posted
February 13, 2004
If you have many of the 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms - I believe
there is a strong probability that you could have red blood cell
damage, (also take care with cleaning products; paint, etc)
Blood counts don't look bad in much of anything that would
indicate this, and that is typical of harm from either
2-butoxyethanol &/or diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. They
are in lots and lots of home, hobby, cleaning, painting products
... probably hundreds of products and the harm they do is so
serious. Check this website http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm
and put in the CAS numbers of 111-76-2 and then try 112-34-5
& you will see what I mean.
Are the red blood cells odd shaped? What does the lab
technitian say? Are the red blood cells ragged and beat up?
I think
MDs should check the RETIC ratio in all patients with
unexplainable fatigue, especially in the exhaustion that no rest
seems to help. Are you able to go to sleep most nights? (This is
a function of the nervous system & the nervous system is
damaged by this chemical along with the blood, and kidneys and
liver eventually, endocrine system, skin, etc.) There
are 8 symptoms of hemolytic anemia
Here are some helps to check the blood for - the chronic,
all-the-time tired fatigue:
Check for fragility of red blood cells
Check for Hematuria
Does blood present an abnormal picture showing:
- Erythropenia
- Reticulocytosis
- Granulocytosis
- Leukocytosis
These symptoms of Hemolytic anemia:
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Pale color
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heart rate (like 250 beats/min)
- Yellow skin color (jaundice)
- Dark urine (indicative of blood in urine - never dismiss
this! Stop exposure immediately!)
- Enlarged spleen
I learned about this topic by studying 2-butoxyethanol - the
chemical of harm to the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers:
especially the bioremediation workers and the US Coast Guard
monitors and the US Navy should have input, especially those on
the USS Deluth or USS Cleveland in 1989. Then I noticed that the
Gulf War troops had the same symptoms AND they were exposed to
not only that chemical, but also 2(2-butoxyethanol) aka
diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Of course, today's troops can
also be exposed to the same. (In gun cleaner? In some Jet fuels?
In some pesticides? - such as are used to spray the general
living/work areas) These chemicals are everywhere, but troops
seem to get more exposure in various known & unknow ways.
If you have evidence of enough of these 'odd symptoms' www.valdezlink.com/scenario.htm
then I would certainly look into the blood more in depth. I
think the calcium and iron being low are also very important.
(How are liver and kidney function levels?) One of the oil spill
workers couldn't store enough iron - it was a very low count.
Less than 50 percent of the iron in your body is in your red
blood cells. Most is in your iron reserves in your liver, spleen
and other tissues. Your body needs iron to make red blood cells.
If your red blood cells have been damaged by this chemical,
there would be 'fragility of the red blood cells" Seeing a
hematologists would be a very good idea. I believe the key to
finding out if this chemical has harmed you is locked away in
the 'secrets' of the blood ... odd as that may seem, since the
central nervous system damage yells louder and has been
diverting attention away from the blood - almost always!
I would think that Calcium would work into that, too,
as it is essential for proper development of bones and teeth and
is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions that aid energy
production, nerve and muscle function. It is also thought to
have an effect on the bile ducts; proper calcium in one's body
may prevent colorectal cancer.
I have talked with some of the 'Gulf War Syndrome' vets and
EVOS workers; and current people affected by this chemical, and
I have heard of bones not healing for many months, even years; I
have heard of teeth falling out after about 12 years of first
severe exposure; and of course, these ethylene glycol ethers are
considered pesticides and do cause endocrine disruption.
Send ahead
this short list First you have to get your doctor's
attention. The MDs in this nation have been led to believe that 2-butoxyethanol
and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether are not harmful.
Use this as a
worksheet
- Cross out things that don't apply;
- circle those that do;
- add your own - Make this YOUR history - Add jobs you've
had in the past, etc. Help you doctor get the BIG picture
If your doctor can help figure this out, please share.
PS
I am only offering this information for your consideration; I
am not a medical person; it is good, however, that you are
taking an active role in understanding your health and wanting
to be a part of the decisions that will be made by your doctor.
I hope your doctor feels the same way
Sorry if there is some duplication here.