Thick Blood and Autoimmune Issues?

[Dear Maggie]

I have heard a couple of comments from people CFIDS, CFS, 'gulf war syndrome' group and Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers ... that they have thick, dark blood.

One lady shared with me that she was diagnosed with Immune System Activated Coagulopathy, a thickening of the blood caused by the immune system.

I suspect the fatigue the doctors might find if they looked more at the immune system and the red blood cells, is AIHA

And recently about autoimmune thyroid (hashimotos thyroiditis) and Pyoderma Gangrenosum, rare auto immune disorder. On this link, www.aloeride.co.uk/IBD.html sponsored by About.com - they talk about an 'autoimmune' aspect to one of the 'leaky gut' syndromes 

Another shared something with me I have never heard of before: "It seems my t-cells and b-cells are passing through the blood brain barrier giving them access to the nervous system.  

the point is to avoid offending foods. That sounds a little simple but I am watching my diet carefully and doing good."

  

SO - could this autoimmune situation be affecting the Central Nervous System, too: short term memory loss, difficulty concentrating, sleeplessness, extreme irritability, depression, suicidal tendencies? 

Links

[eg101]

1. The nervous system is really not all that well understood

First, there really aren't many cure for nervous system disorders. You are probably better off just trying to live with it, if possible.

2nd, what you are talking about sounds, well, unenlighted. Thick blood? THe nervous system is really really complicated. Most of these ailments are just given names, but are not understood.

I myself have what is commonly called BFS (Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (AKA Muscular Pain & Cramping Syndrome). It is more or less benign. It is basically a mild myopathy and some other things.

One thing you might look into is plasmapheresis. Replacement of the plasma in your blood. Very expensive. Some sufferers of vague nervous system disorders have suggested that sufferers should donate plasma regularly, going with the idea that the antibodies that are causing the problem would be discarded so that the symptoms would lessen.

What probably causes a lot of these things is that certain antibodies are generated by exposure to some obscure virus, and the antibodies irritate the CNS. Or something like that. No one really knows.

Consult a neurologist, of course. Not that it will do much good.....

[Dear Maggie]

2. You have made some good points

Not understood is an understatement

Guess what some do for hemolytic anemia? They find that there are too many immature red blood cells being made ... and they BLEED the patient.

Scary. Someday they won't have enough blood. I only studied one chemical and now suspect it for the primary suspect in the cause of 'gulf war syndrome' CFS and CFIDs ... (same symptoms just a different grouping of sub ailments)

My theory is that the fatigue the doctors aren't finding is this AIHA

and the person who replied to me about his dog having AIHA was the most help. So, it turns out, are the veterinarians for diagnosing it more in pets.

Doctors think it is rare; I suspect it is very common but going undiagnosed.

I now also suspect that the immune system is the main culprit for many ailments including the red blood cell damage.

The blood is thick; who knows why? But dark I suspect is from not enough oxygen being carried by what are now mostly immature red blood cells ... which mess up the other tests doctors are looking at

CNS? Right, they say that there isn't much that can be done for Central Nervous System damage; however, if you stop exposure to 2-butoxyethanol, you may not push yourself towards more horrible effects. So education is a good place to start

Why I looked into it