New here with questions

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi and welcome to the group!

We currently have Cigna here in Dallas and they just approved the DOCband for

my son, , but is covering it as an External Prosthetic Appliance (EPA),

rather than Durable, and is only paying for $1000 out of the 3. I'm not sure

what the difference is except for the fact that with the external, the whole

thing isn't covered, whereas with a durable, they would pay the entire

amount. Honestly, I was happy they paid for any of it. We have an HMO

through them.

From what I've read on these posts, Cigna is pretty consistent in covering it

as an External device. I'm surprised they flat out denied you all together.

I would definitely appeal it if I were you. BTW - Plagio is not strictly

cosmetic and that's what's so frustrating about the whole thing.

Let me know if I can help you anymore with Cigna questions.

, Mommy to (getting DOCbanded tomorrow!)

[Guest guest]

You could possibly appeal to the insurance, explaining the you have repositioned your baby, for how long, you tried these positioners, etc, whatever you did. Hopefully, when you got checked by a doctor, they asked you this so you will have a record. If not, when seeing a doctor, explain that you have tried repositioning and it did not work.

Jen

[Guest guest]

Randi,

Are you going to Seattle Children's Hospital? My son received his helmet from them at one year. I don't know where you could find documentation stating that repositioning is only effective to six months, but I know from experience, we were told at seven months to reposition, and not a second earlier, and we had no luck. By that time they are too mobile.

If you are going to Children's, Darcy there is usually really good about writing letters to the insurance company, and she may be able to write a letter using her experience with many babies as a basis for knowledge that repositioning has little to no success once they get to that age. I'm not sure if you are going through Children's; just assuming. We had Regence when we went there and Regence had been denying left and right, and then all of a sudden they started paying, and they paid ours after denying it. It was billed as Hospital equipment. Children's thought we must have somehow slipped through the cracks.

Hope you find the information you're looking for somewhere.

Kellie, mom of (2)

Seattle Children's helmet grad, 1/17/02-4-8-02

Olympia, WA

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am so happy to have found this great resource.

My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding done

today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to

fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said

there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than trying

repositional therapy.

Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought

after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I need

to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up to 6

months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a little

hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

Thanks,

Randi

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi and welcome to the group. I am sorry that I don't have any info to give you, but you will receive a lot of responses, since I have heard Cigna repeated so many times!! Best of luck and glad to hear that you are prepared. PS. My husband loves the name !!! Heidi, mom to Jeffry, local helmet, MN New here with questions Hi everyone,I am so happy to have found this great resource.My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding done today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than trying repositional therapy.Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I need to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up to 6 months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a little hunting but haven't been able to find anything.Thanks,Randi

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi and welcome! Sounds like you already have the ball

rolling - good for you! That's great that you could have the laser

casting rather then the old fashioned plaster.

Sorry to hear about Cigna. The reason for denial is so lame! I

can't think where to point you right off the bat to find evidence that

repo doesn't work as effectively after 6 months. It seems like it

should be obvious that once a child can roll over on his/her own

that repo would become increasingly difficult and be less

effective. I can't believe Cigna is pulling such a lame stunt. Have

you checked out www.plagiocephaly.org for any possible

information? How about the files section here in this group?

Would your ped or specialist write a letter explaining that repo

has been tried with limited success and that the helmet is the

next appropriate step? Those are the only suggestions I can

think of right off the top of my head. Are you getting a STARband?

Maybe your ortho's office has some information that would be

helpful.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

--- In Plagiocephaly , " jcookk " <jcookk@y...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am so happy to have found this great resource.

>

> My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser

molding done

> today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

>

> My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready

to

> fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they

said

> there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than

trying

> repositional therapy.

>

> Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I

thought

> after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

need

> to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up

to 6

> months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done

a little

> hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

>

> Thanks,

> Randi

[Guest guest]

HI Randi & welcome to our group:

I was not aware that Seattle had any facilities using the laser

scanner for helmets!! This is great news! Will be receiving

the STARband then? Otherwise, I think treatment options in the

Seattle area were fairly limited. We've had other members use a

locally made helmet from Seattle Children's Hospital, all of whom have

been happy w/their results.

Check out some of the suggestions Marci gave you for your

repositioning/insurance help. What a crock Sorry you're having

trouble with it.

When will receive his helmet?

Welcome again.

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

>

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I am so happy to have found this great resource.

> >

> > My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser

> molding done

> > today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

> >

> > My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> > because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready

> to

> > fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they

> said

> > there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than

> trying

> > repositional therapy.

> >

> > Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I

> thought

> > after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

> need

> > to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up

> to 6

> > months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done

> a little

> > hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Randi

[Guest guest]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I called the specialist and she

cannot believe that they told me that. The letter she sent them

stated improvement with repositioning is rare after 6-7 months. She

told me to ask them where they are getting there info.

will be wearing a full helmet. I asked about the DOC band

today and they said they don't use them? They used to construct them

at the hospital but now they send out to FL.

I was so relieved that they got the laser molding machine. They just

got it this month so we were very lucky.

What is the STARband? From what we have been told he will only be

needing the helmet.

Randi

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am so happy to have found this great resource.

>

> My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding

done

> today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

>

> My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to

> fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said

> there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than trying

> repositional therapy.

>

> Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought

> after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

need

> to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up to

6

> months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a

little

> hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

>

> Thanks,

> Randi

[Guest guest]

> will be wearing a full helmet. I asked about the DOC band

> today and they said they don't use them? They used to construct them

> at the hospital but now they send out to FL.

>

> I was so relieved that they got the laser molding machine. They just

> got it this month so we were very lucky.

>

> What is the STARband? From what we have been told he will only be

> needing the helmet.

>

The STARband is a " helmet " and it certainly sounds as if that's what

will be receiving. You can get info on the STARband at their

mfg. website www.orthomerica.com I would bet that when 's

helmet comes in, it will actually be an open top band. I was told too

my daughter would get a full helmet, but she actually rec'd the STARband.

I don't think any locally made helmets would have the laser scanner

available for casting the child's head. Also, 's mold will be

sent to FL as you said, which is where STARbands are made, in Orlando,

FL. We have many STARband parents in our group.

DOCbands are available only at llicensed Cranial Tech clinics, which

there are none of in your area.

Check out orthomerica's webpage for info on their STARband.

Good luck!!!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

[Guest guest]

Don't give up! Cigna paid for ours,no problems.

Kelli & Luke (just graduated from local helmet!)

Indiana

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am so happy to have found this great resource.

>

> My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding

done

> today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

>

> My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to

> fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said

> there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than trying

> repositional therapy.

>

> Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought

> after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

need

> to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up

to 6

> months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a

little

> hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

>

> Thanks,

> Randi

[Guest guest]

I'll second what Debbie said. Sounds like a STARband to me. The real

hint is that they will be sending it to Florida. That's a good thing.

The STARband is a very good product if you have an experienced

orthotist working with you.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I am so happy to have found this great resource.

> >

> > My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding

> done

> > today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

> >

> > My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> > because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to

> > fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said

> > there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than

trying

> > repositional therapy.

> >

> > Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought

> > after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

> need

> > to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up

to

> 6

> > months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a

> little

> > hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Randi

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi,

Welcome to the group. Where are you getting your helmet? I used to live in Seattle and I worked at Children's Hospital, so I'm always looking for a link to my past. lol I really miss the northwest, but life in Texas is not all that bad either.

Anyway, I was also denied by Cigna, but we had a handful of denial reasons. I think the repostioning denial should be fairly straightforward and easy to fight. I say that, but I should know better - I've been appealing to Cigna for 13 months as of today. I think it will be quicker for you.

I'm attaching some documents that Cranial Technologies sent to me just a few weeks ago. I hope it's ok with them that I have scanned them and sent them on to you. There is a document call "Deformational Plagiocephaly: Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment". Under #5 it says "Infants older than five months of age, with moderate to severe plagiocephaly, will not be made better with simple repositioning and neck exercises, and orthotic management should be instituted". There you have it. Another file is the references used by Cranial Tech in developing these guideline, so you can probably look them up and use them in your appeal as well. Most of them are on this board, plagiocephaly.org, or cranialtech.com. I think I have seen them all. The last file is the Decision Tree, or flow chart for diagnosing and treating plagio. It's the picture version of the guidelines document. The info is from Cranial Tech, but it applies to anyone seeking treatment.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any help with your appeal.

Gail, Sam and Sara's mom, DOC grads

P.S. HEY MODS - these files might be useful for someone else down the road. Can someone resize them and create a folder for them?

New here with questions

Hi everyone,I am so happy to have found this great resource.My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding done today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than trying repositional therapy.Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I need to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up to 6 months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a little hunting but haven't been able to find anything.Thanks,Randi For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

I will be interested to see what we end up with. Although they

showed us a sample and it was a full helmet so I bet that is what we

will end up with. I'll let everyone know, we go for the fitting on

the 28th.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Randi

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I am so happy to have found this great resource.

> >

> > My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding

> done

> > today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

> >

> > My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> > because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to

> > fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said

> > there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than

trying

> > repositional therapy.

> >

> > Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought

> > after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

> need

> > to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up

to

> 6

> > months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a

> little

> > hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Randi

[Guest guest]

Randi:

Sounds like me again! The ortho actually didn't show us a sample, but

her ped. neuro who wrote us the rx did show us a sample, it too was a

full helmet!

Let us know what it is after you get it...when did they tell you it

should be in?

Debbie Abby's mom

MI

> > > Hi everyone,

> > >

> > > I am so happy to have found this great resource.

> > >

> > > My name is Randi and my son is . We had our laser molding

> > done

> > > today here in Seattle. is 7 1/2 months old.

> > >

> > > My question is this. I was prepared for Cigna to deny our claim

> > > because of it being cosmetic, so I gathered tons of info ready to

> > > fight back when that came. Well yes it was denied but they said

> > > there was no proof that the helmet would do any better than

> trying

> > > repositional therapy.

> > >

> > > Yes we have tried that and no nothing has changed. And I thought

> > > after the age of 6 months it was unlikely to help anyways. So I

> > need

> > > to find some clinical info that says repositioning only works up

> to

> > 6

> > > months of age. Anyone have any good suggestions? I've done a

> > little

> > > hunting but haven't been able to find anything.

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Randi

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi,

Just wanted to say welcome to the group- I hope someone was able to help with your question, not sure if there is anything written medically to confirm those findings or not. Good luck with 's progress and please keep us posted on how things are going

' mom

[Guest guest]

First thing---trust your own instincts. If you are sicker when you are in your

house, then you know there is a problem. There are many reasons why mold doesn't

show up in the test results---maybe the sample were not taken correctly or maybe

the lab doesn't know how to do the tests. As for the brain fog, I tried

several treatments for brain fog over a few years and didn't get any relief

until I started taking Lamisil (an antifungal). You should ask your docrtor for

a prescriptoin and try it for 30 days to see if it helps. Many on Sickbuildings

have found relief with CSM (cholestyramine).

________________________________

From: nenarc <nenarc@...>

Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 7:54:45 AM

Subject: [] new here with questions

I've been trying to find out how much of my problem is from mold.

I was diagnosed with lyme disease but have made very little progress in a year.

My doctor(s) think my biggest issue is mold because I live in a house with

basement water issues and I feel better when I am not here.

I had the HLA panel done and it shows I don't detox mold very well, although I

can't really decipher the test myself.

I had a c4a test run and it was almost 50,000!!

My worst problem is brain fog. I've felt like I was toxic for such a long time.

That was my major complaint before I found out about the lyme and was looking

for answers.

There's nowhere for me to move to and I don't know how I would sell my house if

I have this problem. Right now I can't work because I'm too sick. There's no

visible mold and I have had it tested and was told there was no problem because

the outside levels were higher than inside.

I don't know what to do or think at this point.

Could my c4a be that high from mold? My doctor tested me for c3a, saying that

was for mold and the numbers were normal.

I just need to get better. Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Sweety,

Sorry to hear about your Lyme disease. The symptoms/health issues mimic that

from toxic mold exposure as well. Both have been treated with a medicine called

CSM (cholestyramine) by a Doctor (Dr Shoemaker) with arguably the most

experience in the field of toxic mold exposure. I have tried it and contribute

that to getting me off my death bed. I will never forget the first day i was

able to go into my back yard and stand up for a consideral amount of time. So i

would suggest you look into taking this med. As for your basement, if it had

water issues in the past i would just find a new home period. Basements are

notorious for toxic mold breeding grounds. No sunlight environments (basements,

inbetween walls, crawl spaces) with high humidity or water source(busted pipe)

are huge huge huge red flags. If your basement has water issues its the prime

example of a perfect breeding environment for toxic mold period.

God Bless you

Elias

p.s. I also had great results with a drug called lamisil as well

From: <brianc8452@...>

Subject: Re: [] new here with questions

, nenarc@...

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009, 5:57 AM

First thing---trust your own instincts. If you are sicker when you are in

your house, then you know there is a problem. There are many reasons why mold

doesn't show up in the test results---maybe the sample were not taken correctly

or maybe the lab doesn't know how to do the tests. As for the brain fog, I

tried several treatments for brain fog over a few years and didn't get any

relief until I started taking Lamisil (an antifungal). You should ask your

docrtor for a prescriptoin and try it for 30 days to see if it helps. Many on

Sickbuildings have found relief with CSM (cholestyramine) .

____________ _________ _________ __

From: nenarc <nenarc (DOT) com>

Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 7:54:45 AM

Subject: [] new here with questions

I've been trying to find out how much of my problem is from mold.

I was diagnosed with lyme disease but have made very little progress in a year.

My doctor(s) think my biggest issue is mold because I live in a house with

basement water issues and I feel better when I am not here.

I had the HLA panel done and it shows I don't detox mold very well, although I

can't really decipher the test myself.

I had a c4a test run and it was almost 50,000!!

My worst problem is brain fog. I've felt like I was toxic for such a long time.

That was my major complaint before I found out about the lyme and was looking

for answers.

There's nowhere for me to move to and I don't know how I would sell my house if

I have this problem. Right now I can't work because I'm too sick. There's no

visible mold and I have had it tested and was told there was no problem because

the outside levels were higher than inside.

I don't know what to do or think at this point.

Could my c4a be that high from mold? My doctor tested me for c3a, saying that

was for mold and the numbers were normal.

I just need to get better. Thanks

[Guest guest]

I agree with . See if you feel better if you stay away from your house for

awhile. That's how I discovered my house had a problem. Can you stay with some

place else for awhile? If you feel better, return to house and see if symptoms

come back. Could repeat to confirm.

>

> First thing---trust your own instincts. If you are sicker when you are in

your house, then you know there is a problem. There are many reasons why mold

doesn't show up in the test results

[Guest guest]

> >

> > First thing---trust your own instincts. If you are sicker when you are in

your house, then you know there is a problem. There are many reasons why mold

doesn't show up in the test results

>

Thank you all for your responses!!

I have stayed away from the house for various reasons in the past and I know for

sure I feel better elsewhere. I just never knew exactly why..I live on a busy

road and the air around here isn't the greatest.

I guess I really have to move although I have no idea how I would do it in this

condition. Plus I don't have anywhere to go..except maybe a tent in my

backyard!!

I've been taking cholestyramine for awhile now but not consistantly because I

take so many meds for lyme which vary daily and it's hard to fit everything in.

It did seem to help but my brain is still really bad.

I wish I could tell if my brain fog is from lyme or mold. I guess there's no

easy way to know.

I wonder how tough it would be to get my doc to perscribe lamisil. I had taken

that years ago for a toenail problem. It's hard enough for me to get a script

for diflucan because it interacts with some of the meds I take. Uggh!! It's all

too confusing!!

I just want to be able to think!!

[Guest guest]

At 10:09 PM 6/27/2009, you wrote:

>I agree with . See if you feel better if you stay away from

>your house for awhile. That's how I discovered my house had a problem.

I completely agree. It's a terrific diagnostic method. The third

time I found myself

not returning home until it got dark, I knew something was

wrong. Unfortunately,

brain fog was so bad then, that in a few hours I forgot this

discovery. Do not get

that bad. Do not wait. Get a hotel room Saturday night and be gone

2 full days.

You will know Sunday night as you enter in the home, if it is bad or not, as

likely it will slug you hard, as you inhale, either near the front

door, or open

the car door, or enter the door.

Repeating to confirm means you know you will be making a wise change,

the cost of moving will be worth keeping your health.

[Guest guest]

That is the catch-22 we have all faced, difficulties leaving home or leaving a

job without having another job or another home that is safe to go to and feeling

sick at the same time. I'm still dealing with that and so are some other people

here. I tried a small inexpensive apartment and it was worse than my home so I

went back home, just poorer and more tired. I stayed at a hotel and did well

but couldn't afford to live there long term of course but tried hotels before

that I couldn't tolerate either. People who took on the hardship of moving into

a tent have done better, but I have to live near my job and there is nowhere

around here I could pitch a tent safely and be able to get dressed for work and

do other things I need to do, so many of us are in the same boat. No easy

answers. I've made improvements in my house and my health has improved but I'm

far from better and my house is not as healthy as it should be either.

>

> I guess I really have to move although I have no idea how I would do it in

this condition. Plus I don't have anywhere to go..except maybe a tent in my

backyard!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

A good home cleaning would help. I just wrote this for another list,

which highlights some problem areas.

--

Other sources of bad smells.

The duct cleaning could have put germ colonies elsewhere in your home.

So, here is a check list with actions. Windows, doors, and drains, especially

the drains, as water is always present there. Sniff test everything

can be very

dangerous, particularly the drains, so visual inspection first, and sniff test

with caution, doing several sniffs " far away " moving closer each time.

Why sniff test? You need to find that sweet flower smell right?

It's good to have confirmation that an item needs severe cleaning as it smells.

Also, after cleaning sniff testing can confirm a good result. Sniff test the

next day as well, after your nose clears from the cleaning smells.

And again a week later, and a month later, to be sure it is not coming back.

--

Windows - clean all frames, frame drains (in horizontal sliding

aluminum bottom sill - use a pipe cleaner and force out all the dirt

to the outside), and the fuzzy weather seal clean that too - outside

so the fuzzies do not coat your rooms.

--

Door frames, hinges, top of the door, bottom of the door, hinge side

of the door. Clean them all.

You may have to take the door off the hinges, or use a mirror to

visually inspect the door bottom.

Door frame bottom 'bumps' (I forget the name all the time- the

weather stripping on the floor).

I removed the screws and found the worse junk to vacuum, then

disinfect, then sunlight UV disinfect.

You might also want to slide out the rubber from the metal frame and

clean both, including inside the rubber tube, with hot, running,

forceful water.

Door bottom weather stripping, if present. Clean and then

disinfect. Both sides.

Door frame weather stripping. Visually inspect. Remove and replace

if necessary.

Cleaning is hard unless removed, and if you remove it, the cost of

replacement is low,

and avoids the cleaning and disinfection, which may not be complete,

not as good as

a replacement. Match the replacement first, as your local hardware

store might not

have matching replacement, in color, size, or hole spacing.

Door frames, particular the moulding, both inside and outside doors.

Particularly the top of the top moulding, as that is a dust collector

that is rarely cleaned. I clean mine every month.

Door frames where it meets the carpeting. Carpeting must be trimmed around

door frames and it's rarely done to fit. So, there are gaps that

dust collects in.

Bad dust. Lots of it. Vacuum cleaner time. WARNING: it can be BAD!!!!

Years worth accumulate, 30-40 years, as most people never clean here.

--

Check your sink and shower drains. Visually inspect with a

flashlight the inner drain pipe walls for mold or algae, or other

growths. You should see clean copper color in all cases.

Disinfect them with 1/2 cup vinegar for 30 minutes, then flush with 2

gallons of water.

Vinegar will react with iron S traps creating crystal towers, about

1/8 inch in diameter,

and block the drain, if the vinegar is left in there longer.

You may have to scrub them clean. Even disassemble if a forceful

spray of water

will not dislodge the growths. A bottle brush is good to have. Some

drain covers

have a screw to take off the cover.

When ever I move into a new place, I now take apart the S trap under the sinks,

and clean them thoroughly, and sunlight dry them for a day for the UV

disinfection

into the pores of the copper that scrubbing and vinegar did not reach.

--

Closet rails, either top or bottom rails. Clean and disinfect.

Closet doors, remove and clean all sides, including the edges.

Warning, do not use harsh cleaners, just light soap and light water.

Some door substances can react.

--

Shower doors. Remove and clean all over. PAY GOOD ATTENTION to the top of the

door, and the bottom of the door. The top collects dust. The bottom

is always wet and

never gets direct light. Both grow mold.

The shower door frame. Use a mirror and flashlight to inspect.

I now will disassemble any frames I move into, and reseal with fresh caulk,

as the old caulk, the many layers, who knows what was concealed.

I want to know, and have fresh caulk. Many apartment owners will do this

for you for free, but that is not as good as my visual inspection and razor

blade scrapping of all 'junk' out of my home.

--

Sliding doors... you should know the drill by now. Remove CAREFULLY.

Do not lay flat on the ground. Stepping on them will break the glass.

Do not lean against anything but a flat wall. Move slowly, deliberately.

When these large glass doors break, they put glass all over.

And it's hundreds of dollars to replace one, $400-700 or more now.

The stationary side of the sliding door ... yes, clean everything you can see,

particularly the bottom, both inside and outside.

Caulk the stationary side. I did. The difference was huge.

No cold breezes in. My heating costs dropped in half.

And the smell difference was HUGE (but I had sewer gas leaking in).

--

[Guest guest]

At 12:03 PM 6/28/2009, barb1283 wrote:

> I stayed at a hotel and did well but couldn't afford to live there

> long term of course

Ask about the monthly " tax refund " . If you stay a full month, USA

hotels, by law,

must return the federal and state room tax to you. It can be as much 1/4th.

[Guest guest]

>

>

> >I agree with . See if you feel better if you stay away from

> >your house for awhile. That's how I discovered my house had a problem.

>

> I completely agree. It's a terrific diagnostic method. The third

> time I found myself

> not returning home until it got dark, I knew something was

> wrong. Unfortunately,

> brain fog was so bad then, that in a few hours I forgot this

> discovery. Do not get

> that bad. Do not wait. Get a hotel room Saturday night and be gone

> 2 full days.

> You will know Sunday night as you enter in the home, if it is bad or not, as

> likely it will slug you hard, as you inhale, either near the front

> door, or open

> the car door, or enter the door.

>

> Repeating to confirm means you know you will be making a wise change,

> the cost of moving will be worth keeping your health.

>

This has happened to me!!

No one else seems to smell it but it's like a wall of it when I walk in.

How's your brain fog now?

[Guest guest]

People smell it but they are so used to it, they ignore it. I went to check in

to hotel. Room smelled musty to me. I went asked what other rooms were

available. They gave me keys to 3 others to look at. I found one with no odor.

They sent doorman to help me move bags. Doorman said in first room, " I don't

smell anything " . Then we went to other room and he said, " it does smell better

in here! " . See, he must have noticed a smell but felt it didn't matter. After

getting sick, I learned to pay attention to odors from the beginning.

>

> This has happened to me!!

> No one else seems to smell it but it's like a wall of it when I walk in.

> How's your brain fog now?

>