Gary's Story

In October of 1993, my wife and I purchased a lawn and garden sales and repair business. This was a goal we had looked forward to for many years. Not only was it a business we wanted to get into, but also the line of equipment we always wanted to handle. After 23 years of saving and planning our dream was in front of us.

            In November of 1994, the State of Maine opt into the oxygenated fuel program that was not mandated, as the state government would like everybody to believe it to be.  The requirement was to conform to the 1990 Clean Air Act. This meant that the State of Maine has to reduce Volatile Organic Compounds by 15% in certain counties.

            Oxygenated fuel is a fuel with an additive added to increase the oxygen content.  MTBE is the most widely used oxygenate additive. MTBE is added to reformulated gasoline at 11% by volume and oxygenated gasoline at 15% by volume.  MTBE is listed in material data sheets as being a severe poison. 

             By April of 1995, I began to have unhealthy symptoms when I would get around the vapors from the fuel, as a liquid and in the exhaust stage from automobiles and gasoline powered equipment.  My hands would bleed if I got even a drop of this fuel on them. I would get nosebleeds from the fumes, headaches, and nausea, and I felt like I was intoxicated if I was driving. I also suffered from short-term memory and the ability to concentrate.

            By June of 1995, I had become to ill to perform my work effectively. It was becoming quite evident that if things didn't change soon we would have to close down our business and take a substantial loss.  We had in stock at his time over $100,000.00 in inventory. I had soon become so sensitive to the fuel that I would pass out when I got around any form of the fuel including the exhaust. I walked like I was intoxicated and could hardly speak because of constant laryngitis.  Short-term memory had become quite severe and I found it difficult to spell my own name. Joint pain started to become unbearable and breathing became much more difficult.

            Through a lot of research my wife was given the name of a scientist in California that was doing research on how MTBE was affecting people's immune system.  My wife was asked to find 20 volunteers for this research that consisted of extensive blood test. I was the first one to be tested and the results were more severe then the scientist had anticipated.  I was told  that if we continued our business I wouldn't last another 3 years. The reality was I wasn't expected to live another 6 months because of the severity of the asthma attacks I was having.

            Our son Jeff, 22 at the time, also volunteered for the blood test and the results showed that he has a suppressed immune system and looking at leukemia in the very near future.  The rest of the results from the volunteers were not as severe but were consistent with the additive MTBE on their immune system.

            We stopped all repairs and began to sell off the remainder of our inventory.  The doctor I was seeing at the time suggested we move and for me to have a lot more testing. He told me I was like a "canary in a coal mine" and stated that about 20% of the people were going to be like me.  Moving was out of the question, through some of the documentation from the USEPA, they plan to put MTBE in over 70% of the country. So where would someone move to.

            By July of 1995, I had become very close to being an invalid. I was highly asthmatic and would pass out if I rode in a vehicle.  My speech was terrible and the headaches had become more severe. The muscles from my waist up had become so weak I could hardly support my upper body.  I couldn't hold a fork without dropping it several times while I was eating.  My vision was also becoming blurred and I thought for sure if this fuel was going to continue to be used it wouldn't be long before I would loose my eyesight.  My circulation was getting so bad my toes would turn black if I stood more then ten minutes, even when taking a hot shower.  I was chilled or shivering most of the time.

            Before the introduction of this fuel I never had a health problem other then the typical flu or cold. I was able to play sports with our six children, jog 3 tenths of a mile up to the school bus stop with my daughter, swim 20 laps in the pool, or walk 4 miles on the beach with my wife.

            In mid July the scientist from the research lab called my wife to inquire on how I was doing.  When she told them my health was getting worse and that doctors weren't doing anymore except testing, they became quite concerned and told her that I needed treatment not testing. They had done all the testing that was necessary. They told my wife if I had any chance of survival it would be through an environmental doctor that that specialized in toxins. They also suggested Pycnogenol and high doses of Vit-C. The lab gave my wife a list of doctors that specialized in toxic chemical poisoning and environmental medicine. We found a doctor in Massachusetts that had treated several patients with Gulf War Syndrome and fit me in that category.  I was diagnosed with having Chemical Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and severe Asthma.

            He added more supplements to the ones I was already taking and was surprised I was already on Pycnogenol, Co-Q-10, and Vit-C. He suggested high doses of Vit-C, which could be used to counter an asthma attack. I was put on B-12 shots every other day to help the neurological problems I was having from the fuel. Oxygen was also prescribed and also tested for histamine that might also help with asthma attacks. I also had allergy tests with different types of gasoline exhaust. An extract was made from the one with the higher levels of MTBE in the fuel to help prevent asthma attacks.

            My Doctor also did a liver function test and found it to be about 66% functional. He put me on a detox-program to help my liver to regain its full function. A nurse studying environmental medicine remarked that I showed signs of cancer.

            The extracts helped to counter asthma attacks and helped me breathe a little easier. They would even pull me out of severe asthma attacks. I thought for sure this was the answer but because MTBE metabolizes to formaldehyde and tertiary-butyl-alcohol I was becoming more sensitive to other chemicals and having similar reactions as I do with MTBE. I was becoming sensitive to other chemicals like perfumes, fingernail polish, household cleaners, magic markers, plastic odors, food additives, cigarette smoke and other toxic chemicals. I became so sensitive that I would pass out if some one was cooking on the stove and the butter got too hot.  Restrictions to the home was becoming inevitable and even found it quite difficult to go out in the yard.

            In September my first granddaughter was born.  I was so weak I could only hold her if I was sitting down with pillows supporting my arms. Before MBTE I used to work out with 3 lb. weights to keep my upper torso active. I had weakened to the point that I would get down on my hands and knees and could not lift them off the floor.

            From October of 1995 to May of 1996, I had only left our house 4 times. My health had fallen so bad that several people were surprised I was able to make it through Christmas. The exhaust gas extract worked well for an asthma attack from auto exhaust but did little for other chemicals I came in contact with. The list of chemicals was becoming to long and to expensive to have extracts for each one.  My wife found a chemical mask that I could wear when I needed to go somewhere (two of my sons college graduation). I had to have oxygen along with the chemical mask because I didn't have the strength to breathe through the mask without it.

The extracts helped me through a lot of near fatal asthma attacks but did not prevent me from having them.  In May, I was introduced to a new supplement called OPC-3.  When I was first introduced to OPC-3 and how powerful it was, I replied that it was just another form of pycnogenal that I was already taking and wasn't interested. Three phone calls later and learning that OPC-3 was taken in a liquid form, I decided to give it a try.  At this point I didn't have anything to loose. I was already having a hard time swallowing food and would choke on the supplements I was taking.  I took one dose instead of the recommended loading dose and it knocked me for a loop. At first, I thought there was something in it bothering me. I called the distributor that sold the OPC-3 to me and she made some contacts that assured her that the OPC-3 was all right to take but to judge it for myself.  I tried the OPC-3 again and within 2 days my wife could see a remarkable change in my health. I had suffered laryngitis for 3 months and if I tried talking more then a couple of minutes I would get severe headaches to the point I felt as if I was going to pass out.  My wife and children heard my voice for the first time in almost a year. Within a week some of the neurological problems I was having were starting to diminish. I found the OPC-3 to be a good substitute over the exhaust gas extracts I was using even when I would go into an asthma attack.  My heart palpations were almost diminished and I didn't have to grab a hold of the doorjamb to guide my way through. My vision was coming back to normal and my circulation had improved to where my feet were a normal color.            

 I was also able to reduce the amount of oxygen I was using.  Prior to using OPC-3 my wife had to hook me up to oxygen 3 to 5 times a day because I was to weak to do it myself.  Within a couple of weeks I was able reduce the oxygen usage and just used it when traveling or if I was having an asthma attack.  

            I finally was introduced to a supplement that did what it said it would do and more. My health was still poor but a least there were signs of improvement. I started taking other isotonic supplements and stopped all of the ones I was on previous to

OPC-3. The Isotonix B-12 was a lot better mostly do to the fact I wasn't getting the highs and lows I felt with the B-12 shots. I also replaced the aloe gel caps I was taking with the Ultimate Aloe Drink. It was more responsive in reducing the joint pain I was experiencing and seemed to work along with OPC-3 and B-12 in reducing the neurological problems I had.

I started on Isochrome in hopes to build more energy and help with an over weight problem I had developed from becoming inactive.  I had been on Co-enzyme-Q-10 in pill form and found it being in the Isochrome  made it even a greater reason to add Isochrome to my diet. After 4 weeks of being on the Isochrome the heart palpations I was having stopped. They were definitely reduced by OPC-3 but Isochrome was the final clincher. When I first started Isochrome I had no idea how healthy CO-Q-10 was for the heart, but I did know that it was great in helping to rebuild one's immune system and was recommended by my doctor.

I started taking the Isotonix Vit-C, 4 times a day. I liked it a lot better then the powder form recommended by my doctor to help counter asthma attacks, it worked but I had to take a very high dose, I was taking 18,000+ mg a day. I  keep a dose of Isotonix Vit-C and OPC-3 mixed up in our refrigerator and carry this with me as an antidote when I go anywhere like fishing.  Fishing on the ocean is my favorite and safest place for me to go. 

It is amazing how quick OPC-3 works for me to offset an asthma attack.  In fact, my wife and children can testify to the effectiveness of  OPC-3, they would reach for OPC-3 before getting the oxygen.

In January of 1997, I added the Isotonix Multitech, Calcium and the Antioxidant to my morning menu. This may sound like a lot to some people, but before I started the Isotonix line of supplements, I was taking over 20 different supplements, 125 tablets and gelcaps daily with little success. This also included Pycnogenol, an OPC, 150 mg. 3 times a day and all kinds of herbal teas and health drinks.

A new Isotonix supplement called Mineral Blast was introduced to be and  I found this to be another key supplement.  Mineral Blast helped to put the largest dent in one of my health problems, chronic fatigue syndrome. I still have to sleep a couple of times during the day but when I am awake I am more functional.  My energy level is more stable as long as I do things in moderation.

I have found Oxygen Plus, OPC-3 and Vit-C together in the afternoon gives me the extra energy I need to finish off the day. For me it's a great combination for a quick boost of energy. I have also added Thermochrome Select in moderation to my list of supplements to help support the other supplements I am taking. I take all supplements as directed except for OPC-3 and Vit-C.  I have taken up to 10 doses of OPC-3 in one day. I only use this amount to counter asthma attacks, which I feel is safer and more reliable then the exhaust gas extracts I was using.

April, 2000, Update.

             OPC-3 has become a miracle supplement for me. I have not had to use oxygen since June 3^rd of 1998. In September of 1999, I was introduced to another supplement called Glucosatrin. Within four weeks of adding Glucosatrin to my daily supplements, I became free of all joint pain. Though I am restricted to home a lot because I am still sensitive to many chemicals found in our daily lives, Bev and I have been able to secure a new life and being able to participate in some of the outside sports we used to enjoy before I became ill. The walks on the beach, cross-country skiing, and shooting a few baskets in basketball in our yard are becoming more frequent. 

                                     bgfrank@maine.rr.com

           http://bevgaryfranklin.unfranchise.com  

repost 2-3-06 - Suspect Methyl-Tertiary-Butyl-Ether caused Gary's harm