Re: Winter's coming

[Guest guest]

I try to get outside everyday even in the winter except for snow days .I

also try to crack a window during the winter months to air the house out. I

feel worse in the snow but I'm not sure why. Rainy days are also not good.

Right now the summer isn't much better. We are stuck in the house due to

horrible hot and very humid weather in MD!!!

How does winter time affect you due to the lack of fresh air?

[Guest guest]

I am always worse in the winter. My tolerance to exposures goes up in the summer

(with windows opened) so I plan my exposures for the summer - like DMV, Walmart,

doc visits, etc.

>

> I realize we still have at least 2 more of months of warm weather but before

we know winter will be here. Now that it is summer and I can get plenty of fresh

air I dont feel to bad but when winter gets here Im a little worried that the

lack of fresh air will make me more symptomatic.

>

> How does winter time affect you due to the lack of fresh air?

>

[Guest guest]

I dont know where Tug lives but Im roasting. I cut the air up in little pieces

and put on bread with a little mayonnaise. And breathing... Outside it is so

thick my lungs are not strong enough to breath it in. Inside all the stuffy air

conditioning makes me remember there was fresh air long ago. I dont know about

global warming (smirk) but I'm convinced of the United States Warming.

But to answer your question, Im in the south so it does not get as bitter as it

does up north. I dont like cold air at all, never have but it seems to me the

air is cleaner or crisper. I have way less runny noses ect but do get congested

if I stay inside in any kind of real heat. Its weird I know.

 

    

   

 Freedom is the emancipation from the arbitrary rule of other men :Mortimer

Adler

________________________________

From: Tug <tug_slug@...>

Sent: Fri, July 23, 2010 11:56:50 AM

Subject: [] Winter's coming

 

I realize we still have at least 2 more of months of warm weather but before we

know winter will be here. Now that it is summer and I can get plenty of fresh

air I dont feel to bad but when winter gets here Im a little worried that the

lack of fresh air will make me more symptomatic.

How does winter time affect you due to the lack of fresh air?

[Guest guest]

I was first exposed October 2009 and stayed in the " sick building " for 6 weeks

at which time I was forced out. After that I moved to a motel and stayed there

till May but as suggested I left everything I owned behind and started fresh so

the brutal cold weather we have here in the west didn't effect me to much. I've

since started taking antifungals and now live with my g/f in a house she

recently purchased. The problem is some of her clothes were contaminated in my

condo and even though they've been washed dozens of times something in the

master bedroom is still affecting me. We purchased all new bedding including a

mattress and box spring so Im sure thats not whats bothering me. We've sealed

off the master closet and before we moved in had a remediation company wipe and

hepa vacuum what little furniture she had but something is still bothering me in

our bedroom.

My biggest fear is come winter due to whatever is bothering me here in the house

and the lack of fresh air I will be forced to move out.

What baffles me is when we have the a/c on (which isnt much due to cost) I feel

less symptomatic. Last month we had a cold spell and had to keep the windows and

doors closed for 3 days and I really didnt feel that bad and I was wondering if

this was a prelude of things to come when the seasons change.

Thanks

Tug

> >

> > I realize we still have at least 2 more of months of warm weather but before

we know winter will be here. Now that it is summer and I can get plenty of fresh

air I dont feel to bad but when winter gets here Im a little worried that the

lack of fresh air will make me more symptomatic.

> >

> > How does winter time affect you due to the lack of fresh air?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My guess is there's moisture leaking somewhere. You just have not found it yet.

I've been in awful mold-houses before I moved in to a somewhat new home, high

off the ground with a full plastic seal on the ground under the house and proper

drainage making the flow of ground water go around the house. I had my

furniture & stuff from my previous place in there and I felt great in that

house. Best in a run of leaky-roofed moldy houses. Then the landlady/room-mate

bought a pet poodle from hell. Constant barking, growling and heal-snapping.

Then she took offense when I complained and went a bit psycho. I also lived in a

newer apt/house with a similar setup and had no problems whatsoever w/ the

place. Same furnishings.. I did, however, do away w/ the bed on both

occasions. But as soon as I moved in to the next moldy apt, it all came back.

The most obvious mold-sign in that one was spongy window-sills & paint cracking

from the mold underneath it. Impropper ventillation & single-pane windows

caused it, I guess.

In my current house, I started getting sick, so I cleared out a whole bedroom of

everything and slept in it w/ nothing but a blanket & fresh towel, washed in

that mold-killing detergent, 20 mule team borax. Guess what? I got sick. The

only place I can sleep & wake up better is outside, far away from the house,

away from the pool furniture, in the middle of the lawn, on a tarp, with a

mosquito net & an extension cord for my laptop. It works. Whenever I come in

for food or something, I can feel my throat hurt when I swallow, unless I filter

my mouth with my shirt, which is not much for a filter, really, BUT, it works

for short periods of time.

>

>

>

> I was first exposed October 2009 and stayed in the " sick building " for 6 weeks

at which time I was forced out. After that I moved to a motel and stayed there

till May but as suggested I left everything I owned behind and started fresh so

the brutal cold weather we have here in the west didn't effect me to much. I've

since started taking antifungals and now live with my g/f in a house she

recently purchased. The problem is some of her clothes were contaminated in my

condo and even though they've been washed dozens of times something in the

master bedroom is still affecting me. We purchased all new bedding including a

mattress and box spring so Im sure thats not whats bothering me. We've sealed

off the master closet and before we moved in had a remediation company wipe and

hepa vacuum what little

[Guest guest]

I am so relieved to hear someone else voice the dread of winter.  Sometimes I

feel like I'm racing the clock in the summer to get in as much life as possible

because I get so symptomatic in winter.

--- On Fri, 7/23/10, safersmilesdentallab <safersmilesdentallab@...>

wrote:

From: safersmilesdentallab <safersmilesdentallab@...>

Subject: [] Re: Winter's coming

Date: Friday, July 23, 2010, 2:45 PM

 

I am always worse in the winter. My tolerance to exposures goes up in the summer

(with windows opened) so I plan my exposures for the summer - like DMV, Walmart,

doc visits, etc.

>

> I realize we still have at least 2 more of months of warm weather but before

we know winter will be here. Now that it is summer and I can get plenty of fresh

air I dont feel to bad but when winter gets here Im a little worried that the

lack of fresh air will make me more symptomatic.

>

> How does winter time affect you due to the lack of fresh air?

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Tug,

Do you think there's something coming from outside that bothers you? Could be

mold from the exterior of the building, window wells, exterior wall, nearby

trees, shrubs or mulch? Or have you developed some seasonal allergies to pollen

etc? It's interesting that you've done better with a/c on and windows closed.

Mold growth would also decrease with lower humidity, which would correlate with

a/c and the cold spell.

Seems that whether summer or winter is better for you is going to depend on your

individual reactions, which can take a long time to figure out. But you've got

some interesting clues to work with.

Is there another room you could experiment with sleeping in if the master's

still a problem?

Amy

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the reply Amy. We just moved here, as far as I can see there's no

mold anywhere but there is a small lake about a block from where I live.

About a month ago when I finally realized the bedroom was getting me sick I

thought there was mold behind the toilet in the master bathroom because the

baseboard was separating from the drywall. My G/F wasn't happy with the linoleum

so we decided to have a contractor rip out the linoleum and put in tile. One

thing led to another and before we knew it we ended up remodeling the entire

master bathroom, the only thing that wasnt replaced was the toilet but it was

removed to lay the new tile. Once the bathroom was all but gutted there wasn't a

spec of mold anywhere nor where there any signs of water damage.

The only thing that could possibly be getting me sick would be g/f's clothes

that were in the condo which is where we originally became ill but they've been

washed dozens of times or the dressers or the night stands that are on each side

of the bed but those items were never in the condo, those items were at her old

house that was waiting to be sold at the time.

I've been sleeping on the sofa in living room which has a large open window

right next to. It's funny because even when Im asleep I can taste the fresh

clean air when I sleep there.

If anyone has any suggestions on how I would go about finding out whats making

me sick and how to go about remediating it I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks again,

Tug

>

> Hey Tug,

>

> Do you think there's something coming from outside that bothers you? Could be

mold from the exterior of the building, window wells, exterior wall, nearby

trees, shrubs or mulch? Or have you developed some seasonal allergies to pollen

etc? It's interesting that you've done better with a/c on and windows closed.

Mold growth would also decrease with lower humidity, which would correlate with

a/c and the cold spell.

>

> Seems that whether summer or winter is better for you is going to depend on

your individual reactions, which can take a long time to figure out. But you've

got some interesting clues to work with.

>

> Is there another room you could experiment with sleeping in if the master's

still a problem?

>

> Amy

>

[Guest guest]

I thought the same thing so I called in a nation mold remediation company to

inspect the property. He went through the entire house with a moisture meter and

couldn't find any moisture in the walls at all.

>

> My guess is there's moisture leaking somewhere. You just have not found it

yet.

[Guest guest]

Michal, I am so worried about winter coming, I honestly dont know what Im going

to do. I slept with the windows wide open last night and I still woke up feeling

symptomatic. I can only imagine how bad it's going to be once the seasons change

and it'll be to cold to open any windows and get fresh air.

--- In , Michal <michalvictoria@...>

wrote:

>

> I am so relieved to hear someone else voice the dread of winter. Sometimes I

feel like I'm racing the clock in the summer to get in as much life as possible

because I get so symptomatic in winter.

>

[Guest guest]

Tug, even though it was still bad, it was better when I had an air purifier and

a dehumidifier running in the winter...I'm sorry I missed earlier posts of your

story-is your home moldy?  Mine isn't presently but for years I lived in one

moldy house after another and it took a toll.  Of course you know if it is, you

have to get out asap; in my case I had no where elso to go and it took me a

while before I could get out.  I ran both machines anyway and it kept me from

getting as sick as I should have been.

The other thing I'm trying to think is not to futurize.  We don't know what

will happen this winter.  Next week someone may decide to help me financially

and I get to see Drs. that can get my body to a better place to with stand

winter, or next month someone may discover a way to heal the body from this

that's accessible. or who knows.  What we do know is worrying breaks down our

immune system, and we need all the immune system we can muster!!  So

distracting myself from worry is one thing I can do to help my health, and it's

free.

From: Tug <tug_slug@...>

Subject: [] Re: Winter's coming

Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 5:58 AM

 

Michal, I am so worried about winter coming, I honestly dont know what Im going

to do. I slept with the windows wide open last night and I still woke up feeling

symptomatic. I can only imagine how bad it's going to be once the seasons change

and it'll be to cold to open any windows and get fresh air.

--- In , Michal <michalvictoria@...>

wrote:

>

> I am so relieved to hear someone else voice the dread of winter. Sometimes I

feel like I'm racing the clock in the summer to get in as much life as possible

because I get so symptomatic in winter.

>

[Guest guest]

I would sniff everything since I'm chemically sensitive too - & outgas it to

death in the sun. It could be the end tables, what's in them...anything.

>

> Thank you for the reply Amy. We just moved here, as far as I can see there's

no mold anywhere but there is a small lake about a block from where I live.

>

> About a month ago when I finally realized the bedroom was getting me sick I

thought there was mold behind the toilet in the master bathroom because the

baseboard was separating from the drywall. My G/F wasn't happy with the linoleum

so we decided to have a contractor rip out the linoleum and put in tile. One

thing led to another and before we knew it we ended up remodeling the entire

master bathroom, the only thing that wasnt replaced was the toilet but it was

removed to lay the new tile. Once the bathroom was all but gutted there

[Guest guest]

Come on all you guys, I have slept out every winter for the last 5 years. I

stuff an electric blanket inside a sleeping bag-and wear those wool hunting

socks they sell at Wall Mart. The cold clean air on your face is wonderful. The

nighttime sky is beautiful. I try and stay awake long enough to see a shooting

star.

> >

> > I am so relieved to hear someone else voice the dread of winter. Sometimes

I feel like I'm racing the clock in the summer to get in as much life as

possible because I get so symptomatic in winter.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Michal, the house doesnt have any mold that I know of, Im having a mold

remediation company come out today to to run some moisture tests just to make

sure. What Im dealing with is cross contamination but its only coming from the

master bedroom as long as I stay out of that room I dont feel to bad. Last week

I tried sleeping in there for 3 consecutive days and I think it overloaded my

system causing me to be symptomatic the past 2 days. Now that Im not sleeping in

there my health is starting to improve.

I've been blessed in that Im seeing a GP who actually listens to me and is

willing to think outside the box so he's prescribing the same antifungals that

Dr Marinkovich suggested years ago. Seeing a Dr whose willing to listen and not

play you off as a mental case is key to surivival

I purchased an IQAir air purifier but have yet to use it. The reason why I

haven't used it yet is I can still keep the windows open and the cost of the

filters. Once the seasons change if needed the air purifier will run 24/7. If

need be I'll buy a second air purifier, one that isn't as expensive.

Tug

--- In , Michal <michalvictoria@...>

wrote:

>

> Tug, even though it was still bad, it was better when I had an air purifier

and a dehumidifier running in the winter...I'm sorry I missed earlier posts of

your story-is your home moldy? Mine isn't presently but for years I lived in

one moldy house after another and it took a toll. Of course you know if it is,

you have to get out asap; in my case I had no where elso to go and it took me a

while before I could get out. I ran both machines anyway and it kept me from

getting as sick as I should have been.

[Guest guest]

Ugh I know what you mean about cross contamination, I'm so sorry yo're

struggling, Tug.  When I moved from the umpteenth moldy house I got rid of

EVERYTHING, even my clothes.  I was broke to begin with and didn't have any

family or friends with money so it was so hard.  I got clothes from friends

(that I took outside and gave the sniff test to, first, then let them hand

outside for days.  I had cross contaminated 2 houses before so I learned it

ain't worth it.  What a lesson in letting go that was.  Well, it ALL is with

this, isn't it??

Yay for your GP!!!

Carondeen (sp?)-Where I live it rains ALL winter.  The humidity makes my

symptoms flare.  But it did give me pause to hear about the shooting star. 

Sounds so lovely.  As I live in a suburban area next to my landlord and there

is no deck or balcony or yard, I have no real place to sleep outside.  I wonder

if my symptoms would be better if I bundled up and left the windows open even

tho it's raining.  Course I'd freak it water got into the house...

From: Tug <tug_slug@...>

Subject: [] Re: Winter's coming

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 6:35 AM

 

Michal, the house doesnt have any mold that I know of, Im having a mold

remediation company come out today to to run some moisture tests just to make

sure. What Im dealing with is cross contamination but its only coming from the

master bedroom as long as I stay out of that room I dont feel to bad. Last week

I tried sleeping in there for 3 consecutive days and I think it overloaded my

system causing me to be symptomatic the past 2 days. Now that Im not sleeping in

there my health is starting to improve.

I've been blessed in that Im seeing a GP who actually listens to me and is

willing to think outside the box so he's prescribing the same antifungals that

Dr Marinkovich suggested years ago. Seeing a Dr whose willing to listen and not

play you off as a mental case is key to surivival

I purchased an IQAir air purifier but have yet to use it. The reason why I

haven't used it yet is I can still keep the windows open and the cost of the

filters. Once the seasons change if needed the air purifier will run 24/7. If

need be I'll buy a second air purifier, one that isn't as expensive.

Tug

[Guest guest]

, Ive always thought your a very special lady, one with the determination

many people (including myself) can only dream of having.

I took your advice and slept outside for the first time last night since I was a

kid, needless to say I wasn't prepared. The mosquitoes about ate me alive,

tonight will be a completely different story.

>

> Come on all you guys, I have slept out every winter for the last 5 years. I

stuff an electric blanket inside a sleeping bag-and wear those wool hunting

socks they sell at Wall Mart. The cold clean air on your face is wonderful. The

nighttime sky is beautiful. I try and stay awake long enough to see a shooting

star.

>

[Guest guest]

dave,

you might want to hire a healthy house consultant to come take a look,

could be something else in the bedroom bothering you besides mold cross

contamination. think i recall carl saying that 1/2 the time people

think it is mold it is something else....i hired a building biology

consultant to check out my new place before i rented it, he did a quick

inspection for only $200, i may have him come back in to help with

furniture placement (to minimize emfs to the head while sleeping for

example, for emf shielding advice, and maybe to run some mold and voc

tests, and of course this would all be at additional cost).... just a

thought, sue

>

>

>Michal, the house doesnt have any mold that I know of, Im having a mold

>remediation company come out today to to run some moisture tests just to

>make sure. What Im dealing with is cross contamination but its only

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sue, I dont have a clue as to what else it could be other than her

clothes in the closet(which the door is always closed) or the bedroom furniture.

Theres times when we go to the gym she has either a shirt or pair of shorts on

that effect me as well. She doesnt know this but when I can see that Im reacting

to her clothing I keep some distance between us. Beings weve replaced most of

her workout attire that doesn't happen much anymore. She carries around a

workout towel as well and because I was reacting to them (they were in the

condo) I replaced them and put the old ones in a plastic bag.

I would like to add that up until recently I kept most of my clothes in one of

the dressers in that very room and they never bother me.

>

> dave,

>

> you might want to hire a healthy house consultant to come take a look,could be

something else in the bedroom bothering you besides mold cross contamination.

think i recall carl saying that 1/2 the time people think it is mold it is

something else....i hired a building biology consultant to check out my new

place before i rented it, he did a quick inspection for only $200, i may have

him come back in to help with furniture placement (to minimize emfs to the head

while sleeping for example, for emf shielding advice, and maybe to run some mold

and voc tests, and of course this would all be at additional cost).... just a

thought, sue

[Guest guest]

Dab yourself all over with tea tree oil. No mosquito will come near

the stuff.

Barth

www.presenting.net/sbs/sbs.html

SUBMIT YOUR DOCTOR: www.presenting.net/sbs/molddoctors.html

---

T> , Ive always thought your a very special lady, one with the

determination many people (including myself) can only dream of having.

T> I took your advice and slept outside for the first time last night since I

was a kid, needless to say I wasn't prepared. The mosquitoes about ate me alive,

tonight will be a completely different

T> story.

T>

>>

>> Come on all you guys, I have slept out every winter for the last 5 years. I

stuff an electric blanket inside a sleeping bag-and wear those wool hunting

socks they sell at Wall Mart. The cold clean

>> air on your face is wonderful. The nighttime sky is beautiful. I try and stay

awake long enough to see a shooting star.

>>

[Guest guest]

Pat I dont think the red spots are mosquito bites. I know have them on my face

and torso. Going to the Dr tomorrow

>

> Dab yourself all over with tea tree oil. No mosquito will come near

> the stuff.

>

> Barth

>

> www.presenting.net/sbs/sbs.html

>

> SUBMIT YOUR DOCTOR: www.presenting.net/sbs/molddoctors.html

[Guest guest]

Could they be spider bites?

Barth

www.presenting.net/sbs/sbs.html

SUBMIT YOUR DOCTOR: www.presenting.net/sbs/molddoctors.html

---

T> Pat I dont think the red spots are mosquito bites. I know have them on my

face and torso. Going to the Dr tomorrow

T>

>>

>> Dab yourself all over with tea tree oil. No mosquito will come near

>> the stuff.

>>

>> Barth

>>

>> www.presenting.net/sbs/sbs.html

>>

>> SUBMIT YOUR DOCTOR: www.presenting.net/sbs/molddoctors.html