Letter to the Editor of The Examiner, San Francisco

The CDC recently released and posted online Clinical, epidemiologic, histopathologic and molecular features of an unexplained dermopathy which included a map showing a cluster of Morgellons Disease sufferers associated with the Guadalupe River watershed downstream from the New Almaden Mercury Mines. While some in the medical world suggest this symptoms set best fits in the diagnosis of Delusional Parasitosis, my research and experience suggests symptoms relate to mercury toxicity (see Keleher in Explore! Journal for the medical professional- issues 17.4, 17.6, 20.5, and 21.1). Paresthesia (crawling, biting, poking sensations under/on skin) is a known symptom of mercury poisoning (see accounts of Minimata, Japan as well as Northern Iraq or do a search on pubmed.gov of “mercury” and “parensthesia”). The best means of determining a systemic body burden of mercury may be testing gluathione levels. I believe further investigations are needed.

CDC Report Morgellons Cluster in Guadalupe River Watershed

The CDC report on Morgellons (Unexplained Dermopathy) defines a cluster of Morgellons sufferers near the base of the Guadalupe River watershed. Upriver from this is the remains of the New Almaden Mercury Mines (largest mercury mines ever in the US). The case for a connection between Morgellons symptoms and mercury exposure is growing stronger every day.

A Comment I Left with the CDC Report- CONSIDER MERCURY

My name is Joe Keleher. Professionally I am a teacher, writer and archaeologist. I had symptoms from the Morgellons symptoms set and documented my recovery (Keleher 2008a). I noted patterns found in Kellett’s 1935 article and investigated connections between historically documented Morgellons symptoms and mercury exposure ( Keleher 2008b). The article “Rethinking Delusions of Parasitosis” follows possible connections in DOP accounts. I believe these symptoms relate to biochemistry and a change in mercurial species within the body; inorganic mercury (such as related to amalgam fillings) cannot pass beyond the blood/brain barrier while organic species can (further discussion in Keleher 2011). “Approaching Morgellons: A Former Sufferer’s Perspective” was also published by the peer reviewed medical journal Explore! (Keleher 2012). Researcher can contact me through my website: jwkeleher.com. I also present related materials on morgellonsjoe.blogspot.com . My thoughts and prayers go out to those still suffering.



Mentioned Publications:
Keleher, Joseph W. "Hell and Back Again” Explore! 17. 4 (2008a), http://members.cox.net/llyee2/NCS_article_by_joe.pdf . (Accessed 8/23/11).
Keleher, Joseph W. "Patterns in Early Morgellons Disease Considered as Effect of Mercury Exposure." Explore! 17. 6 (2008b).
Keleher, Joseph W. “Rethinking Delusions of Parasitosis”, http://morgellonspgpr.wordpress.com/category/joseph-keleher/ (accessed 10/19/11).
Keleher, Joseph W. “Beyond the Barrier: A Hypothetical Model for Cause and Progression of Morgellons Disease”, Explore! 20.5 (2011).
Keleher, Joseph W. “Approaching Morgellons: A Former Sufferer’s Perspective”, Explore! 21.1 (2012).

Finally The CDC Report on Morgellons is Released!

I said I would only blog when big news related to Morgellons evolved. It did! The CDC has finally released the Morgellons study (interesting only a couple of days after the publication of my article "Approaching Morgellons: A Former Sufferer's Perspective" for Explore! ...in which I mentioned the unacceptability of their delay). I have not fully reviewed this study (actually I've been subbing and haven't had time) but with a quick glance still see probable connections to mercury as cause. Check it out and PLEASE leave comments!!!

http://www.plosone.org/article/comments/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029908

A Book Worth Reading and Normal Communication in the Age of the Internet

You know I'm big on communication. I believe in the power of words whether they are said or written. Words are powerful and I suspect they were even from the first "Ug" or "Auua". I also solidly believe actions speak louder than words. So, words are powerful but actions are even more powerful.

I've already recommended Daniel Reid's book The Tao of Detox. I'd like to step it up a notch and say it should be required reading for anyone suffering from issues of toxicity. Form beginning to end the book provides the reader with clear guidance on how to tackle body maintenance in a world becoming overwhelmed with toxins. I've already handed my copy off to my massage therapist sister.

I mentioned my earlier recommendation by emailing the author and was impressed with his quick and Morgellons's specific recommendation of intensive alkalinization by bath. Here's a well published author and expert on the delicate balance between Eastern and Western medical thought taking the time to send an email off in my direction. It is obvious he cares. I wish there were more people with such credentials openly communicating with our crowd!

And, speaking of our crowd, I did make some effort to communicate with the CDC on their recent twitter session. I was hoping to see other Morgellon related tweets, but didn't. Am I trying to put a guilt trip on the Morgellons's community? I hope it doesn't come off that way. The real culprit of not making communication efforts is the CDC itself. I was pretty much ignored and given the brush off. When there are so many suffering and waiting on the results of such an important piece of research, how can this government agency refuse to openly communicate? Action or, in this case, inaction speaks loudly; to them we are not important.

I know there are real challenges in communicating online. I've tried my best to make my words worth reading. I try to keep my audience in mind at all times. Maybe, just maybe, we (the CDC, MRF, Morgellons researcher, Morgellons medical personal, and sufferers)should all take a deep breath and say what needs to be said...maybe online or maybe in person. Let's see if we can make communication normal. Let's see if we can end the suffering.

Knocking on the CDCs Door

Here's hoping the link below works(special efforts of Mr. Commonsense- cut and paste may work best). The CDC will be having another twitter session on Monday at 2pm Eastern time. I'm hoping a bunch of us can make attempts to get the when and where for the release of their Morgellons study. Be there if you can! Thanks, Joe


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-tTt9D6U0

Twitter CDC?

I've posted this message on Mr. Commonsense's Blog as well-

I’ve just signed up for twitter and, honestly, I’m still trying to figure it all out. I am following the CDC though and thought people might want to send messages asking when and where the CDCs report on Morgellons will be released. I’ve sent a couple already and wonder if they will respond….maybe numbers could force the issue? Since they are having a live session tomorrow with a “disease detective”, I feel it is a good time to ask.

Their message:
Wondering how CDC stops outbreaks? Ask a disease detective. Live chat 9/16, 2pm EDT. Send your questions @CDCgov.