introduction and computer setup

Hi,

I've just joined the group so I thought I would introduce myself.
I've had EHS for 5 years - initially getting headaches,
concentration/memory problems from mobile phones/WiFi; about three
years ago I became sensitive to lcd monitors with skin burning and
physical/mental lethargy and since last winter I get the skin burning
reaction to lots of things like fluorescent+low energy bulbs, my car,
computer network cables/adsl etc.  

I'm only able to use a computer now by having the computer, adsl line,
networks etc 10m away on the other side of the house and trailing 15m
monitor and keyboard/mice extender cables to the room I work in. For
a display I use a Toshiba ff1 led projector in rear projection mode
and a combined keyboard and mouse which communicates by infrared with
an adaptor near the projector. The projector and keyboard IR receiver
are 3m away from me. I still have some mental dopiness after using
this set-up for 4-5 hours and this may be due to magnetic emissions
from the infrared keyboard when the communication LEDs are pulsed.
But I can't have a wired keyboard or mouse on my work table without
getting a burning sensation on my chin/cheek/underside of my
nose/tongue tip so this is definitely better. The other obvious
drawback is that the projector is dim and low resolution (800x600).  

I have experimented with remoting the keyboard processor of the IR
keyboard and also optically isolating a wired mouse so that it isn't
being polled by the computer multiple thousand times a second. I
didn't find either of these solutions better than using the IR
keyboard. Both of these ideas were inspired by
http://www.citlink.net/~bhima/emfcomp.htm The difficulty with moving
beyond experiments is that I don't have sufficiently sensitive
instrumentation to measure fields other than from my own symptoms.
And as EHS is progressive I don't want to become even more sensitive.
If anyone is interested in this I can provide details/photos.

I know from other EHS people that they have problems with display
cables so I was interested in using fiber optics to transferring video
and keyboard/mouse signals. One route is via fiber optic USB 2.0
extenders which are starting to become available but these are
expensive (£500-600), does anyone know off any less expensive
alternatives.

Best wishes to all,

Rod

Hi Rod,

Welcome to the group!

I think you've spent an amazing amount of effort in order
to reduce the EMF fields you are exposed to while using
the computer. However, I'm curious about what efforts
you have spent towards improving your health, so that
such efforts are no longer necessary? EHS is only
progressive if you are unsuccessful in reversing
it, as has been accomplished by several people here...

Marc


> I've just joined the group so I thought I would introduce myself.
> I've had EHS for 5 years - initially getting headaches,
> concentration/memory problems from mobile phones/WiFi; about three
> years ago I became sensitive to lcd monitors with skin burning and
> physical/mental lethargy and since last winter I get the skin burning
> reaction to lots of things like fluorescent+low energy bulbs, my car,
> computer network cables/adsl etc.

Hi Marc,

I'm very interested in finding a magic bullet to fix EHS and I have
spent a lot of time looking to no avail. Lots of different people
have their own pet theory on what helped them a bit but typically the
problem is still present but causing less discomfort.  

Personally I'm symptom free most of the time but that is due to
avoiding the triggers that cause my symptoms. I eat quite well,
nearly all veg home-grown organic and I don't eat much meat. I also
find excise helps, 30-40 minutes a day, most days. I've taken a few
supplements following discussions with other EHS people, but if I
didn't notice a difference after 2-3 months I stopped. Similarly to a
number of EHS people I talked to I was suckered into buying a Qlink
but after wearing it religiously for six months I forgot to wear it
for a while and didn't notice any difference so I stopped using it.

I don't typically try alternative remedies unless someone I know has
benefited from it permanently. I recently heard of Martin Pall's
comments on B12 and how it may be tied into EHS and I intend to
contact Sarah Myhill who is a well know ME medic but I havn't
yet.  

I've only had two contacts with conventional medicine, my GP to make
her aware of the situation and a useful contact with an NHS consultant
who confirmed that people suffer with symptoms from fluorescent
lights/computer monitors and acknowledged it as a syndrome (a more
detailed description below). While the consultant doesn't know what
causes the skin burning symptom, he is aware that stress makes the
symptoms worse. So pretty much any placebo which causes a reduction
in stress could help to reduce EHS symptoms related to skin burning.
Also I could imagine that CBT could also play a part in stress relief.
But it doesn't solve the underlying problem that the body is reacting
in a non typical way to electro magnetic fields.

I'm very interested in discovering a cure to EHS but I'm quite
sceptical that there is a simple solutiion after talking to Olle
Johansson and Per Segerback who have been involved with EHS since the
early 90s. This is why I have a mindset of avoidance rather than
expecting to find a cure. At least not until lots of mainstream
medical research has taken place.

Rod
--
At the onset of the skin burning symptoms I wanted to assess if I'd
become UV light sensitive. So I got hold of UV filters designed for
people with XP, Dermagard, and even better filters designed for
shielding museum exhibits from UV when using fluorescent lights.  
Neither caused a noticeable reduction in my symptoms. Following on
from this I saw an NHS consultant (Dr Sarkany) at the Photobiology
unit at St Thomas' hospital in London to see if my skin sensitivity is
caused by light or if its purely an Electromagnetic reaction. Dr
Sarkany says that his department has seen enough patients with similar
symptoms caused by fluorescent lights/computer monitors to identify a
syndrome.  

He doesn't believe the reaction is caused by UV light and entertains
the idea that it may be caused by EM fields. Dr Sarkany said the
mechanisms in the skin that react to EM radiation are not well
understood and currently there aren't techniques to assess normal and
abnormal skin conditions. He has recently seen an article on how
electrical fields play a part in cornea healing and said this type of
research may lead to techniques which are relevant to people with EHS.
I asked if he had seen the work by Olle Johansson and he said he was
aware of the name but he seemed neutral about the work. He did mention
that the condition seemed to be made worse by stress and if I was
suffering with stress or depression its worth addressing this in
isolation, i.e. techniques for dealing with stress or depression are
well understood and going to see a GP about this is worthwhile.

Dr Sarkany thought it was a good idea to try and set up a self help
group so he is passing on my details to people with a similar
condition when they come to his clinic. The consensus was the clinic
sees 3-4 people a year with similar symptoms.
--- In [hidden email], "Marc Martin" <marc@...> wrote:

Rod writes:
> I've taken a few supplements following discussions with other EHS
> people, but if I didn't notice a difference after 2-3 months I
> stopped.

It's good to hear that you've tried some things other than just
pure avoidance. Personally, I've tried so many different things
over the years that it's a bit embarrassing!

Also, I'd say that if you don't notice a difference in the first
DAY or two, whatever it is you're trying probably is not that
helpful. Everything that I've tried that has been really helpful
was noticeable on the first day!

(and no, the Q-Link pendant was not one of those items -- I threw
that away years ago after months of no reaction)

For skin burning symptoms, I've found that in my own case, CRT
monitors are better than LCD monitors, lower resolutions and
refresh rates are better, increasing the distance between me
and the monitor helps (of course). As for supplements which
have helped me with this, Mega-H (antioxidant) provides quick,
temporary relief, evening primrose oil has a subtle benefit,
and skin lotion really helps -- I alternate between one with
carrot oil in it (Burt's Bees brand) and one with borage oil
(Shikai brand).

For EMF protection devices, I've tried dozens, but have stuck
pretty much with items from Quantum Products and Springlife
Polarizers, as they seem to work the best for me and my
typical daily exposures. Each company has a variety of sizes/
strengths, and I had to do a lot of trial & error with the
various sizes and combinations until I found things that would
get me back to work (under the florescent lights and in front
of the computer), plus all of my other daily EMF exposures.
These of course are not cures, but they sure help get my
life back to a more normal routine.

I have believed for years that my own ES is due to an accumulation
of heavy metals, and I see that several others on this list
have reduced their symptoms dramatically by using various methods
of detox. The problem is which type of detox -- a method which works
well for one person can have terrible side effects for another.
Having tried numerous chelators, I've found that I have done best
with NDF, and I follow that up with some Mega-H if I feel too
bad from the detox. I have been taking these 2 supplements
for years, although I occasionally take long breaks to confirm
that I was better off with them than without them.

Marc

Rod, You may be on to something by using fiber optic for
the monitor and USB cables. Seems wired cables are like
antennas, and difficult to shield.

Here's my Mitsubishi pocket projector in a home-made mu metal
case :
http://www.ahappyhabitat.com/100_0059.JPG

If I'm close to the projector and open the case, I nearly
instantly feel the EMFs from it.

As for the keyboard and mouse, this is what I'm using:

http://www.ahappyhabitat.com/keyboardmouse.jpg

They're shielded internally, and externally with mu metal. No
cure for EHS, but the shielding did help relieve my tinnitus
somewhat.

Eli
[hidden email]