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Suggest Treatment For Lupus

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Posted on Sat, 3 Jun 2017
Question: Hello, I have Lupus and I have been extremely ill since I rented and moved into a basement apartment in 2014. 2016, while in hospital my basement apartment flooded and my personal belongings stayed wet for over 48 hours, until I got out of the hospital. The first thing I asked my landlord/friend of 14 years, was to make sure that a mold test is done, and if there are any signs to make sure they are taken care of. although, she promised me that it would be done, she didn't have anyone come in to clean for 10 days and they did not test for mold. Over the 3 years there, I honestly thought my Lupus was getting worse, my energy was so low, every time I want home, I ended up in bed sleep. After the flood me and my 11 lb dog stayed until XXXXXXX 23rd, during that time me and my dog experienced extreme illness throwing up and headaches, etc. It was so bad that I have to see my doctor, the doctor told me to get out as soon as possible, so I went to hotel the next day. Three years ago I started to have skin issues, but again I thought my Lupus was getting worse. My mom came for 2 months while I recovered from 4th back surgery and I had to take her to urgent care twice for unexplained illness. Even after months of leaving that envirnment, I was hours of putting my dog down, because all his fur was coming out and he had bleeding open sores all over his body, the same syptoms that I had but he is only 11 bls. Anyway, I have never been to the doctor's so much, since I left there, I now see the derm dr a couple times a week, I have clusters in my right breast and have to continue to do so every 6 months, I went to storage last week and I thought I cleaned everything before bringing in my hotel room, however, within days we both were very ill. After seeing my Derm yesterday, he is convince that with my Immune system and the reaction that I have had regarding the mold, both my Derm and Rhuem believe that I will have to replace everything that is in storage, bed, paper, clothes, etc to make sure that I can continue to heal otherwise I will be in the same situation as I have been for over a year now. I have a lawsuit against the landlord, it was basically for the replacement for my personal property; however, after witnessing the extreme mold on the cracked foundation when I moved out and knowing now that the basement has a history of flooding, but no history of professional cleaning or testing, I want to hold her responsible for all my belongings and all of my pain and suffering from all of this. I know you are not a lawyer, so my question is with my conditions, would you agree with the other doctor's opinion as a doctor how has knowledge of mold. The laws have not caught up with the effects of mold on the humans, but no one can tell me any different, because I know my body very well. If you could shine some light on this issue for me, I would completely appreciate it.
Thank you in advance,
XXXXXXX xxxxx
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ornela Ademovi (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Mold exposure possibly related to autoimmune diseases

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I understand your concern and I am sorry you have been going through all this.
While not scientifically proven, there have been many reports where exposure to mold has triggered the appearance or aggravated the existing autoimmune diseases such as Lupus or Rheumatoid arthritis.
Autoimmune diseases are multifactorial, meaning that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in their appearance. However, in the presence of aggressive environmental factors such as mold and humidity in this case, an already activated immune system (such as autoimmune conditions) can be aggressively triggered, as it recognizes the inhaled mold spores as foreign bodies that need to be isolated and eliminated.
So yes, despite the absence of proper research and scientifically proven facts, as a doctor, I do believe that in your case, living in an apartment that has flooded and not been professionally tested and taken care of afterwards, may have played a big part in the aggravation of your disease and deterioration of your dog's health.
Even in the absence of a previous illness, living in a humid and moldy place is not acceptable by any standards.
I hope this helps. I'd be happy to ans any further questions you may have.
Wishing you good health and all the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ornela Ademovi (13 hours later)
thank you very much, because it hopes with a doctor believes and will take the time to take you seriously. For years doctors just wanted to say it was mental, because it was easier that way, so all though college, I suffered and kept ending up in the hospital. I even think my college coach that it was in my head and wanted to say that I wasn't working hard enough, when I was working as hard as my body allowed me that day. Anyway, I have had Lupus long enough to know my body pretty well and I have never had the issues that I have now. It has been such a struggle dealing with this, plus I had to XXXXXXX my landlord for my property, but I am flat out angry about the mold situation, she know I was fighting daily, just to get out of bed sometimes. All I can do at this point, is inform the court of my situation and how it has effected me, it's been over a year and it is still affecting me. I have printed out ever article that I could find on the subject at a national level, with respectable organizations and provide then with all the doctors and appointment that I have had since living in that basement, and my poor dog has a file of his own. I guess I wanted to ask again what was thought about my other belongings in storage. I think I will need to get rid of everything, because I had to keep some items that I knew I should have thrown out, but was told to keep in case I needed them for the case. Now I am second thinking that, but I am afraid too late. It will depend on how the courts view this, to see if I can add the rest of my items to the list of things ruined in the flood. Like I said, I have already had the storage tested, and spores were found, just not high enough for a healthy person, but devastating for someone like me. I guess I already have my answer, because something I brought from storage last week, I must not have gotten rid of, or many there was no way to get rid of it, but sure am sick from it and my belongings are not worth all of the pain it is causing me and my dog. Thank you for your reply and thank you for not trying to convince me to go to mental health! Mental health is now part of my story, but since all this has happened, I am back on anti-depressants, hopefully not for long.


Dear Dr. Ornela Ademovi.,
A question just came to mind, as I continue to try and put this case together, would you have an issue with mean printing this out and placing it with all my other options from credial doctor's and institutions? I will understand any answer, but I wouldn't just do it without asking you first.
Thank you in advance, XXXXXXX xxxxx

hello, can you please resend answer, I received a message and it did not go through to my email, said system failed to send.
thank you XXXXXXX xxxxx
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ornela Ademovi (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
My answer is based on personal experience and knowledge

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I understand what you have been going through. As I stated in my previous reply, my answer is based on an educated guess and personal experience with my patients, but not on research based facts. Therefore I cannot agree to my answer being taken as a reference as this would not be professionally acceptable for me as a doctor.
I hope you understand.
I wish you good health and success in all your endeavors.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ornela Ademovi (6 hours later)
THANK you for responding and I completely understand, that is why I asked you 1st, because I would never put ANYONE In a position, that would cause more questions, than answers. I appreciate your educated knowledge and I may have more questions regarding mold. THANK YOU in advance, XXXXXXX
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ornela Ademovi

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 725 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Lupus

Brief Answer: Mold exposure possibly related to autoimmune diseases Detailed Answer: Hello, I understand your concern and I am sorry you have been going through all this. While not scientifically proven, there have been many reports where exposure to mold has triggered the appearance or aggravated the existing autoimmune diseases such as Lupus or Rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune diseases are multifactorial, meaning that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in their appearance. However, in the presence of aggressive environmental factors such as mold and humidity in this case, an already activated immune system (such as autoimmune conditions) can be aggressively triggered, as it recognizes the inhaled mold spores as foreign bodies that need to be isolated and eliminated. So yes, despite the absence of proper research and scientifically proven facts, as a doctor, I do believe that in your case, living in an apartment that has flooded and not been professionally tested and taken care of afterwards, may have played a big part in the aggravation of your disease and deterioration of your dog's health. Even in the absence of a previous illness, living in a humid and moldy place is not acceptable by any standards. I hope this helps. I'd be happy to ans any further questions you may have. Wishing you good health and all the best.