(Unusual sensitivities – whether they are to chemicals, mold, foods, drugs, electromagnetic fields or other things) are hard to understand until they are experienced – at which point they can become mind-bogglingly real and can have devastating effects. My experiences with chemical sensitivities provided a dramatic personal demonstration to me of how damaging substances that most of us have no awareness of at all can be. Thanks to Susan and her husband for telling her EMR story . (Images provided by Cort.)
Susan’s Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) – no; Fibromyalgia – no; Lyme and Electromagnetic Radiation Story
My journey started over 30 years ago with a misdiagnosis of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Ten years ago, I was properly diagnosed with Lyme disease (Igenex testing in the US) and made some progress with a more properly-directed treatment programme. Most of my improvement in symptoms has come from personal introspection of diet and environmental conditions affecting my health, with the help of some dedicated and brilliant health care providers.
I say the above to make it clear that I don’t think I ever had ME/CFS or fibromyalgia, but that I had very similar symptoms, and that perhaps what has helped me might help others with similar symptoms, whatever the root causes.
Two huge steps forward came from being diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and identifying food intolerances, then avoiding fragrances and changing my diet appropriately. But something still remained, causing relentless symptoms of restless leg syndrome, nausea, brain fog, muscle and fascial pain, exhaustion and insomnia. Life was becoming pretty grim.
In stepped my biggest supporter – my husband Steve. We are both scientists (biologists) and have similar approaches to problem-solving. He helped me dig out cause and effect and has done countless hours of research into topics new and challenging to us both. The latest is electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
Susan’s Electromagnetic Radiation Story
The Learning Process
By Inductiveload, NASA – self-made, information by NASA. Based off of File:EM Spectrum3-new.jpg by NASAThe butterfly icon is from the P icon set, File:P biology.svgThe humans are from the Pioneer plaque, File:Human.svgThe buildings are the Petronas towers and the Empire State Buildings, both from File:Skyscrapercompare.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
When I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, my Lyme-literate MD suggested we do a radiation audit of our house. We obtained the help of a certified Building Biology Environmental Consultant who used radiation meters to show us the sources of radiation within our home and gave us tips on remediation. He determined that there were no significant sources of radiation coming into the house from outside sources and verified that there was no mould in our house.
The first actions we took were to disable the wireless modem and connect the computers directly to the router using Ethernet cables. We then replaced the cordless phones with corded ones. We were never big cell phone users to begin with and limited ourselves to texting, not speaking over the cell phone when we did use it, and kept it in a shielded case (where it can receive signals but only broadcast in one direction, which we kept pointed away from us).
After these changes, I felt some reduction of symptoms, but was by no means feeling well.
Around this time we moved to a different house, so we purchased our own radiation meters so we could do our own audits. That was one of the best decisions we made. We have used the meters countless times since then, both to find sources of radiation and to reassure ourselves that I am in a low-radiation area. We have two meters, one for high-frequency radiation (Wi-Fi, cell phones) and one for low-frequency radiation (electrical wires in the walls).
The next step was to determine exactly how sensitive I was and which frequencies I was sensitive to. Not everyone reacts to the whole range of frequencies.
We turned off all but essential power in the house at the main panel. We left on only the refrigerator and one bathroom light. We had already determined that there were no significant external sources of radiation (cell phone towers, high-voltage transformers, etc) near the house before we purchased it.
I felt an immediate sense of relief when the power was turned off. My body felt as if it were wrapped in warm, smooth velvet. The “wired” feeling subsided and my muscles and brain felt much more calm and relaxed.
As we turned the power back on we found that not only do I react to high frequencies, but also to low frequencies, which meant that even fields set up by the electrical wiring in the house walls bothered me. Most people are not this sensitive, but it’s always a good thing to check out.
We also found that the neighbour’s computer router set up a large enough field that it came through their brick wall, through the air space between houses, through our brick wall and set up a large field in our bedroom.
We then set about creating a safe haven for me by purchasing shielding materials from several online sources:
There are many online sources available now. We found these two companies very helpful in sharing information and advice. When we were in the learning stages, we were even able to consult over the phone with the Canadian company.
My Lyme-literate MD says that most people can reduce their symptoms enough just by creating a safe sleeping environment. The body can often repair the damage done during the day if its sleeping environment is low radiation. I was not one of those lucky ones, but cleaning up the sleeping environment would be a good place to start.
A Defining Moment
An experiment using an EMR meter provided a defining moment for the Jaspers
The thing that really convinced me to invest in our own meters and take such extreme steps was an experiment we did with the meters we first borrowed from my doctor. Through body awareness I had found a place in the living room to sit in the evenings that resulted in the fewest symptoms. (Unfortunately, I don’t feel anything when I am immersed in a field. It was only later in the evening when the pain, restless legs, nausea, etc came on. So it was a long, slow experiment!).
If I sat at one end of the sofa, I didn’t feel too bad. As I moved further down the sofa towards the other end, I felt worse and worse. With the meters, we discovered there was a faulty electrical connection in the ceiling that was putting out a large field, right over where I used to sit, in the spot that made me feel the worst! This verified, to me, my hypothesis of Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS).
It’s important to note that not all EHS sufferers have the same symptoms and not all are affected by the same frequencies and intensities. For each EHS individual a variety of mitigative measures may need to be examined before symptoms abate. Finding companies and individuals that can do an in-home radiation audit and provide consultation and advice on shielding materials for the home is key to providing a safe personal space. Also, the individual needs to seek assistance from a medical professional, in particular an ND or MD who is knowledgeable regarding environmental illnesses.
The Remediation Process
Shortly after this introduction to EHS, we moved yet again. This time we moved from Alberta to British Columbia (BC) and set about building our own home. Steve did a lot of research on protection from radiation sources. We found a lot in a semi-rural area free from outside sources of EMR, on bedrock so there were no hidden underground cables, no underground streams to reflect radiation back up into the house, near a lake and relatively free from modern living air pollution. Weren’t we fortunate!
The Jasper’s use ethernet cables instead of wireless
Our house has only Ethernet cables for computers, the bedroom has no power (it is wired because code requires that, but the power is turned off at the main panel), we have no cordless phones, the microwave has a radiation shield I made for it, the TV and computer screens have shielding fabric, there is grounded foil lining the walls of the computer room so Steve can still be part of the modern world, and the walls common to other parts of the house are also lined with this material so visitors can still use their devices.
Where we live, we are able to opt out of smart meters, which we did. The power to the house comes from underground and the panel is at the far end of the house from the sleeping area.
These steps we have taken are probably more extreme than most EHS sensitive people need to take, but I list them here just for information.
(I had also tried a brain retraining programme which I practiced faithfully every day for over 6 months but did not experience any relief from EHS. It did help my MCS hugely, and I do know there are people who have found relief with this therapy for EHS.)
The Results
The effect of reducing EMR’s for me is that, in my safe home, my symptoms are greatly reduced. The restless leg syndrome, nausea, brain fog, muscle and fascial pain, exhaustion and insomnia are significantly less. I have had to work with my food intolerances pretty strictly too (many foods cause similar symptoms for me), so it is definitely a multi-faceted approach. Each of these factors is vital to me in recovering my life.
Simple home network – (from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homenet.svg)
Sleep is much better for me now. I used to be in pain and distress until about 3 a.m., at which point I would fall into a restless sleep until waking at about 7 a.m. Many nights now I go to sleep easily and sleep all night long. I still do not feel as if I have had a refreshing sleep, but after years and years of not sleeping, it is a huge step forward to at least be asleep at night.
I still feel somewhat fatigued and brain-fogged most days, but with willpower I power through. I am able to do my favorite activities again, walking, hiking kayaking and cross-country skiing, for hours at a time, and always feel better in every respect for having done so.
I also have to avoid exposure to radiation in public areas, which makes me a bit of a hermit. If I go out to socialize we make sure that our friends have unplugged their WiFi routers and cordless phones and switched off their cell phones. I limit my time in public places to only essential activities, as I have not found clothing made from shielding fabric to be effective.
Overall, protecting myself from the effects of EMR has been central to the recovery I have experienced so far. I feel better physically and mentally than I have for years, and am now at a stage where I can separate cause and effect. I no longer feel like I am in a soup of unknown factors buffeting me willy-nilly. I am ready to take the next step in this grand experiment of recovery.
Steve Jasper
Susan’s husband, Steve, is not a Luddite. He has embraced computer technology wholeheartedly in his career, operating as a computer consultant and programmer in addition to his career as a professional biologist. He’s fully aware of the benefits and tremendous potential of the computer/internet/smartphone age. He’s dismayed, however, by the lack of concern over the risks of an evolving technology that clearly has the ability to disrupt some people’s bioelectrical wiring. He presents here his thoughts on Susan’s experience and on the current status of research in the field of EMR:
Thoughts and Research Regarding EMR
My own experience is based on having to develop strategies and mitigative measures to help my wife cope with her EHS. I am absolutely convinced that she is affected in the presence of wireless radiation. I do not need a study or a medical doctor to confirm this.
Over the last decade we have seen an explosion of gadgets and services that rely on high frequency electromagnetic radiation (i.e. WiFi). These include cell phones, smartphones, cell towers, cordless phones, baby monitors, smart meters, etc. WiFi is now commonplace in our homes, our schools, coffee shops, airports and other public spaces.
Human beings, however, are bioelectrical systems. Our hearts and brains are regulated by internal bioelectrical signals. Today humans and other living creatures are being bombarded with hundreds of millions of times the amount of EMR that they were 20 or even 10 years ago, leaving us possibly engaged in the largest health experiment the world has ever seen. Results of this gigantic experiment have been steadily accumulating and the results are not looking good.
Many people are reported to have EHS [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and are severely compromised in the vicinity of WiFi. Many more people may be undiagnosed because they never suspect EHS, and are continually in the presence of strong EHS signals. EMR’s can provoke symptoms in people with EHS sensitivity such as:
- insomnia
- headaches
- fatigue
- tinnitus
- depression
- reduced immune system function
- restless legs
- nausea
- brain fog
In addition, it is now well documented[8] that WiFi radiation far below the safety thresholds established by US and international organizations[9][10] poses a significant threat to our health.
Many governmental organizations rely on thresholds developed many decades ago when radar was being established. Radiation sources that can ionize molecules (cleave an electron from an atom) were always considered to be dangerous (e.g. X-rays). However, non-ionizing radiation such as WiFi and other electrical frequencies were considered safe if it did not heat the body (typically measured during a short exposure). Thresholds were then established based on these short-term heating effects.
These thresholds have not changed to reflect long-term exposures of EMR (especially WiFi), partly because no medical mechanism had been proposed that could explain the reported radiation effects and, as one would expect, due to lobbying efforts by industry.
Even though the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified non-ionizing radiation as a “possible human carcinogen”, they have not recommended changes to the thresholds. This is despite a wealth of recent studies (see below) confirming the dangers of radiation levels many orders of magnitude below these thresholds.
A ground-breaking report provides a detailed review of over 1800 scientific studies conducted over the previous 5 years. The Bioinitiative 2012 Report[11] has been prepared by 29 authors from ten countries, ten holding medical degrees (MDs), 21 PhDs, and three MsC, MA or MPHs. The report examines the effects of electromagnetic fields, including WiFi, on human health. A good summary is provided in the Section 24 supplement[12]. Some of the findings show:
- Increased risk of glioma (malignant brain tumor) and breast cancer with use of mobile and cordless phones
- Risk of sperm damage from cell phone use
- Evidence of an increase in risk of autism together with a plausible mechanism
- DNA damage
- Increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier
- Decreased melatonin production
- Possible increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease
- Increased vulnerability in young children and developing fetuses
It should be noted that these studies looked at levels of EMR ten to thousands of times lower than the threshold safety limits provided by regulatory bodies. It is clear that safety standards based on “heating” are irrelevant to protect against radiation damage that we are now experiencing.
Another key document is an appeal by scientists[13] to the UN, WHO as well as UN member nations to provide better health protection by: strengthening the safety guidelines, educating the public, encouraging manufacturers to develop safer technology as well as funding training and research that is independent of industry.
Susan, along with other EHS sufferers, is like the “canary in the mine”. Her reactions to EMR should not be simply dismissed as psychosomatic or abnormal. For example, an estimated 3% of the population in Canada suffer from some form of EHS[14]. In addition, just because the majority of people do not report any symptoms does not mean that they are unaffected. How will the cancer rates look in 10 or 20 years? How many babies will suffer after being exposed to wireless baby monitors for 10 hours a day? In contrast, I view EHS sufferers as very important “red flags”, warning the rest of us about serious problems in our environment.
However, as advertisers bombard us with messages to embrace all things wireless – “5G and The Internet of Things” – I am dismayed that the public is not being informed about potential risks of this technology[15]. Industry lobbying and government inaction definitely makes it harder for regulatory bodies to do what needs to be done to inform and protect the general population.
Based on my experience with helping Susan and researching many online sources regarding EMR effects, I see two approaches that we need to pursue, i.e. personal and public.
Personal Approach
We all need to provide a safer, low EMR living space in our home by:
- Disabling our wireless modem and connecting the computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable
- Replacing cordless phones with corded ones
- Adapting tablets to use Ethernet rather than WiFi
- Limiting cell phone use, especially for young children
- Preventing use (opting-out) of a smart meter
- Resisting the urge to buy wireless gadgets for the home
Most of these can be done without involving a lot of time and money, and, based on what I know now, these measures should be done by all of us, even if we consider ourselves to be relatively healthy
If a person suspects that they have EHS then the steps are more involved, and as mentioned in Susan’s story above, may entail: research and education, consulting with others familiar with EHS, purchasing radiation meters and shielding materials and other steps to reduce or eliminate EMR in the home[16].
Public Approach
I reported above on some ways to reduce EMR levels in the home. A second approach is needed to create awareness and educate others so that they can make informed decisions as to how WiFi is provided, or not provided, within public spaces[17]. For example:
- We need to reduce or eliminate WiFi in schools, especially those for very young children. Several countries (e.g.: France and Israel) are presently doing this.
- We need to resist the introduction of “5G”, the next generation of high powered WiFi networks[18].
- We need to consider whether alternatives exist for providing Internet services through hardwired solutions rather than WiFi in our public spaces: libraries, airports, as well as commercial businesses
In conclusion, here are a few quotes that get to the heart of the matter.
“Putting Wi-Fi in schools; allowing cordless phones that radiate constantly to be manufactured; placing wireless baby monitors near an infant; using a wireless tablet, smart phone or computer while pregnant; holding a cell phone next to the head and keeping a cell phone in a bra or hip pocket or under a pillow; placing cell phone antennas near homes, schools and on hospitals; metering electricity, water and gas with wireless smart meters and designing smart appliances for the home will be viewed by future generations as dumb technology generated by greed for a population that is largely ignorant of the consequences. We need to protect the health and wellbeing of future generations, because without them there is no future! If we don’t do it . . . who will?”[19]
“Sometimes, science does not keep pace with new environmental exposures that are by-products of useful things we want to buy and use in society. So, the deployment runs ahead of knowledge of health risks. It is an old story.”[20]
“International exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields must be strengthened to reflect the reality of their impact on our bodies, especially on our DNA. The time to deal with the harmful biological and health effects is long overdue. We must reduce exposure by establishing more protective guidelines.”[21]
Susan and Steve Jasper
Naramata, BC, Canada
[1] eg; My wife.
[2] eg: Jeromy Johnson – https://www.emfanalysis.com/
[3] eg: Jolie Jones – https://www.jolietalks.com/
[4] eg: Lloyd Burrell – https://www.electricsense.com/3002/emfs-cause-of-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
[5] Dr. Magda Havas – https://magdahavas.com/category/health-issues/electrosensitivity/
[6] International Institute for Building Biology and Ecology – https://hbelc.org/about/about-emr-emfs
[7] Electrosensitivity UK – http://www.es-uk.info/
[8] BioInitiative 2012 report – http://www.bioinitiative.org/
[9] International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
[10] Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
[11] BioInitiative 2012 – http://bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/BioInitiativePressRelease1-1-2013.pdf
[12] http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/sec24_2012_Key_Scientific_Studies.pdf
[13] International Appeal to UN and WHO: Scientists call for Protection from Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Field Exposure – https://www.emfscientist.org/images/docs/International_EMF_Scientist-Appeal.pdf
[14] Dr Magda Havas. http://www.thegreengazette.ca/health-issues-electrosmog-the-acid-rain-of-today/
[15] Environmental Health Trust. https://ehtrust.org/
[16] Zapped. Ann Louise Gittleman. Harper Collins. 2010
[17] Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side Of The Wireless Revolution. Camilla Rees and Magda Havas. 2009.
[18] Environmental Health Trust – https://ehtrust.org/key-issues/cell-phoneswireless/5g-internet-everything/
[19] Dr. Magda Havas, PhD, Environmental and Resource Studies, Centre for Health Studies, Trent University, Canada https://www.emfscientist.org/index.php/science-policy/expert-emf-scientist-quotations.
[20] http://www.bioinitiative.org/participants/why-we-care/
[21] Martin Blank, PhD., Special Lecturer, Columbia University, New York USA. https://www.emfscientist.org/index.php/science-policy/expert-emf-scientist-quotations
What kind of radiation meters did you use. Where can we purchase them?
Just watched Netflix’s new documentary called “Root Cause” very interesting statistics. Must watch.
I have been fortunate enough to work with a Lyme-literate biological dentist and he has expressed great concerned about the effects of many common dental practices on health in general, and on susceptible patients in particular.
I’m seriously looking for a biological dentist and someone to do the Electrodermal Screening of my teeth. Also they mentioned a Cone Beam 3D scan but I would need a biological dentist to read it. I have multiple root canals. It’s like the number of people that this happen to is negligible to them so they allow it. The toxicity of Root Canals is not being taught in Dentistry similarly like CFS it not being taught in Medical.
I’m pretty sure that I have some sensitivity to EMR. I couldn’t tolerate either a dash cam or a tuning device plugged into the dash of the car both of which caused chest pain, headache, fatigue, etc. which ended as soon as the devices were removed. I wasn’t anticipating any problems at all and was shocked at how strong the effect was.
My partner and I are digging into what it would take to create a small, as inexpensive as possible, mold-free, chemical free, EMF free ( as possible) house.
We will be looking into EMF meters and the rest of it. My guess is that designing a house from the ground up – if in fact we will be able to do that – will be cheaper and more effective than renovating an older house.
I am also beginning the Dynamic Neural Retraining program to see if I can get my chemical sensitivities down. I’m expecting its going to be a long haul but hopefully it will have some effect.
Hey there Cort,
I was just wondering how one might go about figuring out if I am EMR sensitive. This is very striking information. My question also applies to chemical sensitivity (do the chemicals include things in our air? what about things in AC systems, etc). Where would I start?
I actually ordered an EMF meter right after reading this. Electrical Hypersensitivity and EMR is another. How would one go about knowing if we are EH or EMR-sensitive?
Does the first one presume using as few electrical appliances as possible during the day, and keeping them away or turned off at night?
For EMR: does this require turning off devices, or limiting WiFi? (Would you limit WiFi in your own home?) All of this is so intriguing to me.
This is Susan not Cort but I’ll give you my ideas. I would start by making your sleeping area as EMR-free as possible. No plug-in lamps, no cell phone, no electric alarm clocks. Even consider turning off the circuit to that room at night, as long as you can stay safe that way. In the day, for sure turn off any wifi, routers, unplug cordless phones, don’t stand near the microwave when using it (many leak! you’ll see that with your meter). TV’s and computer screens affect me to, but I’m pretty sensitive. Power bars (especially surge protectors) set up big fields. Any motors and fans set up magnetic fields when in use.
You have to unplug things, not just turn them off. The electrical cord sets up a field even when the appliance is not turned on. I had a hard time believing this until I realized AC circuit means the electrons are shunting back and forth all the time in the wire, and that’s what sets up a field – the movement of electrons.
There are several good books around, Zapped is one. Check out Jeremy Johnson’s TED talk. Magda Havis is a Canadian EMR scientist- google her stuff too.
While this just may…. possibly…. affect extremely hypersensitive individuals, it is going down a bind alley for almost everyone of us with ME/CFS/FM.
I have worked in very intense EM fields that you could feel on your skin since 1961, yet I didn’t get ME/CFS suddenly till 2009 after ‘flu like symptoms’ as most of us have had.
Even some ‘naturopaths’ & others have used EMR (electromagnetic radiation) to treat ailments by increasing subdermal temperature & thus increasing blood flow.
To focus on this is a ‘red herring’, a distraction.
You have to wonder how much ‘placebo effect’ was involved in the individuals on this thread.
Placebos are powerful but not the answer to ME/CFS/CFIDS/FM.
For what scientists are finding about placebos Pls see:
https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/brain-magic-the-power-of-the-placebo
OR if it’s blocked in your area Google ‘Placebo’
Regardless, RF (EMR) induces local heating the depth of which is determined by its frequency.
It makes the most sense to me that EMR hypersensitivity is simply similar to the other hypersensitivities found in ME/cFS and FM which includes a hypersensitivity to non-painful stimuli (fibromyalgia), drugs, foods, molds, chemicals, etc. Either throw them all out or accept that they are all occurring. After my experience with MCS I believe that our systems can be tweaked to over-respond to just about anything.
I have reacted to EMR without knowing it was even a possible thing to react to….brain fog so bad I literally forgot my name, plus a whole host of physical symptoms….no placebo effects when I had no idea it was even possible to react to this stuff (this was many yrs ago)……and there was nothing else around that could be causing said reaction. Plus, as soon as I was out of the environment with the EMRs the symptoms went away. It just took awhile & some research to find out what had caused those issues. I have since had many other reactions to EMRs, both when I knew they were around, & when I had no idea & had to do some digging to find out what I was reacting to.
I also know of a couple of other people who knew they had such sensitivities, but thought they were in safe environments, and then started having reactions. In both those cases, which were in separate locations, they later learned that someone else who was staying with them was using wi fi, because of disbelief that it could cause any problems. (They had both been told that the person they were staying with had problems with it and agreed not to use it, but thought they could get away with it, because they thought the sensitivities were in the people’s heads.
Funny, someone would come to a site that is about an illness that is often disbelieved, and yet would still refuse to believe that there are people out there who have other issues (possibly instead of, or possibly in addition to) their ME that can also cause problems, but are not well understood yet.
It’s hard enoguh having these illnesses and sensitivities without being believed…..harder still to not even be believed by others with illnesses that are similarly doubted.
Seems to me EHS is one of the things that are amenable to a simple blind test. Sort of like Susan’s “defining moment”, but you could take it a step further and do actual double blind thing. That’s what I would do before investing in EMR-free environment if I suspect EHS.
I think an EMR meter would be very helpful in that regard but I like Susan’s idea of simply switching off everything and seeing how you do. It’s similar to the mold avoidance protocol – remove all possibility of mold from your environment and see if it makes a difference.
In fact the two could be done simultaneously I guess by going camping somewhere…For me, I think, unless those devices are giving off chemicals, which is possible, I think EMR can be an issue and if we are able to build a house I would as a matter of course reduce levels.
They’re clearly not a major issue for me as I camp almost full time and and am often not exposed to them or am exposed very little and I don’t notice much change..
Still camping, eh? I’m giving a few runs on bunny slope a try this week. So you’ll know what happened if I don’t post anymore, lol. It’ll be a huge milestone for me even if I pay a dear price for it.
Hi Julia,
We purchased our meters from Safe Living Technologies (slt.co). Models HF 35C and ME 3830B, Gigahertz Solutions. I would recommend calling them and getting their advice on which particular models to buy. They have a range of models to suit different frequencies and budgets. We are very pleased with the models we purchased – they suit our needs.
Susan
I read this account with quite a bit of interest as I have experienced most definite effects while standing under high power electric transmission wires. My wi-fi at home, however, goes unnoticed–but may have an effect regardless–especially after reading this. I’m also in a very dense, high use suburban environment and my laptop picks up over a dozen connections where I sit and the street is crisscrossed with wires. Yikes!
It’s rather like radon gas. You can’t see or smell it but prolonged exposure is one of the most commonly unknown factors promoting lung cancer.
Not quite sure what to do about this… I almost never use a cell phone so that’s a start…
I do wonder about the curious phenomena experienced by people who have had Near Death Experiences; many of them afterwards automatically demagnetize things so they can have trouble with transit cards, credit cards and even watches. So if humans can have strong electrical fields, why and how does this relate to those of us who do not, and are actually harmed by them?
I’m not sure where I am going with this–but maybe there is a way to self shield? I don’t know… Just a thought…
I wonder if the only way for you is to go to another area which is EMR free or has low EMR and see if you notice any difference? That, though, adds a bunch of confounding factors…
Sorry if this sounds a bit out there, but it’s true. I noticed problems with my energy about 36 years ago and about that time I had problems with the electrical systems of five cars in a row, used to joke about it, also at that time an electric power tower in front of my bedroom window had it’s power doubled and lastly the more relaxing night in all this time was spent in a little hotel in Chiapas which got it’s power by generator and was turned out at nine, also, no WiFi, been thinking if I could get some kind of Faraday net around my home.
The scientist in me does not know exactly how to feel about EHS, but I would not just dismiss the idea and observations.
But for those putting science before observation there are two topics closely related to EHS that have a more scientific basis and are worth looking into too.
1) Ultrasound just above the human hearing range. We can’t hear it, dogs can hear it and we still can be affected by it while not observing it at all. Ultrasound close to the hearing range still gets detected to some extend by the brain.
Plenty electronic devices have switching converters switching at a frequency just above the human hearing range. That is to not annoy people. It emits moderately strength ultrasound that often is sine-wave like. Everyone who ever heard the very sharp feedback of having a microphone close to a speaker knows hows obnoxious and painful a strong sine tone in the audible range can be.
A weaker near ultrasound tone has a smaller impact but if it is buzzing all day it can cause headaches and concentration problems just as much. For a person with ME that probably sinks energy levels just as well.
2) My sister and I both experience problems in some cars that have static charge buildups. We get a nauseating feeling. Some brands seem to totally ignore the problem, some are good at preventing it. Aftermarket companies sell strong metal on rubber strips that are connected to the car and dragged over the road to reduce static charge buildup.
I’m not exactly sure what the science is behind the above problem. But I know many air cleaners use negative charge air ionization technology to take dust out of the air. Maybe that’s because much dust is positively charged.
At the very least some sorts of dry dust can be easily charged. So maybe sensitivity to ?positive? charges is an evolutionary warning mechanism helping people stay away from zones with strong dust buildup that are very bad for the lungs?
-> The first problem can be dealt with by reducing use of such appliances. The second (at least being electrically charged yourself) can be reduced by grounding and by avoiding some sorts of textile (wool, synthetic fabric…). Someone with EHS might consider looking into clothing, furniture and bed textile too.
Reminds me of the TV show ‘Better Call Saul’.
Anyway Interestingly I read in Scientific American that when people are ‘knowingly’ removed from electro magnetic fields (EMF) they say the feel better. But when you sneakily bring back the EMF without the patient knowing then they don’t notice it. But then when you tell them, their symptoms suddenly return!. Those studies have been done countless times showing the placebo effect (actually it’s called the nocebo effect) .
However I wouldn’t sleep next to an wall powered alarm clock as they are emit high amounts of EMF and EMFs attract radon the natural radioactive gas that seeps from certain ground rocks like granite. If you are breathing in radon gas that’s concentrated near EMFs then you increase your chances of cancer.
Also another interesting study found if you use a cellphone for an hour before an exam you will remember better the answers and be quicker at cognitive skills (That was published several years ago in the New Scientist magazine)
I am not surprised at all because I have experienced with MCS. I was unknowningly near something that I had identified as terrible and was no effect at all. Then I noticed it was there – the alarm bells went off- and my body freaked out.
On the other hand I’ve had the opposite experience – being near something I didn’t know was there and getting sicker and sicker and removing myself and feeling much better.
Which just goes to show what complex human beings we are. The fear response is real – makes us hypervigilant – and generally makes things worse. It’s going to be there, I think, when you’re exposed gain and again to traumatic situations.
It doesn’t discount the other response though – that’s real as well!
Reminds me of the TV show ‘Better Call Saul’.
Anyway Interestingly I read in Scientific American that when people are ‘knowingly’ removed from electro magnetic fields (EMF) they say the feel better. But when you sneakily bring back the EMF without the patient knowing then they don’t notice it. But then when you tell them, their symptoms suddenly return!. Those studies have been done countless times showing the placebo effect (actually it’s called the nocebo effect) .
However I wouldn’t sleep next to an wall powered alarm clock as they are emit high amounts of EMF and EMFs attract radon the natural radioactive gas that seeps from certain ground rocks like granite. If you are breathing in radon gas that’s concentrated near EMFs then you increase your chances of cancer.
Also another interesting study found if you use a cellphone for an hour before an exam you will remember better the answers and be quicker at cognitive skills (That was published several years ago in the New Scientist magazine)
Wow! I suffer from EHS. I find that elf’s in my car, mostly around the gas pedal cause me troubles, and keep me mostly home. I have been diagnosed with both Lyme and ME/CFS. I’ve tried the Dynamic Neural Retraining program, and have had some success.
Glad to hear you’re doing DNR. Eleanor Stein said it completely knocked out her chemical sensitivities. Music to my ears!
Cort- do you know how DNR differ from Dan Neuffers ANS rewire program please?
My daughter notices a difference in how she feels in cars. For example, she feels good in Honda and Infiniti. She stays away from Ford Focus. I would be interested in hearing from those particularly sensitive with emf and mcs about cars they feel fine in.
Different car manufacturers use different materials. Even a 10 year old VW would knock me out but Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner and now the Chevy/GMC van are fine. (I have to remove the plastic floor mat)
“I have to remove the plastic floor mat”
That sounds like sensitivity to static charge buildup.
I just bought an Outback just because the emfs were low. I’ve found that my lower legs burn if I’m in a car for too long. I wonder if these emfs around the gas pedal of cars could be causing neuropathy in some people. Dr. Oaklander wonders if neuropathy could be the cause of me/cfs. I know I can prove a link of my burning to emfs.
Extremely important article. Your talent never ceases to amaze, Cort, and I am thankful to the Jaspers as well for sharing their experience. One question. Since we know ME/CFS is an umbrella term subsuming multiple cohorts with different origins of the disease, can we pinpoint a precise molecular distinction that requires labeling Susan’s CFS a “misdiagnosis”?
I suspect a significant percentage of newer ME/CFS cases, including mine, have an EMR trigger. There may be good reason, both medical and political, to label our illness something other than CFS. Even before publication of this very timely article, I was wrestling with the question and I don’t yet know an answer.
I’ve never had post-exertional malaise. I always feel better after exercise, even quite vigorous exercise, and even the day after. That’s why I do not consider myself to be a ME/CFS candidate. That and the positive Lyme test, and response to appropriate therapy.
This doesn’t mean that other people with a diagnosis of ME/CFS don’t also have EHS.
Don’t quite know if that is what you are getting at?
Yes, this reply is extremely helpful. I do have classic post-exertional malaise in addition to the other symptoms you named that snagged the CFS label, but I don’t have EHS (nor Lyme). My illness was triggered by nonconsensual exposure to EMR well outside the range of normal.
I deeply appreciate the time and care you and your husband have taken to develop your story because you strengthen my hand advocating for cases like mine that are mired by messy politics. Thank you sincerely, and best wishes for continued recovery.
If only we could find a molecular switch or biomarker that differentiates these different diseases or subsets. For me my MCS came in about 15 years after ME/CFS. I had a quite severe case. Oddly enough it didn’t effect ME/CFS at all – no effect on fatigue or energy levels.
Thanks … that helps me to clarify for sure the word “misdiagnosis” in the article followed from distinct symptoms, not molecular evidence (thus far).
“Radiation sources that can ionize molecules (cleave an electron from an atom) were always considered to be dangerous”. Not really. Look up “Shoe-fitting fluoroscope” on wikipedia. Current EMF exposures are just as stupid but the trillion dollar industry can afford nocebo studies designed to fail. If I expose you to flu-virus filled air on alternating days for two weeks and ask you how you feel once a day, I too can “prove” that the flu symptoms are a nocebo given your uncorrelated responses.
How can I shield my microwave, please? Also, how far can radiation from a leaky microwave travel across a room, and can it pass through a plasterboard / sheetrock wall?
I sewed a cover from shielding cloth I bought online. It successfully blocks out the radiation, as determined by our meter. I can’t advise on radiation from individual microwave ovens. Some leak (even some brand new ones), some don’t, and they leak to varying degrees, so the fields produced would be of different strengths and travel different distances.
Regarding the differing sensations depending on which vehicle you may be occupying, may I suggest that various models might have leaks (however small) which permit engine chemicals to get into the interior to affect the driver and passengers.
Cort, when you mentioned floor mats, the first thing I thought of was ‘off gassing.’ Petroleum based products like rubber mats, synthetic fabrics and other items will often affect me–especially if they are on the newer side. I’m close to vomiting in hardware stores, especially if I am close to isles which sell weed and insect killers.
I’m pointing this out because ME/CFS can often make a person hyper-sensitive to any kind of triggering exposure; electrical, magnetic, or things smelled or eaten. Because we are all assaulted with so many of these kinds of exposures, I do wonder how exact we or researchers can be to parse out just what is causing what.
I’m also going to suggest an experiment. Perhaps there are ‘energy fields’ (which may or may not be magnetic or electrical in nature) in various locals which influence each of us as well. If this sounds airy-fairy to you, you might try sitting in various parts of your home and see which locations feel more ‘right’ than other locations. I have tried this myself and was very surprised to find that there were indeed specific areas where I felt much more comfortable–and the difference might even be a few feet! I have found that this also applies in areas outside of my house. As to why, I’m not sure.
Cort, that was a great suggestion of going to an electrical field free place and seeing if one felt better! I would think that place would be somewhere out in nature, far away from most any kind of pollution. For myself, just being in a place like that would probably make me feel better, electrical fields or not!
“and see which locations feel more ‘right’ than other locations.”
One say that if you have a dog, just watch where the dog likes and dislikes to sit. That’ll be good and bad spots for humans too. They say cats do the opposites.
Hard to tell if there is any true in there, but if you have a dog it is a very cheap test.
Yes Dejurgen, I WAS going to add that last thought to the end of my sentence, but you did it for me! Thanks! 😉
I have a lot of cats and apparently it’s all about warmth, comfort and safety (many places)–and after that it is ‘time share.’
I’m probably not helping my ME/CFS by having so much dander around. Just woke up exhausted… ;-(
Cort, please keep us posted on how the DNRS (Dynamic Neural Training System) goes for you. I just bought the program for my daughter who has MdDS, a neurally based balance disorder. Lots of overlaps (in our respective cases) with my ME/CSF. I must say, to watch the DNRS testimonials is to be impressed. Clearly some people’s lives are being changed.
Will do! It’s going to take some work but fingers crossed it will help…
Thanks, Cort. I will report back as well if my daughter’s results are in any way positive. Her case of MdDS is fairly severe so the bar is high.
Wish there were more solutions for dealing with EMR sensitivities when one has to live in an apt surrounded by neighbors with loads of the stuff……..I have already had to move twice becasue of major leaking & mold, & lost the vast majority of my belongings in the process…… am also on disability that only covers 75% of my rent, my dad helps some, but obviously my financial situation is not good, to say the least….and there is no way I can move to a house, or afford a lot of expensive testing/shielding….but I really need some solutions…..am so sick from ME, FM, sjogrens, Lyme, mold illness, MCS, and a whole bunch more that any blocking of EMRs that I could do would be of help. I already use wired computer, no tablets, etc…do not even own a smart phone & only have a cell for emergencies….but like I said, in an apt, it’s all around me anyway…..any suggestions woudl be appreciated (other than it’s in my head – I’ve had enough “blind” tests to know they definitely cause me problems, & anyone on a site for ME should be ashamed of themselves for trying to tell another very sick grp of people that it’s imagined……most anyone with ME should know how that feels & how wrong the people saying it’s in their heads are.)
Just caught up with this piece–sorry! I think it may be a mistake to focus on the notion of “sensitivity”–I think the evidence is clear that damage is being done, whether or not we become aware of it, immediately or after a while. I know people who were never aware until they came down with glio blastoma or something like that. To focus on “sensitivity” gives the immpression that this issue concerns only a few special, rather pathetic individuals, whereas the problem is really global. I write as one who attributes his ME/CFS to having moved into a cell phone tower masquerading as a high-rise apartment building–four months later I began having severe symptoms… It took me a couple of years to make the connection.
Hi Susan
Here are informations that maybe can help you to get better.
I am electrosensitive too I had a diagnosis of CFS many years ago while I was living in a house highly contaminated by toxic mold, what I discovered later. Then, I also been diagnosed with Lyme disease, (positive test at Igenex lab) . Many years later I discovered I am sensitive to electromagnetic fields. Avoiding them as much as I can help me. Like you, I moved from the big city, stopped using cordless and cell phones, bought detectors, turn off breakers at night and more.
I been told by a MD who see many patients like us that the root cause of the disease is celiac disease (CD) never diagnosed. Because the damages CD caused, during many years, mostly to small intestine, we can’t absorb nutrients correctly. So we are sick because the body don’t receive what it needs to do it’s job and also CD create immune reactions. CD usually comes with autoimmune problems more often to the thyroid (TPO antibodies and hypothyroidism). I had antibodies against my thyproid, heart and nuclei of my cells. Because the body attacks the proteins of gluten everywhere it is in the body and your gut becomes leaky. Gluten is like a glue in the body and is not easy to digest, to eliminate.
Previously, I had blood test for CD, but it been negative.
But the md told me false negative resul can happen. When we are sick since many years, the immune system is not working well and so, test can be negative. The MD told me the best is do genetci testing and stop eating gluten and dalso dairy, to see if it helps.
I had genetic testing at Enterolab,.I have two genes for CD. One from each of my parents. In that case, symptoms are worst I been told.
Stopping eating gluten and dairy helped me a lot.
If by mistake I eat gluten, I crash and I am in bed for 2 days. If I eat dairy, I have severe abdominal pain. But those reactions where masked before I stopped eating gluten and dairy. I was sick all the time. So hard to say what made me sick..
I am sentive to others food too. Grains are bad for me but I can tolerate quinoa not too often. I must eat foods that are not processed, organic and mostly vegetables and meat. I can tolerate legumes but not everyone can.
Recently I have read that more than 50% of CD patients also have small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Berberine been suggested to me to cure infections to small intestine. I have read a scientific article saying it is better than antibiotics with less side effects,. I also take probiotics.
I have less inflammation since taking berberine. I can feel it. But the treatment is long. and I go slowly, because taking 1500 mg/day been too much for me. I had to stop and I started again with 500 mg but I will increase at 1000 mg and I think i will be able to tolerate.
After I will try Uristatin from Thorne, for infections to urinary tract. I know a woman who was really sensitive to a lot of things. She took those 2 supplements and probiotics (Garden of Life) and she feels really better.
Al the best.
LF