ABCNEWS.Com Morgellons Medical Mystery Segment Tonight

[Robyn]

Shannon wrote:
As for the idea that Morgellons may be delusional, in the cases
presented on the show, it seems clear that the "delusion" was in the
mind of the doctors, who met the patients with a pre-set opinion that
their complaints were too weird to be real, so they must be delusional.
Those doctors who had actually taken the time to examine the lesions
and the fibers, seemed to have been convinced.

There was a snippet from someone who had analyzed the fibers, and found
that they matched nothing in the database of I think he said 4,000
natural and man-made fibers. So I guess at some point people will have
to tease apart where some of the past diagnoses of "delusional
parsitism" or whatever the diagnosis was, were actually Morgellons
patients, or not.

The appearance of the lesions (as far as one could tell from TV!) did
not look like overgrowth of anything, but more destructive, ulcerative,
raw
-------------

******Hi Shannon

I have learned over the years and after gaining a research degree, that it is wise to research all aspects of a 'case' of something, before forming conclusions.

I have read enough this morning to say that I now have some quite serious doubts about the report you saw on ABC and the inferences that were made on the show and the inferences that people are likely to make from watching it --- I did not see it, but read the transcript, and must point out that what you see in these kinds of shows is slanted toward ratings and shareholders profits.

For all the examples and info they gave, they left out much much more.

I also read the message board from that site, which led me to some other interesting sites about this topic.

The father who died was diagnosed with ALS apparently, so not sure why this scene was presented the way it was.

I want to say, that Delusional Parasitosis is a recognized primary and secondary condition. Neurotic excoriation, is also another well observed condition, and well documented. You can find good info on both these conditions on the net.

The fibre evidence is doubtful if you read the refuting evidence some of which is on the link below.

The theories abound -- Lymes, chemtrails, worm infestation (flat, and some as yet unknown ones) and here's a good one --- peripheral nervous system prion disease, with the red and blue fibres possibly caused by left and right isomers.

Lyme's disease has been found in one study to exist in 90% of subjects and remissions of Morgellons symptoms was demonstrated in patients given antibiotics for Lyme disease. (at the very least, this could indicate that bacterial infection could play some role in the lesions --- which is in line with picking continually, as is the hyperpigmentation reported)

Here's a link that you may find interesting ---- and after reading the whole site, see how your mind is on this matter. Notice the influences that can happen from well put together information.

http://morgellonswatch.wordpress.com/20 ... l-mystery/

and here's the message board on the topic

http://forums.go.com/abcnews/Primetime/ ... dID=408299

I am not going to take sides on this one, however, I can see how much of a mistake it would be to presume it is true and the doctors are insensitive and wrong ---- as well as seeing the patients perspectives ---- especially when the insistence by patients that there is something in their skin leading to the itch and stinging, which cannot be demonstrated by usual dermatological investigation, and the bringing of matter, by these patients, in a matchbox is common in the delusional parasitosis cases.

Maybe this would be a good case for the Myth busters to take on!!

From a homoeopathic perspective, we are lucky to not be too tied to just diagnoses, but can look for answers within our own system. An example of this may be something I read on that message board, about a Dr. in Venezuela in 1965 noted that alot of workers on a rubber plantation were coming down with these sores, and he noticed that the people who ate the animals they killed with curare did not have the problem, so, he diluted the curare and says that it cured the problem. I find this very interesting. Curare does have some skin symptoms --- but it does not appear to be a well proven rem. The doctor's name was Max Stearn.

It is possible, that reports that are now being called Morgellons, are a mixture of dermatitis gone wrong, psychological delusions, plus other causes of skin lesions --- and someone is trying to lump them all together --- which could be a big mistake, as will only cloud treatments.

Our materia medicas are full of delusions to do with the skin and sensations as if ---- that is enough to know that they have existed when they were written.

I am not convinced by the ABC show at all.

Just my Friday morning rant out of the way --- hope has not been too boring for the list
Best

Robyn
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[Shannon Nelson]

Thanks Robyn,
I'll look thru the links some more.
Like you, I don't really want to "take sides" on it, tho I guess I
was... On the show she showed what was said to be, and appeared to be,
a video of a fiber being pushed out of the skin; and showed the
researcher saying that the fibers were not made of any substance that
he was able to identify. But since I have no way to evaluate the truth
of either of these (or any of the rest), I guess it would be pointless
for me to try to argue its case!

It seems like it would be a simple thing to simply ask each of the
sufferers to produce some fibers, then compare them, and make other
attempts to identify the substance. I wonder why that hasn't been
done... ??

You wrote:

Can you explain the last one--right and left isomers of what, and how
does that relate to prion disease? (I'm not very versed in that.)

And the connection with Lyme's is interesting! And would seem to
support the idea that it's not an entirely delusional thing?? (Or
maybe due to Lyme damage to nervous system, leading to sensations /
delusions...)

Thank you for the added insights! I'll read some more, but will mostly
just wait to see what shakes out over time... Anyway I've appreciated
the ideas put forth!
Best,
Shannon
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