Morgellons Disease: Is It Real?
Sufferers of Morgellons disease complain of invisible parasites biting their skin. And they get skin lesions from which sprout strange fibers. And mysterious black spore-like specks appear on their skin. Cases of this strange disease seem to be spreading, especially in the Bay area. One theory is that it has something to do with Lyme disease. Or it may be a case of mass delusion. The medical community seems to think it's mass delusion. Most people who show up complaining of these symptoms get diagnosed with 'delusional parasitosis', which is a psychological problem in which people imagine that they're infested by parasites. Not having any medical qualifications at all, I won't weigh in on whether this is a real disease or mass delusion, but some of the behavior of the patients does sound suspiciously bizarre. Take the case of Theresa Blodgett:She gathers up the black specks, the mysterious fibers and the small, fuzzy 'cocoons' she finds on her skin and around her home. She tapes the macabre samples to typing paper, but she said no doctor will analyze the collection. Physicians who glance at the specimens dismiss the lot as stray hairs, clothing fibers, scabs and other common household debris, she said.
So either she really is suffering from something and is desperately but unsuccessfully trying to get doctors to pay attention to her, or she's obsessively collecting house dust and stray flecks of dirt and convincing herself that these things are parasites attacking her. (Thanks to 'K' for the links)
Posted By: Alex | Date: Thu Feb 10, 2005 | Permalink |
Total Comments: 586
Category: Health/Medicine, Psychology
Category: Health/Medicine, Psychology
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 11 of 30 pages « First < 9 10 11 12 13 > Last »
I know I said I was not going to post here anymore, but I feel it is significant to report what happened when I went to the Lyme Specialist for the first time on 3/31/05.
I saw one of the nurse practioners. She spent about an hour asking me all kinds of questions about my symptoms, etc. I backed all the way up to two years ago when I first began to show some of the very first symptoms of Lyme Disease. (Although I did not even have a clue what Lyme Disease was back then. I started with a rash behind my ear that would not clear up. Then the flash of lights behind my eyes and then the awful
migraines and then the frustrating floaters that followed. I showed her all past medical records that documented all the different symptoms as they occured, including the vertigo, muscle twitches in limbs, face, especially under my left eye, sometimes the right one too.)Anyway, the list goes on and on, then we came to the skin lesions, itching, crawling stinging sensations, etc. I mentioned finding the fibers all over my house, especially in my bathroom and on my body.
She also examined my lesions.
She then told me that there was a rare, but newly emerging disease that was being called Morgellons!!!!
I told her I was VERY familiar with Morgellons and then went on to tell her about discovering the video showing pictures of people out in California who had sores that looked just like mine and who were suffering from the same symptoms!
She said, "Well, the research into this is all new, but supposedly the disease has been around for a long time, (like back into the 1600's I said and she nodded her head "Yes.") The she said, "AND ALL OF THIS HAS VALIDITY!" She also went on the tell me that none of what I was telling her was OUTLANDISH and that I was NOT CRAZY or DELUSIONAL! I was estatic to hear those words! She said she has a good friend in Texas who is a practitioner who is treating patients with the same symptoms.
She also went on to say she would be very surprised if I tested negative for Lyme and she ordered a barage of tests for Lyme, Lupus, thyroid, Babesiosis, Bartonella, Erlichiosis, etc. on and on! They took about 21 vials of blood!
So now I wait for 6 weeks for all of the results.
To all of you other "Morgellons" sufferers out there...OUR DAY IS COMING, when we will be able to hold our heads high and no longer feel reluctant to go to a doctor, ashamed because someone has labeled us "DELUSIONAL" and be able to get properly diagnosed and properly treated!
(Can anyone give me an AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Sat Apr 02, 2005 at 07:58 AM
I saw one of the nurse practioners. She spent about an hour asking me all kinds of questions about my symptoms, etc. I backed all the way up to two years ago when I first began to show some of the very first symptoms of Lyme Disease. (Although I did not even have a clue what Lyme Disease was back then. I started with a rash behind my ear that would not clear up. Then the flash of lights behind my eyes and then the awful
migraines and then the frustrating floaters that followed. I showed her all past medical records that documented all the different symptoms as they occured, including the vertigo, muscle twitches in limbs, face, especially under my left eye, sometimes the right one too.)Anyway, the list goes on and on, then we came to the skin lesions, itching, crawling stinging sensations, etc. I mentioned finding the fibers all over my house, especially in my bathroom and on my body.
She also examined my lesions.
She then told me that there was a rare, but newly emerging disease that was being called Morgellons!!!!
I told her I was VERY familiar with Morgellons and then went on to tell her about discovering the video showing pictures of people out in California who had sores that looked just like mine and who were suffering from the same symptoms!
She said, "Well, the research into this is all new, but supposedly the disease has been around for a long time, (like back into the 1600's I said and she nodded her head "Yes.") The she said, "AND ALL OF THIS HAS VALIDITY!" She also went on the tell me that none of what I was telling her was OUTLANDISH and that I was NOT CRAZY or DELUSIONAL! I was estatic to hear those words! She said she has a good friend in Texas who is a practitioner who is treating patients with the same symptoms.
She also went on to say she would be very surprised if I tested negative for Lyme and she ordered a barage of tests for Lyme, Lupus, thyroid, Babesiosis, Bartonella, Erlichiosis, etc. on and on! They took about 21 vials of blood!
So now I wait for 6 weeks for all of the results.
To all of you other "Morgellons" sufferers out there...OUR DAY IS COMING, when we will be able to hold our heads high and no longer feel reluctant to go to a doctor, ashamed because someone has labeled us "DELUSIONAL" and be able to get properly diagnosed and properly treated!
(Can anyone give me an AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Denial is cowardice.
Morgellons 'is as real as a heart attack' and every other major organ failure. Because, that is what can occur in Morgellons' sufferers. The parasitic organism permeates the entire body.
By denying it as unreal, you are propagating it to untold numbers of people.
What would you, other than contracting it yourself, accept as proof of this heinous disease?
Posted by Prudent in USA on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 11:35 AM
Morgellons 'is as real as a heart attack' and every other major organ failure. Because, that is what can occur in Morgellons' sufferers. The parasitic organism permeates the entire body.
By denying it as unreal, you are propagating it to untold numbers of people.
What would you, other than contracting it yourself, accept as proof of this heinous disease?
Absolutely, Prudent. I truly do not wish this disease on anyone, but to the doubters and skeptics about the validity of this thing being called Morgellons, that might be what it takes to have a reality check.
Progress is being made though for some answers.
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 11:44 AM
Progress is being made though for some answers.
PRUDENT!!!
Where did you come from???
Lyme disease...Morgellons...Lyme...Morgellons...
I see a pattern...
Jaleenasmom...I saw this site listed on my new Netscape browser. It's insulting to see this disease being touted as a hoax. Esp. since it's killing me.
Posted by Prudent in USA on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 05:29 PM
Tell me more...killing you???
My mom's extremely uncomfortable with this stuff. So far I don't have any lesions, etc.
What's your symptoms? What's your doc say?
New Morgellons article. Well, April 2nd, anyway.
No new info in it, though, except that someone apparently believes it's an alien infection from meteorites from Mars.
The rest is nothing new.
Posted by Rod in the land of smarties. on Tue Apr 12, 2005 at 01:15 PM
No new info in it, though, except that someone apparently believes it's an alien infection from meteorites from Mars.
The rest is nothing new.
Actually, there is quite a bit that is new about Morgellons.
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Tue Apr 12, 2005 at 05:07 PM
If you read my post, it says that there is nothing new IN THE ARTICLE.
As for there being more new stuff on Morgellons, would you care to elucidate?
Posted by Rod in the land of smarties. on Tue Apr 12, 2005 at 05:42 PM
As for there being more new stuff on Morgellons, would you care to elucidate?
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Tue Apr 12, 2005 at 06:54 PM
Okay,
1.) If all of the problem starts with french spring water, how come this is not a rampant disease in France, and, indeed, not all of Europe?
2.) People with AIDS and cancer are the ones affected, according to the doctor. Do whole families have undiagnosed cases of AIDS or cancer?
3.) Doctors say you shouldn't stop drinking bottled water? Why is this, if that's where it's from?
Posted by Rod in the land of smarties. on Tue Apr 12, 2005 at 07:11 PM
1.) If all of the problem starts with french spring water, how come this is not a rampant disease in France, and, indeed, not all of Europe?
2.) People with AIDS and cancer are the ones affected, according to the doctor. Do whole families have undiagnosed cases of AIDS or cancer?
3.) Doctors say you shouldn't stop drinking bottled water? Why is this, if that's where it's from?
Posted by Paula on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 03:46 AM
Posted by Paula on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 03:51 AM
#1 - They are not sure why the French people are not being affected and are looking into it I believe. One theory is that their immunity might be built up and are not affected by it...and how sure are we that there are not some cases of Morgellons in France? I would like more research done in that regard.
#2 - The doctor was saying that people with AIDS and cancer have compromised immune systems and would be the most likely to contract a pathogenic illness. He was not excluding other reasons. There are entire families becoming ill from Morgellons that do not have AIDS or cancer, but many DO have Lyme Disease. I have a feeling the news broadcast perhaps edited out part of what he said.
#3 - The point the reporter was trying to make I think, is that if you have a healthy immune system, you need not be alarmed. (WELL - I THOUGHT I had a healthy immune system...until I got this!) I think they don't want to have widespread panic over drinking bottled waters, again...UNTIL MORE RESEARCH is done. (Hence, the need for donations to be made, so that the research CAN be done.) They could set themselves up for lawsuits I would think, if they are not sure the bottled waters in the US are not safe to drink as well. Keep in mind, Dr. Schwartz said (on the radiobroadcast made on 3/15/05 on RPN)he thought the bacteria may also be in community water supplies (which could explain the "pockets" of certain cities getting this.) (BUT HOW IN THE HELL DID I GET IT??????) I am STILL waiting for the analysis of my well water from the NC Dept. of Environmental Health - knowing their are two different bacteria there, but not knowing WHAT they are!
Hopefully, this answered some of your questions, although I am no authority on any of this. I am just wanting some answers as to how I got this and how to get rid of it!
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 05:18 AM
#2 - The doctor was saying that people with AIDS and cancer have compromised immune systems and would be the most likely to contract a pathogenic illness. He was not excluding other reasons. There are entire families becoming ill from Morgellons that do not have AIDS or cancer, but many DO have Lyme Disease. I have a feeling the news broadcast perhaps edited out part of what he said.
#3 - The point the reporter was trying to make I think, is that if you have a healthy immune system, you need not be alarmed. (WELL - I THOUGHT I had a healthy immune system...until I got this!) I think they don't want to have widespread panic over drinking bottled waters, again...UNTIL MORE RESEARCH is done. (Hence, the need for donations to be made, so that the research CAN be done.) They could set themselves up for lawsuits I would think, if they are not sure the bottled waters in the US are not safe to drink as well. Keep in mind, Dr. Schwartz said (on the radiobroadcast made on 3/15/05 on RPN)he thought the bacteria may also be in community water supplies (which could explain the "pockets" of certain cities getting this.) (BUT HOW IN THE HELL DID I GET IT??????) I am STILL waiting for the analysis of my well water from the NC Dept. of Environmental Health - knowing their are two different bacteria there, but not knowing WHAT they are!
Hopefully, this answered some of your questions, although I am no authority on any of this. I am just wanting some answers as to how I got this and how to get rid of it!
Oops! I meant to say RBN (Republic Broadcasting Network) and the radio broadcast there is excellent. The link is:
http://mp3.rbnlive.com/Stadt05.html
SCROLL DOWN to March 15, 2005 show. You have to click on the 1hr (1st hour) and then 2hr (2nd hour) to hear both segments of the show.
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Wed Apr 13, 2005 at 05:34 AM
http://mp3.rbnlive.com/Stadt05.html
SCROLL DOWN to March 15, 2005 show. You have to click on the 1hr (1st hour) and then 2hr (2nd hour) to hear both segments of the show.
Here's proof of this Not being dillusionary and shows how quickly its spreading. Ive had it 3 years and aquired it in a hotel in south san francisco and believe bed bugs were the vector. Now go to this site
http://www.e-bug.net/forum/index.shtml This is an exterminators web site question answer forum. go back in its archives to mid 2002 and scan all posts from then till the present and look for: whats biting me. small black biting bug. mystery bites. someone help please. fuzzy, fibers. etc etc etc.
I dont know of any clearer way to prove this is not a dillusion. to many people with the exact same story. its been spreading slowly but is really starting to pick up speed now. And if you still dont believe it... C'mon over here and give me a hug..
Posted by youWantProof on Sun Apr 17, 2005 at 04:21 AM
http://www.e-bug.net/forum/index.shtml This is an exterminators web site question answer forum. go back in its archives to mid 2002 and scan all posts from then till the present and look for: whats biting me. small black biting bug. mystery bites. someone help please. fuzzy, fibers. etc etc etc.
I dont know of any clearer way to prove this is not a dillusion. to many people with the exact same story. its been spreading slowly but is really starting to pick up speed now. And if you still dont believe it... C'mon over here and give me a hug..
I went to doctors who said I was delusional. I learned to take care of myself. Vinegar rub downs help. Frequent bathing and washing of clothin helps. B2 Vitamine helps. MSM helps. Cilantro helps.
Cheese, Sugar, sweets, refined carbohydrates make it worse.
Hypothyroid makes it worse. Iodine makes it better, coconut oil makes it better.
There is none so deaf as those who will not hear.
Posted by jane mccloskey in Maine on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 05:17 PM
Cheese, Sugar, sweets, refined carbohydrates make it worse.
Hypothyroid makes it worse. Iodine makes it better, coconut oil makes it better.
There is none so deaf as those who will not hear.
Jane,
I think many of us have had to take matters into our own hands to seek some sort of relief from the symptoms of this madness. However, I do hope that the research being done now will soon be able to enlighten the doctors who have dismissed these symptoms as delusional and begin to give their patients the proper treatments they deserve. I will keep you in my prayers and pray that you will get the chance to get treatment that will CURE this, not just give temporary relief! I selfishly want that for myself as well.
Posted by Victoria Moore in Charlotte, NC on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 06:47 PM
I think many of us have had to take matters into our own hands to seek some sort of relief from the symptoms of this madness. However, I do hope that the research being done now will soon be able to enlighten the doctors who have dismissed these symptoms as delusional and begin to give their patients the proper treatments they deserve. I will keep you in my prayers and pray that you will get the chance to get treatment that will CURE this, not just give temporary relief! I selfishly want that for myself as well.
...Honey...I'm home!Hellooooooo ROD!!! and everyone else.
1.) If all of the problem starts with french spring water, how come this is not a rampant
disease in France, and, indeed, not all of Europe?
First and foremost, I don't think everyone in Europe, France, has their immuno-system
repressed from some illness.
Even though it's not in a "paper" in the AMA yet, it is a proven fact that people who have
Morgellons Disease are immuno-compromised and yes, there is emperical proof from
research about this, but like I said, no paper yet. For example, cancer, AIDS, Lyme
Disease, Erchilosis, Babesiosis, however, there is no answer as to WHY AND HOW it
is only attacking these people.
I don't believe saying it is in "spring water" from France is exactly accurate.
It is in 1/3 of the bottled waters imported from France, not neccesarily "spring water".
2.) People with AIDS and cancer are the ones affected, according to the doctor. Do
whole families have undiagnosed cases of AIDS or cancer?
Let's be sensible...of course entire families are not undiagnosed with AIDS or Cancer, however, entire families ARE being diagnosed with CHRONIC LYME DISEASE. This is
a condition in which a person has had Lyme disease over a period of years.
Did you know new research EMPERICALLY proves that Lyme disease can be
transmitted sexually??? Go in search for the truth...look up syhpillis and sphirochetes.
I have personally spoken with an entire family who has had this happen to them...only
ONE had Morgellons. Why??? Nobody knows...any thoughts???
3.) Doctors say you shouldn't stop drinking bottled water? Why is this, if that's where
it's from?
I TOTALLY agree with you on this one!!! Stop drinking it and now!!! My mom has
drank ONLY bottled water for about 3 years now, thinking that it would "be better for
her". Wow! This is the only source, and I mean ONLY source, that we and her doctor,
who is now a Morgellon's believer by the way, can come up. No other source, so far,
has given rise to believe otherwise. Any thoughts??? We have worn out our "thinkers"
on this subject of her Morgellons Disease. How else could she have become
contaminated???
And boy, oh, boy!!! She was sent back to the same derm for a third time last week.
That's 3 trips in 2 weeks and man, is her doc getting P.O.'d! She (the doc) doesn't
understand why in this world this man (the derm) keeps telling my mother that the only
thing wrong with her is Rosciesa (don't know if I spelled that right)! She has HOLES in
her face, neck, chest, AND arms for crying out loud! Now her doc is really P.O.'d!
(Keep in mind that my mother is also a diabetic type 2 and has high blood pressure
which she takes 3 meds to control.)
e prescribed her RISPERDAL - "Common Uses: This medicine is an antipsychotic
agent used to treat emotional and mood disorders. Inform your doctor of any other
medical conditions including heart disease (heart failure, history of heart attacks or
ischemia, conduction problems), diabetes, strokes (cerebrovascular disease),
dehydration (too little body water), seizures, dementia, swallowing problems, allergies,
pregnancy, or breast-feeding. THIS MEDICINE MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF
DEVELOPING DIABETES OR CAUSE HYPERGLYCEMIA (high blood sugar),
sometimes severe. Caution is advised when using this medicine in the elderly because
they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine."
Knowing she has these 2 conditions, and unwilling to put specimins on a slide, he gave
her this medication.
I was out of town.
She called her sister the evening of the doctor visit to ask her to look this med up
because she was having all sorts of side effects.
She gave her the above info and my mom immediately called her pharmacist who told
her that the doctor (this brilliant...NOT...dermatologist), told him NOT to tell her what it
was for! Uhhhhhh...can we say malpractice 3 times fast?!
So she calls this dude and started giving him a raking because he KNOWS her
medical conditions, as well as all the meds she takes and he still gave this junk to her.
Can you believe at that point he started BEGGING her to take the medication???????
She told him all the crazy side-effects she was having and he told her to "take it,
please! Please, just take it!" She asked him if HE was nuts?
He said, and this is REALLY interesting, actually THE BEST PART OF THIS WHOLE
STORY...
"This medication is what I give everybody who comes to me bringing me stuff like this
with these symptoms."
What a shock to my mother's ears, huh? Everybody??? How many is Everybody???
2, 4, 10, 20, 100???? He is the only derm within an 80 mile radius of where we live.
Ah! You say he may have been making that up just to get her to take the medicine?
Oh, contrare, monfreir! I have a cousin who works in another county who says they
send patients to him with symptoms like that too. She said they send him SEVERAL.
Well, at least he admits it is not Rosceicia (?) anymore. Now the cat is out of the
proverbial bag and he can't put it back in! So, my mom proceeds to jump at this
chance and tell this @#^&*>)$@, that I have contacted a major television station in
another state, but close to us, she actually told him which one...I don't tell that info here.
Someone may wind up dead...
And that they are going to do a story just as soon as they get their May sweeps done,
which shouldn't be long.
Posted by jaleenasmom on Thu Apr 21, 2005 at 11:11 AM
agent used to treat emotional and mood disorders. Inform your doctor of any other
medical conditions including heart disease (heart failure, history of heart attacks or
ischemia, conduction problems), diabetes, strokes (cerebrovascular disease),
dehydration (too little body water), seizures, dementia, swallowing problems, allergies,
pregnancy, or breast-feeding. THIS MEDICINE MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF
DEVELOPING DIABETES OR CAUSE HYPERGLYCEMIA (high blood sugar),
sometimes severe. Caution is advised when using this medicine in the elderly because
they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine."
Knowing she has these 2 conditions, and unwilling to put specimins on a slide, he gave
her this medication.
I was out of town.
She called her sister the evening of the doctor visit to ask her to look this med up
because she was having all sorts of side effects.
She gave her the above info and my mom immediately called her pharmacist who told
her that the doctor (this brilliant...NOT...dermatologist), told him NOT to tell her what it
was for! Uhhhhhh...can we say malpractice 3 times fast?!
So she calls this dude and started giving him a raking because he KNOWS her
medical conditions, as well as all the meds she takes and he still gave this junk to her.
Can you believe at that point he started BEGGING her to take the medication???????
She told him all the crazy side-effects she was having and he told her to "take it,
please! Please, just take it!" She asked him if HE was nuts?
He said, and this is REALLY interesting, actually THE BEST PART OF THIS WHOLE
STORY...
"This medication is what I give everybody who comes to me bringing me stuff like this
with these symptoms."
What a shock to my mother's ears, huh? Everybody??? How many is Everybody???
2, 4, 10, 20, 100???? He is the only derm within an 80 mile radius of where we live.
Ah! You say he may have been making that up just to get her to take the medicine?
Oh, contrare, monfreir! I have a cousin who works in another county who says they
send patients to him with symptoms like that too. She said they send him SEVERAL.
Well, at least he admits it is not Rosceicia (?) anymore. Now the cat is out of the
proverbial bag and he can't put it back in! So, my mom proceeds to jump at this
chance and tell this @#^&*>)$@, that I have contacted a major television station in
another state, but close to us, she actually told him which one...I don't tell that info here.
Someone may wind up dead...
And that they are going to do a story just as soon as they get their May sweeps done,
which shouldn't be long.
Page 11 of 30 pages « First < 9 10 11 12 13 > Last »