Customer Reviews

Breaking Out of Environmental Illness: Essential Reading for People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Allergies, and Chemical Sensitivities

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

If you really suffer from chemical exposure, don't read this book. It will serve as one more denial of a real illness. Instead, I suggest you read an informative book that will guide you towards less exposure and alternative health care that can help, like Dr. Sherry Rodgers, etc. I was totally offended. Of course, any religious help is always helpful, but to deny the reality of MCS is just another slap in the face.

As one who has been dealing with EI for over 20 years, I was truly delighted to find a book written by an MD who shared some of my experiences. The whole thing was ruined by the bizarre "treatment" sought. As for the suffering related, I found it interesting that the descriptions of his and his friends' symptomology were mild in comparison to that of most of the EI people I know. In fact, what they related more closely resembled what I call my "good" days. To be fair, they were in the early stages of the disorder and did not seem to have arrived at the more spectacular phenomena associated with EI, e.g., for most of us driving 180 miles is completely out of the question, nor do we go hiking in the mountains. The reality of long-term EI is much more debilitating than anything these two experienced. The theories advanced by "Michael" have more to do with the old way of looking at EI sufferers, "It's all in your head", "You chose this", "You can have control", etc. The people I know with MCS were all active, intelligent, and involved people until this illness took all that away. I was an active field archaeologist who, at age 55 could outwork 20 year old college students and continued to work hard at physically demanding jobs until age 62. In addition, I was a sailor, mountain climber and diver and certainly did not "choose" to give all that up for the dubious pleasure of periodically becoming a ball of pain, unable to walk to the bathroom, much less go gadding about the countryside in a car. In summary, this book served only as an illustration of the minor inconveniences caused by EI, but more than that it trivializes the real suffering those with this disorder face. I have tried a couple of the treatment modalities (the less bizarre ones) recommended and found them to be completely useless.

As a longtime CFS and EI sufferer, I couldn't wait to get this book. I'm now very open to "channels" and messages from angels or highly evolved beings, and also the incredible helpfulness of energy medicine in the very necessary changing of beliefs, letting go of emotions, as well as the physical avoidance of toxins (at least in the healing stages) and attention to diet, allergies, etc. Although I'm almost 100% healed and even starting a new business at age 52, I was enticed by reviews that this book would uncover the mental and emotional reasons people get EI and CFS at this time and place.

I eagerly went to bed each night to read another few chapters, but as each night went on, I was anxious for the story part to be over (it was interesting and validating, even though each EI sufferer is affected quite differently) and the "answer" part to begin. I was disappointed to say the least. Any evolved being who would admonish a human and cause them to suffer and cry with guilt, rage, shame, etc. is NOT a very evolved being!

This being talked in circles that were very hard to follow, and the authors blamed themselves for not getting it! Any entity from the Light is going to feel like a loving parent and bathe them in higher vibrations that feel good, not bad, while releasing the negative energy so many of us have. We need positive loving messages, not more depression!The insights I receive from Highly evolved souls and entities are always helpful and make me feel better; that's how I differentiate them from messages from the "dark side" whether that's a religious belief or your own shadow side.

I don't know what treatments the authors use for people who visit them (another disappointment with the book), but they hinted at NAET, which does have value. Allergies (or more accurately, energy toxins) to everything from foods, inhalants, everyday products, almost ANYTHING) can have a huge impact on the immune system, and in my case, my moods and muscles. NAET neutralizes these substances to much relief, but I found early on that I was so sick, I couldn't hold the treatments, even though I did them for 2 years.

It wasn't until I met the folks at Quantum Techniques (www.quantumtechniques.com) that I was able to release the viruses, bacteria, past emotional traumas, beliefs- all kinds of things that didn't seem at the time to be connected to EI, TOTALLY PAINLESSLY. It's been an amazing journey, though not cheap. I also recommend Machaelle Small Wright's MAP book- Medical Assistance Program from beings of the Light who are there to help humans heal. And it's free, and it feels good!

DR. SAMPSON TOOK TOO MUCH TIME OBSESSING OVER THE EXPONENTIALLY MULTIPLYING PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE WITH MCS ARE READILY AWARE OF. MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ADVICE ABOUT HEALING MCS, START AT THE "TRANSFORMATION" SECTION OF THE BOOK. IT WILL SAVE YOU MUCH TIME. DR. SAMPSON AND PATRICIA HUGHES HAVE, HOWEVER, DISCOVERED A VITAL PROCESS IN THE HEALING OF MCS. IT EMBODIES CHANGES IN THE WHOLE PERSON: PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL. THE BOOK WILL OPEN YOUR MIND AND YOUR HEART TO ALTERNATIVES YOU MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED

The authors seem to be implying that Environmental Illness is a mental disorder, or at least they implied that if one thinks differently one can be cured. First I was amazed that they were able to drive 200 miles to and from work, and not only that but that they were able to go to work full time with this illness. I know there are many different functioning levels with this illness, and by reading their book it was apparent that they did not have the numerous difficulties that a majority of those suffering from EI have. Also, the channeling of entities about EI surprised me. At one point one of the channeled sprits said that this illness is an excuse not to do anything with your life and that the reason for it was that people with EI don't want to be on earth. I desperately want to be back to being able to go out and eat, and socialize, and be a part of society again. Being a recluse and spending thousands of extra dollars a year to keep myself from being fully bedridden would not be desired over living a full, productive life. I love living on earth and love this planet, so I really don't buy the channeled experience. I have been to many channels throughout my life and have never doubted anything more than what this channel says. The reason I feel this is a dangerous view the authors are conveying is that it says we can go on polluting the earth and our world, as long as we do certain new age practices to heal us, then our bodies will be ok with toxins.

While I do not have EI nor MCS, I suffered for nearly thirty years with severe asthma and allergies until being treated for them, and cured, yes cured (and I don't use that word lightly), by Robert and Patricia. After reading their book, I sought them out, and was treated by them in person. This book is an invitation for those who choose to take charge of their own illnesses, those who wish to open themselves to take a risk and explore alternative approaches. These are different times we're living in, with tough illnesses that require our whole selves to participate in healing. There is a growing network of pratitioners (usually chiropractors or acupuncturists) who practice NAET, part of the program that Robert and Patricia offer in their healing center. I urge you to open to new ways of becoming whole. There is very little to lose, much to gain at all levels of mind, body and spirit. This book has changed my daily life (no more hospitalizations since I've been healed by the authors. I'm so sorry that some other readers who have made comments here have dismissed the teachings in this book, and missed the chance for profound healing.

As a person recovering from EI, I can only applaud the efforts of Sampson & Hughes. While the ongoing sufferings were something that anyone with MCS is only too well aware of and something that I skipped through, the main theme offered in the book -- as pointing the path out of the living death of MCS -- is true. I had begun to find my way out, but the verification I felt from this book and the real resources they offered to facilitate healing I consider a gift from the Universe and one for which I am deeply grateful.

This book helped me to look at my illness in a new way. Although parts of the authors' story were a bit longwinded, I found it helpful to read about their process in detail. I could feel (and relate to) how consumed they were by trying to create a "safe" environment in the external world- and how this obsession did little to improve their health. I felt encouraged as they discovered new ways of relating to EI and how they were transformed by their intense inner work.

I had never heard of "channeling" and I wasn't really into energy healing when I first read this book. I benefitted from its basic message nonetheless. I still refer back to it, especially Appendix IV which is a summary of the authors' observations on healing CFS/EI. As the authors note, not everyone has to do what they did to heal the illness, but if you have tried "everything" are stuck, this book could be helpful to you.

If this book is too "woo-woo" for your taste (and even if it isn't), I recommend "Healing Environmental Illness from Within" by Marcia Murphy. It is the story of woman who wholeheartedly tried the more conventional treatments for EI, but failed to break through it until she included mind & spirit in her healing process.

Thinking that an MD with MCS that took the time to write a book about the experience and found a way out of his "total allergy syndrome", I anticipated a book of substance and practical advice. To my profound disappointment, Sampson and his wife spin a tale of the most bizarre, unbelievable stories that unfortunately for him, as well as for readers with MCS, deny the medical fundamentals of this frustrating and debilitating disease. I forced myself in disbelief through the first half of the book, cruised another couple of chapters, and had to call it a day.

Others have pointed out the shortcomings of this book... the long narrative, the lack of solid how-to advice, the hodge-podge of techniques mentioned but not thoroughly explained. Yet there are some good things if you read it with a grain of salt and don't get bogged down.

The authors point out the importance of attitude but it's their examples of misguided attitudes in the first part of the book that make their point. They knew they were very sensitive to chemicals and mold and yet stayed in toxic environments and then were really really upset when they had severe reactions. This is understandable at first but when they keep doing this the reader gets a bit impatient. Then they seek out supernatural advice through mediums and such and also try bodywork and kineseology and they eventually improve. Yet it's not clear exactly what cured them, or even how much better they are. So the book is a little frustrating.

There is a series of appendices which I actually found useful. If you are looking for help with MCS/EI, read Pam Gibson's reports on what helps and does not help, but consider getting a copy of this book at the library, or buy a used copy. Skim through the text, keeping an open mind about the channeled guidance - it may or may not have happened exactly the way they understood it, but they were there and advice was coming from somewhere, so I can accept that something was happening and eventually it was helpful. Anyway, the appendices are worth looking over.