MS and mold exposure? (flu shot, ankle, cold, infection)

[jillz]

Hi,

I have been doing a ton of research regarding exposure to certain types of molds and diagnosis of MS in addition to other illnesses. I have been living in a place that has been held up by the mold (couldn't afford to move) and during the 12 years I have lived there I developed several illnesses (MS, colitis, asthma).

Does anyone have any experience with mold and its relation to neurological illnesses? I am waiting to see my doctor to ask for blood tests to see what the mold levels are in my blood stream (see him Tuesday) and see where I go from there. I am also waiting for an attorney to review the issue and get back to me (he specializes in this sort of thing).

Two weeks ago we had major water damage in the apt and rather than fix it, we were given 90 days notice despite trying to get them to fix the problem for ages. The mold that developed in the wall and kitchen is so toxic I cannot be in that room without having a coughing fit and pounding headache.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had looked into the link before and what you found.

Thanks!
Jill

[Noahma]

I too have Ms, and looked into tons of things, well I don't fit about 90% of the items that some think caused this. I have never been exposed to any form of toxic mold (live in a very dry state) I was a perfect example of health up until I was diagnosed, I have not had the flu since I was 7, Never had strep throat, never had an ear infection or pink eye and I have only had one anti-biotic, I had an infection in a small blister on my ankle when I was 8. I rarely get sick except for the common cold once per year. I never get the flu shot. I would not put too much thought into what caused it, it will cause you too much stress.

[jillz]

Originally Posted by jasony

I am a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant. I can't say about your specific situation, but I can tell you in general that there are studies that have shown a link between water damaged environments and something called multiple chemical sensitivities. In those cases there have been studies to report both chronic, systemic inflamatory (which relies primarily on an immune system response) and neurogenic inflammation, which is a condition that is acute, which abates when the person is not in the environment, and which deals more with the neurons than the immune cells. There is a good radio program on IAQ Radio that discusses these issues: iaqradio.com and click 'go to show'; then, listen to episodes 79 and 80 with Ritchie Shoemaker, M.D. I wish you all the best.

I didn't see this response so I apologize for not getting back to you. Thank you for the information. I have my mold report that an environmental group did here and they found stachybotris, aspergillus/pennicillium, chaetomium, cladiosporum, and several others. The air sample count in one room of aspergullus/penn. was 5000 per cubic meter. The other rooms were around 1900. Only one room didn't have visible mold and once we got the furniture out, it was much worse than we thought.

I have FINALLY found a doctor to see that specializes in mold related illnesses (none in this city) but I am finding the hardest part is getting the property inspected by the city. Since the landlord evicted us rather than fix it, the leak has now been going on for over two months that we (and she) knows about. It is still leaking and the landlord is only spraying it with bleach before she moves someone else in. Since moving out (less than 1 week ago), I haven' t had my nightly headache, nasty coughing fits, I am not as tired, heck, even my cats seem to be feeling better!

I did e-mail every single city council member in this town and 2 got back to me so far. They are going to follow up with the building inspector. I want to make sure that the residents still living there don't get sick (I did give them copies of my reports) and that the landlord stops being a slumlord.

Have a good one!
Jill