June 6, 2008
I am a Registered Nurse, and I am researching a situation that concerns our public health. Although I do not suffer from Morgellons Disease, I have spoken to many, many people who do. The stories that they relate of their personal suffering are heartbreaking. They come from all walks of life, and the extent of their suffering, both physically and emotionally, simply cannot be described by mere words. Their bodies have become disfigured, and most experience pain. To compound this, almost all of them have been turned away by the very doctors that they have gone to for help. The doctors, being uninformed of Morgellons, and unwilling to look into the patient's symptoms, have labelled them as delusional, and have referred them to psychiatrists who, in some instances have actually committed the patients. As a member of the medical community, I find this to be deplorable. This disease knows no boundaries. It affects people of all ages, including children, and there are a few instances of babies being born with the condition, having acquired it from their mother while in the womb.
Out of desperation, and with no one to turn to, these patients are attempting to self-medicate. Most of these people are highly intelligent, and are fervently attempting to find answers by researching on the Internet. They have established web sites where they share information.
As their conditions have worsened, many have become so ill that they have been unable to continue in the work force, and have ultimately lost their jobs, incomes, homes, savings, health, and life insurance.
The largest occupational group of people infected with Morgellons Disease are nurses. The second largest group are teachers. Nurses outrank teachers by 3 to 1.
I have done exhaustive research into this condition since last December, and I believe beyond doubt that it is highly contagious. Most patients report that multiple members of their households are affected, and many say that other relatives who they have had personal contact with, such as parents, grandparents and in-laws are now affected as well. Knowing that the ailment from which they suffer is very likely highly contagious, many of them have isolated themselves from their families and friends, and some have not seen them for years. Many rarely even leave their homes except to buy food.
I estimate that there are at least 60,000 patients in the United States at this time. One US scientist places that number at half a million people. One Morgellons web site involved in research has had an increase in the number of subscribers jump up by an additional 1,500 in the last 2 months alone.
Reports have come in from all 50 states. Also affected are Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Spain, England, Germany, and France. All patients reporting the same symptoms.
This disease is rapidly spreading worldwide. At this time, most of the cases are currently occurring in the United States.
There are very likely many individuals who are ill with this ailment, but are not aware of the fact that the condition from which they suffer has a name, so the true number of individuals may be staggering.
Besides the tremendous human suffering caused by this illness, it will soon place a huge financial burden on society, as many people with this disease are on, or are applying for, social welfare and disability pensions.
The occurrence of this illness is increasing rapidly, and therefore the long range public health implications of this disease are frightening if a cure cannot be found.
At this time, the cause of this ailment is unknown, there is no FDA approved treatment, and no cure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began investigating this condition a few months ago. The CDC epidemiological investigation of Morgellons Disease is now underway in Northern California and is expected to take 12 months or longer to complete.
Most clinicians and public health agencies in the U.S. are still unaware of Morgellons, the CDC investigation, and the symptoms of this devastating illness. Most patients have reported that their physicians were unaware of the CDC investigation and symptoms. Many physicians assume the patient is exhibiting symptoms of a psychosomatic illness when they describe the bizarre skin and other physical symptoms of the disease. Unless clinicians happen to see a news report, they would probably not be aware of Morgellons or the CDC investigation.
Details on Morgellons, and their investigation can be found here.
An important excerpt of this CDC document follows: "Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received an increasing number of inquiries from the public, health care providers, public health officials, Congress, and the media, regarding an unexplained debilitating skin condition which some refer to as “Morgellons."
Morgellons is an unexplained and debilitating condition that has emerged as a public health concern. Persons who suffer from this unexplained skin condition report a range of skin symptoms including crawling, biting and stinging sensations; granules, threads, fibers, or black speck-like materials on or beneath the skin; and/or skin rashes or sores. In addition to skin manifestations, some sufferers also report fatigue, mental confusion, short term memory loss, joint pain, and changes in vision.
The cause of this condition is unknown, and the medical community has insufficient information to determine whether persons who identify themselves as having this condition have a common cause for their symptoms or share common risk factors.
To assist in learning more about this condition, CDC is conducting an epidemiologic investigation. CDC held a telebriefing for the press on January 16,2008 to announce the epidemiologic investigation. To read the complete transcript of the telebriefing, referhere.
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It is absolutely imperative that all of our doctors and public health agencies be notified of the CDC's investigational study, so that they will no longer turn away patients seeking help and label them as delusional.
The devastation and despair experienced by some patients have led them to commit suicide.
For support and further information, visit:
Morgellon's Disease Research
