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CHRONIC FATIGUE - IMMUNE SYSTEM (BONE MARROW) CONNECTION Edward Priestley March, 1997 (updated March 1998, April, 2005) Investigations to try to find out if there was information available to help with survival and care for myself for the severe aplastic anaemia I was diagnosed as suffering from in 1986 showed a very high percentage of sufferers from this condition and other bone marrow and immune system conditions also suffered from chronic fatigue. Aplastic anaemia is destruction of the bone marrow and immune system and is invariably caused by exposure to drugs, chemicals or ionising radiation. My investigations also showed that a very large number suffer from chronic fatigue after exposure to the same agents causing aplastic anaemia even though their exposure had been much less and they had no diagnosed effect on the bone marrow and immune system. Recent research has also shown that chronic fatigue sufferers often have abnormal serotonin levels. Serotonin (the happiness hormone) is derived from the amino acid tryptophan and is found in platelets and brain cells and is a neurotransmitter. Tryptophan is provided through the metabolism of niacin, vitamin B3, deficiency of which is documented to cause muscle weakness and fatigue. The destruction of platelets, the carrier of serotonin to various parts of the body, including the brain, is very commonly caused by exposure to drugs, chemicals and ionising radiation's and unless so severe as to cause noticeable bleeding and bruising, (thrombocytopenia), in the vast majority of those affected it will not be noticed or diagnosed. A reaction from the bone marrow and immune system to exposure to a destructive agent can be a temporary raising in production of blood cells, including platelets, by the bone marrow trying to combat the effects of the exposure. In cases leading to serious and fatal thrombocytopenia due to high exposure this increase is only temporary followed by a decline in platelet counts which can prove fatal due to haemorrhage in the brain or other vital organ. This effect is a little like the effects of some weed killers which promote an initial rapid overgrowth followed by collapse and death of the weed. Normal platelet levels are considered to be within the range of 150,000 to 450,000 per cubic millimetre in blood but can become as low as 10,000, or less in conditions of bone marrow destruction like aplastic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. It can be seen that as much as a 100,000 change either way in platelet blood count levels due to drug, chemical or radiation exposure in an individual with say, a normal count of 300,000 would not be considered abnormal by the medical profession but may well have a profound effect on that person. Confirmation that niacin (Vitamin B3) was deficient in those exposed to platelet reducing and serotonin affecting drugs, chemicals and radiations was provided when some of those who were ill with long term fatigue and other symptoms following exposure to the agents documented to cause platelet reduction due to destruction of the bone marrow showed, in gas chromatography tests, both a high level of the chemical and in other laboratory tests niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency. In one trial, documented in the Australian Medical Journal in 1995, 22 people with chronic fatigue were found to have significantly higher levels of organochlorine pesticides in blood serum compared with 34 people who did who did not have chronic fatigue. Organochlorines like lindane are documented to cause bone marrow disorders like thrombocytopenia. Organochlorine pesticides like D.D.T. and Lindane have been commonly used in timber treatment in houses, as insecticides and in products for head lice, scabies etc. and the effects are very well documented in medical literature to cause bone marrow and immune system destruction; with its effects on platelet levels, vitamin B3, serotonin and tryptyophan. Laboratory Gas chromatography tests I have recommended to victims of pesticide exposure, mostly the organochlorines, have in every case confirmed a cause and effect relationship with knock-on effects on enzymes and vitamins. Many had a full and all a partial recovery when made aware of the cause of their illness, by avoiding the causative agents of their condition in future, improved (organic where possible) diet and vitamin replacement until they felt better. Note vitamins supplements should not be taken unless it can be showed with proper laboratory tests, that there is a deficiency, and what level. Vitamin supplements should never exceed the recommended dose. My medical dictionary, Mosby's 4th Edition 1994 and Bowman and Rand's Textbooks on Pharmacology both state clearly that aplastic anaemia, part of which is thrombocytopenia (platelet destruction) is in the majority of cases caused by exposure to drugs, chemicals or ionising radiation's. Confirming the connection between thrombocytopenia and symptoms like chronic fatigue and platelet destruction the American Journal of Pathology 1949 Page 863 on the atomic bomb victims in Japan notes, those dying in the 3rd to 6th weeks and also those further from the explosions and surviving clinical symptoms, suffered aplastic anaemia and thrombocytopenia consequent upon the destruction of the bone marrow. These victims were all also noted to suffer from severe malaise and vitamin deficiency. Japanese and allied governments all lied that there was no medical basis for the fatigue and other symptoms and that the victims were malingerers. This is exactly the same attitude that is shown by the medical profession and governments today to those suffering the same effects resulting from exposure to drugs, chemicals and ionising radiation's. Various medical papers and articles have appeared over recent years which have made connections between immunisation, mercury teeth fillings and other causes of chronic fatigue. These reports all support the hypotheses that the bone marrow, immune system and platelet function play an important role in chronic fatigue. Immunisation does place an abnormal loading on the immune system and mercury is documented to cause aplastic anaemia (answer to questions asked in Parliament on the causes of aplastic anaemia 11 Jan, 1989). Some vaccines contain mercury preservatives. One aspect of possible mercury poisoning from teeth fillings which seems to escaped the notice of "experts" is in that in areas where tap water is fluoridated the mercury will be put into solution and swallowed. Fluorine and its compounds oxidise all metals easily including gold, lead, mercury etc. Gold salts are also well documented to cause bone marrow destruction and thrombocytopenia when used as a drug for arthritis . Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor drugs, commonly called "happy pills" (the most commonly known brand is Prozac) are prescribed for depressive illness, as higher levels of serotonin are normally associated with producing a feeling of well-being and happiness. However, if the side-effects of these drugs are looked at, it is documented that exactly the opposite effects to those desired can be produced. A few but by no means all of the side-effects of these drugs are, nausea, anorexia and weight loss, dyspepsia, nervousness, anxiety, violence, suicide, headaches, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, liver dysfunction, impaired ability to drive (note the driver of Princess Diana's car in Paris was on Prozac, others have committed suicide in exactly this manner when on this drug) aplastic anaemia and thrombocytopenia with its effects of platelet levels. Some of the above side-effects are exactly the same as many of the symptoms experienced by those suffering from chronic fatigue and the same documented effects of many toxic chemicals, for example the organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. The list of prescribed drugs causing bone marrow and immune system destruction and causing platelet reduction is a very long one which cannot be given in full here but a few of the more common ones are aspirin, tranquillisers, antihistamines, diuretics, antibiotics, anti-malarial, analgesics, arthritic, epileptic plus many others. Toxic chemicals having the same effect as the drugs are benzene and benzene related products, especially when combined with halogens, chemicals like chlorine and fluorine. These are found in many prescribed drugs, correcting fluids, solvents, paints and varnishes, thinners, timber treatment chemicals, dry cleaning fluid, polishers and floor cleaners containing benzene related phenols, pesticides and herbicides and many others. The Matindale Extra Pharmacopoeia lists many of the symptoms suffered by chronic fatigue sufferers as the same as victims of exposure to benzene and benzene related substances. To check if what has been written so far is accurate you would expect those most exposed to drugs chemicals and ionising radiation's with effects on platelets, tryptophan and serotonin levels and function to also show a high percentage of those exposed suffering chronic fatigue. This is confirmed by the many victims of chemical exposure I have investigated also having chronic fatigue. Recent reports and research show that in the United Kingdom 51% of long term school absence is now caused by chronic fatigue. This confirms a cause and effect relationship as regular use of correcting fluid and some felt tip pens which will affect platelet function to some degree as would solvent abuse to a greater degree. Regular use of correcting fluids etc can lead to addiction to solvent abuse which from my own investigations is more commonplace than suspected with the vast majority of those carrying out this practice in complete secrecy from parents and teachers. The problem is often compounded by the medical profession giving large numbers of children with behavioural problems due to family circumstances, diet or exposure to food and environmental pollutants, tranquillisers which cause conditions like thrombocytopenia with effects on platelet function and serotonin. See British National Formulary on drug Ritalin causing bone marrow damge and note that the makers recommendations that period differential blood counts should be carried out on those prescribed Ritalin are never followed. Bribes from the drug industry to the medical profession ensures that this problem including childhood violence will increase. Recently the drug companies selling the serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs have applied to be allowed to supply children with these products, a certain recipe for more child violence and suicide. It is certain that most if not everyone in western nations, confirmed by laboratory tests on the public, have now been exposed to common environmental agents, drugs, chemicals and none natural occurring ionising radiation that are documented to have some effects on the bone marrow and immune system. Benzene containing organochlorine pesticides like D.D.T and Lindane are now found in all mammals at some level throughout the world. The effects of these in the vast majority of the of cases is not severe enough to be diagnosed but it will have an effect on platelet levels with a knock-on effect on serotonin levels and function. This must be having an effect on a percentage of those exposed causing symptoms like chronic fatigue The exposure to many of the environmental agents causing effects on the bone marrow and immune system is a modern phenomenon and coincides with the increase in conditions like chronic fatigue and increased sale of these agents. Whilst it is not suggested that all cases of chronic fatigue are caused by the reasons given here it is certain that a substantial percentage are. This is proved by gas chromatography tests done on those suffering from chronic fatigue showing exposure to platelet destructing agents and effects on tryptophan, serotonin and vitamin B3. Another, not uncommon, cause of chronic fatigue is hypothyroidism, again a condition associated with fatigue and also documented to be caused by exposure to drugs, chemicals and ionising radiation. The drugs and chemicals causing the displacement of iodine in the thyroid and causing hypothyroidism are mostly those in the halogen group of chemicals, fluorine, chlorine, bromine (see displacement law of halogens). The first three all displacing iodine in the thyroid causing hypothyroidism so tap water and the many drugs containing these chemicals should be ovoided by those with hypothyroidism if possible. The condition of chronic fatigue is not depression which the medical profession often diagnose, although long term chronic fatigue will certainly cause depression and not the other way round. Medical papers show that anti-depressant drugs have no beneficial effects on those suffering from chronic fatigue, and as anti-depressants are documented to have the opposite effects these are without doubt a major contributory cause of chronic fatigue in the first place. A glance through drug books like the British National Formulary written by the B.M.A. and Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the book doctors in the U.K. prescribe from, will show that of the 200 or so drugs documented to cause blood disorders including thrombocytopenia, every one will give side-effects which include fatigue, apathy, drowsiness etc. The shabby treatment from the medical profession many fatigue sufferers experience (one sufferer who had exposurer to organochlorine pesticides reported to me that his doctor had suggested that "only Guardian readers got the condition") is no doubt due to the fact that the medical profession generally is fully aware that it is they or their friends in the drug, chemical and nuclear industries that cause a high percentage of these problems. Because of the huge and increasing numbers of sufferers there is very urgent need for, but sadly very little prospect of, any genuine research into the causes, in fact there is more likelihood of concerted effects to divert attention from the true causes. Some references; Mosby's Medical and Nursing Dictionary 4th Edition 1994 Martindale Extra Pharmocopoeia 29th Edition 1989 A Preliminary Investigation of chlorinated hydrocarbons & Chronic Fatigue. R.H.Dunstan & M.Donohoe. Medical Journal. Australia 1995 American Journal of Pathology 1949 (Atomic Bomb Victims and chronic Fatigue). Bowman and Rand, Textbook on Pharmacology, 2nd Edition. British National Formulary (BNF) By B.M.A. & Pharm. Soc. of U.K. No. 34 Sept., 1997. Neurasthenic Fatigue, Chemical Sensitivity & GABAa Receptor Toxins - Medical Team at Bute Hospital, Argyll, Scotland. Low Dose Radiation Linked with Blood Cell abnormality - Medical Research Council 1992 Chronic Fatigue. Independent Newspaper Report 23.5.97 Drug Induced Blood Disorders - Prof. G.C.DeGruchy (Chapter on Thrombocytopenia and serotonin tests. For the tests for exposure to toxic chemicals, pesticides etc. and nutritional tests with interpretations of the results the address is; Biolab Medical Unit, The Stone House, 9 Weymouth Street, London WIN 3FF Telephone 0171 580 3910. Those running Biolab are fully qualified doctors. The tests are done in a blood sample which can be arranged through your doctor or you can call and arrange to go to the laboratory. Tests can cost from £30 up to £400 for a full health risk profile. |
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