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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Thu Jan 11th, 2007 23:27 |
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Will the MP treat MCS?
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) syndrome is explained in this article. Many MPers, which a wide variety of Th1 diagnoses, are reporting improvement in their MCS symptoms.
Stimuli misidentification in the brain
One explanation for some MCS phenomenon is provided by Dr Brian Fallon's group at Columbia which studied chronic Lyme patients (another Th1 disease). Their SPECT data revealed that the main metabolic changes in the brain were in the region of the Parahippocampal Gyrus. This is responsible for receiving sensory input from the outside world, integrating it, and projecting it onto the hippocampus (memory) and amygdala (fear, aggression, mood).The insula was also affected.
Further, the Para-Lymbic dysfunction noted on SPECT
1. disrupts attention, memory and learning
2. alters emotional response to sensory stimuli
3. distorts links between visceral states and mood, and may lead to increased stress responses
4. depresses the immune response and alters endocrine function
5. alters perception and emotional valence of pain, smell and taste
This could account for some of stimuli-misidentifications by the brain that are common in ALL chronic Th1 diseases including MCS..
"Not only do all these symptoms vanish as you recover, but also you will find pollen 'allergies', etc, vanish. Hmmm."
"Forget about the MCS myth of an impaired cytokine P450 pathway (causing poor toxin and drug clearance). MCS is just a subset of Th1 disease symptoms. The enzymes of the Vitamin D pathway are all P450 enzymes (see my slides on the "Science" DVD). So there will be P450 pathway changes in Th1 disease. But these changes will be keyed to the disease state, not to the disease name. GI tract health will vary between MCS patients the same as between any other Th1 patients."
"Factoid: The following Olfactory receptor genes are some of the 913 genes transcribed by the VDR  So now you can see why the MP makes such a profound difference to MCS, and why some degree of MCS almost always accompanies Th1 disease.
..Trevor..
Chemical injury may just be the 'straw that broke the camel's back'
We know chemical injury can trigger MCS, but I suspect the reason so many people do not acquire it when exposed to the very same levels of a chemical is because they are healthy enough to begin with (low CWD microbial load) to deal with the added physiologic stress. Chemical injury may just be one of the straws that breaks the camel's back. Dr. Martin Pall thinks that MCS, CFS, fibro and PTSD are in part caused by a disruption in nitric oxide metabolism.
http://molecular.biosciences.wsu.edu/Faculty/pall/pall_main.htm
I suspect the stealthy CWD organisms may be the reason or at least part of the reason for this disruption, and that the MP may well break the biochemical chain by eradicating the microbes. Since my knowledge of biochemistry is rudimentary, I hope someone with the requisite skill will be able to once and for all explain MCS in detail to the satisfaction of all. (to the biochemists, at least). ..Trevor..
MCS is misunderstood
It is difficult for so many people to understand our reactions to environmental stimulants like mold that don't bother them as much or at all. It is certainly not "all in your head". Scientific studies have documented the very real physiologic changes that take place in mold and chemically sensitive individuals.
The campaign to deny the existence of MCS is still very strong, and so many people are suffering and are just told they are mentally ill. (Like chronic "lyme", CFS, etc.) ~.P.Bear, RN
Benicar
Members with MCS do not seem to have any more or less difficulty adjusting to the Benicar blockade. Although an increase in symptoms may seem like a reaction to Benicar, it is a result of the profound changes that occur as the Benicar blockade reduces 1,25-D. See I just started Benicar. Why do I feel worse?
Members report improvement in MCS symptoms
-It is now 9:45, and I have been home for 1 1/2 hours, still not in need to shower the fragrance off of me. I spent 2 hours at the Mall, after 3 months of being home. Before I started the MP, I would get so sick from a trip to the Mall. My throat and ears would swell, and my lungs hurt terribly. If I did not immediately shower, I would become worse. I can smell the fragrance, but, my body is not reacting. Thank You MP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~Lori
-Keep in mind that when you start Benicar, you may have a lot of symptoms related to shifting hormones as well as possibly some immunopathological responses (herxheimer) that might confuse you as to whether it's a reaction to the medication or something else.
You will not be reacting to the Benicar, although it may feel like it. Practically everyone who goes on the MP has some adjusting to do to the benicar which is why you're told to wait at least 2 weeks before starting the minocycline. We may have even more adjusting and therefore symptoms than some others as we may be in a more seriously altered state starting out. I've talked to many people with severe MCS on the MP and all of them have been able to tolerate the Benicar. You might have problems with an abx, but others can be substituted.
You will become more light sensitive adding more confusion and symptoms to the mix. This makes it highly important for us to make every effort to avoid light as much as possible especially in the beginning. But, I can tell you, it is worth it. I've been on the MP for 1 yr now, just last night was looking at my journal from 6 mos. ago and was so surprised to see how much my symptoms have receded since then, like they say, the healing sneaks up on you. ~Pam
-My chemical sensitivities are essentially gone!!! I can now use bleach if necessary, and perfumes no longer bother me. ~Katydid
-One of the symptoms of my MCS has been that I smell things more acutely than other people. Things that really are there, but just in very low concentrations. And, if I've been overexposed to chemicals, the sense of smell can really go haywire and then I end up getting smells really mixed up, like the smell of tuna or rice crackers smells like something burning (when family members have opened these I have been known to look around frantically for a fire) and the smell of fruit smells like a really heavy perfume. And the smell of heavy perfume, well that just feels like I'm drowning with no oxygen to breathe, seriously.
Good things I've noticed are that I tried reading a newspaper this week and didn't react to the ink (used to give me a headache if not a migraine). I also had 2 other 2nd hand exposures (meaning another family member had an exposure) which normally would've given me big problems and while I could notice it, they were not big deals. ~prugg21
-She purchased the newspaper while we were out and I picked it up and was reading it. She was shocked and asked if not the ink and smell from the paper bothered me anymore. It didn't at that time anyway. Wow. Is the end of MCS symptoms/allergies in the horizon for me? I believe so ...thank God. I'm truly liking the small pieces of the puzzle too!!! ~Toni
-I also have had such a drastic reduction in smell sensitivites, it is unreal. I can handle almost any scent I come in contact with and some of them actually smell 'normal' and good. WHAT A BLESSING. ~Barney
-After taking an abx holiday for a couple of months, and I have changed my antibiotic combination, my MCS,and insomnia are the best yet with no fatigue or any other symptoms. My innate immune system seems to be functioning at a very high level. I'm working in an office enviroment with lots of cologne and perfume around,W/O HARDLY ANY SYMPTOMS WHATSOVER!!! ~Sam
-We've found that hypersensitivity, whether skin reactions to metals or reactions to fumes, dust, odors, smoke, etc., resolves with recovery on the MP. Evidently when the Th1 inflammation is under control, normal homeostasis is reached. The MP will change your sensitivities as you recover.
I know this will be hard to believe. I myself find it astonishing that I can wear jewelry without rashes, touching and eating certain foods no longer bothers me, and I pay little attention to smoke, orders and fumes. It's quite a change in my life after 40+ years.
Exposure to paint, varnish and other fumes or odors used to do horrible things to me. I couldn't put fuel in my car or even be in the car when it was fueled. Cigarette smoke yards away would send me into coughing spasms that seemed to have no end.
It's all gone now. I even use hairspray myself.. except when I go to the doctor's office. ~Belinda (MP Research Team)
-I'm only at the very beginning of Phase 2 (having to switch to Modified) but after six months on Phase 1 have already had some slight relief from MCS. I notice, also, that I can go into smelly stores which used to wipe me out, but now I don't notice them so much and can last a little longer before they overcome me. Constant exposure, even low level, is the thing which does me in, though, and that hasn't changed yet. But I do notice my tolerance and, most importantly, perception of the strong smells is lightening up a little. And when you're this disabled by it, a little goes a long way! ~Joy
-I am pleased at my slow improvements. I can get gasoline without much problem now and go to restaurants and movies with less symptoms. It has been some time since I have had an acute upper airway reaction to fragrances or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). ~P.B.
Related info:
Unscented Products for those with MCS
Questions & suggestions re MCS
MCS/Fragrances/Medical Professionals/Breathing
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