Dave's interview
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How did all start?
Gradually over many years I noticed I was getting electrically sensitive as far back as 1978. But it was mild at that time. But working in electronics, it got far worse when computers were put into my work place by the thousands. Being around or using digital electronics made all symptoms worse. This was mainly in the 1980's and 90's. Around the same time chemical sensitivity was being very noticeable, but I didn't know yet what the symptoms meant or how to stop them. After a complete collapse at work and hospital time where nothing was found but elevated cardiac enzymes, I spent the following months out of work at home in bed have seizures and convulsions, mostly because of mold exposure in the house. I did not know at the time that this was what was causing these problems. I then was diagnosed by a very good doctor 200 miles out of town, with MCS, Food allergies, EMF sensitivity, mercury poisoning from my tooth fillings, cadmium overload, arsenic overload and lead over load. After being out of work for a year, I returned to work, but had to transfer to a less toxic facility. But even then was very restricted for about six months. In 2003 I could no longer tolerate my work place and had to retire on social security disability after a two year battle to get it. I was granted 100% disability in 2005, retroactive to 2003.. Am still retired and cannot do much of anything any more and every day is a battle to keep from getting sick from chemicals in my outside surroundings.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I have been diagnosed officially by at least five medical doctors with Environmental illness. Three of these doctors were Dr. William Rea of Dallas, Texas, Dr Albert Robbins of Boca Raton, Florida, and Dr. Allen Lieberman of Charleston, South Carolina. Two others were Social Security Doctors. It took me over 20 years of misery and radical symptoms and seeing more than 15 different doctors locally, which most said there was nothing wrong with me and it was "all in my head". Others gave me pills that almost killed me on several occasions. Dr. Albert Robbins in Boca Raton, Fla. gave me the right diagnosis in 1998. I had to be driven there at the time because I was so weak I could not drive any distance to speak of. .
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Multiple chemical sensitivity, Multiple food allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerance. Also mold sensitivities and electrical sensitivities, as well as immune disorders etc. that come with these problems. Removal of dangerously high levels of mercury from the body as well as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. All very complex problems.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Education in how to deal with and treat these maladies.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Dealing with MCS and food allergies on a daily basis.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
I no longer have a social life at all because of the chemical sensitivity. No church, no theatre, very little dining out unless the restaurant is empty and the food is safe. . No dates, etc.
What things have you stopped doing?
Almost everything. Every day is just survival mode.
What do you think about the future?
I have no future except more of this.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The late 1960's into the early to mid 1970's were probably the best as well as some in the 80's. Worked at the John F. Kennedy Space center and was married for a few of those years. Was later divorced in 1979.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would like to travel overseas to Europe and Russia. I would also like to have a serious girlfriend again.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life has been a wild soap opera in almost every way.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Get educated on how to deal with your medical problems in a natural way. Then take action to do it if you can afford it. But there are things that you can do without spending a lot of money that you don't have.
