A mold event is defined as an event in which a mold succeeds in getting toxins into my system.

The most common and problematic sources of toxins for me are:

• Via spores from the mold sporulating somewhere near my head area  (most common form),  resulting in inhalation of the fresh spore and its attached toxin.  This event has commonly occured during the night-time,  and less frequently while napping during the day
• Inhalation of mycotoxins  (perhaps from decaying mold from a washed coat)  sufficient to overwhelm my immune system's defenses.  This has been noted most often just after washing clothes with some mold-killing agent

My revised strategy for combating further mold sensitization  (as of 12/10/14)  is the following:

• Avoid exposure to all mold events for the strains of mold to which I have become sensitized.  This will be accomplished by the following:
  • Installation of a dehumidifier  (30 pint,  portable)  in the special sleeping compartment in my bedroom.  This is to be set such that humidity does not exceed 60%,  and does not force humidity under 35%,  while I am in the compartment
  • Purchase of a 2nd identical dehumidifier to serve both the kitchen and office areas,  using the same settings and concepts as for the above machine
  • Purchase of a 3rd identical dehumidifier for use primarily in my 2nd bedroom,  which is used for storage of normally used clothes,  including workout gear.  The door to this room will now typically remain closed,  to keep humidity within the desired range,  and to prevent mold development on humid days in my common clothes
  • Order a CPAP  (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)  inhalation device,  which will provide air from outside of the sleep compartment directly into my nostrils.  This device can be worn when it seems there is danger of a mold event occurring,  and I need or would like to be sleeping or resting  (like Sunday morning from 3:00 am till 7:30 am,  or during sickness).  The CPAP device will be provided air from some pressurized air source;  yet to be determined.  A custom plywood box attached to a small barrel fan has proven to not provide enough pressure to make the CPAP device widely useful
  • Depending on my experience with the above CPAP device,  I may order a second CPAP unit which is known as a full-face mask,  to serve times when my nose is plugged up  (including when I am sick),  and cannot therefore use the nose-only mask.  This device would be served air from the same air pressure system serving the nose-only device
  • All sleeping and napping is to be done in the sleeping chamber,  wearing clothes reserved to be worn there.  A shower will be taken before putting on these special clothes if I have worked or done a workout.  Pertinent items in my general schedule will include:
    • night sleep in the chamber from 7:00 pm till 3:00 am
    • up at 3:00 am to work in office
    • stop work at 6:00 am  (adjustable depending on workout time needs)  for exercise
    • exercise  (including dressing time)  from 6:00 am till 7:30 am
    • nap/rest after lunch,  for 1/2 - 1 hour in chamber.  Wear special clothes;  no shower
    • no time spent in the chamber during normal mold sporulation times  (3:00 am til 7:30 am)  unless using a CPAP device.  The sleeping chamber is to be aired out following such times.
  • Emission of 'drool' while sleeping has proven to be a significant problem in generating mold. My approach to this problem is discussed under the Conclusions tab.
  • I would like to be able to nap/rest after a workout and after lunch,  without having to change clothes and set up the sleeping chamber.  I had thought satisfactory use of the CPAP device would solve this.  Thus far, the CPAP setup is unsatisfacory  (not enough air delivered via my barrel fan, and I tend to drift off and breathe through my mouth).  I do need to solve this,  as use of a CPAP device in case of illness,  etc. might be necessary.
  • Use of my existing filter machines will continue as at present (one filter is normally running on low speed somewhere in the trailer all of the time I am there),  unless some change is seen to be needed
  • Other rules are:
    • work clothes are for work outside,  or for inside duties when I am moving around;  not to be worn,  except for 20 minutes or less,  while reading or working on the computer,  or when eating.  My work clothes are mostly cotton,  and will be producing mycotoxins from the last wash if recent,  or mold if damp from sweat or weather
    • special,  mold-resistant clothes  (like polyester)  need to be worn when working on the computer,  when preparing and eating meals,  or when reading for an extended period.
• Stopping mold events should give my immune system an opportunity to repair itself  (if possible).  I need to learn about the immune system,  to see what happens when it becomes overwhelmed,  and see what I can do to help it recover,  if possible
• Learn what the person mentioned in the Mold Warriors book did  (if he knows)  to recover after becoming hyper-sensitized,  and after realizing he was becoming more sensitive  (my situation to date)
• Try to make contact with the MD from Sierra Health Network who specializes in immunology and allergy,  and see if he can take me on as a patient,  to help me with my program
• If the above item fails,  look for some other person who could subsititue for him.
• Keep measurements to detect improvement/deterioration in my immune system  (what would these be?)
• Keep measurements to detect improvement/deterioration concerning toxins in my system.  These include:
  • run times
  • my general feeling of well-being
  • markers in my blood  (need a doctor to order and interpret these?)
  • impairments in my vision;  it does  (think Vision Contrast Sensitivity test)  appear that toxins in my system noticeably affect my vision,  and that these impairments are detectable by me

The following items should justify the above strategy;  if the following items are illogical or inconsistent,  the above items need adjusting.

• My strategy to date has possibly been a failure from the standpoint of increased sensitivity
• From the first item in the listing above,  it may be that:
  • I have not given my immune system a chance to recover;  there have been too many mold events;  the immune system has been overwhelmed
  • My immune system cannot recover regardless of how many or how few mold events there are;  once the mold secures an entry hole,  that entry remains open and my immune system has been permanently damaged
  • Something else
• Stopping all mold events for the mold version to which I have become sensitized possibly/probably does the following:
  • prevents my specific mold strain from increasing my sensitivity to it.  Probably the toxins which enter on a mold event reinforce or increase the entry point
  • creates the opportunity for the immune system to recover its ability to protect from the specific mold,  if it can
• Avoiding mold events probably depends on:
  • correctly predicting sporulation times for my specific mold
  • mold must have some growth before it can produce spores.  Spores cannot sporulate.
  • mold needs the following to grow:
    • food source  (like cotton;  some form of organic matter;  doesn't need to be much)
    • moisture;  typically,  relative humidity above 60% or 70%;  some mold needs free water  (100% relative humidity)
    • spores,  or existing mold colony  (spores are continually in the air;  indoor and out)
    • sufficient temperature for the specific mold to grow;  this temp is unknown on my mold,  except that at temperatures at which I live,  it can obviously grow and sporulate
    • the conditions that are required for sporulation,  I do not know

My approach to date concerning my mold sensitivity tends to be seen now as a failure;  insufficient.  My increasing sensitivity may be indicative of this  (and yet it may not).  A recent cold which went down into my chest illustrated my vulnerability to entering a  'death spiral',  in that I needed extended rest,  but couldn't seem to get it without suffering more mold events.  This situation was exacerbated by sensitivity to chemicals used to counter mold growth.

The feeling and situation were very frightening;  they made me feel a complete loss of control,  much like a claustrophobic feeling;  very difficult to describe.  One wouldn't need many days of this before feeling like ending it all.  It is possible that many people who commit suicide reach this point,  and are not able to look far enough ahead to make it seem worth going through the existing pain of life.  Those who have never experienced this condition are not likely to ever be able to appreciate the feeling.

Robin Williams' recent suicide seems like a good example.

My goal  (as of 1/8/15)  is to get to a  'clean'  state,  and stay very close to that condition for several months to give my immune system a chance to heal as much as possible.

'Clean' is defined as having no recognizable toxins in my system.  Primarily this will be measured by

• generally feeling good;  feeling like doing things;  looking forward to things
• running continuously for 2 miles and breathing pretty freely and deeply during the run
• no recognizable mold events occuring,  night or day,  during which toxins would be expected to enter my system
• passing a Visual Contrast Sensitivity test successfully for say 3 months

Note:  as of 1/11/15,  the above plan seems to have been superseded by the intersection of my immune system with Mr. Mold.  After about 6 weeks of no events in the sleeping chamber,  and anticipation  (wishful thinking?)  of continued control over these things,  I had an unexpected mold event in the sleeping chamber.  I use a bit of toilet paper to clean up any  'drooling'  during the night,  had absent-mindedly left it in the chamber a couple of days,  mold grew,  and spores came.

The event was so unexpected,  with no immediate explanation,  I let the attack go on  (not a usual thing in my history).  But this time the resulting symptoms were unusually mild,  both short and long-term.  This has led me to think that my immune system is actually adjusting and adapting to the mold,  but in ways unanticipated.  So,  perhaps I need to  'go with the flow',  and give my immune system all the help possible to gradually squeeze Mr. Mold out.

This would demand a modification of the above plan.