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    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

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  1. Cornichon

    Looking for location in British Columbia (Canada) to do mold avoidance test

    The cheapest way to test for mould is not an ERMI or any other house test, nor a urine test or even the Shoemaker panel (which can be done in Alberta) but to spend that money on a vetted house or trailer + location and do a sabbatical. In the 100s of people I know with CFS who have tried a mould...
  2. Cornichon

    Presentation from one of the Vancouver clinic doctor

    The nutritionist here got me the nutritional supplement from Disability, an extra 200 a month which is fantastic. It's a hard one to get and you need someone that really knows the forms. I'm super pleased with that. Some ppl go to this clinic just to get that.
  3. Cornichon

    Looking for location in British Columbia (Canada) to do mold avoidance test

    Hi, we spoke I believe in a FB group. There is a BnB in Nanaimo that is definitely good. One in Bellingham that is good. One that was good in North Van a couple years ago but it's hard to know now. Because there are a few of us who are extremely sensitive who have vetted bnbs I would try that...
  4. Cornichon

    Presentation from one of the Vancouver clinic doctor

    I continue to overall take the positive from this clinic. The nurse practitioner was VERY knowledgeable about migraines - like my doctor + my normal ND but better. The nutritionist told me to triple my protein and not much else. Not sure what that is based on. The nutritionists know their way...
  5. Cornichon

    Presentation from one of the Vancouver clinic doctor

    I remember the Bested controversy a the clinic. I also saw Dr Bested in Toronto before I moved to BC. I wouldn't say the Dr Bested experience was any better. Though their testing was certainly better. They did the immune system test which is very hard to get in Canada and the tilt test and fibro...
  6. Cornichon

    Presentation from one of the Vancouver clinic doctor

    I did not have any of these experiences! Maybe they have changed some things? The initial intakes were three appointments that were all done by phone which I thought was great. They took my back story and that freed up more time for the doctor. The only one I had to do in person is the apt...
  7. Cornichon

    Presentation from one of the Vancouver clinic doctor

    I saw this doctor and I can say he is not in the psych symptoms camp. All his prescriptions were for serious level drugs. And there is a rituximab trial coming up for patients of the clinic. I don't agree with him on everything, but you will not likely find one doctor to meet all your needs...
  8. Cornichon

    Any bad experiences with Cutler Low Dose Chelation (major set back?)

    Any bad experiences with Cutler Low Dose Chelation (major set back not just minor symptoms or needed to adjust dosage?)
  9. Cornichon

    Colonoscopy - how to keep your strength?

    yes so sorry, sounds like terrible treatment. Very different here in Canada. And this was your second one right? oh dear, I'm sorry I suggested that they go easy on the drugs, usually people with CFS are super sensitive to meds and get knocked out much quicker. I know the drug combo for me was...
  10. Cornichon

    Colonoscopy - how to keep your strength?

    how did it go?
  11. Cornichon

    A guide to building a chemical-free house

    MgO boards are great, yes it is catching on for sure! Though I have heard it's good to go with a reputable brand as some others do not have the same integrity. Dragon Board is a good brand, not available in Canada though. Like all the reputable brands it is non-nutricious to mould, fungus and...
  12. Cornichon

    Comment by 'Cornichon' in 'Mold Free Home Building Ideas'

    I would definitely avoid any paint with mildewcide added to it. It is full of VOCs. I write a post that goes through all the chemical-free finishes available if anyone is interested in that.
  13. Cornichon

    Bedding and mattresses, do they make a difference?

    Using old wool sweaters and blankets is a really good idea, you could make a whole mattress with those if they are tolerable for you with the twist bed method! love that idea! http://mychemicalfreehouse.blogspot.ca/2013/02/furniture-and-matresses.html
  14. Cornichon

    A guide to building a chemical-free house

    Lots of good ideas and research there! No hidden wood would mean a concrete and steal structure. Timbersil is a product that I have heard of which sounds really great as well, it is wood mixed with glass and it doesn't offgass and is not susceptible to mould. Cob and adobe and straw bale...
  15. Cornichon

    Stool test confirmed candida,now what?

    Hi I also have hypoglycaemia and Candida. The candida diet will actually help, because you eliminate all kinds of sugars including fruits, and stick to high protein foods, lots of veggies and some complex carbs like brown rice. I agree that cutting out carbs or fasting/juicing is not an option...
  16. Cornichon

    Colonoscopy - how to keep your strength?

    Hope someone is driving you both ways as it's not a good idea to drive and be prepared to have to pull over on the way there to use the toilet.
  17. Cornichon

    Colonoscopy - how to keep your strength?

    If you come up with any strategies let me know. I'm too afraid to do it again as my blood sugar is really bad now. probably not such a bad idea to eat at the very last minute, though EVERYTHING in your small and large intestines will come out with the laxatives. Just don't eat after you have...
  18. Cornichon

    Colonoscopy - how to keep your strength?

    wow....I would not be able to tolerate that combo... I think fentanyl is something I tried. But I cannot tolerate opiods. Have you tried these before, or similar opiods and benzo? I hope that they are well informed on your condition and give you low doses. and let them know what your BP is...
  19. Cornichon

    Colonoscopy - how to keep your strength?

    I do these every few years. Yes schedule it for early in the morning. You should not be up all night before I never was, get some sleep. Eat as late as possible the night before. Even though I normally don't consume sugar you need to keep up your sugar and salt or you'll get really weak. I drank...
  20. Cornichon

    Temperature Intolerance ideas?

    "I'm coming to the conclusion that heat intolerance and many other symptoms may be due to peripheral and/or more likely autonomic neuropathy." I looked at the link but don't understand it. I've had every test done that the specialist could think of and no explanation other than CFS. I take...
  21. Cornichon

    Bedding and mattresses, do they make a difference?

    I'm not sure which IKEA mattress you have (mine was totally intolerable) the one you have might be the "green" one which is mostly natural but with 15% synthetic latex. It is not stated what polymer is used in the synthetic latex - the off gassing could be very very minimal (even for us...
  22. Cornichon

    Bedding and mattresses, do they make a difference?

    Mary B I wonder if it wasn't pure natural latex or if they used ammonia or other chemicals to stabalise the rubber (latex) or if the rubber (latex) naturally has that smell? I would be really interested in knowing what brand it was if you don't mind sharing, just for interest. This would be a...
  23. Cornichon

    Temperature Intolerance ideas?

    I have severe heat intolerance at 24 Celsius and over. I am so grateful that this thread led me to find out about cooling vests for people with MS. (I don't have MS though, just CFS). It has also helped me feel less alone in this as this seems to be rare even among us CFSers. Before I wasn't...
  24. Cornichon

    Bedding and mattresses, do they make a difference?

    even if a bed seems tolerable why risk exposure to chemicals throughout the night when you could get a chemical free mattress? itellibed has regular foam which means it off gasses polyurethane and I have no idea what is in the gel, you would need to find out the chemical composition which is...
  25. Cornichon

    Bedding and mattresses, do they make a difference?

    Mattresses are one of the biggest sources of chemicals that you are breathing in all night!! It blows my mind! Never go for regular foam witch is polyurethane and off-gasses indefinitely as far as I know or at least for a very long time, in the US, they are likely filled with really harmful...
  26. Cornichon

    A guide to building a chemical-free house

    I have had CFS and MCS for almost 15 years but my MCS has become very severe. I am attempting to build a chemical-free safe house as I recovered so much from one month of staying in a toxic free environment (similar to how most people say camping, staying in a cottage or on a pristine island...
  27. Cornichon

    How to tackle mildew on bath seal?

    you never want to use bleach or ammonia as they are highly toxic. Hydrogen peroxide is your best bet but better to prevent it than have to clean it. For a chemical free caulk use only 100% aquarium grade silicone, as it is the only non-toxic caulking. Grout should be sealed with a non-toxic...