circular wrote:Hi Brain! You're correct that I haven't started VIP, since the last nasal culture showed two more infections. I since heard in a podcast with Sonia Rappaport that people who's nasal infections don't clear on the first go round typically have many different infections, so I'm not sure where this ever ends! I must be completely without a nasal biome by now given all the antibiotic and now silver sprays. It may be a reason I've become incredibly chemically sensitive. The slightest whiff of any artificial fragrance feels like a 'hit' to my sinus walls. I don't know how else to describe it, but it should be a warning for everyone spewing those toxic clouds of chemical garbage with the products they choose (sorry, it's a pulpit I find myself behind more and more). Anyway, I get the dental CT results on the 15th. The dentist was certain the sinus infections are tied to the dental area.
I’m sorry to hear that on top of everything else, you’ve now become chemically sensitive. And your poor nasal biome... I’m surprised it’s taking that long to get your CT results. The couple times I’ve had a CT, my results came back rather quickly. But I’ve never had a dental CT. Maybe it involves more analysis.
In August 2016 (the ranges are from the lab; Dr. Shoemakers are somewhat different):
C4a 8613 (0-2830)
MMP-9 231 (<984)
TGF beta-1 2430 (622-4625)
MSH 22 (0-40)
VEGF 23 (0-115)
ADH <.8 (0-4.7)
Osmolality 276 (275-295)
Contrast sensitivity using Dr. Shoemaker's online test was normal (after an abnormal one some time before using a different online test).
Taking a quick look at Dr. Shoemaker’s ranges (
http://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis/lab-tests), the only blood test result in range is MMP-9, though your TGF beta-1 is just slightly above range.
I just read yesterday that people with mold illness who have a normal VCS tend to be artists, interior designers, etc., basically people whose eyes might be “better” in some ways than others. My VCS was normal. I would say I could have had a career in graphic design, but I became a technical writer/editor and had fun doing page layout for computer manuals and newsletters. My mother was an artist.
Does any of that fit you?
I'm somewhat skeptical of embarking on extensive mold protocols based on one-time readings, but less so in the context of chronic illness, which I've had (though much better now). I've got to think that ADH and osmolality, in particular, change frequently (?), so a one-off may not say much (?).
If the time for VIP ever does come, maybe I should retest these, so I'll ask Dr. Ackerley. I really think I need to take Dr. Sandeep Gupta's mold course to get a better grasp of all this.
VIP will come for you! You will get past these infections! It sounds like it would be a good idea to retest when that time comes.
I just got an email from Dr. Gupta. His course is on sale now. I’ve also thought about taking it. I like the idea of having access to him for questions. I believe Slacker said that’s one of the benefits.
Then there are my multitude of high viral titres and chronically high hs-CRP (though in the context of good CV markers). I haven't yet worked out if:
- Mold is necessarily a problem when so many viral and bacterial infections are
The HLA genes affect viral/bacterial defense as well as mold defense
Whether the labs above, in the theoretical absence of a mold issue, independently relate to all the viral/bacterial infections
These are the sort of thoughts the swim around my brain while I'm washing dishes and running errands
I’ve read that mold illness does not cause high hs-CRP, so something else is causing that. Your questions are good ones to ponder. Might Dr. Ackerley be able to answer them for you?
I will say that I’ve come across mold experts (and mold patients who have essentially become experts) saying that people with mold illness should start there if they have multiple isssues going on. For example, if someone is being treated for Lyme but not getting better, there’s a good chance that mold illness is the culprit and that needs to be addressed before the Lyme will resolve.
Granted, it's hard to imagine not having a mold issue in this context. I guess I'm going after the low hanging fruit in my face
Essentially, although I've had some mold exposure during the years I got so sick, my viral/bacterial load has taken front seat, and I've gotten better without doing anything specific for mold.
So you’ve gotten better, but it doesn’t sound like you’ve gotten all better. It seems like
something is in your way. Maybe it’s dental infections alone (not to minimize the enormity of infections in your case), but it does seem like mold is an issue for you. Didn’t your NeuroQuant results point to mold illness (atrophy in the caudate nucleus)? Or were your results overall in a gray area?
Meanwhile, I haven't been using binders, let alone found time to focus on it. I'm not willing to endure constipation to use a strong one (and can't think of any constipation antidote I'd be in favor of), and Dr. Ackerley says charcoal works, just more slowly. The problem is I take supplements all day long, so I can't get it distant enough from those to prevent them being carted out of my body without becoming systemic. I tried using it in the middle of the night if/when I get up, but the process woke me up too much and interfered with sleep. So I've just shelved the whole notion and hoped maybe I'm an exception to the strict protocol rule haha
Okay, those are my rambling thoughts ATM ...
Along with the far infrared sauna and oral glutathione, I’m taking activated charcoal. I’ve had chronic constipation for years and use magnesium daily to manage that. To deal with the worsened constipation from the charcoal, I’m simply taking more magnesium glycinate. It’s working.
I also have a problem with taking the charcoal two hours away from food, supplements, and medications. I manage to take 1-3 charcoal capsules per day, depending on how it goes. I’ve considered switching to Welchol, which can be taken with food and supplements. I see my FM practitioner on Monday and am going to ask her about it.
This is quite a journey, isn’t it?
ApoE 4/4 - When I was in 7th grade, my fellow students in history class called me "The Brain" because I had such a memory for detail. I excelled at memorization and aced tests. This childhood memory helps me cope!