Hi Maff,

What lead you to start taking DHEA? Was your DHEA Sulfate level low? And did you have any side effects from taking it? Trying to figure out if is is something that might work for me. I know that my brain is now over reacting to the slightest scent I smell and I now get immediate migranes and chest tightness. I'm thinking it's more the thought of how sick the scent will make me which is causing the reaction. Do you think DHEA help this?

Thanks,
Karen

Hi Karen,

Yes, I had an Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) test which indicated borderline low DHEA-S so I was advised by my EI doctor to trial DHEA supplements at 25mg/day in the morning.

The effects were miraculous really. After just a few days I begand to feel my mood lifting and I could tolerate stress a lot better. Over time other benefits included refreshing sleep, a strong sense of relaxation and well-being, balanced blood sugar (which previously swung wildly), more energy...and over a period of just a few months my MCS disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

My theory is that DHEA being a neurosteroid and enhancer of GABA (the major inhibitory/relaxing neurotransmitter in the brain) suppresses and parhaps reverses the over-sensitivity to chemicals that exists in the brain when we have MCS.

The problem for me was that my liver is in very bad shape due to severe intestinal Candida infection (a result of the immune deficiency associated with ME/CFS which I've had since age 12...19 years). DHEA is a steroid so puts a significant added strain on an already struggling liver. The result was I had to discontinue the DHEA supplements due to toxic hepatitis.

Please don't let this put you off however though as used sensibly DHEA can be a great help as a survey of MCS patient's by Pamela Reed Gibson found. The liver toxicity is not likely to be an issue in the majority of people with MCS but I would recommend a lower dose of 5-10mg/day as this is likely to be just as helpful with lower risk. If possible I would recommend working with a doctor in the know about DHEA otherwise just err on the side of caution and if you notice any new symptoms stop the supplements immediately and see your doctor.

DHEA is a steroid which means it can have powerful therapeutic effects but must be treated with respect

Hi Maff,

Thanks for your information. Every bit does help because I am determined to find a way to cure my MCS. I do believe that it has something to do with the brain and after having so many bad reactions around chemicals and the smells associated with most of them my brain is always in a heightened alert level. My MCS was a build of exposure from chemicals that were stored in my body, although I know the chemical load has been drastically reduced now through months of saunas because physically I feel much better and my food allergies have just about gone away. I now know my brain is causing some of my reaction because I have been doing an experiment at home. I use to use Dawn dish detergent to wash my dishes before MCS, although once I developed MCS about 3 years ago, I had to stop using it. About three weeks ago I bought some Dawn and I put it on the counter and when I opened it the smell really bothered me and would cause respiratory inflammation. Every couple of days, I would open the top and I started reacting less and less. Then I tried just a tiny drop to wash my dishes. I started reacting again and was tempted to throw it away. Then I tried another drop each day until I could be around it longer and longer and letting my brain realize that it was not going to hurt me. Now it is ok for me to use and even wash my hands in it. This took about three weeks. I no longer react to the dawn, but if I step outside and my neighbor is doing laundry, I react and will have a headache for days and respiratory inflammation to the point of my nose becoming bloody. It has to be in my brain. I just posted another post to see if anyone has had any success with Annie Hoppers DNR training to retrain the brain.
Karen

Hi Maff,

Thanks for your information. Every bit does help because I am determined to find a way to cure my MCS. I do believe that it has something to do with the brain and after having so many bad reactions around chemicals and the smells associated with most of them my brain is always in a heightened alert level. My MCS was a build of exposure from chemicals that were stored in my body, although I know the chemical load has been drastically reduced now through months of saunas because physically I feel much better and my food allergies have just about gone away. I now know my brain is causing some of my reaction because I have been doing an experiment at home. I use to use Dawn dish detergent to wash my dishes before MCS, although once I developed MCS about 3 years ago, I had to stop using it. About three weeks ago I bought some Dawn and I put it on the counter and when I opened it the smell really bothered me and would cause respiratory inflammation. Every couple of days, I would open the top and I started reacting less and less. Then I tried just a tiny drop to wash my dishes. I started reacting again and was tempted to throw it away. Then I tried another drop each day until I could be around it longer and longer and letting my brain realize that it was not going to hurt me. Now it is ok for me to use and even wash my hands in it. This took about three weeks. I no longer react to the dawn, but if I step outside and my neighbor is doing laundry, I react and will have a headache for days and respiratory inflammation to the point of my nose becoming bloody. It has to be in my brain. I just posted another post to see if anyone has had any success with Annie Hoppers DNR training to retrain the brain.
Karen