Member Q&A November 16, 2024
Member Q&As Nov. 15
1/ Pets
QUESTION: What advice do you have on treating pets that are showing signs of mold illness?
ANSWER: Without making assumptions, it seems difficult to me to confirm that a pet is affected by exposure to water-damaged buildings. We are forced to rely on a case definition in people that requires presence of symptoms that follow exposure to a water-damaged building and are associated with lab abnormalities (preferably including visual contrast sensitivity). Without all of those elements available to be tested in pets, I think we are forced to admit that the diagnosis of a chronic inflammatory response syndrome can not be made definitively in a pet.
I do not pretend to provide veterinarian advice. As far as pets go, I have not been able to confirm ongoing risk of pets for carrying bioaerosols after removal from exposure and a soapy bath.
That being said, over the years I have had the opportunity to work with veterinarians involved with treatment of race horses in Kentucky; hawksbill turtles and pelicans in Florida; sea lions in San Francisco; as well as dogs and cats around the country. There is no question that there are animals who are not acting right or who are not acting like their pre-exposure self that are much better after having been treated with cholestyramine.
2/ CSM, low cholesterol:
QUESTION: Is there any pattern of low cholesterol (less than 150) in patients who have CIRS prior to treatment with cholestyramine?
ANSWER: No, there is no pattern of low cholesterol in patients who have CIRS prior to treatment with CSM.
3/ CIRS & PANDAS symptoms
QUESTION: My 12-year-old daughter has been impacted by something for nearly 4 weeks. She was fine one morning and by night, she told me her teeth or gums were aching. Since then, she has had terrible joint and muscle pain, particularly in her knees. She is constantly fatigued no matter how much sleep she gets. She has put on about 30 lbs. in 10 months and has had multiple “viruses or strep” since last fall that seem to linger longer than typical. Pediatricians have checked her heart, spleen, liver, kidneys and bladder and everything seems to be normal. Blood counts are good. Testing has eliminated Lupus and Rheumatic Fever. We are waiting on testing for Lyme but doctors don’t think that is issue. During the last week, she is having mobility issues. It’s as if her knees are buckling (bobbling forward to point we are having to use a wheelchair for support). Periodically she has some nausea, but has no upper respiratory issues that seem to go with mold exposure. I took her to a homeopathic center a couple days ago and they checked urine and did analysis using bio energetic analysis. Main results showed adrenal glands severely stressed, need for Covid vaccine detox, Babesia signatures, mycotoxin signatures, and aluminum detox need. Can someone please tell me if my daughters’ issues could be related to mold or if you have known anyone with toxic mold that has experienced the knee issue. I am desperate to find answers, as our pediatricians are stumped.
ANSWER: The sudden onset of multiple symptoms suggests PANDAS, also known as PANS. Exposure to water-damaged buildings is an extremely common source for PANS. Certified Shoemaker Protocol™ Practitioner, Dr. John Abell, located in Georgia can help you in this area. His contact inform is on the SM website under the “Find Physicians” tab.
4/ Biotoxin fragments on clothing and other people
QUESTION: My daughter has recently been diagnosed with CIRS. She is under the care of a doctor that follows your protocol. She is making great strides with her health. We will forever be grateful for all your hard work. Recently she has noticed a recurrence of symptoms around me. This has occurred at places that are normally safe for her. Do you think it is possible to react to an actual person? I do think CIRS might be a problem for me as well. I was diagnosed with MS years ago but now seeking out a second opinion from her doctor. I worry about hindering my daughter’s healing. Any information is very much appreciated.
ANSWER: Recurrence of symptoms could possibly be exposure to inflammagens on your clothes but not to you as an actual person. Many patients with higher sensitivity thresholds will set up changing rooms before others enter their safe spaces and homes. Removing shoes, backpacks, purses, and coats is the first level. Even removing and changing clothing is often necessary.
For further information, you may be interested in reading the Surviving Mold Article, “Make it Your Season to Thrive: 2 Keys & Great Tips for Living with CIRS.” Specifically look at Key #2, “Diligently Maintaining a Safe Home” and “Managing What Comes into your Space.”
The online VCS test can also help to determine if your symptoms are related to CIRS and provide you with results to share with your Shoemaker Protocol™ Practitioner.
5/ VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
QUESTION: Can being around VOC’s make you feel similar symptoms to CIRS, shortness of breath, vision issues, headaches, metallic taste, etc.?
ANSWER: Yes, VOC's can create similar symptoms following exposure. VOCs are not toxins. CSM does not remove VOC's. The first step is to identify and eliminate the source/s of the VOC problem, and also consider using Air Oasis’s I Adapt Air, air purification units which to my knowledge is the only sanitizing device that can remove VOC’s from indoor air.
6/ Aspergillus:
QUESTION: I have been exposed to aspergillus and have lost my hearing. I also have unexplained swelling on one side of my face, neck, upper torso and left arm. We had water- damage in our home.
ANSWER: Would strongly recommend use of the skin biopsy test from EnviroBiomics looking for Actinobacteria deep to the skin. This is more likely than aspergillus.
7/ Chiari formation:
QUESTION: Can toxins cause issues similar to Chiari formation?
ANSWER: That diagnosis is made specifically by an MRI of the cervical spine. It is separate from CIRS.
8/ 13-3-52A
QUESTON: I am learning about haplotypes associated with compromised immune system function, and I had a question about the 13-3-52A haplotype.
ANSWER: 13-3-52A was found rarely, statistics could not be performed with the haplotype when the Rosetta Stone was published in 2005.
9/ MARCoNS, nerve pain
QUESTION: I have been unable to cure MARCoNS. I have tried Rifaximin, BEG and Whisobax spray but nothing will cure the MARCoNS. The MARCoNS is now resistant to most antibiotics. I have severe nerve pain that has been confirmed to originate from the maxillary nerve of the maxillary sinuses, which is suspected to be caused by the MARCoNS. Not sure what else to do.
ANSWER: I am concerned that your severe nerve pain has been identified as a source of pain but at the same time MARCoNS being blamed for the pain. We have no data showing severe nerve pain related to MARCoNS. I assume that your treating physicians have considered a variety of nerve blocks; or treating the nerve pain as tic douloureux
We have seen use of probiotics lactobacilli to eradicate refractory MARCoNS. We do not see probiotics correcting nerve pain.
10/ UV Light:
How necessary is it to have UV light treatment for my AC? Also, how important is it to have Air Oasis filters or a whole house ionizer?
UV light treatment is not necessarily proven to rehab moldy buildings. Air Oasis filters are satisfactory for most conditions.
11/ Mycotoxins and food
QUESTION: Are mycotoxins in food a concern?
ANSWER: There is a significant world literature looking at aflatoxins found in food creating illness in animals. There are exposure limits set by the FDA (which are quite high) for presence of aflatoxins in food stuffs. Animal feeds are routinely protected from fungal growth to prevent toxin contamination. I have not yet seen a patient with a persistent illness due to consumption of moldy food toxicity.
The basic understanding when dealing with CIRS is that the mold, bacteria, and biotoxins found in water-damaged buildings are the culprits causing a CIRS response. The moldy food you might accidentally eat or even smell, does not trigger CIRS. Those with CIRS will not be made worse by consuming moldy foods.
A distinction also needs to be made between mold-related food allergies and CIRS. Mold on food can cause an allergic response if you have a mold allergy. Reactions can be delayed or instant depending on the type of mold or allergy.
It’s helpful to understand that there are different types of molds, some naturally occurring in foods, and some are even considered good (as in blue cheese and certain cheese processes). If you have CIRS, you can eat cheese if your digestive system is up to it – blue cheese included.
While it’s true, molds can develop during growing, harvest, or in warehouses, manufacturers take strict measures to control warehouse mold growth.
Another distinction that could be made is that of bacterial infections such as Listeria or Salmonella, which can create instant food poisoning effects. Eating a portion of moldy food typically does not have similar effects.
Still, it is best to take precautions to avoid eating mold whenever possible. Consuming regular or high amounts of moldy food could lead to digestive issues that will typically resolve themselves. What about inhaling food mold spores? Also, not something you want to commonly practice, but, again, this typically is not the mold, biotoxins, or bacteria creating CIRS symptoms.
There could also be unknown variables you just don’t want to take a chance with such as hidden bacteria or not knowing what type/s of mold are growing. Is it a mold that could cause an allergic reaction or respiratory problems? And you may not realize how much of the food item is affected. All mold or bacteria may not be visible.
A few food storage tips to prevent moldy food:
Stick to expiration dates as much as possible.
If you see or smell mold, safely toss it out.
Don’t keep food out on the counter too long.
Keep refrigerated food tightly covered or wrapped.
Keep the refrigerator at appropriate temperatures, and the doors closed.
Periodically clean the inside of the fridge to prevent mold growth.
The bottom line: moldy building environments, which include certain strains of bacteria and biotoxins are at the crux of CIRS/mold illness. The types and levels of mold found in or on your food – while not always ideal – do not trigger CIRS/mold illness symptoms.
