So here is one for the Lymie records & if you have had anything similar, please post.
One of my first indications that I was developing a problem was the day I was helping someone paint their house back in Nov 2010. I had spent at least 6 hours painting under paint & polyurethane fumes that were very strong (the kind you put on hard wood floors).
I had been around polyurethane fumes in the past & one of the last times prior to this incident was a little over 4 years ago. Typically, I would get a buzz and feel a little cloudy after 1-2hrs of exposure. The longer I stay, the greater the buzz.
So this last time I felt the buzz and cloudiness while driving back. Suddenly, as I am driving I feel a fast sickly aura come over me. It gets stronger and I have difficulty breathing. My hands and feet feel cold after 20 seconds and then tingly. I felt as if my diaphragm had been constricted/paralyzed and I could not take meaningful breaths. I quickly drove the car from the fast lane, doing 60, to the slow lane & on to the shoulders.
I had waves of this in 5-10 minute intervals & thereafter longer period of times, but none were as powerful as the first wave.
I went straight to the hospital that night & they did a MRI, EKG, & bloodwork. All came back normal.
In retrospect, I believe that I had a massive die off, that released massive amounts of toxins in my body & that the diminishing waves represented my bodies absorption and kidney filtration over time. After that day, I had no more symptoms until about Feb/March where I would be driving in my car with the A/C heat full blast. I would get short of breath as the only symptom & I would roll down the windows and it will go away.
What was I killing off, babs, bart, or BB?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Polyurethane exposure is not going to kill any spirochetes, or any other bacteria or virus. So, technically, this would not be die-off but it's on the same track, as you suspect.
Fumes that we smell (even those we don't smell) can go straight to our brains. Straight. Your brain cells reacted appropriately to warn you of the danger / damage.
Also, as the body is already so overwhelmed with lyme and treatment, the liver and the kidneys just can't process any more toxins.
Along comes MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) &/or elevated porphryins - very toxic in excess from chemical assault to the liver. This can cause severe neurological damage, even death for those with a genetic porphyria.
I wish the hospital had done a porphyrin screening for you but most doctors are rather clueless to this.
The skin is a major organ of detoxification, too, so my guess is that even your skin was overwhelmed.
Paints, stains, etc., all contain MANY toxic fumes, not just from Polyurethane. These can off-gas for a very long time, too.
The nerve cells & the lungs take a huge hit. Fat cells will hold onto such toxins and release in the body for quite some time, too.
Many lyme patients develop MCS or a secondary porphyria. Both conditions require avoidance of chemical exposure.
With either MCS or elevated porphyrins from chemical exposure, the symptoms you describe fall totally in line.
From here on, you may become even more sensitive to everyday chemicals like scented personal care products, etc. It's important to go scent-free and clear your home of chemical products.
Avoid getting too close to vehicles' exhaust in front of you in traffic, etc.
Good household products include those made by BioKleen, Seventh Generation . . .
Lots of water, LIVER SUPPORT & KIDNEY SUPPORT is absolutely vital right now, too.
Be sure your LLMD knows about this.
Good luck. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :