Coming at it from another direction

Coming at it from another direction ...

There is one chemical, that with overexposure, causes all of these:

Definition for CFS

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was first defined in 1988 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)1 as an illness of at least six months duration which begins suddenly with flu-like symptoms, causes a minimum of 50% reduction in activity, and cannot be explained by alternate medical or psychiatric diagnoses.

Since that time, research has tried to solve the mysteries surrounding CFS – such as its causes and prevalence. There is a long way to go – there is still no laboratory marker or universal treatment for CFS, but progress is being made.

Diagnosis: In 1994, the CDC revised its CFS case definition.2 Because no simple laboratory test can identify CFS, a physician must exclude other possible causes of the symptoms before diagnosing a patient with CFS.

To meet the definition for CFS, a person must have clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong), is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest and results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities. In addition, the person must have at least four of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity; unrefreshing sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. Source

PS - Another definition

CFS sounds a lot like 'Gulf War Syndrome' Symptoms

What is the definition for CFIDS?

CFIDS is a name that was proposed over a decade ago by Dr. Seyour Grufferman to try and offset the tivializing name of CFS. But it still has the whiney "chronic" and misleading "fatigue". We're in favor of ME, with the original criteria by the WHO. The CFIDS Association is in favor of CFIDS along with the CDC. It's really only used by patients right now. ME is a neurological illness. CFS, by the 1994 criteria, is a "fatiguing illness."

Shared by Gail Kansky
President, National CFIDS Foundation, Inc.

I was told the add on symptom list was 11 items

Or is it only a non profit group that came along after the CFS definition (which I do have) http://www.ncf-net.org/about.htm

Can you recommend good discussion forums?

There is a chemical that gulf war vets were exposed to in the family of 2-butoxyethanol

ethyl alcohol in what they cleaned equipment with;
2-butoxyethanol or ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; and
diethylene glycol monobutyl ether

It causes all the symptoms that have come to be known as 'gulf war syndrome' given enough exposure (which isn't hard in war time and with the stronger concentrations.)

It affects these organs

and here is some more research

When there is chemical poisoning, I think it must give a lot of false OKs as there are so many organs & systems affected that the test results cancel each other out & the patient looks OK in 2 areas instead of harmed in 2 areas: blood not ok; liver not ok; but test on one is higher liver counts and the other is lower ... so both look OK? Elevated bilirubin levels are a sign of the red blood cell's dying off early; the opposite would be true for liver concerns?

An often overlooked form of fatigue is compensated hemolytic anemia in which the bone marrow compensates for the loss of red blood cells (I believe that one's own immune system is destroying prematurely) It can lead to paralysis. Ask the doctor to check for the size and shape of red blood cells and to do a 'retic ratio'

Margaret Diann

PO Box 233

Valdez, AK 99686

I do believe that this kind of health damage has been evading diagnosis for decades.

Sometimes it's not that something is hereditary ... as we are experiencing the effects of exposures from past generations AND we are having our own exposures.

For instance, a grandfather shared that when his 3 grandsons were born the doctor was very concerned about something odd in their blood and nearly did a complete transfusion on the youngest. This man has the 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms and when he was about 20 he was doing the job of drilling for oil. He says he does remember seeing the 'ethylene glycol' on some of the products he used.

Now, this ethylene glycol monobutyl ether was invented in the 1930's and by World War II was in widespread use. My father was a Fire Control Technician, a Chief in the Navy. And I was born at the end of WWII. Dad had the responsibility of maintenancing the guns, etc. (Oh, oh that could mean these kinds of chemicals were in use, then, too) He was said to have died of a heart attack; however, this chemical can feign a heart attack: rapid heart rate, enlarged organs, including heart. Well, dad couldn't stand to hear a baby cry and was on a pretty short fuse, moreso than before. If I were to see what was in his medical record (maybe there would be some tell-tale signs there)

So, it is time that this chemical is tested by CDC for the peoples groups already harmed and there are many. Painters to start with. I think the US Coast Guard bioremediation monitors could be found, too. They had more exposure to this chemical than the actual workers. (Over sighting the Exxon Valdez oil spill 'bioremediation' workers, 1989) One such Coast Guardsman shared that with all the symptoms he has had, what he is the most concerned about is the fact that he has zero sperm. He has been unable to father children.

Look on the internet for 2-butoxyethanol. There is lots known, but the USA says they don't know about cancer and reproductive effects in people. OK, test people, then! The World Health Organization knows more than we do and they have some solvent studies that are interesting. I believe they can be found on the internet, too.

As I've said before, I believe this chemical has been harming our people for decades; and it escapes diagnosis because so many things are going on at the same time, the regular checks just don't tell the whole story.

When there is chemical poisoning, I think it must give a lot of false OKs as there are so many organs & systems affected that the test results cancel each other out & the patient looks OK in 2 areas instead of harmed in 2 areas: blood not ok; liver not ok; but test on one is higher liver counts and the other is lower ... so both look OK? Elevated bilirubin levels are a sign of the red blood cell's dying off early; the opposite would be true for liver concerns.

Other symptoms that go along with this fatigue

You should have some of these symptoms, as well, if you don't have enough mature red blood cells:

Chills
Fatigue
Pale color
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate
Yellow skin color (jaundice)
Dark urine
Enlarged spleen

And even these concerns (Central Nervous System)

Central Nervous System damage showing up sometimes as
Loose your temper easily?
Short term memory loss
Difficulty concentrating
Personality changes to 'grumpy' - Extreme Irritability
All the time Depression
Suicidal Tendencies

AND, then if it is 2-butoxyethanol caused, this chemical also targets the kidneys and liver (Blood damages causes elevated liver counts; but the chemical may also be harming the liver & then the counts would be down - A wash?) In other words 2 things could be going on at the same time making an accurate diagnosis more difficulty for either. Elevated bilirubin levels are a sign of the red blood cell's dying off early; the opposite would be true for liver concerns?

The name of the test I am referencing is the Reticulocyte Count
And ask for the comments of the lab technician. What is the size and shape of the red blood cells?

& if that is out of normal range, check more:

Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Erythropenia
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Reticulocytosis
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Granulocytosis
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Leukocytosis
Likely to Cause Fragility of Erythrocytes
Likely to Cause Hematuria

TRH test

Benzene vs ethylene glycol monobutyl ether

Shared by another: I found that BENZENE is a KNOWN carcinogen that causes leukemia. They say anyone working in gas stations, printing shops, etc. are exposed to chemicals that contain benzene and that is probably the direct cause of their leukemia. I know of a guy who worked for a gas station and had AML but he's been in remission for 5 years now. He has a lawsuit about it, too. I also found out that leukemia is NOT hereditary but other cancers are.

No one knows what causes different forms of leukemia but benzene and its derivatives or properties and radiation CAN cause leukemia. Also, using dark hair dyes for years can cause lymphoma

Benzene also causes aplastic anemia, meaning that the blood should show an inhibited ability to produce all 3 types of blood cells: red, white and platelets. The friend from the gas station work (which agreeably is very hazardous ... why do you think they have switched to so many self-service auto fill stations in gas stations?) should see if someone else who worked there has the same health problems. One person's testimony is not enough, but 2? ... or 3? ... a thing can be established & many people may be helped.

The blood problem should be there also... underlying the leukemia.

This other chemical I share on, 2-butoxyethanol, causes a LOT of health problems, the whole 'array' of 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms, actually. AND it causes a hard to diagnoses hemolytic anemia which underlies all of them. The red blood cells are dying off prematurely and being replaced with immature, low functioning red blood cells. Size and shape of red blood cells and ability to store and utilize iron may also be a part of what should be looked into. (Liver and kidney and central nervous system damage and endocrine problems are the 'package' of harm from this chemical added on to the blood damage ... which is the often overlooked cause of fatigue in the USA today)

Children of those exposed to 2-butoxyethanol are at higher risk for leukemia and tumor of the brain, per the World Health Organization. You will note that the USA didn't keep track of brain tumors until about 1977 -

Lastly I had a friend who was exposed to some kind of chemical after getting a permanent. Her voice changed & never came back to normal (One of the signs of too much of some kind of chemical)

I would be concerned about the flu-like symptoms

Can you remember what you might have been doing differently when the flu-like symptoms started? When it is NOT the flu, and lasts for awhile, you may be coming into contact with some type of chemical that is just too much for your body. It is a sign to take an inventory & make some changes. (Stop the exposure to whatever chemical you're dealing with)

What kind of work do you do?

For the fatigue ask the doctor if you could have a 'retic ratio' the next time you get any blood work. Also, do you know what size and shape your red blood cells are? One often overlooked cause of fatigue is compensated hemolytic anemia in which your red blood cells die off prematurely, but the bone marrow makes up for it by making more. You then would have too many IMMATURE red blood cells in proportion to the mature red blood cells, that is.

Do your bones hurt? And when did this start? (Sometimes this can happen when blood starts to be made in the peripheral organs like the liver & spleen instead of just in the bone marrow.)

Could be referred to a hematologist (specialist in blood)?

Flu symptoms - signal too much chemical exposure

Many, many times the flu symptoms are actually a way your body is warning you of too much of some kind of chemical exposure. Can you think back to what you were doing differently when they started up?

This chemical is found in a lot of products.

I suspect it is in the solvent in weapon cleaning compounds, and is in paint, and in varnishes. It is used in oil spill cleanup compounds (sadly, as it does no good) and in multiple products you use at home for cleaning and degreasing. It is in 409 cleaner, and the complex version, labeled as a pesticide by EPA, in Lysol Tub 'n Tile. It is in glass cleaner, oven cleaner, spot removal products, automotive products, hobby products, home maintenance and landscaping products. Some people think it is in jet fuel.

Check for what products contain 2-butoxyethanol (CAS Registry Number: 000111-76-2) in the Household Products Data Base http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm or check on the internet. Also check for the complex version Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (CAS Registry Number: 000112-34-5) 5% concentration is not safe for home use, per one expert in product development.

People do not take the warnings seriously, but they should. Wear goggles and chemical retardant gloves and have ventilation equivalent to outdoors.

What chemicals used in printing?

I'm wondering if printing is one of the occupations that has ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol) or something from this family of chemicals. If so, and I do suspect so, there is a possibility that CLL and leukemias and similar cancers are caused by this chemical.

Enlarged organs as spleen and liver and gall bladder ... are often common place too. There is compensated hemolytic anemia starting up, if so, but because the bone marrow compensates for the loss of red blood cells, the counts can come in OK or borderline & usually nothing more is checked.

Ask your doctor to check the 'retic' ratio? and find out the size and shape of the red blood cells? When did the fatigue set in? (That might be an indication of when this chemical exposure became too much) Also dark urine, chills, pale color, etc

What are the glycol ethers? * *

Glycol: any of a class of organic chemicals characterized by having separate two hydroxyl (-OH) groups, contribute to high water solubility, hygroscopicity and reactivity with many organic compounds, on usually linear and aliphatic carbon chain. The general formula is C_nH_2n(OH)₂ or (CH₂)_n(OH)₂.

Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.

They are used as an additive for jet fuel to prevent ice buildup /

AO was mixed with jet fuel / gasoline so it would adhere to the foliage

Recognize the odd assortment of the effects of the glycol ethers

Ethylene Glycol Ethers Harm Future Generations

Sometimes it's not that something is hereditary ... It's that we are experiencing the effects of exposures from past generations AND we are having our own exposures.

For instance, a grandfather shared that when his 3 grandsons were born the doctor was very concerned about something odd in their blood and nearly did a complete transfusion on the youngest. This man has the 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms and when he was about 20 he was doing the job of drilling for oil. He says he does remember seeing the 'ethylene glycol' on some of the products he used.

Now, this ethylene glycol monobutyl ether was invented in the 1930's and by World War II was in widespread use. My father was a Fire Control Technician, a Chief in the Navy. And I was born at the end of WWII. Dad had the responsibility of maintenancing the guns, etc. (Oh, oh that could mean these kinds of chemicals were in use, then, too) He was said to have died of a heart attack; however, this chemical can feign a heart attack: rapid heart rate, enlarged organs, including heart. Well, dad couldn't stand to hear a baby cry and was on a pretty short fuse, more so than before. If I were to see what was in his medical record (maybe there would be some tell-tale signs there)

So, it is time that this chemical is tested by CDC for the peoples groups already harmed and there are many. Painters to start with. I think the US Coast Guard bioremediation monitors could be found, too. They had more exposure to this chemical than the actual workers. (Over sighting the Exxon Valdez oil spill 'bioremediation' workers, 1989) One such Coast Guardsman shared that with all the symptoms he has had, what he is the most concerned about is the fact that he has zero sperm. He has been unable to father children.

Look on the internet for 2-butoxyethanol. There is lots known, but the USA says they don't know about cancer and reproductive effects in people. OK, test people, then! The World Health Organization knows more than we do and they have some solvent studies that are interesting. I believe they can be found on the internet, too.

As I've said before, I believe this chemical has been harming our people for decades; and it escapes diagnosis because so many things are going on at the same time, the regular checks just don't tell the whole story.

When there is chemical poisoning, I think it must give a lot of false OKs as there are so many organs & systems affected that the test results cancel each other out.

Did You Know There is Such a Thing as Second Hand Solvent Exposure?

Like being in a crowded mall or museum or race

OR cuddling with your honey?

Did You Know There is Such a Thing as Endocrine Disruption?

If you don't have multiple odd symptoms, don't consider this pesticide, poison:

High or low blood pressure

High or low blood sugar (not diabetes, per se), etc

www.valdezlink.com/pages/why_fatigue.htm

Fax this to your doctor before your appointment - More info

Organs affected by 2-butoxyethanol type solvents/pesticides/poisons

More research

Do your homework, give your doctor the BIG PICTURE

"There is increasing recognition that FM and CFS may be autoimmune in nature." Dr. David Moskowitz