I was sent a December 2015 article looking at this. Before getting into it, I would like to share my own first hand observation:
A friend had the full panel of coagulation tests and a week later had a multiple chemical experience. Two weeks later, they were still suffering and the panel of coagulation tests were repeated. Everything was the similar except the measure of active coagulation occurring — it was literally through the roof (from the edge of high (2 StdDev above) to 10 Std.Dev. above). The chemical response triggered coagulation that the body was barely keeping in control. This was back in 2002.
To me, MCS is real. I had it for a short while during one of my MCS episodes.
My tradition view is simple: it is an allergic response that do not have the classic IgE response just a coagulation response. I read a PubMed (can’t located) article that found that something like 30% of people with IgE response also had increased coagulation. It seemed reasonable that there may be some with a coagulation response without an IgE response.
There are sites dedicated to this area such as MCSRR.ORG for MCS and WEEP for EHS.
Let us now get to the PubMed findings….
EHS – sensitivity to electromagnetic waves – for example, WiFi, Cell Phones, Wireless-In House phones, Radio Transmitters, etc.
- “year 2000 such symptoms were identified in the Internal Code of Diagnoses, version 10 (ICD-10; R68.8/now W90), and have been since.”[2015]
MCS – sensitivity to some chemicals (which may not have a scent at all)
“Some people with environmental sensitivities reported having negative reactions to anesthesia of long duration; most common were nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and reduced cognitive ability.”[2015]
Reliable disease biomarkers characterizing and identifying electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity as two etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder [Dec 2015]
“our preliminary data, based on 727 evaluable of 839 enrolled cases:
- 521 (71.6%) were diagnosed with EHS,
- 52 (7.2%) with MCS, and
- 154 (21.2%) with both EHS and MCS.
Two out of three patients with EHS and/or MCS were female; mean age (years) was 47.” – MCS is 3x rarer than EHS.
“Finally, considering the self-reported symptoms of EHS and MCS, we serially measured the brain blood flow (BBF) in the temporal lobes of each case with pulsed cerebral ultrasound computed tomosphygmography. Both disorders were associated with hypoperfusion in the capsulo thalamic area, suggesting that the inflammatory process involve the limbic system and the thalamus.” – hypoperfusion is often associated with inflammation and/or coagulation. Strokes in this area are associated with language-vocabulary loss (i.e. why some people report a “loss of words”).
“Our data strongly suggest that EHS and MCS can be objectively characterized and routinely diagnosed by commercially available simple tests. Both disorders appear to involve inflammation-related hyper-histaminemia, oxidative stress, autoimmune response, capsulothalamic hypoperfusion and BBB opening, and a deficit in melatonin metabolic availability; suggesting a risk of chronic neurodegenerative disease. Finally the common co-occurrence of EHS and MCS strongly suggests a common pathological mechanism.”
Another [2015] study found “Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) can be a precursor to, or linked with, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) based on reports of individuals who first develop one condition, then rapidly develop the other. Similarity of chemical biomarkers is seen in both conditions [histamines, markers of oxidative stress, auto-antibodies, heat shock protein (HSP), melatonin markers and leakage of the blood-brain barrier]. ”
How it happens is not established, but in [2013] it was suggested “Downstream responses of such EMF exposures may be mediated through Ca(2+) /calmodulin stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis.” and [2015] “Microwave/lower frequency EMFs were shown in two dozen studies to act via VGCC activation because all effects studied were blocked by calcium channel blockers. This mode of action was further supported by hundreds of studies showing microwave changes in calcium fluxes and intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i signaling. The biophysical properties of VGCCs/similar channels make them particularly sensitive to low intensity, non-thermal EMF exposures.”
“Based on our current understanding, a treatment approach that minimizes the adverse effects of peroxynitrite – as has been increasingly used in the treatment of multisystem disorders – works best.” [2015] however this document “The EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2015, published on 27th November 2015 in the Journal Reviews on Environmental Health,
has been withdrawn by the authors on 11th December 2015 for editorial reasons.”[Link] It is available for download here and is worth a serious read for those with cognitive skills. The full document includes:
“According to 76% of the 157 respondents, the reduction or avoidance of EMF helped in their full or partial recovery. The best treatments for EHS were given as weighted effects: “dietary change” (69.4%), “nutritional supplements” (67.8%), and “increased physical exercise” (61.6%). The official treatment recommendations of psychotherapy (2.6%) were not significantly helpful, or for medication (–4.2%) even detrimental. The avoidance of electromagnetic radiation and fields effectively removed or lessened the symptoms in persons with EHS” – unfortunately, the type of diet change nor nutritional supplements used were specified. The paper does give advice (without any clinical studies on each effectiveness).
“Radiation from wireless technology affects the blood, the heart, and the autonomic nervous system[2013] states “The symptoms of electrohypersensitivity (EHS), best described as rapid aging syndrome, experienced by adults and children resemble symptoms experienced by radar operators in the 1940s to the 1960s and are well described in the literature. An increasingly common response includes clumping (rouleau formation) of the red blood cells, heart palpitations, pain or pressure in the chest accompanied by anxiety, and an upregulation of the sympathetic nervous system coincident with a downregulation of the parasympathetic nervous system typical of the “fight-or-flight” response. Provocation studies presented in this article demonstrate that the response to electrosmog is physiologic and not psychosomatic.”
- 7% were classified as being “moderately to very” sensitive,
- 29% were “little to moderately” sensitive,
- 30% were “not to little” sensitive and
- 6% were “unknown”.
and “Novel findings include documentation of a delayed response to radiation.”
Hypothesis: Assuming that calcium channels/calmodulin are involved and they have become hyper reactive due to microbiome shifts, we find 2000 hits on pubmed for “calmodulin bacteria” and a single one with “calmodulin probiotic” dealing with a “probiotic-fermented purple sweet potato yogurt“.
A full text article from 2013 identifies “artemisinin [wormwood] …affect operation of Ca2+ channels”
- “Therefore, the ability of microbes to preferentially control host intracellular Ca2+ pathways enables them to optimize the timing and effectiveness of infection stages against barriers to invasion, pathogenesis, proliferation, and release”
- “In the case of viruses, increased host free cytosolic Ca2+ levels may promote viral adsorption, structural stability, capsid uncoating, enzymatic activity, replication, assembly, transport, and fusion”
- “in cases of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, alterations of host intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is critical for pathogen sensory transduction, cell energetics, infection sequences, stress adaptation, gene expression, toxin biosynthesis and secretion, molecular biomimicry, conjugation and true sexual reproduction, cell motility and tropisms, growth, biofilm formation and cell aggregation, antigenic variation, and morphogenesis and lifecycle transitions”
The last section of this article reads “Prospective Ca2+-modulating probiotic and other treatment strategies” but does not give any specific species or strains to consider. We do find some other articles
- Systemic effects of ingested Lactobacillus rhamnosus: inhibition of mast cell membrane potassium (IKCa) current and degranulation [2012].
- Lactobacillus reuteri ingestion and IK(Ca) channel blockade have similar effects on rat colon motility and myenteric neurones [2010].
- Lactobacillus reuteri enhances excitability of colonic AH neurons by inhibiting calcium-dependent potassium channel opening[2009].
It is interesting to note that CFS tends to have a high incidence of EHS and MCS and is also associated with low/very low levels of L.Reuteri. This suggests that significant (10 B CFU per day?) supplementation of L.Reuteri may have therapeutic value. There are no studies of this approach that I could locate.
Evidence for microbiome involvement?
“Many of those displaying symptoms caused by electromagnetic fields have fungus infections or have been living in fungus-contaminated environments for long periods. In animal studies mycotoxins have shown the same effects as those seen in the ‘electrohypersensitivity‘ syndrome.” [2000]
Bottom line
If you have MCS, you likely have a 75% chance of acquiring EHS. Read the WEEP site and follow their advice.
- Be tested for fungal infection and take action against them
- Use wormwood / Artemisia supplements – warning: this may produce a herx
- Use probiotics containing L.Reuteri. I would suggest the following
- Oral Probiotics – see my last post
- Swanson Oral Probiotic
- PRO-Dental: Probiotics for Oral & Dental Health 3
- Regular Probiotics
- Jarrow’s fem dophilus (which contains NO ACIDOPHILUS!!) which contains 5 Billion CFU
- L. Rhamnosus GR1
- L. Reuteri RC-14
- I would suggest 1 capsule with each meal (discuss with your medical profession always).
- Jarrow’s fem dophilus (which contains NO ACIDOPHILUS!!) which contains 5 Billion CFU
- Oral Probiotics – see my last post
- “reducing the electromagnetic irradiation of the computer can lessen the symptoms of electrohypersensitivity and permit working without problems.”[2012] – leads to the following:
- Place computer unit as far away as possible (laptops should not be used as is unless a metal case – i.e. Mac)
CFS Remission 