Mold-Related Illness: The Hidden and/or Overlooked Disease

Through my time researching mold-related illness, I find that this is not only an unknown disease, but it is one with many faces. Thankfully, I found info from links to others who became ill from living in a toxic house; and not only did one family member become ill, but all of them did! Corresponding with some of these individuals has been a blessing, but through my correspondence with these individuals, as well as with another lady in the southeast area who is also suffering from mold or mycotoxin illness, I find how very few physicians are knowledgeable about the deathly consequences some of us face when we encounter toxic mold.


Mold-related or mycotoxin illnesses go undiagnosed because so many physicians are unfamiliar at the many problems they create; and, it seems that those of us who suffer from mold-related illnesses carry a certain genotype that predisposes us to mold in such a fashion that we cannot expel the mycotixins from our bodies. I have not had the bloodwork to determine if this is the case with me; I have not found a physician in this area that is that knowledgeable about the toxic effects of mold on some individuals. But the Fabrys, who now live in Arizona, have, as has the lady in the southeast area. Another reason that so many individuals go undiagnosed is that most physicians are environmental specialists, and very few insurance companies will cover their services. My current insurance would cover expenses for the physician in Arizona; does one move there? It is a thought, and Robert and I both love the Tucson area. But it is a thought only, at least at this time. Then again, it would be wonderful to go to a physician who truly understands the ins and outs of mold-related illness, some of the symptoms of which are:

Body Aches (muscular, joint, and sinus), headaches, allergies, allergic reactions to food, anxiety, appetite swings, bleeding ears, sinuses, and/or gums, body temperature regulation problems, shortness of breath, bronchitis, charley horses, chills, high cholesterol, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, abnormal circulation, cognitive problems, constipation, coughing, abdominal cramping, delayed recovery from normal activity, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, Endometriosis, burning, red or watery eyes, fatigue, fever, Fibromyalgia, Leaky Gut, Hypoperfusion, inflammation, insomnia, insulin resistance, Interstitial Cystitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Laryngitis, Light sensitivity, Lyme Disease, Metallic taste in mouth, Migraines, Mood swings, Morning stiffness, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Muscle cramps, jerks, or twitches, Nausea, Numbness in the arms, legs, feet, or hands, Pain - abdominal, arm, back, chest, chronic, cycles, feet, growing, hip, joints, leg, lungs, mistaking cold and hot, Profuse drooling during sleep, sinus, stabbing, vulvar, Rashes, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Respiratory problems, Rosacea, Seizures, Sensitivity to bright light, Static shocks, Sinus congestion, Sinus infection, Skin sensitivity, Sleep apnea, Sleep disturbance, Stiffness, Sweating (especially during the night), Swelling, Sore throat, Tingling, Burning tongue, Tremors, Frequent urination, Vertigo, Blurred vision, weakness, Weight gain, Weight loss, and Wheezing.

And not everyone will have the same symptoms! Bizarre? No, this makes it understandable why so few physicians are familiar with or overlook mold exposure as a possibllity in diagnosing individuals as having mold-related illness.

I have also read that researchers believe that only a certain population carries the genotype that makes them susceptible to mold-related illness; one site stated about 16% of the population while another said 25%. This reasoning would also verify why so many individuals do not understand my illness, much like the idiot Pulmonologist I went to (he was a major jerk, LOL). And when one succombs to mold-related illness and has Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, then people REALLY do not understand! Many individuals do not understand what it's like to try to go out in the public and deal with the profusion of perfumes, scented lotions, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, scents of nicotine on clothing - not to mention cigarette smoke - fumes from petrols, materials, paints, and a myriad of other chemicals. I could go on and on and on, but there is a loneliness associated with this unknown illness that is profound and sometimes devastating. It is difficult to explain to individuals that chemical sensitivities can be caused by mold exposure; it is difficult to explain to individuals that food allergies can be caused by mold exposure as well; and it is difficult to explain to individuals that this appears to be a lifelong journey to the path of wellness that one cannot deviate from. But there are others out there like me that are undiagnosed...I just know there are. And from what I have read, if researchers are correct, then mold exposure CAN cause Multiple Sclerosis and other diseases!

Mold-Related Illness really is a hidden disease, and I just wonder how many people carry this dreaded genotype that others have found they carry.