Customer Reviews

Defining Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Defining Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" is a carefully documented story, written to establish knowledge and truth based on scienfific method. The first chapters cover some of the latest work in biomarkers for demonstrating chemical poisoning. This poisoning may occasionally be followed by the complex of symptoms called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCSS). Biomarkers (medically verifiable tests) include measurable changes in molecules, biochemistry, or cells from human tissue or fluids. Included here are auditory and visual evoked (or "event-related") potentials (ERPs), SPECT scans, acute intermittent porphyrinuria, and changes in levels of cytochrome P-450. These papers go a long way towards providing an understanding of why the chemically poisoned experience such brain fog and react to so many things. There is information on how to prevent/counter attacks. Donald Dudley's chapter, "MCS: Trial by Science" shows how the influence of the olfactory system has been quite underestimated in medical science. 20 MCS patients (under Cullen's definition) were exposed to substances like formaldehyde, MEK, perfume, diesel, a whiff of felt pen... - all chemicals having 6 or fewer carbon fragments in their volatile component. Neurotransmitters from the olfactory system (like glutamate and NMDA), also have molecules with this structure. It is thought that the 6-or-less carbon chemicals act as agonists for the glutamate and other amino acids. And these are the same amino acids which are implicated in brain cell injury - eg stroke, pain, depression and degenerative brain disease. In the study, stimuli were given to eyes and ears - a changing checker board and clicks, before and after the chemical exposures. Electrodes measured how long the brain took to react and how much brain reaction there was. The findings were dramatic. Gunnar Heuser's chapter covers SPECT brain scanning; pictures of the brain which show how the oxygen-carrying blood flow is impaired in the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes in people with exposure to neurotoxic chemicals. This hypoperfusion is further decreased on exposure to, for instance, perfume. Mathematical tasks did not light up the appropriate areas of the brain. He suggests possibilities to explain these findings. These kinds of brain affects were actually detected in a study on DDT in 1966; this research was never followed up. However progress is being made - I liked Eileen McCarty's first chapter parting shot: "A cosmetic salesperson related her poorly adhering nail polish to the lessening of formaldehyde in the formula...". The book has lots of interesting "bits". Porphyrias are deficits of certain enzymes required for the production of heme. Heme is used to produce haemoglobin (for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood), and cytochromes (for breaking down such things as steroids, drugs, pollutants, mutagens and natural plant and animal products. Prozac and aldehydes have been shown to inhibit cytochrome P-450. Porphyrias were an extremely rare hereditary condition (remember "The Madness of King George?") usually with a single enzyme missing. But specific testing (through the Mayo Lab) shows how a chemical exposure can cause a multiple enzyme deficit. Bonnye Matthews, in this chapter, gives a clear explanation of the process. She demonstrates that for the first time a model of MCSS is possible. Some Gulf War veterans have also tested positively for toxic-induced porphyrias. The information in this chapter on the substances which can set off an attack is vital. Though there is a great deal of common sense in this book, it's not a light read - there's necessary information for medical professionals - GPs, neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, occupational health physicians, allergists, immunologists, cardiologists, gastro-intestinal specialists, anaesthesiologists... in fact it should be compulsory reading at medical schools and for all practising doctors, such are the wide-ranging affects of chemical poisoning. Bonnye unravels the medical detective story that is behind MCS Syndrome - the unethical and incompetent research and papers and medical assessments which were designed to deny compensation by showing MCS as psychosomatic. (The spinoffs are that these papers are now used in countries like New Zealand to deny claims based on MCSS.) But the book's not a witch-hunt - more of a plea for justice and open-mindedness in establishing facts. Bonnye Matthews also tells her own story - because she was (unwittingly at first) in the thick of it as a research subject and recipient of workers' compensation (for a while anyway) in Washington. Her unecessary medical procedures - the methacholine challenge, the venous punctures, even being forced to attend appointments downtown against the advice of her treating physicians are horrifying in their consequences. And loads more including a legal section which shows how a scheme which was intended to be no-fault insurance for work-related individuals has become an adversarial process (and this is Washington, not New Zealand). The measured title of this book belies a gripping read which may make you feel outraged and sick. Please read this book.

BOOK REVIEW DEFINING MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY Edited by Bonnye L. Matthews McFarland & Co., Inc. Jefferson, NC, 1998 REVIEWER: Irene Ruth Wilkenfeld<P>Having any chronic illness is challenging. Having a chronic illness that is not recognized by mainstream medicine can be a nightmare. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is one such medical conundrum. It immobilizes lives, alters destiny and erodes potential. By all accounts the number of chemically injured patients is growing exponentially and yet institutional dismissiveness and resistance seem more entrenched than ever before. And patients, feeling alienated and ostracized, find themselves caught in the crossfire of a bitter tug of war between traditional and alternative (environmentally aware) physicians. <P>I would encourage anyone dealing with this syndrome to get a copy of DEFINING MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY. This one slim volume is like having your own personal team of `pro bono' advocates, on call to support you, 24-hours a day. It contains up-to-date medical and legal information, as well as a detailed, very personal, compelling case history with which you will easily identify. Some may call this last section "mere anecdotal evidence." I call it a powerful account of an inspirational woman, (Bonnye Matthews) working to fight an intransigent and badly flawed system. <P>A section on Workers' Compensation, by attorney Randolph I. Gordon will be invaluable to anyone trying to navigate this circuitous, often unresponsive system. It will also serve as a treasured aid to anyone involved in toxic tort litigation. Useful information on hazard communication, regulatory guidelines, the validity of low-level exposures, proving causation in the courtroom, coping with skepticism, along with pertinent legal precedents to help you authoritatively present your case to a prospective attorney, are all here!<P>Bonnye Matthews has done a masterful job of reviewing the latest complicated information on porphyria and making it readable by the layperson. "With understanding porphyria, it is now possible, for the first time, to create a model of MCS." In a scientific climate insisting on "biomarkers," this may well be the key to opening the door to the validation of MCS.<P>If you need to help document your injuries, you can learn about the latest in brain scanning technology, a section written by Gunnar Heuser, M.D., Ph.D. A chapter by Donald Dudley, M.D. will help you critically analyze the medical literature on MCS and sort out the distortions from the facts. You will learn how to defend yourself against arrogant medical misdiagnoses and learn to appreciate the reasons why conventional medicine prefers to define MCS as psychogenic rather than admit that it is an avoidable problem of chemical poisoning.<P>You might just want to get an extra copy to share with skeptical family members and friends. This is a powerful tool for education and activism.

Bonnye Matthews has obviously worked very hard to bring us this summary of biochemical science and medicine research on the topic of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). For people with MCS or who want to learn about it strictly from the point of view of the biochemical system in the research-outcome model, this is an invaluable book. If your priority is the much over-rated "scientific proof" that MCS is real and not psychosomatic, because you can't think outside that box, or perhaps more importantly, if you need that sort of documentation to present to people who think that way and only that way, this book will speak to you. There is much of value, I would imagine, for someone attempting to navigate the system for medical benefits, disability, or for other legal situations.
However, as a practitioner who specializes in the SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF MCS, I found this book wearisome and depressing. I was hoping to find some cutting-edge theory. There is little theory in this book, and nothing ground-breaking, inspiring or exciting. In fact, it is extremely depressing. There is nothing here to challenge the mainstream view that MCS is untreatable. As usual, Medical Dieties decide if they can't treat something then nobody else can. Certainly MCS is tantamount in pointing out the errors of "better living through chemistry" thinking. If a person can't handle exposure to chemicals and the only medicine you can offer is CHEMICALS, it should be glaringly obvious that the medicine will not only fail, but will make the person sicker. This is one of the many reasons why natural medicine is so practical, and has withstood the test of time as well as tremendous efforts at total eradication of said medicine. There is no mention of natural medicine in this book, however.
Probably the most worthwhile part of the book for someone who is NOT trying to prove that MCS exists to the narrow-minded is the personal element. The show of compassion for people with MCS in this book is moving, when you can find it. I found Ms. Matthews' personal story at the end of the book to be utterly heartbreaking and infinitely frustrating, as the system set out to crush her case and set a precedent of denial and lies to avoid responsibility and of course, payment. For a person in her state of health to create and publish this book must have been a gargantuan effort, and truly a labor of love. I do hope this book has helped people to accept MCS as a reality and helped people gain support from the system they have paid into on good faith. I wonder on a personal level what has become of Matthews since this book was written, and can only hope that she has found a way to heal and not just survive.
End note to those with severe MCS: My copy of this book does not have a strong smell, so if you're sensitive to such things you may be able to tolerate this book on a sensory level.

Highly recommend it! It is evident that special interestswillnot like it as it is not within their financial interests! Nowwith new emerging evidence it becomes the issue of emerging credibility!

This book comparing to trashy campaign published disinformation campaign sponsored by special interests ... is undisputed MASTERPIECE! WHAT ELSE ONE CAN SAY?

Only works of Claudia Miller, Mohamed Abu Donia, Marc Cullen, Grace Ziem the MDs scientists and researchers could be rated any higher!

Together with other jewels and masterpieces such as: Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, 2nd Edition; Claudia S. Miller, Nicholas Askounes Ashford the readers can get full accounting of the magnitude of informations available today from first hand witness of the suffering.

To add to credibility to this book read scientific review by Alexandra Golub a DOD scientific review sponsored under PENTAGON and DOD programs on Gulf War illness research... demonstrates that there is clear the connection between neurological injury and MCS. Only by reading such first hand accounting and documented evidence one can get full image of the magnitude of legal deception by any and all means!

The recent findings in reference to heavy metals and specificaly mercury toxicity and neural sensitisation, as the cause of developing heavy metal allergy suported by the newest MELISA (memory lymphocyte immuno-stimulation assay) tests with the study of metal-induced neural neurotoxic sensitization tests

could beef up the splendind factual accounting by this the autor first hand of the mysery of injured by neurotoxic agents.

As far as discussed treatment it is difficult to treat what is not yet fully explored there for elimination and avoidance is what must be first considered.

The NEW emerging scientific evidence only adds credibility and supports this book. The recent findings of brain damage in Gulf War Veterans, as well as ethiology of allergy and asthma ...reported on May 18, 2000 with new evidence that the ALLERGY NERVE GROWTH FACTOR NGD was linked to NGF proteine.

"Hopkins allergy researchers took to the trail of NGF for several reasons. First, Koliatsos, who is an expert on the use of NGF in experiments to treat nerve and brain disorders, informed the allergy researchers that using NGF to treat Alzheimer's caused patients excessive pain. NGF, found naturally in the body, is a small, potent molecule that helps maintain certain nerve cells and prods other nerve cells to grow and communicate with others. "It looked like the pain syndromes we saw in these patients shared many of the same mechanisms with respiratory allergy," says Koliatsos. "

The new evidence clearly demonstrates a valid what previously was unknown missing links: "Hay fever and asthma now seem to derive from events not only in the respiratory system, but also from a nervous system that is overreacting to stimuli," says Vassilis Koliatsos, M.D., an associate professor of pathology, neurology and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine."

God bless autor for excellent account of factual presentation of the REAL WORLD of what I will plainly call "QUACKERY and fraud in medicine".

A Must READ!

This is an excellent book that all physicians should own. It's unquestionably an invaluable resource for MCS sufferers.

Matthews edited the book into four sections. Two of the sections have multiple chapters.


SECTION I: MEDICAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1. Chemical Sensitivity: A Psychological Perspective by Eileen R. McCarty (clinical psychologist)

Chapter 2. MCS: Trial by Science by Donald L. Dudley, M.D.

Chp. 3. SPECT Brain Scanning After Chemical Injury by Gunnar Heuser, M.D.

4. Porphyria, Cytochrome P-450, and Toxic Exposure by Bonnye Matthews


SECTION II: Legal Information

5. No Balm in Gilead: Why Worker's Compensation Fails Workers in a Toxic Age by Randolph Gordon


SECTION III: Science and the Literature

6. Junk Science by Bonnye Matthews

7. Medical Literature and MCS: An analysis of Seven Papers by Donald Dudley

SECTION IV: Personal Experience with MCS

8. My Experience with Chemical Sensitivity by Bonnye Matthews


REVIEW OF EACH CHAPTER:

Chapter 1: Chemical Sensitivity: A Psychological Perspective by Eileen R. McCarty (clinical psychologist)

Despite what the title may suggest, McCarty's chapter does not represent or defend a psychogenic perspective of MCS. Rather, the chapter has three goals.

The first goal is to introduce readers to the problem of chemical industries focusing narrowly on the benefits of synthetic chemicals while ignoring the potential health threats they cause and trigger.

The second goal is to explain why many doctors interpret MCS symptoms as psychogenic.

Finally, it delves into a very brief and lacking summary of research that had recently been published, such as isolated porphyrin abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism, Callender's SPECT scans, and DHEA's potential in MCS.

Regarding DHEA, McCarty said, "An [MCS-afflicted] individual will still likely react to chemical exposure, but his or her overall quality of life may be enhanced." (Page 7)

I like McCarty's description of the complexity of MCS research: "Sometimes the search for answers leads only to further questions; passing through one door, we discover more doors waiting to be opened."

Chapter 2: "MCS: Trial by Science" by Donald L. Dudley, M.D

Donald Dudley's chapter focuses on his unique research on MCS.

Dudley studied the P300 brain wave (Auditory and Visual) of twenty patients with MCS (under Cullen's definition) before and, during and after exposure to common and everyday chemicals (in an everyday amount). Upon exposure the P300 decreased significantly in 100% of the subjects, two of which developed occipital seizures. (Page 24)

Most important is the fact that the P300 is not affected by emotions/perception/etc. Any changes to this brain wave upon challenge must be the result of organic mechanisms.

Dudley proposed that the olfactory system generates too much NMDA activity and that this activity may at least contribute to the symptoms. (Subsequent articles by WSU biochemist Martin Pall show a role for NMDA activity)

The only problem is that Dudley hasn't attempted to replicate his findings. Even more remarkable is that no one else has attempted to replicate his findings.


Chapter 3: SPECT Brain Scanning After Chemical Injury by Gunnar Heuser

This chapter focuses on one of Heuser's studies, in which MCS patients' brains were scanned with SPECT technology before and after exposure to chemicals.

He found that most of the MCS patients had decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain upon being exposed to perfume (Pages 27-30).

But several other and better brain imaging studies have been published since the book's release, and two of them were by Heuser. The book should be updated to include this information.



Chapter 4: Porphyria, Cytochrome P-450, and Toxic Exposure by Bonnye Matthews

This is a fascinating chapter, but not perfect. Matthews noted that there are 3,000+ synthetic chemicals known to be porphyrinogenic (meaning they trigger porphyria attacks). These chemicals include those in some perfumes, colognes, pesticides, air fresheners, etc.

This chapter posits an MCS model based on the finding that multiple chemicals trigger porphyria attacks, which induce the same symptoms seen in MCS flare-ups.

I'm disappointed that Matthews seemingly misinterpreted the study she cited by the Mayo Clinic. The study did NOT show that the MCS patients had porphyria. Instead the patients had isolated abnormalities in their porphyrin metabolism (which can be explained by two of the leading theories of etiology/causation).


Chapter 5: No Balm in Gilead: Why Worker's Compensation Fails Workers in a Toxic Age by Randolph Gordon

I won't comment on this chapter because I have not read it.


Chapter 6: Junk Science by Bonnye Matthews

This chapter clarifies the meaning of both "science" and "the scientific method." It explains the grueling process that should be-but rarely is-used to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of a study.

Matthews explains why "Junk Science" is an oxymoron that should never be applied to the position that MCS is organic.


Chapter 7: Medical Literature and MCS: An analysis of Seven Papers by Donald Dudley

This chapter is enlightening and disturbing. It is Dudley's critique of 7 of the top studies supporting the psychogenic view.

In these seven studies there were a total of 334 patients studied. But no more than thirty-three of these patients actually had MCS. In five of the studies, none of the patients had MCS. Of the remaining two, in one study, eighteen out of forty-one had MCS, and in the other study no more than fifteen out of fifty-three had MCS. Thus, it is fair to state that the studies have nothing to do with MCS. (Pages 111-130)


Chapter 8: My Experience with Chemical Sensitivity by Bonnye Matthews

Matthews' personal story is terrible and enough to motivate readers to act.


SUMMARY:

The book isn't perfect and has its own share of flaws. Nevertheless, it's one of the best books on the topic. It contains very useful scientific data, objective reasoning and evaluation, and a lot of compassion. It has the power to move many people. I'm sure it has and will continue to do so.