This'n That #10 - Mysterious Chemicals?
Columnist Editorial By Nancy

Editorial Link:
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/edito...isnthat10.shtml

That was very intresting and very...dare I say....different Nancy!
Enjoyed reading it.

Ben....... Goodness, the ink wasn't even dry yet from SaRuMaN posting it.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read. Tis true, all true.
Nancy

I am a fast reader, I also sit here sometimes refreshing the pages for new posts.

Fascinating article Nancy! I love reading your editorials. Good luck in your efforts to make more people aware of MCS.

If this is obvious please disregard, but could you explain this last sentence a little better?

Nancy, that was fascinating, it really was. My heart goes out to you.

I'm utterly baffled as to why this isn't a recognised medical condition, or at least a condition recognised by doctors 'in the field'.



EDIT: I've just read your previous post and I'm even more baffled now. It must be ghastly. You are a far stronger person than me Nancy, because I would just have given up a long time ago. My respect to you.

Nancy, I'm glad you posted your story here, so others here could
know how much you've had to endure. You know my wish is that you
won't give up, although my first wish is that you no longer have to
fight with the people who are supposed to be helping you.

Nancy ,
Your great ... that's it your great , O.K. inspirational even .

I must say I can't help sharing a little empathy with you here

Nancy, YOU ROCK!
That was a great read, and i have to agree totally with what you have to say. It appears that you have a great head on your shoulders and maybe in due time you'll cause a few more of the docs to come around, and take this thing more seriously. Up here in Canada the general action for something like that would be anti depressants, or group therapy with people you don't know, or living on welfare with $400.00 per month. I went the anti depressant route a few years ago on doctor advice, and only in the last 3 months i have forced myslef off of it, as it did far more harm than good. If there were more like you out there, people that suffer from this would be light years ahead in the health and well being department...and thusly not be so different from all the "normal" people.

EXCELLENT

Nancy ,

I for one hope your naughty for many lifetimes to come yet

Kismit? Thank you! I'm still a kickin! LOL!!!!

Nancy,
Although I didn't know anything about it, MCS does sound familiar, like I heard it somewhere before. It was probably you I heard it from previously. Thank you for sharing this information, and for sharing a little bit more about you. You are a fighter, and truly an inspiration

Nancy ,

Thankyou again.. Someday people will not be so careless with others and like many will come to undertand MCS better.

You are strength and a great asset to this world Nancy.. and I am very glad you are still here.

connecian.... I appreciate that!

Take my word for it, I am no stronger than anyone else.
There are many days, many days when I consider not being here.

"Life" hands each of us so many obstacles and there are days, even weeks at a time, we wonder if we can cope with the next bump in the road.

I've been thinking of a song that I like by Mark Wills called "Don't Laugh At Me."
{In God's eyes we're all the same, Someday we'll all have perfect wings.}
Everyone is different in his or her own way. So the word "different" applies to everyone. Nobody is "PERFECT".
My heart goes out to you. You are such an inspiration to many, Nancy. You probably don't even know how many others wish they had the strength and will that you have. Keep up your fight, and one day you will be rewarded in full.

Here is a link to the lyrics of the song if anyone is interested. HERE

Allie........ Thank you very much.
True, we are all different which is one of the gifts from the Man In Charge...
Being a huge Country Fan, those lyrics have echoed in my head, many a time.

Nancy, I honestly have nothing to say, you've left me flabbergasted. I don't know that I would last half as long as you have, really, I think I would have ended it all pretty fast. You are an amazing human being. I have a totally new respect for you.

Kismit, is that the disorder where the muscular tissue starts turning to bone? Or am I on the wrong track? Either way, it's really horrible to know you have to deal with something like that. And both of you to have such great senses of humor, well, man, I feel so very small right now.

At the risk of sounding like a total jackass, I'm gonna reach out and give both of you a great big hug. Man,

Hmmmmmmm, I didn't know 'jackasses' could hug!

Snuffy? You don't need to say a darn thing.
I appreciate your sweet comments and I'm sure Kismit is as happy about that hug, as I am.

Thanks for reading....

Hi Nancy, How ya been.
I'm interested to know what the trigger was for you continuing to suffer from MCSS?
From my understanding of this chronic disease, the vast majority of sufferers that have so far come to light have had some kind of toxic exposure.Is this a familiar case with yourself?
On another note I have my own opinions on the modern day use of chemicals and substances.In comparison to fifty years ago, we live in an extremely clean world, a world that for the most part can get rid of a once life threatening bacteria with the use of a few pills, a world that has erradicated many plagues ( smallpox etc), but with the use of modern day medicine we are creating an intolerant humanity that simply doesn't have the armour to contend with future bugs.We are already at a major cross-roads as far as the use of antibiotics are concerned.A fact not known to most is that science has already discovered a bacterial infection that is immune to all known medication.The first known case sprung up in the USA.Needless to say the patient died.The medical and science world are reluctant to share such information with the public, but this is a bug that isn't going away.The more we use medicines needlessly, the more the bugs evolve.
I believe that this and other factors have led to our fragility and intolerance with certain chemicals and substances.Asthma is now a major problem, with more people suffering from it than ever before.Our abuse of the motor car, our pathetic attempts to genetically modify food, and our rediculous consumptiion of medication has led to new and intollerable diseases being discovered.
It is the same scientific world that has caused these miserable diseases, the same scientific world that pretend they don't exist.
Good luck Nancy...

take care..

bren.

Bren,
Thanks for reading then taking the time to go into such detail!

First of all, there are very few medical institutions in the US or the world, for that matter that are experienced with MCS... it's cause and effect. In fact, the Chemical Injury Network is pushing for "standards of diagnosis" and have been for years.

This is complicated by the vast differences in patients. The "whys" are so diverse it makes the answers far from simple.

Most people start to exhibit symptoms of MCS as a result of a "one dose" exposure to some toxic substance. Others seem to start with multiple symptoms as a result of years of exposure. We have something here in the US known as "sick building syndrome." You may hear off and on of people in an office building suddenly complaining of breathing problems, headaches, 'strange smells' .... the building is evactuated and shut down for investigation. Odds are those who investigate come up empty, with NO clear cut reason(s).

Personally, I feel that painting the interior of my home in Northern California started my life long journey with MCS. Why? I have no idea, other than weeks of exposure and not realizing what was happening, plus sleeping there...... in other words, no escape from the fumes.

My "drop dead" asthma began shortly thereafter, out of "nowhere." My triggers were really no different than other asthmatics..... perfume, dust, smoke, etc.

What was different was the very small 'dose' of those triggers that began a chain reaction very severe in nature. Each subsequent asthma attack worse than the prior, took longer to recover. In other words, as time went by, it took very little of the trigger to set me off.

As my immune system began to disappear, other triggers evolved and the list is still growing to this day. I need to be in a "bubble"... thought of asking NASA for a spare space suit too

You made several good points about what is going on globally, Bren. However, the conclusion now is that "clean" is dangerous. It tends to set up immune system failure and becomes a domino effect. It is true, the more meds, the smarter the "bugs." That makes those of us with MCS leary of entering the big, bad world.
Wearing charcoal masks help, to some degree, but not enough.

I've become accustomed to the stares, they no longer bother me, tis life.

Also, the more my triggers grow, the longer and longer it takes for me to bounce back. I've resigned myself to the fact that being homebound is the only answer. Then? I have to deal with the factors there...... carpet/carpet glue, paint, plastic (PVC), cooking, wood smoke from nearby fires on occasion.

Oops, I've overstayed my welcome here on "Reply" but I hope I've answered most of your questions. Sorry I am so longwinded!!

Thanks for asking
Nancy

I've worked in the medical field for over 5 years now, and I can attest that a great number of health care providers are very arrogant about their knowledge. I've seen so many patients come in with diseases like fibromyalgia that are basically told "too bad... there is no reason for your pain, so you can't have any pain meds." The doctors don't want to admit that they dion'tknow the cause for a problem, and they often won't acknowledge a "controversial" disease, for ignorance or fear of being castigated by their peers.

Most recently, a man came in that had gained over 40 pounds in 1 week. He was suffering from joint pain and lapses in memory, as well as mood swings. After a very short exam, the doctor claimed this man had constipation. Two weeks later, he called to let Doc know that he was suffering from Mercury Poisoning-a buildup of mercury in his body--apparently, he had been eating a can of tuna per day for over 3 years, and the amoount of mercury had finally built up to a critical point in his body. If he hadn't gotten a second opinion, he could have ( and still may) suffered permanent brain damage or death.

I pray that more doctors and researchers will devote time to finding a cure or effective treatment for MCS and other diseases of obscure origin.

Stay strong, Nancy and Kis...you have a lot of folks praying for ya!

SF78....... Validation always make me smile.....! Thank you!!

I understand how that gentleman must have felt and VERY glad he took the bull by the horns!

Fibromyalgia is also one of the many "diseases" I possess ...... that was diagnosed at Scripps Clinic in San Diego in 1985. Back then, the medical community was just as stubborn in their defiance with diagnosis. I've been fighting this "Dr. Almighty" attitude for close to 20 years. It never gets easier.

Thank you SO much for reading this and YOUR input!
Nancy

Nancy, just... wow.
You truly are a fantastic lady, and an inspiration to us all

I have the upmost respect for you and your look on life while diagnosed with such a disease and wish you the best of luck.

Your a true fighter Nancy, my real life Xena warrior princess

--FireFrog

FireFrog Oh goodness, will my head fit through the door at UM from now on?

Thank you for your kind words, but in reality? I am no different in many ways than anyone else......... other than medically.

Believe me? There are days when I need an 'attitude adjustment' and have to talk to myself to keep pushing on...... But? Overall, I've done my best to accept the "cards dealt" to me, since I can't anti up for a new hand.

The real reason I posted "This 'n That #10" was to make as many people aware of MCS as possible. Guess you could say I've used "UM" and my own website as a soapbox, and if anyone should identify with similar symptoms, help as best I can.

Thank you again........... feeling a tad embarrassed by all this.....
With Respect,
Nancy