Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - Finally a Label For What We've Been Feeling

Recently I learned the official label for my illness. The Enviromental Allergist that we've been seeing over the past 5 years or so has really worked with us. He is over two hours away from us, so thankfully we only have to see him once a year now.

Here's what we'd been experiencing multiple chemical sensitivity. http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mcs.html

Five years ago, when we started seeing him, our complaints were many. I was losing my hair, ached from head to toe, so, so tired, and the list goes on and on. There were days that I never thought I would see the next day. Some days I secretly wished that I wouldn't.

I had been reading into food allergies because of my youngest daughter. Since I breast fed her and we couldn't find much to feed her, I had to eliminate corn, milk, wheat, gluten, yeast and soy.

That may have improved things a little, but I was still sick.

All my blood tests were pretty much normal. Thyroid was fine. Liver and kidney function fine.
My iron protein level was down, although my iron was fine. Dr. started me on a prescription iron pill. It helped some, but still not much improvement.

In the meantime, I was formally diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes. I looked like a walking skeleton from malabsorbtion. Ok, we have a name, now what do we do?

At the same time, my youngest daughter was showing many signs of autism.

Armed with some labels I started reading and researching. I read books from several nearby libraries, inter-library loaned some, bought many more, and accessed countless websites.

In my quest, I found out about something called the yeast connection. The thinking is that a fungus overgrows in your body and can grow in your blood, organs, etc. I was able to have some tests ordered from Great Plains Laboratory. They specialize in chronic fatigue, ADHD, autism, and many other controversial illnesses. The tests confirmed. I followed a very strict elimination diet for a long time, and have gradually gotten better. I take mega-vitamins therapy and antifungal meds.

Now the happy ending....We are both in recovery. My daughter is much improved. I feel like a new person. I have more energy now at 35 than I had ever. I'm only tired like a normal person. However, I do have limits. If I get stressed or have a particuarly busy week, my body lets me know.

I'll post more on some of my findings in other posts.