Re: shybasset/Steve

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear that you have not been feeling well. It's always hard when your

not feeling well to be able to think clearly. Sometimes you get sooo

overwhelmed you get scared/depressed. Most of us here have been thru it. Ours

started in 2001. In a nut shell: Doctors sent me home with 2 small children

after 7 months telling me they would die, because they could find nothing wrong.

Talk about scared!!!!!! Well after lots of hard work, internet searching, phone

calls, we found out it was our house. Counts so high the lab was even

surprised. We lost the home and everything we had worked for. But, we still

have our kids. The road has been hard. As it is for everyone who goes thru

this. It does get better for most of us. But, it will be the hardest work you

will ever do. Not only physically, but emotionally. My kids are doing much

better. But, it took 5 years and every ounce of energy I had to get them here.

It is a fight everyday still to keep them this way, but it now like a normal

activity. You just get used to having to be careful. Not only with mold but

also chemicals.

Even though you can be re-active to mold, you can be just as re-active to

chemicals. Symptoms very similar also. So it is very important to figure out

what in your home is making sick. Is it mold/chemicals. Some people re-act

differently also. Like my daughter can tolerate new carpet, but some people get

so sick they have to go to the hospital. Some people can smoke, while others

can't even be in a home where someone has smoked.

The other day I was exposed to a chemical I brought into my home which I have

used for years. But, for some reason it just knocked me down. I got so sick I

thought I was going to have to go to the hospital. But, after an hour of

thinking where, what, I had done that day new. I thought of that and removed it

out of our house, opened the windows, and within 30 min. I felt better. You

have to be in tune with what is going around you, it takes time to get to that

point. But you will. Don't get frustrated. It takes time.

Have you had your home tested for mold? If not don't assume it is mold. From

some of the symptoms I have read, it sounds like it could possibly be a chemical

reaction. Cleaning products, cologne, shampoo, soap, bleach, laundry detergent,

candles, fabric softener, air freshener, newer carpet, paint, and so forth.

When my daughter was still getting sick January of this year, this board

mentioned it to me. She had been in the hospital again. So, I took EVERY

chemical, smelly thing out of our home. We were blessed to after 3 years find a

home that had all hard wood and ceramic floors, so carpet was not a concern.

Being blessed to have this board I was able to save her once again. We began to

think we had mold here too, but we didn't. It was the chemicals. So, after 4

months I was able to start re-introducing them back into my home one at a time.

Things that triggered her were thrown out never to come in again. It has been

almost one year since she was hospitalized, and 6 months she has been deathly

sick. So, chemicals play a large role in our lives. Not just mold.

I wouldn't recommend cleaning your carpets. Reason: Cleaning with water can

start mold/mildew growing which isn't the best thing right now. Chemical (dry)

cleaning if you are chemically sensitive can also be bad. I heard it takes upto

6 months for the chemicals to off gas, and still if you are on the carpet they

are still there. Some who are chemically sensitive can't even have their

clothes dry cleaned.

If you test your home and find out you don't have mold, have you considered just

removing the carpet? This does sound goofy, but let me explain. If your home

does not have mold, you are atleast safe in that fact. It is hard as you have

heard here to find a safe mold free home. Who is to say your new one won't have

mold, carpet, paint, and so forth. You can save the carpet and put it back if

it doesn't help. But, if you take the carpet out, get rid of all the chemicals

you might feel better. If not you still have the carpet. But, remember it will

take time for your body to heal and feel better, it just won't be over night.

Just a thought. Many here have done this, and found out that it helped. Then

slowly room by room, they put in new flooring.

Steve just remember that this process is mentally exhausting, as well as

physically. Most of us here have been thru it and still go thru it everyday.

It is a part of our lives. You will gain knowledge here. You will be given

things to try. Some of it you will not want to do right away, but eventually you

will give it a try. It just takes time to get your mind there. We all

understand what you are going thru.

[] I 'interviewed " 3 separate motel rooms at Extended

Stay.......

today, and EACH one knocked me over,,,,the motel office smelled of

mold, and 2 of the rooms had carpeting installed new in July.....eyes

burned in 5 sec's. Geeee, my chemical sensi. are bad news now!!! I

went to realter today to check MLS to see if houses/condos came up

with wooden floor/tile....but nope...have to search EACH listing

separately....same for rentals...personally, I don't think " fate " has

anything to do with my sickhouse issue....it was " allowed to happen to

test my faith....I truly believe that, but won't start on that subject

to offend anyone. My lifespan may be shortened, but I believe there is

a reason for all this!

Dread thinking about finding a decent place and moving in and 6 mos

later...boom...same issue...and some of you have MOVED " several " times

in ONE YEAR! Guess I better rent and not buy again....least I'll have

just 30 day notice to give. Steve