|
Post by Sidney on Jan 12, 2010 9:32:58 GMT -5
I think that Actinomycetes was included as one of several morgellons related pathogens in one of Dr. Harvey's statements. I had recurrent Actinomycetes during my first 4 years of full blown morgs. Hi, Mercury, do you remember what kind of testing was done for Actinomycetes? Was the testing done by a local lab or sent away to a specialty lab? I'd be very interested in having the test and hopeful insurance picks up the tab. Thank you for any information.
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 12, 2010 9:47:26 GMT -5
Great to know there's a new Lyme Test even though it isn't available in the U.S. Thank you for sharing that information. I've intended to share this with you, and just now remembered. I thought you two might find this interesting. The article in the top is in German, however the correspondence below the article is in English. Clearly, this forensic biologist has seen springtails in skin scrapings from folks with DOP diagnoses. Link: www.benecke.com/collembolaskin.html
|
|
|
Post by jeany on Jan 12, 2010 11:46:45 GMT -5
Great to know there's a new Lyme Test even though it isn't available in the U.S. Thank you for sharing that information. I've intended to share this with you, and just now remembered. I thought you two might find this interesting. The article in the top is in German, however the correspondence below the article is in English. Clearly, this forensic biologist has seen springtails in skin scrapings from folks with DOP diagnoses. Link: www.benecke.com/collembolaskin.htmlHi Sidney, I found that site very interesting, Sidney..and was even thinking about contacting him..thanks for the info! Those Lyme/Morgellons docs from the Lyme clinic over here in Germany also offer a blood test kit, that can be mailed (fed ex express) back to them in order to get that specific Lyme and co-infection test done. If I recall right, the test kit is free, you would only have to pay for the shipping and of course you'd need a doc to take the blood samples. It's a private clinic though, so you would need to pay for the lab works, if your insurance doesn't reimburse it. If anybody here is interested, please let me know. I will help you with following procedures that evtl. need to be done. Kam and I are convinced that those two doctors will listen what we have to say, as they have always shown great interest in my theories and observations. They are both highly motivated and are waiting on me to come back with information, because they know that I'm on several Morg boards and speak to people on a daily basis. I'm intending to contact them shortly to discuss and present our theories and results for further research. They also want to take blood samples from Kam and me to check and compare Kam's blood titers with mine, since I was symptom free (after 12 week treatment) before I went to the USA and had a relapse, in order to prove a possible contagiousness or not. This investigation is very important. If contagiousness can be proven, THEN those two docs will also inform the Lyme/Morgellons docs in America they are working with, which would lead in the other hand to further investigations, theories, treatment methods..etc..in the USA. Whether if M is contagious or not, our blood tests might reveal more specifications and lead to more conclusions. Another good thing is, that one doctor has his own lab now, which makes it even easier to do several tests at a time without loosing time sending samples back and forth to the other lab they've been working with in the past. Of course we will keep you updated. Jeany
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 12, 2010 23:42:24 GMT -5
Great to know there's a new Lyme Test even though it isn't available in the U.S. Thank you for sharing that information. I've intended to share this with you, and just now remembered. I thought you two might find this interesting. The article in the top is in German, however the correspondence below the article is in English. Clearly, this forensic biologist has seen springtails in skin scrapings from folks with DOP diagnoses. Link: www.benecke.com/collembolaskin.htmlHi Sidney, I found that site very interesting, Sidney..and was even thinking about contacting him..thanks for the info! Those Lyme/Morgellons docs from the Lyme clinic over here in Germany also offer a blood test kit, that can be mailed (fed ex express) back to them in order to get that specific Lyme and co-infection test done. If I recall right, the test kit is free, you would only have to pay for the shipping and of course you'd need a doc to take the blood samples. It's a private clinic though, so you would need to pay for the lab works, if your insurance doesn't reimburse it. If anybody here is interested, please let me know. I will help you with following procedures that evtl. need to be done. Kam and I are convinced that those two doctors will listen what we have to say, as they have always shown great interest in my theories and observations. They are both highly motivated and are waiting on me to come back with information, because they know that I'm on several Morg boards and speak to people on a daily basis. I'm intending to contact them shortly to discuss and present our theories and results for further research. They also want to take blood samples from Kam and me to check and compare Kam's blood titers with mine, since I was symptom free (after 12 week treatment) before I went to the USA and had a relapse, in order to prove a possible contagiousness or not. This investigation is very important. If contagiousness can be proven, THEN those two docs will also inform the Lyme/Morgellons docs in America they are working with, which would lead in the other hand to further investigations, theories, treatment methods..etc..in the USA. Whether if M is contagious or not, our blood tests might reveal more specifications and lead to more conclusions. Another good thing is, that one doctor has his own lab now, which makes it even easier to do several tests at a time without loosing time sending samples back and forth to the other lab they've been working with in the past. Of course we will keep you updated. Jeany Jeany, I'm definitely interested in learning more about the new Lyme test and the co-infections test kit. When it's convenient for you please learn the various co-infections included in the test. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 14, 2010 1:41:32 GMT -5
I was recently questioned about Dr. Sean Abbott's Natural Link Mold Lab. The question concerned whether the lab's mold/fungal work is environmental and medical or strictly environmental.
Strictly speaking the Natural Link Mold Lab is an environmental lab. I believe the paragraph below best answers the question.
Thank you, Fritolay!
Under the context of the website, it is operated under the umbrella of an environmental mold testing lab. It does say on the site that skin cells within a sample from the environment can be identified. Also his (Dr. Sean Abbott) references and previous publications include mycotic infections in humans. It does not specifically state anywhere on the natural link site of medical evaluation. So for now, the answer would be environmental. But, his references and publications show good experience in medical mycology.
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 14, 2010 18:25:39 GMT -5
tinyurl.com/yckuxcbSkin Scrapings and Swabs In patients with suspected tinea or ringworm any ointments or other local applications present should first be removed with an alcohol wipe. Using a blunt scalpel, tweezers, or a bone curette, firmly scrape the lesion, particularly at the advancing border. A bone curette is safe and useful for collecting specimens from babies, young children and awkward sites such as interdigital spaces. If multiple lesions are present choose the most recent for scrapings as old loose scale is often not satisfactory. Any small vellus hairs when present within the lesions should be epilated. The tops of any fresh vesicles should be removed as the fungus is often plentiful in the roof of the vesicle. In patients with suspected candidiasis the young "satellite" lesions which have not undergone exfoliation are more likely to yield positive results if they are present. Otherwise the advancing scaly border should be scraped. When lesions in the flexures are moist and very inflamed it is more satisfactory and less painful to roll a moistened swab firmly over the surface. In patients with suspected cutaneous manifestations of systemic pathogens scrap the lesions with a bone curette or blunt scalpel as for tinea. A biopsy may be required in some cases. NOTE: Following the collection of skin scales all scraped lesions should be firmly rubbed with a swab moistened in BHI broth. Skin scrapings, nail scrapings and epilated hairs where tinea is the provisional diagnosis: 1. Make a wet mount preparation in KOH for direct microscopy. Note a Calcofluor stained mount may also be necessary. 2. Inoculate specimen onto two slopes containing cycloheximide (actidione) i.e. one DERMASEL agar slope and one LACTRITMEL agar slope also containing chloramphenicol, gentamicin and incubate cultures at 26C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. 3. Where a moistened swab has also been collected from the same site as the scraping, inoculate this onto a Sabouraud's dextrose agar slope containing chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but NO cycloheximide and incubate at 26C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. Skin scrapings and swabs where candidiasis is the provisional diagnosis: A. Skin scrapings: 1. Make a wet mount preparation in KOH for direct microscopy. Note a Calcofluor stained mount may also be necessary. 2. Inoculate specimens onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar slopes containing chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but NO cycloheximide and incubate at 35C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. B. Skin swabs: 1. Smear swab onto heat sterilized glass slide for Gram stain. 2. Inoculate specimens onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but NO cycloheximide and incubate at 35C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. 3. Where secondary bacterial infection is suspected, and separate swabs for routine bacteriology were not collected, the swab should first be inoculated onto a blood agar plate, followed by the Sabouraud's agar containing the antibiotics and then placed into Brain Heart Infusion Broth. All cultures should be incubated at 35C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. NOTE: Where a dermatophyte is suspected or to be excluded a Sabouraud's agar slope containing cycloheximide and incubated at 26C may be included. Scrapings from the groin, feet or nails where either a dermatophyte or Candida species may be isolated. This includes the possibility of a non-dermatophyte onychomycosis. 1. Direct Microscopy: Wet mount preparation in KOH for direct microscopy. Note a Calcofluor stained mount may also be necessary. 2. Inoculate specimens onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but NO cycloheximide (as for Candida) and incubate at 26C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. 3. Inoculate specimen onto a DERMASEL agar slope containing cycloheximide (actidione), chloramphenicol and gentamicin and incubate cultures at 26C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. 4. Where a moistened swab has also been collected from the same site as the scraping, inoculate this onto a Sabouraud's dextrose agar slope containing chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but NO cycloheximide and incubate at 26C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. Candida. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. Skin scrapings from patients where a systemic pathogen is suspected: 1. Direct Microscopy: Wet mount preparation in KOH for direct microscopy. Note a Calcofluor stained mount may also be necessary. 2. Inoculate specimens onto: (a) Sabouraud's dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and gentamicin but NO cycloheximide (actidione) and incubate duplicate cultures at 26C and 35C; and (b) Brain heart infusion agar (BHIA) supplemented with 5% sheep blood and incubate at 35C. Maintain cultures for 4 weeks. I removed part of the information at this site due to copyrights. tinyurl.com/y9zchja
|
|
|
Post by toni on Jan 14, 2010 20:03:55 GMT -5
Sid, I was thinking that about too, (regarding the mold ID's), and if that part even mattered (about whether the lab was for one type or another) but then I realized, it doesn't matter does it? Here's why.
Actually I thought, that because Natural Link Lab is a "mold identifier" ...it doesn't matter what the mold grows out of, or grows from, or from whom, or anything actually.
Mold is mold, no matter "where it has come/grown from". Dr. Abbotts lab just ( ID's the mold they see grow right )?
So imho again, if one is pursuing "any type of legal actions" they need a lawyer to give them "guidelines" of the legal steps, and who qualifies and who doesn't.
But as for us now seeing "what we were wondering"...what is it in regards to what kind of mold we are picking out of our skin -
Now we know!
That's how I view getting our molds identified at this point.
As for legal issues, I think that's another story.
I say that because: I know this has nothing to do with our molds, but, it may help show how "the legal system works"...and I'd think it works the same medically or with any field.
We (Mr T and I ) presently are doing a "remediation" on a commerical property we are selling. The soil has an area that is contaminated and needs removed and then replaced with "clean dirt". (clean dirt, sounds funny) but that's what it is.
Well...we can't just go dig it out, and HOPE it passes all required requirements.
We must first ( KNOW what the guidelines are) Which includes being directed by a lawyer in that field, for starters, and hiring a licensed company to remove it so THEY put their seal of approval on it. "not us" cause that won't hold up legally.
Now...to do anything correctly "one must know what the guidelines are first, then use "licensed" or "qualified persons" for every step of the way, to ensure success at the end of it all.
So, I guess imho, our lab results "are not under any authorized/qualified "guidelines"....so, these IMHO are for our "knowledge". Now remember, this is only my opinion.
And we wanted to know what we were growing in our petri dishes, and now we know, and that to me is the most information I've had to date since being STRUCK with Morgellons.
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 14, 2010 23:55:30 GMT -5
Thank you, Toni-Sue. You've explained this quite well and while our results from Natural Link Mold Lab may not hold up in a Court of Law, we're not in Court.
What we want to know is simply "What" is growing in our petri dishes. That question has been answered for some of us and as time marches on and more people submit their dishes for diagnostic purposes we will know more.
At this point we're into an entirely new area, but at least we're getting some answers. Thanks for your input.
|
|
|
Post by toni on Jan 15, 2010 10:25:11 GMT -5
You know, that's why I think I elaborated so much in a couple of areas (regarding our analysis of our molds) because I really (was wondering too how getting our molds) ID'd could help us.
But imho, it "just helps us" know what we each have going on, in what we're getting out of our skin, we now know what's growing in there.
I'd thought about an infectious disease doc I saw in 2006, and how he said "this stuff on my face/the sores" were nothing more than me causing it.
Ha Right.
And then after I got my results back (from Abbotts) I wished I could have known about "what kind of mold I had then" and taken in the report with me (to the infectious disease doctors office) and that way I'd of at least had some ground to stand on when he'd told me that I was making these sores myself.
And...looking at it now, I can't rub my recent mold report in his face, because it's been over 3 years, and he'd just tell me ( I must have recently contracted these molds) and that I didn't have them back in 2006. No way for me to prove that I had it then, just because I have it now.
So I think too our mold reports (now) can help us each when we do see a doctor and IF that doctor gives us that line of DOP again, then we can yank out our mold reports from our purse, and say OH REALLY! That's not what my report says here. ;D This way 'today' seeing a doctor we DO have some ground to stand on, whereas before, we were empty handed.
|
|
|
Post by ruth on Jan 15, 2010 11:36:51 GMT -5
i agree with what you just said toni.
the difference between a medical lab and an environmental lab is the medical lab will do sensitivity and antibiotic recommendations.
my doctor will take the natural link mold species and will do treatment.
i'm afraid of doing more heavy duty meds and am wondering about dr. shoemakers' protocol again.
|
|
|
Post by toni on Jan 15, 2010 12:10:50 GMT -5
i agree with what you just said toni. the difference between a medical lab and an environmental lab is the medical lab will do sensitivity and antibiotic recommendations. my doctor will take the natural link mold species and will do treatment. i'm afraid of doing more heavy duty meds and am wondering about dr. shoemakers' protocol again. And what you said too Ruth, as far as I know (about the differences) I sure agree. In a "way"...I'm looking at it like a "psychologist vs a psychiatrist"...one can dole out meds where the other cannot....yet they both can diagnose the same symptom. And I certainly understand too about the meds, me too... I've got them, but not sure if I want to take them, because I'm concerned about my immune, and liver, and actually I was on meds before ( when I was a patient) and they (for me) didn't phase it. Not saying they're not the answer, I don't know ...just saying my experience. Imho, we've got to do everything we can to get the body functioning at it's maximum potential. And whether that's the answer either...I don't know. We just keep trying...that's all.
|
|
|
Post by bannanny on Jan 16, 2010 19:49:21 GMT -5
I agree with everything you guys are saying... what to do tho is the next question.
|
|
|
Post by ruth on Jan 16, 2010 21:46:44 GMT -5
i've been trying to get on the chronicneurotoxin site for an eyetest that will give me a 1/2 hour with shoemaker for $100 consultation. should i get tests for virus, etc or just treat for biotoxin? i pretty much know i have genetic stuff going on................. why didn't i get infected years ago? what happened?
it is all too much.........to do when you (me) are sick. we need a professional to chelate us and do adrenal support and all the rest that is too much for me! i felt like emailing dr. thrasher for guidance, but now feel i am placing a burden on him he didn't offer. he delivered what was asked of him.................... i think i'll go check out how much dr. schaller asks for a consultation. he sits on the MRF board.
|
|
|
Post by ruth on Jan 19, 2010 14:05:29 GMT -5
shouldn't results from others be coming in?
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 19, 2010 15:30:27 GMT -5
I believe Fritolay will get results this week. Possibly Kelly, PPY18 too.
Sent more dishes last week to two people in Florida. I suppose it will be a while before we hear anything, but a medical doctor was going to do sampling from one of the patients. Now that I think about it maybe both patients were seeing a doctor. Way too much to keep up with and people are NOT "good" about letting me know if they're observing growth on their own or if they're sending it to the Natural Link Mold Lab.
Getting antsy to learn more!
|
|
|
Post by bannanny on Jan 19, 2010 21:10:16 GMT -5
I don't think Dr. Thrasher would be bothered by you asking him anything ruth. He's very interested and wants to keep up with what's happening. So go ahead and email him and ask him what it is you want to know... he and Dr. Abbott are both still very interested. I just posted the 2 emails I received from Dr. Abbott on your mold thread. For some reason, he stopped getting my emails altogether, but we're back in business again.
|
|
|
Post by Sidney on Jan 20, 2010 1:47:31 GMT -5
tinyurl.com/ydr67fpExcerpt: Fungal Infections -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overview | Types | Tests | Treatment | Related Pages Tests Laboratory Tests Various laboratory tests may be used to help diagnose and guide treatment of fungal infections. For detailed information, see the article on Fungal Tests. Tests for superficial infections Many fungal skin infections are diagnosed by the doctor based on a clinical evaluation and his experience. In addition to general symptoms, many skin infections have characteristic signs, such as the appearance of infected nails and typical locations on the body – such as athlete’s foot between the toes. A clinical evaluation cannot, however, definitively tell the doctor which microorganism is causing a fungal infection. A few laboratory tests may be useful in detecting and confirming a fungal infection and may help guide treatment. They may include: Microscopic examinations, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation and calcofluor white stain. Fungal culture and susceptibility testing Tests for deep and systemic infections With lung and systemic fungal infections, the symptoms are frequently nonspecific and may be confused with those due to other microorganisms or to another disease process. Laboratory testing is primarily used to diagnose these serious fungal infections, to identify the microorganism responsible, and to determine its likely susceptibility to specific antimicrobial agents. Sometimes testing is also performed to detect and identify bacteria that may be causing a concurrent infection. The sample collected depends upon the suspected location(s) of the infection. It may include one or more of the following: the collection of blood, sputum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and/or the collection of a tissue biopsy. Testing may include: Microscopic examination of the sample using techniques such as KOH prep and calcofluor white stain may be used to quickly determine whether or not the infection is due to a fungus. Fungal culture – This is the primary test used to diagnose a fungal infection. Many fungi are slow-growing and may require up to several weeks for recovery and identification. Susceptibility testing– A follow-up test to the fungal culture that is sometimes ordered to help guide treatment. Antigen and Antibody testing – Available for a variety of different fungi but only for deep or systemic infections. May be performed on blood or other body fluids, such as CSF. Other tests that may be ordered in conjunction with fungal tests include: Gram stain – a rapid test performed to microscopically detect bacteria and yeasts in a sample. Bacterial culture – used to rule out bacterial infection or determine if a concurrent bacterial infection exists.
|
|
|
Post by jeany on Jan 20, 2010 8:36:01 GMT -5
Hi, Mercury, do you remember what kind of testing was done for Actinomycetes? Was the testing done by a local lab or sent away to a specialty lab? I'd be very interested in having the test and hopeful insurance picks up the tab Hi mercury! I talked about Actinomycetes infection with my doc a while back , assuming it might have something to do with our disease. I showed him pictures of specimens I found on my scalp that resembled it to 100%. He told me, that an infection of Actinomycetes is very rare and mostly farmers become infected. It's in the lungs. I believe a sputum test would reveal whether an infection is prevalent or not and of course chest x-rays. Jeany
|
|
|
Post by fritolay66 on Jan 20, 2010 18:01:08 GMT -5
Hi guys,
I received my results today.
Only one area was cultured, and that was my tear ducts (eye).
I had 15 colonies identified in the agar, when I sent it, there were only three formed.
12 Cladosporium herbarum 2 Cladosporium sphaerospermum 1 Penicllium brevicompactum
Cladosporium herbarum has a telomorph, Mycosphaerella tassiana, of which I think I was able to capture in my later photos of my original petri.
Frito
|
|
|
Post by fritolay66 on Jan 20, 2010 20:03:41 GMT -5
I guess, from the lack of response, that the information doesn't really matter. I'd like to thank those in which were responsible for my being able to get these results. It really meant a lot for me and my son.
Frito
|
|