sondra
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Post by sondra on Jun 22, 2005 18:23:54 GMT -5
Hi guys. here is an article on a beetle that does attack humans and can cause severe skin damage and illness.. A friend of mine said they did a special program on this bug on the national geographic channell last week..I have not been able to find any info on that show..Evidently doctors claim it can cause long term illlness . They are still looking for antibiotics to help..according to the show on the N G channel...
Kissing bugs (Triatoma) and the skin Rick Vetter MS1 Dermatology Online Journal 7(1):6
1. Department of Entomlogy, University of California Riverside
Abstract Kissing bugs (Family Reduviidae) can be the source of nocturnal dermatologic wounds in the mid to southern latitudes in the United States. The insects are obligate blood feeders and though the bites may be asymptomatic, a variety of dermatologic eruptions or death from anaphylaxis can result. The various dermatologic forms of the bite can be mistaken for herpes zoster, erythema multiforme and the ubiquitous catch-all diagnoses of "spider-bite."
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Figure 1 Paratriatoma hirsuta (family Hemiptera) identified by Rick Vetter, UCR Entomology. Collected in the Mojave Desert east of Indio.
Introduction In true entomologic terminology, the word "bug" strictly refers only to the large order of insects (Hemiptera) which are characterized by having sucking mouthparts. Most hemipterans are familiar to us as plant feeders (leafhoppers, aphids, stinkbugs), however, the family Reduviidae consists of predatory and parasitic insects, one group of which are obligatory blood-feeders that seek out mammals for their meals. They are known by a variety of colloquial names (kissing bug, cone-nosed bug, Mexican bed bug, etc.) and can be a cause of dermatologic wounds. The assaults are usually nocturnal and reactions are due to salivary proteins.[1] The most common kissing bugs in the United States are in the genus Triatoma with the less common Paratriatoma found in the southwest.
Life cycle and biology There are 16 species and 18 subspecies of Triatoma in the United States, distributed in the southern 2/3 of the country; additional related species and genera are common in Central and South America.[2] The kissing bug is dorso-ventrally flattened and is armed with a long, piercing proboscis. Although its mouthparts are only capable of sucking and there are no opposing structures capable of biting, its feeding wounds are still referred to as bites. Triatoma insects go through 5 molts before reaching maturity.[3] Their typical North American animal hosts include woodrats, opossum, raccoons and armadillos.[2,3] The insects are suspected to also feed off of many domestic pets and the wild animals that are abundant around human habitats. They are most often found in direct association with their animal host; for example, inside the large debris nests of pack rats. However, they are also capable of taking blood meals from humans. Because of their association with wild animal hosts, interactions with humans are more probable in areas that are surrounded by a natural environment in comparison to the disrupted landscaping of urban areas.
Medical significance Triatoma are predominantly nocturnal and feed off of a sleeping person's exposed human body parts.[1] They will not feed through clothing, although they will feed through large-weave laboratory cloth.[4,5] Typically, they position themselves next to the recumbent human, rather than on top of the host, to feed with the proboscis being the only contacting body part. Subjects describe the bite of Triatoma as virtually painless with a slight tingling sensation.[1,5,6] In laboratory observations, the insects fed for 8 to 15 minutes on humans before repletion and interfeeding duration was typically 3 weeks.[6] However, the insects were able to survive 3 to 6 months between meals.[7] In a large experimental study exposing 464 test subjects to 4 species of Triatoma nymphs and adults, most subjects exhibited no reactions to reduviid feeding with the number of symptomatic subjects being minimal (pruritus 0-4.2%, edema 0-3.2%, erythema 0-6.9%) 0 to 72 hours postbite for the variety of insect species tested.[5] Ryckman attributes this low response to lack of prior exposure of subjects to Triatoma salivary antigens. However, Triatoma can cause severe wounds via exposure to its salivary compounds and death from anaphylaxis is possible.[8] Most sleeping victims are not aware of the insect's presence during feeding, although for the few hypersensitive victims, severe allergic reaction to the insect's salivary secretions is sufficient to awaken them.[4,9]
Human interactions with Triatoma are considered to be incidental encounters and not deliberate infestations as the insects are typically found singularly inside homes and not as multiple intruders. Of definitive diagnostic importance, the engorged culprit is often found when sought; all 45 Texas patients and 95% of 110 California patients were able to recover the offending Triatoma when the home was thoroughly searched.[1,4] The insect often sought shelter in and around bedding or under sofa cushions. This high frequency of detection should readily allow one to confirm or exclude the bite of this reduviid insect.
Dermatologic expression For most victims, reaction to Triatoma feeding is unremarkable.[10] However, for a minority, significant dermatologic injury occurs. Clinical expression has been divided into 4 categories and is summarized from Shields and Walsh.[1,4] Typically, feeding wounds are multiple (2 to 15 in number), grouped, and most common on hands, arms, feet, head and trunk in that order.[1]
Papular lesions are similar to insect bites but have non-specific lymphocytic infiltration atypical of insect bite. Grouped lesions are often misdiagnosed as herpes zoster. Small vesicles surround the bite within 2 to 3 cm, commonly seen on the arms. No definite central puncture mark but wound is erythematous with moderate edema. Concomitant wounds elsewhere on the body can help with the diagnosis. Shields and Walsh list a patient with a hemorrhagic bullous lesion on the thumb who also had small vesicles on the arms. Large urticarial-type lesions (10 to 16 cm diameter)are also seen. Puncture wound may or may not be visible and in many patients and the lesion is erythematous. Lymphangitis and lymphadenitis may be associated with this type of wound. The most severe bite reaction exhibits hemorrhagic nodular-to-bullous lesions, typically on the hands and feet. The multiple lesions might be confused with erythema multiforme, however, in Triatoma bite, they are usually unilateral in occurrence. This type of wound is often attributed to the catch-all term, "spider-bite." Lymphangitis and lymphadenitis may be associated with this type of wound also. In addition, the triatomine bugs of Central and South America are vectors of Chagas' disease (trypanosomiasis) which is caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi.[1,10] The mechanism of infection from Chagas' disease is not via feeding but instead through contamination of the wound or other bodily portals by fecal material during or shortly after feeding. Although North American Triatoma species have tested positive for T. cruzi, Chagas' disease is much less of a concern in the U.S. because the North American Triatoma delay defecation until 20-30 minutes post-feeding. By this time, they are usually no longer in contact with the sleeping human.[1,10] Hence, vectoring of the protozoan is much less likely. Although T. cruzi is not difficult to find in both North American triatomine insects and their mammalian hosts (e.g., raccoons, opossums), the incidence of Chagas' disease in humans is extremely low, though in Central and South America, it is of genuine epidemiologic concern.[11] However, North Americans still need to be aware of the disease as infected immigrants enter the country and transmission has also occurred through blood transfusion.[11]
An extensive, annotated bibliography of the medical aspects of triatomine insects has been compiled. [8,12]
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sondra
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infected since october 1999
Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Jun 24, 2005 2:27:43 GMT -5
Hi all , my question to those of you who have healed or are healing is: Was your skin ever very dry with this? it seems as though the entire texture of my skin is completely different, the sores that were once more moist are now just thick dry clumps of fibers and dead skin that often look and feel like small fingernail clippings . It is very miserable...I have the septra but my lyme meds make me so sick and I ache so badly that I don't know whether to add on the septra or not? Kerry You can E-mail or Phone Dr.Swartz fron his website www.healingresearch.org/news.html maybe your doctor could contact him... Greg I did want to tell you I liked the article you posted on ticks carrying the maltophelia (sp) bacteria..I wonder if any of the know lyme carrying ticks have ever been tested? Daryl..I am sorry you are still infested, but it sounds like you are doing better physiclly and mentally.. I am glad to hear that.. Ii wish we could all pitch in and get you some septra..I am willing to help donate ...... Thanks everyone. .Love sondra
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sondra
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infected since october 1999
Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Aug 18, 2006 23:58:23 GMT -5
Thank You Frisky..It has been a real emotional hurdle for me .The stress has not helped my Lyme..My dad won't go into the lyme possibility....but the information everyone has here is interesting. I will try some easy art work with her..It isgetting more difficult.... Thanks again'...Love sondra
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sondra
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Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Aug 13, 2006 1:57:03 GMT -5
Thanks Friskie for this article . My mom is slowly dieing of Alzhiemers right. now.It is a painfully cruel way to go. It has been really stressful for me and my family ... I think there may be a relationship to this and our brain fog...I wish Dr. Wymore would also do some brain scans or DNA testing on those with this.........Sondra
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sondra
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infected since october 1999
Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Apr 26, 2006 0:47:41 GMT -5
Ruth, I am so sorry to hear about this latest news you have. You.have been through so much. I will tell you though that , my mom who is 80 has diverticulitis and a twisted bowel, which she recently had surgery on and came through great..Her diverticulitis is also healing with antibiotics , time and keeping the bowels moving with a herbal tea called "Smooth Move" at health food stores it has Senna in it.......Keep up the faith..Sondra
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sondra
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infected since october 1999
Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Mar 13, 2006 19:02:36 GMT -5
Ruth Thankyou for responding.It seems you have taken everything that has been reccomended. I am wondering if the length of time someone has had this affects the chances of healing.It appears to me that most, maybe not all of the people infected have benefited from these meds.. if they have had it three years or less. I know you have had it for 8-9 years I am at seven years now.I am not sure anything could ever help us now..... Take care Sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Mar 7, 2006 22:28:06 GMT -5
Hi again Ruth I am sorry to bother you again, but I would still like to know more about your experience with the plaquenil? as I have been given this med and I am not sure about taking it. Are you still using this? thank You again..sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Aug 27, 2005 3:20:12 GMT -5
I had asked in the "septra post" if anyone remembered the article written by a Russian Journalist about Morgellons , referring to a disease in the hebrew bible known as the Wool disease. I still cannot find any links to that news article from Russia, but, I have found mention of a disease that was called Tzaraath ... sounds similiar to morgellons ..Just curious if any of you have access to a hebrew bible and can look this up. The section of the bible it is found in, is mentioned below.
Tzaraath (tzaraat, tsaraas, tsaraat; Hebrew öøòú) was an affliction mentioned in the Tanach and other Jewish sources, starting in Leviticus chapters 13–14.
Although the term is commonly mistranslated leprosy, tzaraath was not leprosy. It affected primarily the afflicted person's skin, but sometimes his clothes and/or house. It is traditionally believed to have come not through natural means but as a punishment for sin, and to have been cured not through natural means but through repentance and forgiveness. There are no reported recent cases.
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Aug 24, 2005 18:13:39 GMT -5
Ruth.. I think there may be many answers in the bible..Brimstone is certainly an interesting one..Also I do not know if anyone remebers this article written by a journalist in Russia.(.I cannnot find any links to it yet) But she was writing about morgellons and mentioned a scripture in the old hebrew bible that talked about a disease called "the Wool Disease" is this what you are refering to? Are there any bible scholars out there who have heard of this? TMG may still have he link to that article if anyone has contact with her .....
Jeff..I believe that the people who are arguing and voicing negative opinions about everything are just having fun..They cannot be sick with this or they would be willingt o simply debate politely and keep an open mind.... The only way to stop this in my opinion is if you can only post as a member..otherwisw people can create havoc posting as guests.......I do not believe Lois is trying to stop anything except these types of degrading arguments....
I have found 3 other bacterias that can be in the system along with S maltophilia..3 of them have been cultured from my own skin..I am afraid I will have to post the info later. I don't have it in front of me ....all 3 are sensative to sulpha..one of them can cause toes to turn black... one ofthem froms colonies...and like the S.M adhere to plastic medical devices as well as found in water..etc..
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sondra
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Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Aug 22, 2005 3:24:10 GMT -5
I just thought I would add, that according to the Morgellons statistics (correct me if I'm wrong) a large number of sufferers are in the nursing field..... I can think of several that post or have posted here..Ruth, Cindy,Sunny, Alison in Hawaii and Dylan king who passed away, was a medical assistant.. there are many others.... Although I do not know if this is a strong enough case for the S malophilia, But it is a fact that this bacteria runs rampant in hospitals and is usually associated with bladder infections. This bacteria is known to cling to catheters and other plastic medical devices... I imagine that there are thousands of other bacterias in hospitals that nurses can be exposed to..but it is something to think about..... Just putting my thoughts out here so they will stop rolling around in my head..thanks
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sondra
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Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Aug 22, 2005 1:41:33 GMT -5
Hi all , I have not ordered Dr.Swartz book at this time, and I have no way of knowing if Morgellons is all S.maltophilia. I believe though , that many people with this condition have healed or improved by using the Septra DS in larger doses. Many of them I know have suffered for many years and are not lying. I have not been on this program myself... The question for me is , Why does this plan work for many people with this and what bacteria is it affecting? Sometimes solving problems means looking at it from more than one angle. Does anyone have any research on what all the bacterias are that Septra or Sulpha drugs are used for? I think looking at it this way we might open up other possibilities. I know there have been people who found this a successful treatment for the skin mess and had tested negative for S Maltophilia.... So Why does it help? ? Any ideas?? Love Sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Aug 2, 2005 20:32:09 GMT -5
Munk, Have they taken any biopsies or done any tests on your throat that shows up cancer? Or are they just making that diagnosos by looking at it? If that is the case Iam not surprised , because when I first started out with this, I was told it was skin cancer. So, I said, well if that is what I have what is the treatment? The doctor said well .... you should wait a few months and I will look at it again..What? ? No tests no biopsies and no treatment? No skin Cancer either........Love sondra I do hope if you have a positive test for throat cancer you treat it though......
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sondra
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Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Aug 2, 2005 23:46:28 GMT -5
Jeff and Hope... Thank You for answering my questions.... I have been wondering why people with morgellons who have tested positive for Lyme do not ever seem to get well from the Lyme or the skin... I just feel it is something for the Lyme doctors to look into at some point.... I think it is important..Whether something else is showing up in the tests or the morgellons is complicating the healing of the Lyme....we just don't know.
I do wish that every doctor involved in this would set aside any pride and look at all possibilities.. (I have no facts that is what they are doing ) , because if it were not for looking at things and making mistakes and learning more ..... nothing would ever be solved .
Anyway,,,,,, I have taken the Doxy and Bactrim..for about four months now and I am improving as far as going numb..But my neurological twitching and tremors and head buzzing,drooling and talking like scooby doo is very hard on me...I knew it wouldn't stop the Morgellons ..but it has slowed down a lot of the secondary infections with the skin...... Thanks again to you Jeff and Hope..keep up the good work....Love Sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Aug 2, 2005 23:23:21 GMT -5
.Posted by To CLUELESS .AS FOR GINGER SAVELY...I HAVE NOT A CLUE AS FOR MORGELLONS, YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE A CLUE EITHER! ----------------------------------------------------------------------Just to keep things straight..I am not the author of the statement "As for Ginger Savely..I have not a clue." I asked Jeff if he knew whether or not she was using the septra protocol on her patients..He responded "I have not a clue' to that question. No one here is putting her down in any way, she has worked very hard to help many people with this disease. I am sorry you misunderstood the conversation... Love Sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Aug 2, 2005 20:10:47 GMT -5
Hi Hope,
Thank you for guiding me to the information.I have not looked at the Morgellons site for updated info..I was looking through the message board below....
I am still reeling on the Lyme medication..So, I tend to get confused, mentally lost and often very frustated...
You have also been one of those who has used the Swartz plan and say you are much better..I am happy to hear that..Did you have Lyme or just the Morgellons?
I have become very interested in knowing whether the people diagnosed with Lyme and who have been treated for it .. without success, feel that the Swartz medication protocol was the answer to both the Lyme and morgellons.... This question may not be clear ..I hope you or someone can understand what I am asking.... Thanks again....... Love Sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Aug 2, 2005 0:23:29 GMT -5
Hi Jeff, I have read your post for a long time--- since way back on NUSPA. And I have had the same symptoms as you right along... I was diagnosed with Lyme in march 2005 through IGENEX.. You were also diagnosed with Lyme,and I believe you did the Roceprin IV, then afterwards, I think you took diflucan or maybe it was another antifungal med..untill you went on the Dr.Swartz plan. My 3 questions to you are: ( You may not have an answer to all of them but give it your best shot..This is not an argument just pure interest and curiosity....) Thanks 1) Do you believe that you actually had lyme disease or do you think it was This S.maltophilia all along? 2) Do you know if anyone at Morgellons is supportive of DR.Swartz theory and treatment? I never see any of this mentioned on the Morgellons message board or through e-mail 3) Do you or does anyone know If Ginger Savely Houston, is aware of his findings and has tried this on her patients? I hope he is sending this to the many doctors and lyme doctors who are have patients with this.
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Jul 12, 2005 4:41:54 GMT -5
The medications I am taking are making me very grumpy right now. That may be why I am feeling this way..but.. personally I think that this board has become dominated by overbearing personalities who appear so wrapped up in themselves that the smaller voices have no place here...It seems that if you are not "all that" or a comedian,a psuedo scientists, have a long list of expensive herb and other protocals,and write lengthly dissertations on cow pods, You will never get a reply or any support.. I thought this was a place for people to ask for support no matter how Big or small the need may be..I think I was wrong....it would be nice to see some compassion for the rest of us out here suffering who are mere mortals...Sondra
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sondra
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Post by sondra on Jul 11, 2005 19:33:35 GMT -5
To those of you who have been diagnosed with Lyme..
Did any of the lyme medications the IV/s etc.help clear your mind and physical symtoms from the Lyme? despite the fact that the Morgellons continued? Or Did the Sulpha antibiotics take care of the whoile mess? If the Septra plan eliminated everything do you believe that those of us diagnosed with Lyme have something that mimics the titers or antibodies in the test? I am so far gone now on all my meds I don't know what to do??? love Sondra
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sondra
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infected since october 1999
Posts: 230
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Post by sondra on Jul 11, 2005 19:24:10 GMT -5
Hi Me me me.. My parents showed me that article on Sunday and they said this guy sounds like you(meaning me sondra) I have been diagnosed with lyme in march and I have been telling people how lost and disorented I become ,but it took a quarter back in florida to finally get them to really believe me!!!! thanks for posting that. how are you doing by the way?
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