What does acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia look like?

[Dear Maggie]

First of all, what does it feel like? You feel TIRED!

"Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that starts with flu-like symptoms and lasts for 6 months or more. All other possible causes of fatigue are eliminated before this diagnosis is made. Little relieves CFS fatigue, including rest."

Exposure to 2-butoxyethanol could be the cause of this fatigue. In the literature it is reported to cause acute hemolytic anemia (I suspect autoimmune) It can affect anyone at any age: military, such as the 'gulf war syndrome' vets and housewives, too

Here is an example of what an acute exposure could look like: www.valdezlink.com/gwv6-14.htm#9 (& besides this type of fatigue, there is Central Nervous System damage with resultant depression and severe grouchiness AND more)

CDC's statement regarding CFS and a possible autoimmune connection and this is what they had to say: "One thing is certain at this juncture: there are no immune disorders in CFS patients on the scale traditionally associated with disease. Some investigators have observed anti-self antibodies and immune complexes in many CFS patients, both of which are hallmarks of autoimmune disease. However, no associated tissue damage typical of autoimmune disease has been described in patients with CFS." www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/info.htm

I found the Mayo Clinic's list of possible causes to be interesting as it relates to the AA theory. They state: "The cause of CFS may be an inflammation of the pathways of the nervous system as a response to an autoimmune process, but with nothing measurable in the blood like in other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus." www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=A026FC79-096B-4920-AA54503DE4B22308&dsection=3

The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) has CFIDS listed along with more than 60 other AA diseases. They state:

"Chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) is a chronic inflammatory illness of undetermined origin. It is suspected but not proved to have an autoimmune component, as many of those diagnosed with CFIDS have circulating antinuclear autoantibodies."
http://www.aarda.org/patient_information.php

they continue, "Another thought that I have is the fact that endometriosis is prevalent among CFIDS patients and is by all means a progressive disease. While there are still no clear answers as to the cause of endometriosis, current research is leaning towards a possible autoimmune response there too. Endometriosis.org has this to say about that theory:"

Immune System Dysfunctions

"The most recent studies seem to be considering evidence that might classify endometriosis as part of a larger immunological disorder. (J.A. Hill) Women with endometriosis seem to suffer disproportionately to a number of other immune system disorders such as lupus, thyroid-related problems, allergies, and candida albicans. Women with endometriosis have also been found to carry cells with reduced ability to fight off "bad" cells (Dmowski, M.P. et al.), and high levels of autoantibodies that attack their own healthy cells (El-Roiey, et al.)." http://www.endometriosis.org/html/causes.html

One thing that every one agrees on is that our bodies are in a continual state of response to SOMETHING. If that "something" turns out to be an actual virus that has yet to be discovered then perhaps it won't turn out to be an autoimmune disease. If that something is really nothing and our bodies are engaging in "friendly fire", then it seems that there would be a case for that.

A 3rd possibility is that CFIDS starts out as a viral assault but an autoimmune condition results. That is one theory behind MS and other AA diseases


My thoughts, YES, if from this chemical exposure:

http://www.ragereport.com/phpbb/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?p=24490#24490

Some would say, "fibro 14 years ago. I'm also hypothyroid and have osteoarthritis"

This is part of the pattern of a chemical I have studied ... 2-butoxyethanol (also known as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether). 15 years ago was the Exxon Valdez oil spill. By any chance were you one of the workers? Many were exposed to too much of this chemical at that time. www.valdezlink.com/1989photos.htm

Help your doctor pinpoint whether or not this chemical is the cause of your FM & thyroid, and dizziness: www.ragereport.com/phpbb/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?p=24490#24490

I suspect the fainting could be from not enough mature red blood cells or not enough volume of blood. There will be trace blood in urine for years after this fatigue hits... (from immune system prematurely destroying your red blood cells); and the red blood cells will be immature. www.valdezlink.com/why_fatigue.htm I suspect many 'heart attacks' are from the affects of this chemical on the blood, too. Some comment that they have thick, dark blood.

With CFS, CFIDS, 'gulf war syndrome' www.valdezlink.com/cfid_share.htm The fatigue doesn't show up as expected in the regular blood work, thus the doctors don't look further, and that's why they say they don't know. Do you have these signs of this anemia? www.valdezlink.com/generic.htm#8

Chills
Fatigue
Pale color
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate
Yellow skin color (jaundice)
Dark urine
Enlarged spleen

Now this is the dictionary definition of what the signs of hemolytic anemia would be; and I suspect they are giving an example of an extreme, very obvious case; however, for most people it is all shades of gray ... and these symptoms come and go in a mild form. I share them here for you & your doctor to consider whether or not they might be a clue to hemolytic anemia's 'hiding out' & more things to go over here: www.valdezlink.com/health_survey_for_doctor.htm

www.valdezlink.com/check_blood.htm#retic Keep track of this number

AND the Best Research I Found
www.valdezlink.com/2-bmsds03.htm & there is extra info that doctors can pull up for free ... with more explanation ...

And more info www.ragereport.com/phpbb/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2539 including a 1975 example of acute acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Some patients won't show any evidence of this in the blood counts, the hemoglobin, hematocrit; but the red blood cells should decline over time. And for one of the workers of the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup (where I learned about this chemical in the first place) who has noticeably low red blood cell counts and low white blood cell counts and low hemoglobin, this is in a very serious state. Yet, to date, he has not been diagnosed with this condition. I wonder whether the bone marrow is having difficulty making enough red blood cells? I wonder whether the immune system is 'tired' of making those white blood cells after 15 years of 'overworking?' In the beginning, however, his red blood cells would have been ragged, and beat up. It seems one's immune system is prematurely destroying your own red blood cells. I wonder whether 15 years later, there is still trace blood in urine www.valdezlink.com/psa.htm or is it too minute to calibrate?

What are the size and shape of the red blood cells ... what are the cell membranes like (loosing elasticity? so fragility of red blood cells?) www.valdezlink.com/rbc_size_shape.htm It is very important to know whether or not your red blood cells are predominately premature. Because if they are, other medical tests don't read right: like white blood cell counts will read too high; liver counts will read too high. Hmm, maybe the hemoglogin is reading higher than it is?

I am not a medical person, but I have studied this chemical and talked to many people with known and suspected exposure to it. I have been very frustrated to know that this hemolytic has to be there from day one ... and that since it doesn't leave, it still has to be there ... but why isn't it being found? Well, it fools the tests, that's what I think.

Why did I study this chemical? www.seattlepress.com/features/forum/viewtopic.php?p=134#134

I personally believe our nation has a pandemic, unrecognized health crisis on their hands

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I only know about canine IAHA. It killed my beloved American

Eskimo in 17 days. The first sign was his refusal to eat his dinner on a Friday night. I took him to the vet's the next morning...his gums were very pale. He was diagnosed that day and treatment with steroids began. We couldn't get his red-cell and platelets back up and he died 16 days later. He had never been sick or required the attention of a vet in the prior 8 1/2 years. It was awful!

[Dear Maggie]

2. Was this a similar diagnosis?

Immune Acquired Hemolytic Anemia?

Well, it wouldn't surprise me if pets can get the same thing. Did you know that Swiffer wet jet keeps you going round and round when you are looking for the ingredients on their website? And they make a big deal to say that it is safe for pets (Whereas rumor is saying the opposite, like they die) Sure wouldn't want baby crawling around on 'swiffered floors' with all these uncertainties.

One of my grown children just loves her dogs. I remember when the lab was a puppy, she would spray some kind of scented stuff around ... maybe it was flea spray (She doesn't think it's significant & doesn't remember when I ask her)

Now her dog needs allergy shots and has special drops for its ears.

I think she could have caused the problem with those sprays when it was little.

Sorry about your pet; do you have any idea whether he got into something in the garbage ... like antifreeze (they say it tastes sweet) or some cleaning chemical vapors got in his eyes?

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I guess I did that wrong! Should be AIHA...auto-immune hemolytic

anemia. Dinks was a house dog and was always at my side. It's possible that some type of vapor could have gotten into his system. I live in a 147 year-old house that I have been restoring for the last 9 years. I have all types of chemicals and painting stuff in the house and in use.

The day before Dinks died, I drove him to the nearest university with a vet hospital (185 miles away) in a last attempt to save him. They found blood throughout his system (spleen, lungs, etc.) and thought that the underlying problem was the spleen. By then, he was too weak and damaged to attempt surgery. He died in my arms just 24-hours after we left for the trip home.

My dogs have never gotten into anything in the house...always stayed away from my stuff and I put them outside when using something really nasty like stripper.

[Dear Maggie]

4. I thank you for sharing

It was most likely some vapors of something that you did the day your dog got so ill.

The spleen is getting rid of the dead red blood cells, I imagine, so it would have been noticeably swollen www.valdezlink.com/spleen.htm Also, the doctor in an a very acute attack does find the hemolytic anemia. Your pet was probably making new red blood cells at an accelerated rate that at that time would have been noticeable (over time the rate will drop, but early on it would stand out.)

I do suspect that the worst exposure to 2-butoxyethanol or diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is the vapors in one's eyes ... such as Audrey's husband found out www.valdezlink.com/sg_audrey.htm As you can tell, there are other things in use that say non toxic, but one wonders. In this products case, it has an MSDS that says non toxic based on it being diluted 30 times. (But then it gives a full strength use also, with no change in warnings for a product with <6% 2-butoxyethanol.)

The reason the USA can't find the real cause of 'gulf war syndrome,' in my opinion, is www.valdezlink.com/usa_hoodwinked.htm

People don't take the warnings on home cleaning products, paints, etc seriously. What Should the Hazard warnings be on products?

Why not say instead that they will have damaged: blood, liver, kidneys, skin, eyes, central nervous system including depression and short term memory loss, and suicidal tendencies; endocrine system (high blood pressure/high blood sugar/reproductive damage) and tell them, too, it doesn't take much exposure to cause this! The more exposure the sooner you die; and the more horrible the death. Cancers very probable. Children at risk for birth defects and leukemia and tumor of the brain. Multiple existing health studies 'skewed' because the primary cause is not mentioned or known:

2-butoxyethanol poisoning

Oh yes, and you will be TIRED, TIRED, TIRED!

My focus has been on an accurate diagnosis and not having people take tests that are expensive and painful, if they're not absolutely necessary. That maybe we could Lobby Congress to eliminate this chemical from harming anyone else AND spend our efforts on finding a cure. These would likely have a weakened immune system and we are expecting a pandemic flu epidemic? I am concerned for these.

www.valdezlink.com/how_to_contact.htm

[Dear Maggie]

5. I suspect this is THE FATIGUE that flies under the 'radar'

In brief terms, I suspect that this is the fatigue that doctors have been wondering about. Because there is compensating hemolytic anemia .. the initial blood work looks OK, and they don't see the need to check further.

When there is trace blood in urine, they may not even mention it to a patient, because it doesn't 'line up' with what the blood is saying.

I don't have 'the proof' of this theory, but the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers, particularly the 'bioremediation' workers would have proof; so would those with CFS or CFIDS or 'gulf war syndrome'

I suspect 2-butoxyethanol poisoning for causing much cancer and much reproductive harm; and THIS is the FATIGUE that will be the same for all of them, if my theory is right.

When you think you have the flu, but somehow it isn't the flu, ask the doctor to check the retic rate and ask if there is any blood in urine AND if your red blood cells are ragged and beat up. Later on, ask whether the red blood cells are immature. You need to know this to adjust other medical information for this, if it is the case.

I am hoping that if this chemical is the root cause of many ailments, that it will be found out and we can stop harming people. It is an unnecessary harm.

More Brain Tumors now-a-days? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=222x280

Even children can have HORRIBLE headaches http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=228&topic_id=347#1184

What was the bioremediation experiment in 1989? www.valdezlink.com/inipol/pages/experiment.htm

Why I'm studying this chemcial http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1079661&mesg_id=1086257