluctuate during the day as DHEA does, but anyway tested 3 times and the results are always the lowest the chart goes. Results say the amount of DHEA-S, which reserach says is crucial to fighting infections, is the average amount for a woman 90 years old, so practically dead. Unfortunately, surprise, surprise, no traditional doctors recognise this test although there is much research behind it, including being research in cancer development. I just ignore it because I can't do anything about it. Sometime I may ask for it to be tested when I'm going through a 'good spell', which is not now, to see if it is higher when I'm sleeping better. Lack of quality sleep causes a huge number of problems. Dr Tiedlebaum, chronic fatigue syndrome researcher, feels it is at the root cause of cfs, which is no surprise of course, but he says people who can't get adequate sleep tend to be unable to fight off infections. He doesnt' see patients anymore, he is busy with his business of books and supplements and seminars. > > I don't know who posted about adrenal test. I can't find it but is > > person referring to cortisol test? My doctor wrote me an Rx to test my > > cortisol. Is that an adrenal test you all are talking about? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I changed my sickbuilding group mail option to get individual mail to see what it is like for you all who get it this way and getting the posts into my inbox confused me since I haven't received it that way for so long...so ignore the last couple of emails!!! > >> How much do these tests cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 FYI... VCS test score was 99.99999.% BIRS..go figure! I also now feel quite blind! Although since exposure I exposure I HAVE HAD had trouble with vision...especially while riding in a car...Peripheral vision sucks...it is almost like tunnel vision of sorts...and alot due to way husband drives and me not used to passenger side. It is real bad when I am really sick.Maybe this will come in handy with several claims I am going thru. Have Great weekend guys...I know the days all tend to blend sometimes...the only way I can tell is husband is home!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I took the test but it was five years ago. What does BIRS mean? > > FYI... VCS test score was 99.99999.% BIRS..go figure! I also now feel quite blind! Although since exposure I exposure I HAVE HAD had trouble with vision...especially while riding in a car...Peripheral vision sucks...it is almost like tunnel vision of sorts...and alot due to way husband drives and me not used to passenger side. It is real bad when I am really sick.Maybe this will come in handy with several claims I am going thru. Have Great weekend guys...I know the days all tend to blend sometimes...the only way I can tell is husband is home!!! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 The VCS is not a vision test, it does not determine 20/20 or 20/200, or resolution (how small an image you can perceive). It tests only the ability to perceive contrast between light and dark bands. However, with insufficient ability to perceive contrast the ability to resolve images would be impaired. Like light gray print on an off- white page. However, other vision conditions like astigmatism and cataracts will interfere with the ability to perceive the contrasting images of VCS. I had one client who had a partially detached retina in one eye and she couldn't see any of the contrasting bands. The VCS is an indicator, one of several, not a definitive diagnosis. Carl Grimes Healthy Habitats LLC ----- > > With score I would say that it is 99.99999% certain that you have a toxin > illness but I'm not the Dr. Only proper blood tests will determine that. I was a > teacher and even with my glasses I couldn't see my teaching manuals. I had > to use a magnifier to see the small print. Went to my eye Dr. but there was no > change in my prescription. I felt like looking through wet glasses. > Sue > > wrote: > > FYI... VCS test score was 99.99999.% BIRS..go figure! I also now feel quite > blind! Although since exposure I exposure I HAVE HAD had trouble with > vision...especially while riding in a car > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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