Photochemicals?  What chemicals are these?

4-(N-Ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)-2 -methyl-phenylenediamine sulfate *

& what's in the cleaners?

What do doctors think the spikes are on the cell membranes?

I would suspect that they are immune cells attacking the red blood cells. ... that it is an autoimmune thing going on. 

Look at this red blood cell diagram: 

OR it could happen with hemolytic anemia from 2-butoxyethanol (also an autoimmune thing)  Look for acquired compensated autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

In both cases I think you should check to see whether or not the red blood cells are immature, because if they are, other tests don't read right by computer and to get an accurate result, you have to have the blood tests done manually.  Liver counts and WBCs especially won't be correct.

From the assortment of symptoms you have shared already, I would suspect the 2-butoxyethanol poisoning more than something in oil.  All I can say is that I recognize the pattern of 2-butoxyethanol poisoning, but most of the time when it is there, something else gets blamed for it.

I don't know what you've seen of my information, but the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms is what I suspect from 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE)  CFIDS actually and eventually or early on, people seem to get diabetes.  I think we have multiple generations of chemically poisoned people & that's why diabetes is becoming near epidemic.

These things you mention, such as thyroid concerns are all part  of the pattern.  I think there is an overnight urine sample that can be tested for all the hormones, as they become either high or low ... the hormonal, endocrine balance is upset

If you would like, I can fax you &/or your doctors some info on some of the info; I don't think changing doctors will help all that much, as they are not too familiar with chemical poisonings.  In particular, they don't recognize the harm of EGBE.  Check these things  If it is actually a cleaning chemical such as EGBE instead of something in the oil, you would have blood in urine, and red blood cells that are small sized.  Did the doctors ever comment on the size of red blood cells?

What I think you should consider is glyconutrient food supplements.  Read up on it here & here.  The idea is that the body needs certain nutrition, sugars if you please, that help cells communicate cell-to-cell and begin the function of allowing the body to heal itself.

There are several companies who are interested in this, but I chose Mannatech for my own type 2 diabetes & autoimmune metabolic issues:  high cholesterol as part of Syndrome X.  Aren't there just too many syndromes out there?

Anyway, these are medically documented, as well as anecdotal stories that you will hear.  At first I thought things were too good to be true, and I dismissed it.

Some more of my questions answered about glyconutrients from this discussion.  I learned about Mannatech first from Patricia Lynn Taylor & contacted her to buy mine just this month.  But I think you will need to learn about it before you would believe in it enough to try it.  She is shown on the bottom of this page with her husband, Rod.