[2/2/15] This page is a follow-up to  'Strategy1'  and  'Strategy2',  in that this page discusses my current ideas,  questions,  and struggles with mold sensitization.  Since my current questions seem to be ones that keep having new answers  (I was apparently wrong before),  this page is organized by asking these questions,  and then discussing them.  I shall try to provide dates so the reader can follow the progression of ideas and tentative solutions.  The final entry entitled  'a running diary'  provides the most recent updates in thinking and in reacting to errors and successes with biotoxin issues.

The questions and discussion are organized by importance and current relevance to me;  most important and relevant first.

• How can I come closest to achieving  'Mold Avoidance'?
  [2/2/15] It seems to me now that unless one is living in a  'clean room',  and never leaves it,  those of us that have been sensitived will inevitably be exposed either to mold spores or secondary mycotoxins  (from mold cell wall release),  and consequently be absorbing some of its toxins.  The only time we will ever have complete  'Mold Avoidance'  is when/if we should be cured.  Even in that case,  it wouldn't be  'Mold Avoidance'  but mold toxin avoidance.
  
  At present,  my situation is that my clothes and sleeping fabrics have accumulated mold during the time I was shifting from using chlorine-based bleach,  and temporarily considered using only physical forms of mold removal as compared to chemical  (plan since abandoned).  Now,  when mold is killed with OxyClean,  I seem unable to completely rinse the dead mold from the fabric  (even with 2 subsequent washings),  and therefore suffer from the secondary mycotoxins released.  This problem may partially end when summer comes and fabrics can be hung outside,  exposed to the sun's heat  (will bacteria also need moisture to work?).  Time may tell.
  
  This seemingly endless exposure to secondary mycotoxins  (from mold cell wall release) is a significant concern,  as my earlier desire was to avoid almost all exposure to mold toxins  (get clean)  so my immune system had a chance to recover its original capabilities for processing mold spore and mycotoxin inhalation without getting any toxins in my system.
  
  The question has not been answered.
  
  
• Concerning my mold sensitization,  am I getting better or worse?                              to top
  [2/2/15] It seems that my mold sensitization keeps changing,  and that I am getting better on one end,  and worse on the other.  It seems that my system has adapted such that toxins have less serious effect on me,  and are removed from my system more effectively and quickly.  On the other hand,  it seems that more molds bother me now than before being sensitized.  I am not certain of this however.  It was never certain that there was only one mold to which I was sensitized.  This was an assumption based on the single source of the original exposure.
  
  Nevertheless,  I am now bothered by a heavy feeling in my chest whenever a storm is approaching,  and that  'heaviness'  seems to mean toxins entering my system.  I don't recall that happening previously.  At the same time,  some molds in my trailer seem not to bother me any  (like those that grow in sinks and toilets).  And it's true that those specific molds used to bother me.
  
  [2/3/15 The molds that seem to come in with storms also affect me neurologically more than I noticed before.  They tend to make me somewhat dizzy and disoriented,  and affect me visually.  This is consistent with what Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker talks about in his more recent book  "Surviving Mold".  He now tends to call all of these mold toxins  'neurotoxins'  rather than biotoxins or mycotoxins.  It is of note that a measure called  'Visual Contrast Sensitivity'  (tests available online)  seem to be our best objective test for the presence of mold toxins.  These tests measure our ability to visually detect contrast gradients,  and have been long used by opthamologists to correct vision deficiencies.
  
  It also seems that mold in my clothes  (like in a flannel shirt)  noticeably bother me now,  where it would not have been noticed before.  It is true that never before had I consciously tried to kill and remove mold,  as is now done.  Mold is not easily removed from thick items like flannel shirts,  and letting bacteria digest the dead mold can lead to much mycotoxin release over a considerable period of time.
  
  Separate from this issue,  items like flannel shirts seem to collect spores on their surfaces from some mold events  (like a storm coming?),  and one then senses these toxins when the shirt is next put on.
  
  It is true that I have become pretty capable of detecting the onset of a mold spore event,  or the beginning of exposure to secondary mycotoxins.  Prior to the sensitization,  I simply was not conscious of the presence of mold,  and imperfect body feelings at that time were blamed on reasons other than mold presence.
  
  In general,  I usually feel quite good every day,  particularly after a morning workout or run/walk;  my underlying health seems good.  Would I go back to my overall health condition at any point since my intial mold event?  A good question,  and I don't know the answer.  I feel better now about my mold situation,  because I understand what is happening pretty well now.  But I don't like the realization that I'm becoming more sensitive,  clearly the trend over the past several years.
  
  Answer:  I do not know the answer to the original question.
  
  
• Am I making a mistake continually cleaning my inside air with a particle filter?                              to top
  [2/2/15] Perhaps I should instead exchange inside air for outside air as often as possible  (which I do now anyway),  and then not filter it.  Leave the mold spores from the outside air alone,  to give competition to my inside problemmatic mold,  eh?  In that case,  when would I ever use my particle filters?  Perhaps only when I have a mold event  (sporulation)  that bothers me,  the air in that room needs to be cleaned up,  and can't by exchanging for outside air  (for example the outside air is say 20 degrees.
  
  Part of this path is already followed in my special sleeping compartment by exchanging the inside air for outside with a single fan blowing air out an exit window.  But then I quickly filter that air;  and it can be quickly heated.  Filtering throughout the trailer may be a big mistake.
  
  Perhaps that is what is happening now  (1/8/15).  I am now sensing M effects from my clothing never detected before.  Perhaps my special indoor mold,  having little indoor competiton,  is adapting to the lack of competition by generating stronger toxins,  or by mutating to a different version of mold.
  
  
• Does bacteria produce or release biotoxins?
  [2/2/15] Some versions do.  The bacteria associated with Lime Disease apparently has an endotoxin  produced,  having very serious human effects.  The bacteria is carried by a tick which bites a person,  thus infecting them with the bacteria.
  
  [2/8/15] Am rather certain now that bacteria that have been apparently feeding on my dead mold after a  'mold-killing'  washing do produce toxins.  Several months ago,  I identified spots on my white laminate bibs with my microscope that seemed likely to be bacteria.  They are now becoming an irritant on my plastic bibs,  though they can be washed off the plastic pretty easily with hand soap.  They produce a dull headache which slowly develops  (likely from a bacterial exotoxin).  Apparently,  bacteria typically reproduce by cell division rather than by producing and releasing spores,  as do mold.  And their toxins in this case are called exotoxins and are actively secreted from the bacteria entities.  For a bit more explanation,  go to the Glossary tab and scroll down to find  'bacterial toxin'.
  
  
• How might one detect an upcoming mold sporulation without experiencing it as toxins?
  [2/4/15] This doesn't seem possible,  though one hesitates to say that.  For molds that do not cause us problems,  sporulation happens without us being aware of it at all.  However,  sporulation of molds that cause me problems seem to cause a vibration or tingling in my body before I sense any inflammation in my mouth.  If this is related to mold sporulation,  it seems to mean that the protein in the spore is being detected and processed in some way by my immune system.  Mold sporulation has already happened,  and a little late to do any mold avoidance based on that.  At this point,  the spore has already been inhaled,  and will or will not do me damage.  The question seems to be based on wishful thinking.
  
  [2/6/15] Now wait a minute.  The production and release of spores by mold (sporulation)  is a physical event.  The spores are released,  or possibly ejected into the air,  from the walls of the mold hyphae.  This seems a little bit disruptive to the physical hyphae;  it could make some noise and therefore be heard.  Particularly if one's ear is 1 or 2 inches from the disruption.  One would have to be pretty quick,  however,  to avoid inhaling the spores.  However,  if the sporulation process continued for some time, one could easily avoid inhaling a large amount of spores by detecting the sporulation,  and leaving the area.
  
  
• Do I feel better with relative humidity under control?
  [2/4/15] I can't detect that I actually feel any better by controlling the humidity in my trailer.  The principle argument for controlling humidity in my situation is to prevent automatic mold growth in clothes.  At some point  (maybe 75% relative humidity?),  pure cotton clothes may start molding.  This would be bad.
  
  
• Will plastic bibs work better than laminates?                              to top
  [2/4/15] It seems that plastic does work better.  It is amazing how little sputum or drool it takes to be enough food to support some mold growth.  Laminate bibs are trouble enough to make and costly enough to purchase that one tries to keep cleaning them of any mold.  And gradually,  the mold works its roots down into the fabric  (through the vinyl),  and is very difficult to remove.  One can kill the mold,  but if washing doesn't remove all of the mold roots,  these will decay via bacteria,  and release mycotoxins in the process.
  
  Plastic bibs from food-grade plastic  (cut from 2 1/2 gallon freezer bags) are cheap,  and fairly easy to make  (cut the bag on 2 sides,  and wash/scrub off an offending chemical layer).  They are more durable than one would think.  It seems likely that using plastic bibs by themselves in the summer will create moisture under the bib on the sleeping bag.  This possibly can be solved by inserting the white laminate bib between the plastic bib and the bag  (the laminate provides insulation).  The laminate should almost never support mold growth by itself in this case,  and the plastic should be almost as easy to replace.
  
  
• Should one use chemicals  (bleach or OxyClean)  at all in getting rid of mold  (killing mold)?
  Maybe using strong chemicals like these will result in the mold mutating,  and producing an even stronger version of toxin. [2/4/15] It seems to be verified  (see Ritchie Shoemaker's writings)  that mold can and will mutate in the presence of some chemical killer used over and over.  However,  it seems the alternative of trying to remove offensive quantities of mold from fabrics by physical means is impossible or impractical.  Once mold gets a foothold,  its roots go into the fabric,  actually digesting part of the fabric,  and thus becomes very hard to remove physically.  It just about has to be killed.
  
  Also,  it seems like mold versions are continually mutating into new versions anyway,  because of all the other things going on in our society  (different uses of chemicals,  fungicides,  etc.).  Then,  the new versions of the molds to which we have become sensitized come to us on the wind predeeding a storm.  Our battle against mold just about has to be a dynamic one anyway.  We change and the mold changes,  both at the same time.
  
  
• How long does it take to work toxins completely out of my system?  To get 'clean'?
  [2/4/15] It seems that the practical and realistic answer to this is the length of time it takes for my immune system to get completely healed such that I don't have a mold sensitivity problem anymore.  Else,  I am constantly testing and doing experiments to try to solve the problem,  and continually getting more toxins in my system from the testing.
  
  However,  I can come close to getting  'clean',  and already have a few times during my struggle with mold  (my running efforts are quite revealing concerning toxins).  An educated guess is that it would take a week to get all the toxins out of my system without any new exposure.
  
  
• Tee shirt questions                              to top
  [3/7/15] At present,  I am regularly wearing a tee shirt during my night-time sleep,  and rotate among shirts as necessary,  as they accumulate mold and bacteria as source of toxins.  Rather than discarding the shirts when they accumulate bothersome levels of mold and/or bacteria,  I have been cleaning the shirts and resusing them.  My current practice is to purchase cheap,  thin,  'regular fit' tee shirts of 100% polyester,  or nearly that,  and of the color white.  The arguments for this criteria is that thin shirts are easier to clean of mold fragments,  the color white makes identification of the shirt possible with a permanent marker,  and likely contains less dye.  Tightly fitting tee shirts,  and those advertised as  'wicking'  moisture from the body seem to encourage the accumulation of moisture in the shirt.  This accumulation is to be strenuously avoided,  as controlling moisture seems the best approach to preventing mold and bacterial growth.
  
  These shirts  (purchased from Walmart)  are mostly made in South America,  and recent purchases have come with mold and/or bacteria in them,  and have thus required significant cleaning before they can be worn successfully.  Even with shirts which seemed to come  'clean'  of mold and bacteria,  attempts to fully clean the shirts have been only partially satisfactory as of this writing.  Though the shirts certainly do not  'wear out',  the inability to dependably clean them is a problem.
  
  The cleaning process has evolved to include
  • attempting to kill the mold with the following:
  • soaking the tee shirts in a recommended OxyClean  'soak'  solution for 6 hours
  • washing these shirts in a heavy duty wash cycle,  using the OxyClean 'stain' material with regular laundry detergent as recommmended
  • washing these shirts in an additional heavy duty wash cycle  (try to get dead mold out)  using regular laundry detergent
  • drying the shirts in a regular drying cycle
  • hanging the shirts on a clothes line for 6 hours or so if the sun is available
  After this process,  I assume the mold is dead,  but fragments remain embedded in the tee shirt fabric.  To remove these fragments,  I wear the shirt in a normal way at night.  I presently believe that bacteria then digest the mold fragments.  My belief is evidenced by the apparent release of secondary mold toxins contained in the cell walls of the mold fragments.  Inhalation of these toxins at present causes some soreness in my throat and mouth,  and will typically cause some dizzyness.  It is my experience that these secondary toxins are considerably less caustic than the form attached to mold spores,  and do not seem to be a significant  'hit'  health-wise.  I know of no other way at present to get rid of the mold fragments other than to let bacteria do the job.
  
  But then,  bacteria have grown significantly in number in the tee shirt.  To kill these bacteria,  I
  • boil the tee shirt for 15 minutes
  • wash the tee shirt in a heavy duty wash cycle,  using normal laundry detergent
  • drying the shirt in a regular drying cycle
  • hang the shirt on a clothes line for 6 hours or so if the sun is available
  The shirt is then as clean as I can get it with present knowledge and practice.  Recent apparent mistakes in the above process include:
  • not getting a uniform soak on tee shirts;  'packing in'  too many of them in the solution and/or not stirring the solution several times during the soak to ensure thorough soaking and penetration of  'new'  OxyClean chemicals during the soak process
  • cross-contamination of otherwise clean tee shirts by trying to combine washing treated tee shirts with normal clothes washing  (to save money)
  • to repeat,  thorough careful cleaning/treating of these special tee shirts is very important.  The process is easily compromised,  wasting money and considerable effort.  Most of us are not used to being this careful to keep things clean,  but it needs to be done
    
    
  [3/28/15] Having concluded that wearing tee shirts at night resulted in a running battle with toxin-producting bacteria, I have switched to protecting my sleeping materials (sleeping bags {winter] or laminate sheets {summer] with special laminate sections especially cut to protect sweat/moisture from the front and back of my upper body from contacting the sleeping material. See the running commentary in the current diary beginning at [3/19/15] for further information.
  
  
• Current diary                              to top
  [2/6/15] An update on using bibs.  Have been trying to sleep on my back only to prevent drool and sputum from gathering on the plastic bibs,  and being food for mold or bacteria.  Have not thus far been able to sleep well solely on my back.  The latest wrinkle is to cut in half a single piece of the plastic bib material,  and consciously place it under my face while sleeping on my side to catch any drool/sputum that comes out.  The drool then becomes food for mold or bacteria,  either of which could emit spores with toxins.
  
  [2/8/15] The mold or bacteria are easily cleaned from the plastic with hand soap and a sponge  (in the shower),  and then dried with paper towels which are then thrown away.  One must be very careful not to cross-contaminate either mold or bacteria on bibs.
  
  Much of this time-consuming and irritating nuiscance would be eliminated if I could quit emitting drool.  Sleeping entirely on my back would mostly solve this.  Am adding additional foam to to my existing  foam pad to keep my tailbone from getting sore.  We'll see if this can permit me to sleep entirely on my back.
  
  [2/9/15] An internet search suggested that one can sleep easier on one's back if the pillow is elevated some;  this apparently makes using the nasal airway more efficient.  Am now trying this,  and waiting for my new additional foam pad to  'air out'.
  
  [3/4/15] Sleeping on my back now seems to be a significant improvement in preventing mold events.  It took a combination of more cushioning of the tailbone,  and raising my head a bit,  to make sleeping at night almost enjoyable again.  As stated,  this change mostly,  but not entirely,  eliminates emissions from the mouth which provide both moisture and food for mold growth.  Also,  this change narrows down finding the culprit when a mold event  (or bacteria,  VOC,  other chemical event,  etc.)  occurs.  Now,  almost aways,  the culprit will be the t-shirt.
  
  [3/6/15] The use and maintenance of my tee shirts has further evolved to the following status and process:
  
  Current Status:  [3/6/15]
  • alternating nightly wear between 12 tee shirts
  • each shirt is primarily polyester  (resists mold growh),  from 94% - 100%
  • each shirt is short sleeved,  and made of thin material to facilitate cleaning mold growth from the fibers
  • the preference at this point is for more loose-fitting tee shirts,  as opposed to  'form-fitting'.  The  'form-fitting'  tees seem to acquire more body moisture  (or quicker),  though they brag about  'wicking'  the moisture away from the body.  This  'wicking'  may be exactly what we do not want
  • each shirt is white or near-white,  to permit use of a black marker for individual identifaction of the tee
  • pure white color is preferred,  as it makes dirt more noticeable,  and may contain less dye
  • the white color has also been found  (on other fabrics)  to make detection of mold by eye,  and inspection by microscope,  possible.  With some colored tees,  mold is almost impossible to see
  • all of these tees have been purchased at Walmart,  are typically manufactured in South America,  and cost about $10 each
  • the  'Starter'  brand had proven to be clean enough when purchased to wear until just recently,  when serious toxin-producing mold or bacteria now is contained in the new shirts such that they have to be cleaned before wearing
  • 2  'Russell'  brand tees are now being discarded,  as they have proven to be not resistant to mold/bacteria.  The specific fiber content is indentified only by a proprietary name,  but may have significant cotton  (which mold likes)
  • I cut off the  'cuffing'  around the neck,  as it seems too thick to be easily cleaned,  and this area  (the collar)  is most noticeable in shirts for becoming dirty
  
  Cleaning process:  [3/6/15]                              to top
  • When a shirt starts producing objectionable levels of toxin-producing mold or bacteria,  it is soaked in a solution of OxyClean  (per box instructions)  and warm/hot water for 6 hours,  then washed using OxyClean  (per box instructions),  then washed again using a standard laundry detergent,  then dried in a drier.  Multiple shirts can be soaked and cleaned at a time  (I just did 10 at a time).  In retrospect, it may be necessary to stir the soak mixture and shirts a time or 2 during the soak,  to ensure thorough penetration of the chemical into all fibers.  When at least 1 shirt had live mold remaining.  This is bad;  see below
  • weather conditions permitting,  the shirt will be hung outside on the clothesline for 6 hours or more to face the sun
  • after this cleaning,  it is assumed all mold has been killed in the shirt.  If not all mold has been killed,  this is assumed to have been because the shirt did not get good penetration into the fibers by the chemical.  This illustrates the dangers of using chemicals,  as mutations of the mold version may occur which can survive the chemical,  resulting in a new variety of mold which is resistant to the chemical.
  • it is assumed that not all of the dead mold fragments will have been removed by washing
  • the shirt is then worn at night, permitting bacteria  (from the air at least)  to decompose the dead mold fragments
  • when the bacteria runs out of dead mold food,  the bacteria will start sporulation,  which is presently detected as a  'trembling/quivering'  in my body as the immune system detects the toxins as foreign entities
  • at this point,  I quickly get up,  remove the tee shirt,  and take it to hang in an outside porch area  (out of my living area)
  • the next step is to boil the tee shirt for 15 minutes to kill the bacteria;  2 - 3 shirts are boilded at a time
  • this is the end of the cleaning process.  the shirt is as clean as it will get at this point,  and is ready for routine night-time use
  • dated records are kept connecting each tee shirt with each cleaning process,  as there may be some  'problem'  tee shirts which must be discarded.  And it may be discovered that the problem is with the process rather than the tee.
  
  [3/16/15] An update on tee shirts:
  • the night of 3/14 - 15/15  (Sat nite - Sun morn)  was a disaster,  with getting body messages  ('quivering')  about hourly that I would start receiving biotoxins,  resulting in constantly getting up and changing something,  trying to find where the source of the toxin was.  Was it from mold,  or from bacteria?  Was it from the tee shirt,  sleeping bag,  or bib?  Or from something else?  In the process,  took a major  'hit'  in accumulating biotoxins,  and felt it nearly all day Sunday  (weakness,  dull headache,  'bad'  feeling,  etc.  {but not terrible}).  With this situation,  I was not sure if my OxyClean  'soak'  process was really killing enough mold,  or if the  'boiling'  process was killing enough bacteria
  • last night  (Sun nite - Mon morn)  was a successful experiment,  reaching the conclusion  (always tentative)  that the problem  (source of toxin)  was the tee shirt,  and leading to a needed follow-up experiment to further decide how to treat tee shirts to save both time and money
  • last night's experiment followed a tee shirt soak  (in OxyClean Stain)  solution for about 8 hours overninght,  followed by a wash using the same OxyClean stain/detergent,  followed by a rinse/wash using ordinary laundry detergent,  followed by commercial drying
  • 2 of these cleaned tee shirts were then sprayed with Lysol disinfectant  (bacteria killer)
  • the first tee shirt worn last night was one from the tee shirt soak,  not treated with Lysol.  It lasted about 1 hour before sending me some toxins  (following the quivering warning).  So,  I got up after about 10 minutes,  realizing that this condition was unsustainable,  and paced back and forth thinking.  At this point,  i did not know if the source of the toxins was mold or bacteria
  • I then changed tee shirts,  selecting one of the 2 that had been treated with Lysol.  I then got some warning  'quiverings'  (quite mild)  which quickly faded.  Continually monitoring my status,  I continued to stay with this tee shirt,  finally concluding that it was sending me no toxins,  and wearing it until get-tup time at 4:00 am this morning  (get-up time to avoid regular mold sporulation from whatever source there could be)
  • at this point,  I do not know what the body  'quivering'  represents;  what is happening?  It is currently the only signal I have of coming toxins,  replacing  (sometimes)  the irritation/burning in the mouth/throat which was dependably present earlier in my mold-sensitive experience
  • This relatively successful experiment  (conclusion:  toxins were from the tee shirt,  and from bacteria)  leads to the next experiment on treatment of tee shirts:
    • Note:  check the OxyClean box to see if i am doing the first wash after soak correctly;  I have not consistently been adding a standard laundry detergent to the OxyClean Stain product
    • try to find out if boiling actually controls/kills my particular problem bacteria,  or if I must use something like Lysol to control it's growth  (undesirable:  using a chemical)
    • do another overnight OxyClean soak of tee shirts,  followed immediately by boiling some of the tees  (only 2 at a time)
    • following the boiling,  continue with the process,  washing all soaked tee shirts  (including the boiled shirts)  in OxyClean Stain + standard laundry detergent,  followed by a standard laundry detergent only wash/rinse,  and then by a commercial dry
    • for the non-boiled shirts,  treat 2  (preferably 2)  of them with Lysol disinfectant  (spray both inside and outside of the shirts),  and 2 with another disinfectant  (use the odd  'Longs Drugs bacterial disinfectant'  already on hand)
    • test for effectiveness by wearing the tee shirts treated above;  testing boiling vs spraying with disinfectant to control bacterial growth/production of toxins,  and comparison of 2 different chemical bacterial disinfectant products
  • in general,  the above experience tends to confirm that my cleaning of sleeping bag bibs in the shower  (including of new bibs)  is actually successful,  and is avoiding cross-contamination
  • it also tends to confirm that my present protection of sleeping bags with the addition of the bibs seems to be working
  • part of the reasoning for the insertion of boiling into the soak/wash process is to get at the bacteria while it is weakoned by the OxyClean  'soak'  process.  Giving tee shirts several days after this process before boiling them  (the procedure to date)  may give the bacteria a chance to recover from the soak exposure.  This from the apparent observation that the boiling process has not been as effective in killing bacteria as advertised
  • regardless of the above,  we still will not know how much mold is being killed by the OxyClean soak process,  or how much bacteria is being killed by either boiling or spraying with chemical.  We are simply measuring by the practical results,  trying to reach our current immune system threshold for tolerating this specific mold and this specific bacteria.  We much would prefer physical means for removing mold or bacteria rather than chemically killing it,  as chemical use tends to lead to adaptation by the toxin-producer,  but sometimes we see no way of physical removal.  One way would be to buy new shirts for night-time sleeping,  and dispose of them when mold growth in the item becomes intolerable.  At present,  this seems too expensive an alternative.  Sunday last however,  I did purchase a 100% polyester polo shirt  ($31)  to serve as a backup to the tees,  and to possibly be tested as an alternative to chemical treatment of night-time shirts.
  
  [3/19/15] Another update on tee shirts:                              to top
  • this is not working very well.  Am not sure,  but it may be that the bacteria are adapting to my attempts to kill or control them,  and are winning the battle.  This version of bacteria has learned how to get past my immune system,  into my body/chemical system.  They may have learned in the process of digesting dead mold hyphae.  The toxins apparently released by these bacteria are not particularly potent,  but are do cause milder forms of fatigue,  headache, etc.
  • my attempts to kill them by boiling have seemed unsuccessful,  though my latest idea for incorporating the boiling into the  'soak/wash/rinse/dry'  routine might prove to be an improvement.  But internet reports indicated boiling for 15 minutes would kill most all bacteria.  That did not kill my version,  with a couple of different attempts.
  • attempts to control bacterial numbers by spraying tee shirts with a disinfectant are not working very well.  The sprayed shirt only seems to resist bacterial growth for a single night,  and re-spraying only for a couple of hours.  By then,  the bacteria are releasing toxins,  either via spores or by exotoxins.  And,  I do not like the idea of sleeping in a shirt recently sprayed with a strong chemical like a disinfectant.  That can give me a headache by itself.  Additionally,  my understanding is that bacteria are pretty adaptable to chemicals.  So disinfectants seem like a bad attempt at a solution
  • my idea of possibly using a polo shirt in place of a tee shirt has not worked well so far.  A cheap polo purchased at Walmart  ($13)  was used 2 times,  for a total of about 4 hours before producing toxins for me,  apparently via bacteria.  My bacteria has proven to be quite adaptive and thorough.
  • so,  I am going to try something a bit different.  I will try sleeping between 2 layers of the  'laminate'  material I eventually purchased to serve as bib material for my sleeping bags.  I have for the last month or so been doing a version of this in taking a nap after lunch,  and that has worked well.  In this version  (sleeping between 2 layers at night),  I will lay down a piece  (about 30" x 30")  of the laminate  (vinyl laminated to a polyester backing)  inside the sleeping bag,  with the vinyl surface up.  This will catch any moisture produced by my back  (I am now sleeping entirely on my back).  I will lie down on this on my back,  and lay another piece,  of similar size with a circle cut out for my neck,  on top of me  (and under the upper layer of the sleeping bag)  with the vinyl again toward my body to resist penetration of any sweat moisture.  The vinyl surface is quite resistant to mold growth,  and is pretty easily cleaned.  I could clean it daily  (as are done with baby's bibs)  if necessary.  Also,  the material is white,  and it has been possible to visually see any mold or bacterial growth by naked eye on the vinyl surface.  Any detected can then be inspected with the microscope.  Am not sure if bacteria can grow on the vinyl itself,  or if they require some additonal material,  like sputum,  to grow.
  • will likely try using the laminate material as described in an afternoon or forenoon nap today.  Last evening's attempt at a good night's sleep did not go well,  with getting up every hour or so to change tee shirts or to disinfect one
  • I have done something similar before,  in the summer,  by sleeping between 2 sheets of laminate material,  with the vinyl surface facing my body.  I do not remember whether or not I also had a tee shirt on,  however.
  
  [3/28/15] Abandoning the tee shirts in favor of the laminate material:
  • this approach seems to be working.  I am now working with materials (the laminate) on which,  by close inspection,  I can detect by naked eye the presence of bacteria or mold  (colors against white material),  and can verify by using my microsocope.  Just could not do this with tee shirt material,  and bacteria had proven to be taking over.
  • yesterday I ordered 10 more yards of the laminate material as I will need it both for replacing the special sections used to protect sleeping materials from my upper body moisture,  and for 6 1/2 foot sheets which I will use in the summer.  Laminate material used thus far needs to be replaced and given better care by not washing with chlorine-based bleach,  and by keeping it cleaner.  Cleanliness seems very important in avoiding mold and bacterial incursions.
  • detection of bacteria on the laminate mostly involves detection of a very small colored item which I mark with a black  'sharpie'  by encircling the item.  This usually results in a circle about 3/4" in diameter which I then can inspect with the microscope to verify.  Commonly,  this item will reveal a collection of what appear to be bacteria,  commonly rust-colored.  Have attempted to clean these individual areas by scrubbing with soap and warm water.  This seems to get most of the bacteria,  but not all,  as some is pretty embedded in the material,  likely feeding on the vinyl material,  and having 'dug in'.  So this means replacement once bacteria is detected.
  • I am going to try preserving the main laminate material in the above case by cutting out the offending 3/4" area of the laminate and  'super-gluing'  a slightly larger piece of laminate over the cut-out area.  Am not sure if the glue will withstand washing,  or if the glue will in fact support mold or bacterial growth,  but this is worth a try.
  • Thus far,  it is not comfortable sleeping between laminate sheets,  as I feel the need to let the vinyl surface of the sheet face my body,  and this so far tends to result in the accumulation of moisture between my body and the sheet.  Do not at present see the solution.
  • [4/1/15] am reversing the sheets next to me,  so the surface next to my skin is polyester rather than vinyl.  This seems more comfortable  (less noticeable sweat),  but we'll have to see if it permits mold or bacterial growth
  
  [4/1/15] current status                              to top
  • cleaning sleeping bags  (at point at which seem to be getting toxins,  bacterial or mold,  from the bag itself)
    • soak sleeping bag in oxyclean solution overnight  (8+ hours);  this should kill the mold;  not bacteria
    • wash bag in oxyclean + common laundry detergent;  this will get out much of the mold and loose bacteria
    • wash bag in common laundry detergent;  try to get out more mold fragments;  should be no living mold left
    • dry sleeping bag thoroughly;  end with high temperature to kill whatever might be left
    • hang bag on outdoor clothes line for a day or 2 if sun is available
    • sleep in the bag  (w/fresh bibs)  for 2 - 4 hours.  During this time,  one should experience release of secondary mold toxins which have been stored in the remaining dead mold fragments,  roots,  etc.  This release comes as bacteria  (which have not been killed)  digest the dead mold.  One has to judge by change in toxin release when this digestion process ends
    • wash sleeping bag again,  treating this time with Pine-Sol  (or equivalent)  to kill the bacteria.  Wash per Pine-Sol recomendationa.  A 2nd similar treatment may be desired
    • put on fresh bibs and sleep in a clean sleeping bag (hopefully)
    
    
  • The alternative to the above cleaning process would seem to be to sleep in a bag until toxin production  (bacterial or mold)  becomes more than one wants to bear,  and then buy a new sleeping bag.  Time and experience  (recorded experience)  should answer this  (if I'm still alive)
    
    
  • laminate materials in place of tee shirts
    This replacement seems to be acceptable,  comfort-wise,  and seems like an efficient long-term solution,  since I can normally detect by eye the presence on the vinyl surface of mold or bacteria,  and verify by inspecting with my hand-held microscope.  My present  [4/1/15]  laminate replacement has a suspect spot on the lower laminate  (ID = 'Inside - Lower - 1')  which was encircled with a black marker when first noticed.  I have now slept on this item 4 consecutive nights with no noticeable detection of increase in bacteria count.  I do need to do a microscopic inspection,  and probably take a picture to record what it looks like now,  to verify status in the future.  I have no noticeable infections on the upper laminate  (ID = 'Inside - Upper - 4'),  which has also been used the last 4 nights.  This,  generally,  is a good indication of success of the replacement,  as bacterial adjustment on the tee shirts seemed to be over-whelming me with toxins,  and I had no good way to see visually what was happening.  These laminate materials can apparently be cleaned by standard washing using standard laundry detergent
    
    
  • plastic bibs status
    Apparently,  my immune system  (or related system)  is recovering its ability to withstand chemical smells.  Presently  [4/1/15]  I am able to use my plastic bibs directly out of the box with no washing off of any chemical,  with very little irritation detected.  This would not have been possible 3 or so months ago,  as was scrubbing the surfaces of these items to avoid the irritating smell.  This change is a big improvement,  as this eliminates effort,  and means whatever treatment was put on the plastic by the manufacturer  (Hefty)  was probably put on to resist bacterial and mold growth;  just what i need.  These plastic items are 2 1/2 gallon  'jumbo storage slider'  bags apparently intended for food storage.  I cut them on 2 sides,  giving me a piece of plastic 16" x 30".  These seem to be about 5 mil plastic,  and sufficiently strong to be attached as bibs to my sleeping bag  (1 upper and 1 lower)  with safety pins and survive tearing,  etc. adequately.  This approach seems to be working and efficient.
    
    
  • laminate sheets
    Laminate sheets  (3' x 6' 5")  gradually replace the use of sleeping bags in the transition from winter to summer.  Though not as comfortable as sleeping in a sleeping bag at lower temperatures,  this seems to be working satisfactorily,  with the continued use of laminate replacements for tee shirts.  These sheets can be inspected by eye and by microscope as can the laminate replacements for tee shirts,  and also can be laundered normally.  A good air conditioning system in my bedroom,  also serving my special sleeping compartment,  will assist controlling sweating in the summer months.
    
    
  It should be noted that the above changes have been possible partially because I have adapted to sleeping only on my back,  to prevent drooling which resulted from sleeping on my side.
  
  The above  'current status'  of  [4/1/15]  seems like a milestone in finding sleeping materials which work satisfactorily for me.  However,  these apparent milestones have been reached before,  and Mr. Mold proved to have a surprise waiting for me.
  
  What is particularly new during the last several months is the difficulty with toxin-producing bacteria,  which perhaps have learned how to get past my innate immune system by  'learning'  from digesting dead mold.  The toxins from these bacteria seem not as severe as those from mold,  but are still significantly effective in taking the joy out of life.  It remains to be seen whether I have a handle on controlling these bacteria.  They are very adaptive.
  
  [4/4/15] a testing dilemmna                              to top
  I currently have a sleeping bag which has been used for 4 - 5 months,  and which has undergone my current ideas for cleaning it,  namely:
  • Soak the bag overnight in a recommended OxyClean solution  (kill the mold)
  • Wash the bag using a combination of OxyClean and NLD  (normal laundry detergent)  (intial attempt to flush out dead mold and bacteria,  live or dead)
  • Wash the bag again using only NLD  (2nd attempt at flushing mold and bacteria particles)
  • Sleep in the bag using normal procedures and fabrics for about 4 hours  (let bacteria digest remaining dead mold particles).  One will experience toxins during this period as secondary toxins are released from mold cell walls
  • Wash the bag,  adding 1/2 cup of PineSol to the wash as addition to NLD  (kill the bacteria which will have increased in number substantially)
  
  If this process is successful,  I should have a clean sleeping bag.  To sleep in it the first and succeeding times,  I should not introduce any fabrics that have been exposed to my mold and bacteria.  I need new material for Upper and Lower Inside laminate items  (I now have this material).  I need new plastic bibs to attach to the bag  (I have much of this material).
  
  Here is the rub.  If I buy new  (polyester preferred)  underpants to wear,  how do I know if they come already containing some mold and/or bacteria?  I don't.  They really should be new polyester which have been washed,  including PineSol with NLD.  Also,  shorts worn over the underpants should be new and treated as the underpants. 
  
  Else,  I risk cross-contamination.  The question is,  how clean are my existing underpants and shorts which have been washed normally?  I should have been treating these with PineSol when laundering them,  and underpants should be polyester rather than cotton  (most are cotton).
  
  A note:  Seemingly,  my present approach of washing underpants and nylon or polyester shorts in NLD has been successful;  I don't seem to detect toxins from these items,  though I re-sleep in the shorts and change underpants with each sleep.
  
  This is an important test,  and will help answer whether I should try to really clean sleeping bags,  or use until they become too bothersome,  and then replace them.  How would I know that a new one wasn't contaminated already?  I wouldn't.  One can look at the country of origin to guess the risk of contamination.
  
  One has to simply try,  and see what happens.
  
  End of dilemmna.
  
  A Notable Event
  [5/8/15] Last evening about 10:15pm I went to Enloe Hospital  (emergency entrance by necessity)  as I seemed to be accumulating toxins in my system,  my left leg was moderately numb,  and my right leg was slightly numb.  I had been shaking/quivering almost uncontrollably for an hour or so.  My stomach hurt,  as it had pretty much all day.  I had vomited,  with the vomit being very acidy,  and largely water.  Quite a bit came out,  but I didn't feel any better.
  
  I told the attending persons at ER that I had biotoxin illness,  and needed help.  My blood pressure was taken  (169/110?).  I was appointed to a room,  and my blood pressure taken again,  this time about 149/75  (pretty normal).  I was made comfortable and warm and a pot left for urine,  and a pan for vomit (which I said might occur).  The doctor (Dr.  Peiris) came in about 10 - 15 minutes,  and asked what was going on.  I explained that I had had biotoxin illness for 4 years,  had largely failed in addressing the problem,  and had reached the end of my rope.  I needed expert help.
  
  Dr. Peirus asked what my primary care doctor had to say about this,  and my reply was that he said he couldn't help me;  I was  'on my own'.  Dr. Peirus grimmaced or shook his head.  I don't remember any other questions about biotoxins.  Dr. Peirus said he was going to take labs to measure my condition,  that he wanted to ensure I wasn't having a stroke.  He also said he would take a C-Scan,  in that I was shaking,  and had numbness in both legs,  and that the numbness had been increasing.  He said he would check the results of the blood labs and the C-scan and see what they contained.  Dr. Peirus never returned to talk to me.  He apparently was the  'in-charge'  doctor on emergence call.
  
  A woman shortly came in to take my blood,  and was followed shortly by 2 men who wheeled me out to take a C-Scan.  They then wheeled me back to my room and I was made comfortable by an attending woman.  At some point  (perhaps earlier),  I was given a pill by a nurse to put under my tongue to combat my nausea.  I waited about 1 hour,  and then my primary woman attendent came in and said I was being sent home,  and gave me a sheet of instructions from the doctor.
  
  I was surprised,  hurt,  and somehwat angry in that I felt that my primary cause of illness was not addressed.  I was shown to an  'exit'  person,  signed some papers about insurance and left.  I was too ill and had not thought about the situation and treatment enough to argue with anyone.  The time of release was about 1:15 am on Wed,  5/8/15.  I did not know whether I would get through the rest of the night or not without taking on considerable toxins,  with the situation being what it appeared to be when I left home.  I did get through the night in pretty good shape by sleeping a couple of hours in  'the cave',  and then finishing the night sleeping in my office under white laminate sheets.  At some point during the night,  I vomited again,  this time even more,  emptying my stomach,  and still tasting like acidy stuff,  and mostly all water.  I felt no more input of toxins  (slight quivering as an indicator),  the numbness had somewhat gone away in my legs,  and I felt considerably better.
  
  For the past couple of days,  during which I felt bad  (getting worse),  I have been taking considerable  (menthol-based)  cough drops along with water,  as I thought the cough drops moderated the effect of toxins somewhow.  They could have caused the acidy taste,  or some of it.
  
  Getting even worse  (a close call)                              to top
  [4/15/15] Am now feeling there is a danger of me getting into a  'death spiral',  with apparent accumulation of mold spores and bacterial toxins in both sleeping bags and night-time clothes.  Laminates nearly all seem to be infected with bacteria.  Have unwittingly increased my exposure to different bacterias and molds by purchasing cheap clothes and sleeping bags from Walmart manufactured in South America and China,  among other countries.  American manufacturing plants are apparently inspected for cleanliness,  and,  though much more expensive,  are apparently free from such contamination.
  
  The night of 4/13 -14,  I barely slept any,  not finding any combination of sleeping clothes,  laminate sheets,  and sleeping bags that were free from mold sporulation and/or bacterial toxin production.  In exasperation,  and to get out of the situation,  I got up at 5:00 am to take a long walk  (about 5 miles).  That day I felt terrible,  having had almost no sleep,  enduring pain,  and not sure of what to do.  My emergency backup salvation I have thought was using a chemical cartridge respirator  (used for painting+)  to prevent inhalation of toxins.  The next night of 4/14 - 15,  this  (I thought)  was successful,  though having claustrophobia at wearing such a device  (partly i am afraid of not getting enough air when sleeping with such a respirator).  Am having to stop writing now as am getting spores from my wearing my all-cotton casual clothes at the computer.
  
  (1 hr later,  4/15/15)  Am trying to decide how to sleep toninght;  is what I have planned the right thing?  Can't think it through.  Am not sure that what I did last night was the right thing.  I thought it was at the time;  was even proud of what I had done.  Now I find that last night caused more problems with aerosolized spores accumulation in the trailer which I hadn't sufficiently considered,  and am not sure what effect it had on my night-time sleeping things.  I did keep some times of mold sporulations,  so I can do some comparisons,  and possibly learn something.  I waste so much time cleaning things because I don't know what is happening.  I am a comedy of errors.  Time now to change loads of clothes.
  
  Hitting Bottom  (written about 10 days after the following happened)
  The next major happening after going to Enloe Hospital's emergency room  (described above)  was going to a  'Quick-Care'  facility,  partly an attempt to find some doctor who was aware of the symptoms and conseequences of mold sensitivity.  I do not remember the time of day;  only that the head nurse  (who had listened to me),  when releasing me gave the name of a local allergist whom I should call for help,  informing me that this  'Quick-Care'  faciliity was simply not equiped to deal with my situation.  I knew she was right,  but did not know what else do do.  I was searching for help from some medical source.
  
  I did call that allergist's phone number,  I think after first calling my local doctor's office.  I was trying to get an appointment with my regular care physician,  only to find he was unable to see me  (per his assisting nurse)  as he was finishing for the day and for the week  (this was Thursday afternoon)  and didn't have time to see me.  When I called the recommended allergist's number,  I got a receptionist and found that the allergist wouldn't be available until the following week.  None of this was soon enough.  I needed help within a day or so.
  
  Two of my neighbors to whom I am close were getting worried about me,  seeing me losing weight and looking hagard as I searched to find something that worked.  One of these neighbors had a brother who had been in the care of the  'Enloe Behaviorial Health Services'  facilities several times,  heard good things from the experience,  and recommended that I go there for care.
  
  I was wearing out,  getting up at 4:00 am and walking to avoid mold,  and hurting considerably from mold toxins.  I was overwhelmed.  My brother,  to whom I would normally call for help,  was in Arizona on vacation.  On Friday afternoon I therefore did go to the recommended  'Enloe Behaviorial Health Services'  facilities,  checking myself in.  I wasn't actually ready to go to a facility like this,  having only the clothes that I wore,  and having no  'toiletries'  that one would normally take on overnight excursions.  However,  they admitted me,  importantly because in the initial interview,  I mentioned that I had been considering suicide.  This proved to be the  'secret word'  to getting admitted,  but was not much of an exaggeration,  as I saw no end to this other than a further spiral downward.  I was now in that spiral,  and this would seem to lead to death,  either at my own hand,  or due to the mold itself.  One can only withstand so much of the absolutely terrible feeling often accompanying mold illness.
  
  At Enloe Behaviorial Health Services  (principally serves addicts trying to come  'clean',  and other psychological issues)                              to top
  I spent 6 days at the  'Enloe Behaviorial Health Services'  facilities,  with the 3rd doctor to which I was submitted actually listening to my assertion that my base problem was mold sensistivity.  He seemed in agreement,  and seemed to understand what mold can do.  He was a psychiatrist,  and put me on a medication which seemed to help my condition.  This would have been Saturday,  my having admitted myself  (with no additional clothes,  or toiletries) on a Friday afternoon.  This initial medication  (pills),  given by his direction as a minimal dose,  and,  after seeing positive results,  was increased 2 times,  and taken in small doses during the day also.  It did seem to solve a major part of the the base problem,  though I also felt  'drugged'  and sluggish during the day.
  
  At night during my stay,  I was still bothered occasionally at night by mold attacks,  my not having figured out my attack times  (those I now use  {would they be the same ones?}),  and having to use a towel to  'wave'  aerosolized spores from my room after an attack,  much to the chagrin of the nurses,  who apparently thought I was delusional,  and refusing to believe there could be mold in their clean environment.  With heavier doses of the medication,  I could not detect the presence of spores in the air,  and continured to  'towel'  them out,  as I believed if I had been attacked  (little doubt in my mind about that),  there were spores remaining in the air.
  
  One additional health item of note happened while at this facility;  I gave myself an enema.  I had developed constipation following my days of eating almost nothing,  and then eating slightly,  foods which are easily digestible;  not containing much fiber which I need to keep the stools soft and moving.  Though advised of my constipation and growing pain,  the nurses seemed to not take this very seriously and seemed to be moving the situation on to the next nurse.
  
  So I solved the thing by going in through the anus with the index finger on my left hand,  and digging out the feces which had seemingly formed into a rather tight  'ball';  one which my system simply couldn't pass.  10 or 15 minutes of this  'digging out'  and my pain had been relieved;  crisis averted.  On the same day,  the nurse had obtained a special  'suppository'  which I inserted in my rectum,  and which further dissolved harder lumps of feces.  I then started having semi-regular bowel movements.
  
  I did seem to get better during my stay at this facility,  gaining confidence in my ability to have a good night's sleep due both to the medication,  and to my willingness to  'do something'  when mold attacks came  (change beds;  change bedding;  'towel out'  the aerosols,  etc).  I was released from the facility,  partially because of my getting better,  partly because I told each staff person I was no longer suicidal,  and partially because Bob had removed the guns from my trailer.
  
  Current Plan
  [4/26/15] My stay at Enloe Behaviorial Health of 6 days resulted in a medication subscription of Olanzapine  (taken in the form of Zyprexa during my stay)  for my mold illness which has the following benefits  (per visits with the prescribing doctor):
  • anxiety blockage/reduction
  • enhancement of my immune system
  • pain blockage/reduction
  
  These benefits should allow me to do some experiments in my sleeping compartment that will help asess my biotoxin illness,  and perhaps develop a plan to eliminate it completely.  At least cope with it successfully.  The unfortunate thing is that this specific medication has much of the same side effects as the symptoms of my mold events.
  
  Given pills for the above medication,  the following is a beginning plan for my sleeping time:
  • use pills at night for approximation of a normal sleep routine.  This,  for now means:
    • go to bed at about 7:00 pm.  This will avoid mold sporulations,  but encounter bacterial emissions for 10 - 15 minutes around 8:00 pm (note: as of 4/29/15,  am not detecting these emissions).  Can try to sleep through these,  or avoid by getting up during this time
    • alternate:  go to bed at about 7:55 pm.  This will avoid waking up in the initial sleep to avoid bacterial emissions.  Will take this route this Sunday since am cooking in the evening,  delaying sleep time
    • get up at 4:01 am to avoid the mold sporulation which varies about 4:13 am
    • back to bed not before 4:41
    • up at 5:30 to avoid
    • back to bed at 5:58
    • up at 6:40 to avoid  (can get up for good here if have enough sleep or need to wash clothes,  exercise,  etc.)
    • back to bed at 6:52
    • up for good when I wake up  (this would mean absorbing several milder sporulations  (perhaps by bacteria)
  • The toxins encountered above seem to diminish as the morning goes on,  making avoidance less necessary.  This is still conjecture.
  • Take 3 pills  (7.5 mg)  just before bed
  • Take 1 additional pill during the day,  to avoid any pain associated with toxins taken in rather than avoided.  The above essentially maintains the pill routine established at Enloe BH,  and per prescription instructions
  • Complete avoidance of bacterial emissions of biotoxins at night will remain to be seen
  • Continue avoidance of biotoxins at after-lunch nap as previously established  (less than 40 minutes)
  • [4/29/15] Note:  The above dosage is per doctor's recommendations.  I have since decided to slack off taking this medication,  as it makes me weak and dizzy etc.  I am now down to a single 2.5 mg pill taken at night and will next eliminate this medicine completely to see how that goes.
  
  
  [5/3/15] Am now not taking any of the pills prescribed by the psychiatrist/prescrition,  and am feeling much better;  and starting to gain some strength.  For some reason  (or several),  I am not getting growth of bacteria  (or mold)  on the laminates used against my body at night in  'the cave'.  There seems to be no growth  (per inspection by naked eye).  Perhaps it is entirely because I am using a Dial anit-bacterial soap in my shower just before bed,  and pretty carefully scrubbing my back with a brush soaked in this soap.
  
  I have now progressed  (I guess it is progress)  through several different forms of detecting mold and bacterial sporulations/emissions to where I cannot now seem to tell at all when a mold sporulation occurs.  I have only my recorded sporulation times remaining from when I felt a  'quivering';  particularly of my left leg as sporulation occurred,  or more correctly,  as toxins apparently entered my body.  What does this absence of detection of symptoms mean?  Surely this indicates progress against the mold by my immune system.  It just happens that it makes it more difficult to avoid sporulations and taking in toxins.  In all cases where I could detect toxin intake by some effect or physical event,  it was never intended by my body/immune system as a warning to me,  but only was an incidental effect of interaction of the toxin with my body/immune system  (like inflammation,  or histamine generation).
  
  The only way it would seem I could now be aware of mold sporulation is to use my laser-based particle meter to detect an increase in the number of particles per cubic meter of air  (particle needs to be larger than 1 micron to be detected;  most mold spores are reportedly larger than this)  in the air space concerned.  So far,  I have not been able to succeed in doing this detection  (no really serious experiments).
  
  An immune system change                              to top
  [From May 12 thrugh the 14th and 15th] On these dates,  I experienced a situation similar to the one previously experienced,  which ended in my entering a  'behaviorial health facility'  for 6 days;  in other words,  a 'crisis' situaion.  In this latter case,  I had my brother and my previously gotten medication to assist in my recovery.  The event is as follows.
  
  [5/12/15] A Tuesday evening.  I have been attempting to convert from sleeping in a sleeping bag in my special compartment  (appropriate for winter)  to sleeping among only sheets of my special laminate of white vinyl and polyester.  The laminate was new yesterday,  and I expected it to remain clean of bacteria and mold for a while;  maybe several weeks.  Rather,  this evening I am experiencing times of toxins entering my system.  This,  in addition to not being comfortable with the sheet/laminate arrangement necessary to keep warm.  Very confusing,  irritating,  and mentally taxing.  I was confused,  angry,  and despondent.  I wasn't getting much sleep.
  
  [5/13/15] The next morning,  I had a headache  (seemingly due to toxins now in my system),  and felt the presence of the toxins.  What should I do?  What could I do?  Shortly,  it seemed practically every item of clothing I had,  whether protected by closet doors or not,  was toxic to my personal system via spores on the clothing outer surfaces,  and in the air in different rooms.  My entire trailer seemed toxic.
  
  My brother called to ask for us to meet at coffee to discuss things.  I called him back,  at times shivering almost uncontrollably,  and asked him to bring over some coffee,  and a fresh change of clothing for me;  something to wear which would not be contaminated.  He did as I requested,  and over coffee and a cinnamon roll,  I began to recover my confidence at gaining the upper hand;  I had a little plan for recovery,  including the non-toxic clothes,  a walk in the outdoor air,  and a plan to  'air out'  all the rooms in the trailer,  including the clothes and laminates exposed in them.
  
  By that evening,  i still had somewhat of a headache,  had followed my plan for recovery,  and took 2 of my remaining  'magic pills'  which had been prescribed by my psychiatrist at the behaviorial health facility.  Upon going to bed,  I tried simplifying my approach to using a  'laminate sheet complex'  in order to narrow down where the toxins had come from.  To my disapointment,  bacteria  (later recognized as likely mold)  was now scattered throughout my new laminates.  I repaired some places,  and tried sleeping again with the revision.  More toxins still,  but lighter.  This was no good.  This was too complex and the bacteria was too resourceful.
  
  So,  I elected to put the laminate sheets away for further attempts,  and reverted to a brand-new sleeping bag,  made in the USA,  where it seemed likely not to contain bacteria and/or mold from the manufacturing process.  Success; and I slept the night in comfort,  awakening the next morning still very tired,  but absent the headache and the feeling of hosting many toxins.
  
  [5/14/15] Outward symptoms seemed to suggest I had recovered my previous ability to resist some level of mold/bacteria exposure.  This was a considerable change,  given that I was still quite tired from my ordeal of the day before,  uncertain that I had basically recovered.  But it was true,  and seems now to suggest the following explanation.
  • Seemingly all of the change WRT my mold/bacteria biotoxin intake  (and resultant headache and nausea)  was due to a decline in performance of my immune system
  • The decline in my immune system was caused by my exhaustion,  fear of loss of control over my situation,  and depression at experiencing the headache/nausea for the entire day,  and conceivably on and on.
  • The recovery in my immune system was caused by my acceptance of the failure of my  'laminates as sheets'  design,  the success of a backup sleeping bag which had no attendant mold/bacteria to infect me,  the good results which follow from sleeping a whole night,  and the positive effects of taking 2 magic pills  (supposed to block anxiety,  assist recovery of the immune system,  and block excessive pain).
  
  
  At this point in my dealing with the effects of mold-sensitization,  it seems correct to think that our immune system maintains a dynamic  'threshold'  for admitting or rejecting toxins.  If one is below this threshold  (the immune system is over-whelmed),  almost every piece of clothing which has been worn,  and therefore produced some mold,  seems to be giving off toxins which we inhale.  Every room containes toxic air.  It is a very difficult and depressing situation.  When one is above the threshold,  life becomes more normal.  When struggling,  back and forth we go;  over and then under our dynamic toxin thresholds.
  
  Back to the question of dealing with persistent bacteria and mold  Can I use anti-germicidal soap or gel to coat the laminates before bedtime?  Is there a anti-germicideal laundry detergent with which I can wash my existing sleeping bags,  and perhaps the laminates,  to make them useful again?  Is there a pattern to the bacteria found in my brand-new laminates?  where did it come from?
  
  An experiment                              to top
  • Try 'rubbing down'  the 2 laminates used in my new sleeping bag just before going to bed,  just as I use the Dial anti-bacterial soap to cleanse and coat my body before going to bed
  • Identify bacterial locations as has become my custom,  and take photos  (stored as image files)  of a selection of these locations
  • Visually inspect these bacterial locations daily before going to bed,  to see if there is noticeable change.  If there is,  look at the spots under the microscope,  and store the image files
  • Repair the bacterial spots if the bacteria is growing,  and becoming a problem
  • Take recorded photos weekly of the selected spots if there is no visually detectible growth
  • Look for patterns/locations of bacterial spots.  Discovery  (on 5/14/15)  of 4 different bacterial spots on IU-21 after only a few sleepings suggest that bacterial infestations may occur by my hand cross-contaminating the laminate from other places in reach of my sleeping.  This could include grasping my genitals,  or any other source of bacteria on my body,  and possibly carrying some bacteria-loving food with my transfer.  How could this be avoided?
  • One must be careful in managing an experiment, particularly if results will be used as basis for what to do.  It is very easy to make incorrect conclusions from one's experiments.  Oftentimes,  our assumptions about what is true are wrong
  
  [6/2/15] A significant change
  It has recently become clear that I cannot now detect mold presence in my laminate material.  It now produces mold spores when I cannot see it in any form by naked eye.  If this represents mold amplification in some form,  or discovery of an error in my previous judgement,  I do not know.  The mold now seems more agressive and able to penetrate both the vinyl and polyester portions of the laminate where it seemed it could not before.  This seems like amplification in some aspects of the mold species in my trailer.
  
  Therefore,  I am presently abandoning the use of laminates in most forms,  and will tentatively return to sleeping in sleeping bags;  selecting those that are thin enough to largely wash mold materials from them.  When washing the bags 1 time fails to remove mold accumulations that bother me,  I will discard the sleeping bag.
  
  An additional item of note.  It now appears likely that the offensive toxin-producing   (apparently)  material that to date I have been calling bacteria is in fact mold.  It looks so different from previous examples of mold under my hand-held microscope  (about 150X);  so much like a small block rather than a colony of hyphae;  that I had assumed it was bacteria.  Recently,  I have seem images of mold that are similar to those in question,  and am now guessing that if one could see these at 2,000X - 3,000X,  one would know that it is mold.
  
  This diary continues on the tab Medication.

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