MCS, ME/CFS, EHS, Lyme Disease & Mould Illness … it’s time to start saving lives.

There was once a time in my life, when I thought MCS/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sounded somewhat unbelievable. ‘Allergic’ to fragrances, washing detergent, ink from magazines and newspapers, wall paint, new carpets and furniture, clothing, foods, even mobile phones and wifi? I mean, how could that be?

But, fast forward just a few years later, when my health suddenly deteriorated without clear explanation and I, found myself immersed in the very same symptoms I had once questioned in others. The things I thought were previously implausible, were now happening to me.

So if there is anyone out there who doubts for a moment the validity of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, or others illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Electrohypersensitivity, Lyme Disease or Mould Illness etc then hear this from someone who knows …

Chronic, complex multi system illnesses like these are REAL. Very real.

To make matters worse, in many cases, these illnesses are often seen in combination with one another as well.

People from all walks of life, all ages and all nationalities are living with, and suffering from, these serious, life altering illnesses.

Some people may not want to hear this inconvenient truth. Some may want to deny it. But as we once again mark INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS MONTH for these illnesses, it’s time to cast aside uninformed skeptics and stop all false, prejudicial and unfair commentary on the topic.

Unfortunate pieces of ‘journalism’ which deny the existence of these illnesses (when in fact these illnesses have been well acknowledged in medical literature and anecdotally for DECADES (1)) or, that use sufferers as fodder for comedic punch lines …you know what? I’ve had enough of that kind of rubbish.

It’s easy to knock things you don’t understand. I should know, I was once unconvinced. But with a growing health epidemic on the increase, it’s no longer cool/funny/responsible/wise to remain ignorant a second longer.

This is what I know firsthand..

Too many people are suffering.

Not only from a wide range of horrible and disabling symptoms which never leave, but those inflicted lose so much more than their health as well. Relationships, careers, families, social interaction, financial security, hobbies, normal diet, safe housing, independence, freedom, dignity and in many cases their will to live too.

Misdiagnosis is common.
Discrimination is rampant.
Many physicians just don’t have any training or clinical experience in the area.
Vital treatment and services are simply not there.

In the past, this class of illness was dubbed ‘Invisible’ and with many sufferers physically isolated from the community, it made them easier to ignore (Nearly 90% of patients reported living in either a high or medium degree of isolation (2)).

But now we are seeing a shift.

With the uniting force of social media, blogs and the sharing of information online, these previously forgotten plagued people, have educated themselves, banded together with others and are demanding to be heard.

They want the truth and they want it available to everyone so others will not suffer like they have. But let’s not forget, they want their health and lives back too.

Thankfully, there are now a growing number of physicians and health practitioners who are also listening. These physicians are specialising in these complex multi-system illnesses. They unanimously recognise this global health crisis as well.

 

“It is no longer sustainable for the medical community to keep ignoring the size and sweep of this (MCS) epidemic.” Dr. Martin Pall, Washington State University & author of the book ‘Explaining Unexplained Illnesses.’(3)

“This problem of adverse health effects from exposure to common chemical products like fragranced products is an epidemic” Professor Anne Steinemann (4)

“Reports from around the world indicate that chemical sensitivity is a global problem and the numbers seem to be growing.” Dr Ann McCampbell (5)

“Lyme Disease has surged 320 percent since the ’90s.”Dr William Cole (6/7)

“I can tell you, chronic Lyme does exist. It baffles me as to how some physicians can deny infection when these organisms are stealth and evade detection and standard treatment protocols.” Dr Joseph Mercola (8)

 

The numbers and prominence of these physicians are growing and in many cases, they are devoting their practices and careers to helping those who have fallen through the cracks of the medical system. Many are also travelling the world and educating the medical community and allied professionals about their discoveries.

These illnesses don’t play by the rules of yesterday. So traditional models of health care and treatment methods just don’t just cut it. MCS, ME/CFS, EHS, Lyme Disease and Mould Illness operate within a new paradigm. One which is complex and one which is highly influenced by environmental factors and previously unheard of immune disregulation, viral and bacterial attack, genetic mutation, microbiome imbalance, multi organ dysfunction and profound systemic inflammation.

So if we, along with these pioneer physicians of Environmental Medicine, are to find the answers to these illnesses and help the enormous number of people suffering from them, we need not only a massive shift in how we understand, diagnose and treat disease, but we need to keep these illnesses firmly on the Global Health Care Agenda. INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS MONTH is one way to do that.

Seriously, it’s time to stop minimising the issue and it’s time to start saving people’s lives.

I have one more thing to add. And it’s to the countless people everywhere who have suffered with these illnesses for far too long.

I see you.
I hear you.
I understand what you have been through.

The heartbreak, the discrimination, the opinion of others. People telling you that what you’re going through isn’t possible or just plain weird. The grief, the loss, the isolation, the eye rolls, the devastation and the personal turmoil you’ve endured to get your health back …your joy, your enthusiasm for life. I know many of you have had to fight so hard to be heard. You’ve had to pick yourself up of the ground many times over and I’m sure you’ve wanted to give up many times too.

You deserve better than this.

I know at times this has made you feel broken, but in so many ways you are stronger than ever before. You’ve had to dig deep over and over and find your inner fighting spirit. You’re not the same person you were before.

The world needs YOU and it needs your voice. It needs you to find the courage to say… “yes this IS real, it’s happening to me and the world needs to know about it!” Remember… One voice may get missed in the crowd, but the roar of many … can never be ignored!

Now is the time to move forward with a new objective. One of greater awareness, recognition, education, correct diagnosis, access to treatments, community support and services. It’s time for a massive shift on every level. It’s time for some serious change and desperately needed healing.

I hope you’ll share this post along with your own personal story with anyone who will listen. Raising awareness and creating change is a responsibility that belongs to all of us. The more we speak up and the more we are visible, the better chance we all have for a brighter, healthier future.

Happiness and healing to you.
Thanks for listening.

 

 

 

P.S Last year to coincide with International Awareness Month, The Advertiser Newspaper ran a front cover feature about my personal story. You can read about that here.

P.P.S To read my story in my own words, go here. To revisit some other media I’ve done to help raise awareness, go here. To learn more about MCS, go here and to access further info and support services, go here.

 

References

1.

Click to access ESMCSStatusReportJune22011.pdf

http://www.asehaqld.org.au/index.php/multiple-chemical-sensitivity/aseha-mcs-publication/78-multiple-chemical-sensitivity-2006-review-of-the-evidence?showall=1

Click to access NCCC%20ICD10AM%20Submission.pdf

2. Allergy, Sensitivity and Environmental Health Association of Queensland, in cooperation with the MCS reference group.

3. http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13371037

4. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/mcs-the-condition-that-affects-one-million-australians-but-is-dismissed-by-doctors

5. http://annmccampbell.com/multiple-chemical-sensitivity/

6/7. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23983/what-you-need-to-know-about-lyme-disease-a-natural-approach-to-healing.html

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/8/14-1878_article

8. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/04/lyme-disease.aspx