Hi everyone. Fellow sufferers.

Well it seems that somehow I have to analyze what is going on in my body, and then try and self-medicate.

Not easy, considering that this is an understudied, little understood, relatively new condition, widely dismissed by the medical profession as another hypochondriacs' playground.

My history and symptoms.

I have been poisoned a few times over the years, and these events seem cumulatively to have knocked my immune system out of kilter.

My present condition is that I am hypersensitive to chemicals in the air.

Perfumes, air fresheners, washing powders, are the main agitants.

The effects range from irritation of the air tract and mouth , to stinging on the gums, to difficulty breathing, nausea and revulsion, migraine, disorientation and very violent impulses.

A typical event would be going swimming, someone comes in to swim wearing perfume: I feel quite ill, almost like wretching and have to stop. I will then get all the symptoms of a cold, since the assault of their perfume knocks out my immune system.

Can anyone else relate to this? And if so, WHAT can I do to counteract my problems?

Thanks
Marcus

Hi Marcus-

I wanted to pass on the title of a book I think everyone on here should read... I see that Maff has posted information about it but I have been reading it and it is BEYOND the best book I've ever read about this or similar conditions.

It goes into very detailed information as to what is occurring- plus sites all of its information using scientific medical studies... The book is written by a bio-chemistry scientist and professor- I do believe that he came down with the same illness a while back but was able to cure himself.

This book is VERY detailed. It talks about possible drugs and supplements that can be taken to help get well and stop the oxidative stress and inflammatory cycle that is likely occurring in our bodies.

I am in the process of getting a lot of the supplements to try- and it does certainly seem he is onto something- if not totally explain what is occurring.

Anyway- the man is BRILLIANT!
\"EXPLAINING UNEXPLAINED ILLNESSES\" By Martin Pall, Ph.D.

Aside from that- from information I know and have learned through a great friend who keeps regular contact with a scientist that heads the EPA in the U.S., one of the BIGGEST sources of toxicity and contamination is bathing or swimming in highly or even regularly chlorinated water.

You can look this up on PubMed.com, and type in cancer, and then the word swimming... Or something about toxicity and swimming, bathing and chlorine.

It is realized that swimming in and bathing in chlorinated water is MUCH more dangerous than actually drink it since the body has a chance to filter out the toxicity through the oral route. When it absorbs through the skin it quickly enters the blood stream...

WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS- I know it seems you really like simming and water- but since this condition seems to be one in which the immune system is overwhelmed and toxicity (or illness) caused or is further causing the illness to continue- the LAST thing you might want to do if you are getting well is to put an added burden on your body by exposing it to high levels of chlorine (or even fluroide).

If you are like me- more small things will REALLY set me off if I already have something putting stress on my immune system. It only takes something small to kick me over the edge and have all sorts of symptoms... I think it is possible that while you are swimming- the chlorine is adding to the burden on your body so THEN it only takes the quick inhalation of someone's perfume to push you over the edge.

Please consider that- and look up information on PubMed.com (published medical studies)- The scientist I know about with the EPA won't go swimming or EVEN take a shower without a water filter attached since discovering what type of a hazard it is to all of us.

<br /><br />Post edited by: Maff, at: 2009/03/12 20:14

One more thing. Chlorine in water is so dangerous ALSO because Chlorine evaporates much quicker than water does and is inhaled. Inhalation is the most direct route for something getting into your blood stream aside from injecting it. That is why drugs are often smoked.

So chlorine is very dangerous because of direct absorption and direct inhalation... Both have been proven to be very toxic.

Ah! ok Javan . Thank you so much for taking time to reply.

That makes an awful lot of sense. My 'antennae' do seem greatly heightened during swimming.

And I will definately follow up the links you have given me.

Thank you once again.

Marcus

I am thinking about buying this book. Has anyone read it??

www.thiscureworks.com/allergies/index.ht...z5nZkCFYIU4wod5li8DA

Hi Marcus,

Welcome to the forums. Sorry to hear that you have joined us \&quot;hypochondriacs\&quot;!

I want you to know that you CAN recover from this. I developed chemical sensitivities in 2001 and have been symptom-free since 2004/5 following strict avoidance of chemicals for a few years and the use of a number of interventions including the nutrients recommended by Professor Martin Pall. Like Jason, I recommend you get a copy of his book - \&quot;Explaining Unexplained Illnesses\&quot;.

I also found that treating adrenal fatigue was crucial to my recovery.

I just want to clear up one issue a bit. The balance of evidence suggests multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is mainly the result of neurotoxicity (brain dysfunction or damage due to toxins). Many people assume it is mainly an immune system problem. Of course the immune system is involved at some level as the nervous system and immune system work communicate closely.

I have been meaning to buy the book you mention for a long time now but still haven't got around to it! I do know a fair amount about the content of it however. The therapy it describes is based on the treatment protocol devised by Patricia Kane, PhD and collegues. The basis is detoxification of the body by repairing the membranes of the body's cells so they can rid themselves of toxins. The main therapy used is called 'phospholipid exchange' which is the use of phospholipids such as phosphatidyl choline - required for healthy cell membranes.

The subject has been discussed in the forums before and I recently wrote a blog entry about phospholipid exchange therapy. Here are some links:

The Detoxx Book

Forum Post on Phospholipid Exchange

Blog Entry About Phospholipid Exchange

I hope this helps you learn a bit more about what you can do to combat your ill health. If you get the book from ThisCureWorks.com please let us know if it is helpful.<br /><br />Post edited by: Maff, at: 2009/03/12 20:56