I've been fried by my laptop - help needed!

>
> Hi - pardon me if this post isn't particularly well-written or organized - I've been dealing with marked/severe symptoms of what is probably (well, at least in part) electrosensitivity to my laptop. For this and other reasons, it's very hard/taxing for me to write a basic post.
>
> I have good reason to believe that I've been fried by my laptop - and thedamage appears to only be accumulating. I've been suffering from several bothersome symptoms - and it seems that this laptop has made conditions that I was already suffering from worse. Among my symptoms are: increased depression, increased anxiety (my depression and anxiety were already severe/debilitating), increased "brain fog", increased intellectual decline, apathy, lowered motivation, marked difficulty in verbally expressing myself, accelerated aging (I noticed that my skin seemed to start rapidly aging, all of a sudden - shortly after I started using this laptop extensively), increased sensitivity to light (from t.v.s, lamps, etc.), increased sleep difficulties. This may not be the entire list, but you get the gist. I also haveevidence of increased Candida/yeast problems and (further) hormonal disturbances (which may be contributing to some of the above-listed symptoms).
>
> Granted, I appear to be a full-blown computer/Internet addict - especially recently. In recent months, I've been spending upwards of 12 hours per day on the computer. I've used this laptop for many hours a day since I gotit (almost 2 years ago) - and I noticed bothersome symptoms from the start. In the years prior to getting this laptop, I logged *many* hours on a desktop (my addiction isn't exactly a new/recent problem) - and, while I sometimes noticed symptoms, they were *nothing* compared to what I've dealt with from using this laptop! With the desktop - IF I had sensitivity symptoms, they seemed to only be confined to when I was actually using the computer....the symptoms didn't seem to carry over to my off-computer times (then again, I could have been suffering from "subtler" symptoms that I failed to attribute to the desktop). And my problems seemed to be mainly confined tothe monitor - not the actual computer. But this laptop has been a real monster: I've appeared to have had ever-accumulating problems with the computer's general "electro-magnetic field", in addition to problems with the "brightness" of the monitor. I finally "tinkered" with the monitor to reduceits brightness and color-intensity (and I slightly decreased the resolution) - and that led to some relief. But I'm still plagued with considerable "EMF" problems.
>
> I've tried a few products that are advertised to "neutralize", or help "transform" the harmful EMF frequencies to more "beneficial" frequencies - but in general, the results were temporary and/or "iffy". I've been considering investing in an external keyboard/mouse so I can sit farther from the laptop (and not touch the "radioactive" keyboard area), and buying some cooling/ventilation device. But right now, I'm at the point where I'm thinkingthat buying a different laptop altogether might be worthwhile. I'm reluctant to spend my limited savings on a new computer, because I've been tryingto save money to have my dental amalgams removed/replaced - but this EMF problem has become so bothersome that if buying a different laptop would lead to some relief, I might have to do that.
>
> I'm sure this issue has been discussed at some point - so forgive me if I'm asking repetitive questions (it's hard to read too many old posts) - butI was wondering if there were some brands and "versions" of laptops that are known to emit less bothersome EMF than others. For example, I was able to read a recent post that claimed that Samsung laptops are supposedly the least bothersome as far as EMF, while Dell laptops are the most bothersome -- is this a generally agreed-upon observation? Do older-model laptops emit more bothersome EMF than the newer models? The laptop I've been using isa Dell Latitude D600 - a laptop that came out in 2003/2004. Perhaps buying a different, more updated brand/model would help?
>
> There was at least one other question I wanted to ask - but since this post has gotten so long, I'll stop here. So if anyone can help me as far as suggesting a "safer" brand/model laptop, or provide any other type of help - it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. :)
>
> ~Svetaswan
>
> P.S. - I know an obvious "solution" would be to spend a lot less time on the computer, or eliminate my computer use altogether, or go back to using a desktop - but these options are much easier said than done. To say the least, it's not easy for an addict to significantly cut down or eliminate an addiction - and buying a desktop is completely impractical, given my livingsituation.
>

>
> Hi, Svetaswan,
>  
> Sorry you are not able to continue feeding your addiction as you have wished.  ;)  j/k  You are alarming honest.  That is rathernovel!  So what you lack in resolve, you certainly make up for in honesty.  ;) 
>  
> To your question....  I disagree with what was said in a recent postabout Toshiba laptops being good ES-wise and Dells being the worst.  That certainly was not my personal experience.  I bought a Toshiba, couldn't tolerate it; called the tech support for help and they could not give me any.  ANY!  They told me they recommended I return itand lose the restocking fee.  No help at all.  THEN I bought a Dell laptop.  I ordered an Inspiron Core Duo.  I thought perhaps having the dual hard-drive might work to my benefit and it has.  I alsorecommend ordering your laptop without a wifi card, if you can (and reallywant to--if you are addicted you may find wifi to be impossible to live without, but please, please, please realize you will probably just continue to get worse if you use wifi right now.)  Wifi and broadband cards cannot be turned off, as the switches that laptops have now suggest.  Thisonly just muffles the wifi signal to some
> extent. 
>  
> Anyway.... back to Dell computers.  I initially reacted badly to my new Dell laptop (now 3 yo), so I called Dell tech support.  For 30 days, almost everyday, a Dell techie worked with me for 2 to 4 plus hours to remediate emfs coming from my laptop.  We went systematically overthe entire computer, seeing if I could see a difference with any of the settings, they talked me thru pulling out a couple of cards which I did not need, we went into the bios and made changes, changed hardware device settings.....  Dell gives you 30 days free software support and 1 yr free hardware support.  This was all free!  Well, I should say at THAT time, it was all free--I don't know if that is still the case.  If you buy a Dell now from www.QVC.com you have a 30 day, no questions asked, full-price return warranty with a software and hardware warranty, I do know that.  (But I bought mine from Dell directly at the time.) 
>  
> The last night as I was ready to hang up the phone, the last techie who worked with me was so sweet--told me he really hated seeing me go and hoped it would all work out for me.  Compare THAT to Toshiba!  Now, I was still having some problems with my laptop at that point, but by a month later I had worked the rest out on my own.  I do think possibly the remaining problem was mostly out-gassing (and I am chemically sensitive, too.)  Also, Stewart here on this forum mentioned that laptop plugs are directional--the plug has to go in a particular side up.  So Itried that and he was right.  I put some nail polish on the top side and have been okay with that ever since.  Also, it is not quite the case that EVERYthing is now fine--I continued reacting to down and uploading and streaming video, but I walk out of the room during the former and avoid sites with streaming video, so my computer is fine for me now.  Also, after detoxing via homeopathy and
> various supplements, I do well now even when performing those functions.  (I own a Quantum Pro, as well, but do not use it at the house where my computer is currently--long story.  I use no emf remediation devices at all on my laptop.)  Btw, do not use yourlaptop on your lap, if you are currently doing that--at least put it on a non-conductive surface in front of you, not on you.  You don't need todrink in all of those frequencies.  Also, you might try spending a little of your addicted time going out in nature.  To a river side, lake, forest, a large park, lots of trees, lots of fresh air, lots of water....  The more you do this, the more likely you will be able to tolerate emfs.  Just don't take your laptop with you!  That would defeat the purpose and it ruins nature for the rest of us .
>  
> Also, if you could get an old laptop--like one from before all the high speed and wifi gismos--a Windows 98 or 2000 system, for instance, it might work for you.  The USB port quit working on my old Micron 266mHz laptop but if I could still connect it to my DSL box, I'd be using it--it ran faster than most new computers on DSL.  The only drawback hereis you cannot get software, like anti-virus, for an old puter like that.  So don't do your banking on it.  ;)
>  
> This said, Svetaswan, you really ought to be asking yourself why you are getting ill.  Lots of people use computers for many hours a day, what makes you so special?  j/k  Do you have metal fillings, a historyof toxic events, live in an apartment setting, a wifi community, are you otherwise immune compromised???  If you answer yes to any of these questions, you should probably be spending some of your addiction time working on how you are going to remediate the source of your problem.
>  
> Happy computing!  I wish you well,
> Diane

>
>
>
> Thanks for taking the time to post on this topic, Diane. I must admit that I find parts of your post interesting - such as your detailed account ofyour positive experience with Dell. Ah, well - I guess it's inevitable that there will be widely differing opinions/experiences regarding various brands/models of computers. Just when a "shadow" of doubt gets cast toward Dell by a couple of posts - I guess it only makes sense that a positive account of Dell will follow. Such is the nature of the Internet - and I guess the circumstances and nature of this issue won't allow us to come to any definitive conclusions about a particular brand of computer.
>
> So you believe that sticking with an older-model laptop would be better? I was thinking (or hoping) that having a newer laptop would be advantageous - because laptop technology might have "evolved" to the point where thereis more skill and efficiency involoved in the laptop manufacturing process....which would translate to less EMF "leakage". Besides, there are more obvious advantages to buying a new model - such as the product actually being under warranty, and being able to successfully browse sites that use the latest technology. (For ex., the videos on nfl.com don't play smoothly for me - I guess my laptop doesn't have up-to-date enough hardware/software to be able to view those videos.)
>
> Other than that - my computing needs are pretty simple - just browsing, posting on messageboards, watching YouTube videos, buying stuff online - andmaybe the occassional downloading of audio or video. I really don't need all of the gizmos that, say, an Apple MacBook Pro offers.
>
> But giving up WiFi would be a tough challenge, to say the least! I just don't see how it would be practical - given my small house, limited space, etc., to actually be burdened with a wired Internet connection. I could bewrong, but it has been my "hunch" that the wireless signals don't really bother me: I mean, if I didn't use this computer, and just sat around the house all day, I don't think I would "feel" the wireless signals that are permeating throughout the house. I do realize that the WiFi technology attached to the computer itself, though - could be a different story.
>
> With the laptop I'm using now - the internal WiFi card was somehow turnedoff or removed altogether, which forces us to use a USB wireless adapter. This adapter is plugged into a USB slot on the back of the computer. Is this arrangement better than an internal WiFi card? (I really would like toknow the answer to this, so if anyone knows, I'd appreciate a response.)
>
> And believe me - I'm pretty health-conscious - and effort that I've really "stepped up" over the past 3-4 years. I try to stay away from fast food as much as I can, I buy a lot of stuff organic - I've been taking supplements, etc. At the time I started experiencing these laptop EMF problems - I had a pretty conscientious habit of taking brisk walks around my neighborhood at least 3 days per week. My worsening computer addiction has really been sabotaging these efforts, though - I haven't walked regularly for months, and things have gotten to the point where I'm not even motivated to eat regular meals, or even adequately hydrate myself. (Therefore, I haven't beentaking as many supplements as I "should".) And I feel like whatever health"gains" I've experienced by eating healthier and taking supplements have been more than undermined by my time spent in front of this "noxious" computer. So whatever nutrition would ordinarily go toward improving or enhancing my health - has just gone toward fighting a losing battle against the poisonous EMF of this laptop.
>
> And I'm very much aware of the dental amalgam issue - I have been for many months (even before I became increasingly aware/affected by this EMF problem). For months, I've been taking very slow steps toward my goal of amalgam replacement; trying to educate myself, taking lab tests, etc. But in recent weeks/months, something has really sapped my motivation in this area -and I think being "nuked" by these EMFs may be one possible cause of my lowered motivation.
>
> Sorry so long - I just wanted to clarify that my health awareness, and health/nutritional habits - are not as bad as one would assume. I haven't been sitting in front of this laptop eating McDonalds for the past two years - far from it. I've consumed way more frozen dinners from Whole Foods these past few years than I have Burger King dinners. ;) I've consumed more celery, raw "baby romaine", and other veggies than you may think. And for the most part, I've been taking my share of supplements (right now, I'm striving to take at least 4,000mg of Vitamin C per day, for ex.).  
>
> All of this said - while I realize that my personal habits and health status are influential factors....the brand/type of computer I'm using could be a factor as well. There is a possibility that there are some brands/models of laptops out there that wouldn't give me as severe of a problem as I'mhaving with this Dell.
>
> ~Svetaswan
>
> --- In [hidden email], Evie <evie15422@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi, Svetaswan,
> >  
> > Sorry you are not able to continue feeding your addiction as you have wished.  ;)  j/k  You are alarming honest.  That is rather novel!  So what you lack in resolve, you certainly make up for in honesty.  ;) 
> >  
> > To your question....  I disagree with what was said in a recent post about Toshiba laptops being good ES-wise and Dells being the worst.  That certainly was not my personal experience.  I bought a Toshiba, couldn't tolerate it; called the tech support for help and they could not give me any.  ANY!  They told me they recommended I return itand lose the restocking fee.  No help at all.  THEN I bought a Dell laptop.  I ordered an Inspiron Core Duo.  I thought perhaps having the dual hard-drive might work to my benefit and it has.  I alsorecommend ordering your laptop without a wifi card, if you can (and reallywant to--if you are addicted you may find wifi to be impossible to live without, but please, please, please realize you will probably just continue to get worse if you use wifi right now.)  Wifi and broadband cards cannot be turned off, as the switches that laptops have now suggest.  Thisonly just muffles the wifi signal to some
> > extent. 
> >  
> > Anyway.... back to Dell computers.  I initially reacted badly to my new Dell laptop (now 3 yo), so I called Dell tech support.  For 30 days, almost everyday, a Dell techie worked with me for 2 to 4 plus hours toremediate emfs coming from my laptop.  We went systematically over the entire computer, seeing if I could see a difference with any of the settings, they talked me thru pulling out a couple of cards which I did notneed, we went into the bios and made changes, changed hardware device settings.....  Dell gives you 30 days free software support and 1 yr free hardware support.  This was all free!  Well, I should say at THATtime, it was all free--I don't know if that is still the case.  If you buy a Dell now from www.QVC.com you have a 30 day, no questions asked, full-price return warranty with a software and hardware warranty, I do know that.  (But I bought mine from Dell directly at the time.) 
> >  
> > The last night as I was ready to hang up the phone, the last techie whoworked with me was so sweet--told me he really hated seeing me go and hoped it would all work out for me.  Compare THAT to Toshiba!  Now, Iwas still having some problems with my laptop at that point, but by a month later I had worked the rest out on my own.  I do think possibly the remaining problem was mostly out-gassing (and I am chemically sensitive, too.)  Also, Stewart here on this forum mentioned that laptop plugs are directional--the plug has to go in a particular side up.  So I tried that and he was right.  I put some nail polish on the top side and have been okay with that ever since.  Also, it is not quite the case that EVERYthing is now fine--I continued reacting to down and uploading and streaming video, but I walk out of the room during the former and avoid sites with streaming video, so my computer is fine for me now.  Also, after detoxing via homeopathy and
> > various supplements, I do well now even when performing those functions.  (I own a Quantum Pro, as well, but do not use it atthe house where my computer is currently--long story.  I use no emf remediation devices at all on my laptop.)  Btw, do not use your laptop on your lap, if you are currently doing that--at least put it on a non-conductive surface in front of you, not on you.  You don't need to drink in all of those frequencies.  Also, you might try spending a little of your addicted time going out in nature.  To a river side, lake, forest, a large park, lots of trees, lots of fresh air, lots of water....  The more you do this, the more likely you will be able to tolerateemfs.  Just don't take your laptop with you!  That would defeat the purpose and it ruins nature for the rest of us .
> >  
> > Also, if you could get an old laptop--like one from before all the highspeed and wifi gismos--a Windows 98 or 2000 system, for instance, it mightwork for you.  The USB port quit working on my old Micron 266 mHz laptop but if I could still connect it to my DSL box, I'd be using it--it ran faster than most new computers on DSL.  The only drawback here is you cannot get software, like anti-virus, for an old puter like that.  So don't do your banking on it.  ;)
> >  
> > This said, Svetaswan, you really ought to be asking yourself why you are getting ill.  Lots of people use computers for many hours a day, what makes you so special?  j/k  Do you have metal fillings, a history of toxic events, live in an apartment setting, a wifi community, are youotherwise immune compromised???  If you answer yes to any of these questions, you should probably be spending some of your addiction time working on how you are going to remediate the source of your problem.
> >  
> > Happy computing!  I wish you well,
> > Diane
>
> >
> >
>

>
> > Intel just release 32nm chips (Core i7, i5 and i3)
> > that have the graphic processor integrated with
> > the main processor. They'll be available
> > in mainstream computers shortly. They are more
> > energy efficient, and hopefully emit less emf.
>
> Does anyone have any reason to believe that the
> newer dual and quad core processors are any worse for
> electrically sensitive folks than the older
> single processor chips (which I currently have) ?
>
> Marc
>