Defining Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Library Binding)

This is an incredible book. For MCS sufferers this is unquestionably one of the best books to own--Unquestionably.

The book is divided into 4 sections, with multiple chapters in 2 of the sections. Though the sections are different, the chapter numbers keep on running through all 4 sections (you'll ll see what I mean).

SECTION I: MEDICAL INFORMATION

Ch. 1. Chemical Sensitivity: A Psychological Perspective by Eileen R. McCarty (clinical psychologist)

2. MCS: Trial by Science by Donald L. Dudley, M.D.

3. SPECT Brain Scanning After Chemical Injury by Gunnar Heuser, M.D.

4. Porphyria, Cytochrome P-450, and Toxic Exposure by Bonnye Matthews

SECTION II: Legal Information

5. No Balm in Gilead: Why Workerï¿s Compensation Fails Workers in a Toxic Age by Randolph Gordon

SECTION III: Science and the Literature

6. Junk Science by Bonnye Matthews

7. Medical Literature and MCS: An analysis of Seven Papers by Donald Dudley

SECTION IV: Personal Experience with MCS

8. My Experience with Chemical Sensitivity by Bonnye Matthews

REVIEW OF EACH CHAPTER:

Chapter 1: Chemical Sensitivity: A Psychological Perspective by Eileen R. McCarty (clinical psychologist)

Contrary to what its title might seem to implicate, McCarty's chapter does not represent or defend a psychogenic perspective of MCS. The chapter introduces readers into the problem of how Industry focuses on the manufacturing benefits of chemicals while ignoring the possible illnesses that are caused by such. The chapter then begins to explain why some doctors interpret MCS sufferers' problems as being emotionally originated.

Then the chapter delves into a very brief and lacking summary of--at the time--powerful recent research. (Don't get me wrong, the research is still powerful, but I don't think I'd call it "recent"). Such includes information on porphyria, Callender's brain scans and some very interesting information on DHEA (chemical messenger, or in better-understood terms, a hormone) and its potential beneficial affects on MCS patients. With regard to DHEA, McCarty says, "An [MCS-afflicted] individual will still likely react to chemical exposure, but his or her overall quality of life may be enhanced." (Pg. 7)

I very much like McCarty's description of just how complex MCS and MCS research is: "Sometimes the search for answers leads only to further questions; passing through one door, we discover more doors waiting to be opened." (Pg. 7)

Chapter 2: "MCS: Trial by Science" by Donald L. Dudley, M.D

Donald Dudley's chapter focuses on his unique research on MCS.

Dudley studied the P300 brain wave (Auditory and Visual) of twenty patients with MCS (under Cullen's definition). Upon exposure to chemicals that the subjects reported being sensitive to, their P300 wave was dramatically and disturbingly decreased. Two of the subjects developed seizures.

What is unique about this research is that it is pretty much without controversy. Let me explain: Emotions have ZERO influence on the P300 brain wave. Therefore any changes to this brain wave upon challenge must be the result of organic mechanisms.

Dudley's findings on NMDA activity and the olfactory system in MCS are intriguing. According to Dudley NMDA activity can lead to the cell injury and death and may be responsible for some symptoms of MCS (or at the least, contribute to the severity of such symptoms).

The only problem is that Dudley has thus far not attempted to replicate his findings, which saddens me. Even more remarkable is that no one else has attempted to replicate his findings (on the P300 brain wave in MCS)! That is astonishingly stupid.

(See Pg. 24)

Chapter 3: SPECT Brain Scanning After Chemical Injury by Gunnar Heuser

Heuser's chapter discusses his research on brain scans before and after chemical exposure with claimed chemically sensitive patients.

According to Heuser's findings, most MCS patients suffer decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain upon being exposed to perfume. (Pgs. 27-30) [Simply believing that one's flow of blood will be decreased when exposed to something will not make it so. Likewise, in phobias, one's flow of blood is not decreased when the person is exposed to whatever he or she is afraid of]

Problem: The chapter needs to be updated. Heuser and others have since done more work on brain imaging on chemically sensitive sufferers. The book should be updated to include this information.

Chapter 4: Porphyria, Cytochrome P-450, and Toxic Exposure by Bonnye Matthews

Here Bonnye Matthews says there are 3,000+ chemicals--including those in perfumes-- that trigger porphyria attacks. However, the only citation of evidence for this that I was able to find was a reference to Cynthia Wilson. I am not saying Wilson is incorrect, but rather I am saying Matthews should have been more careful in documenting the evidence.

Matthews fails to take into account of this theory (even though she notes it) that not all MCS sufferers test positive for porphyria, even during reaction. Nor are there any controlled experiments of the theory. (Bell, 2002)

Matthews misinterprets the Mayo Clinic study she refers to. The Mayo Clinic study did NOT establish that the MCS subjects had porphyria. Rather, the study showed that the subjects had isolated porphyrin metabolism abnormalities. (Which happen to be explained by the two currently dominant theories of MCS etiology: Pall's fusion theory and Donnay's CO poisoning theory. Both theories explain the porphyrin metabolism abnormalities in MCS)

Matthews also goes way too far in saying that the porphyria model is the first model on MCS. Such a claim is absurd for models of MCS were out over a decade before this book's release.

Chapter 5: No Balm in Gilead: Why Worker's Compensation Fails Workers in a Toxic Age by Randolph Gordon

I won't comment on this chapter because I have not read it. The reason being that I am not very good at dealing with legal issues--I am not a legal expert.

Chapter 6: Junk Science by Bonnye Matthews

This chapter clarifies what science and what the scientific method are. It explains the grueling process that should be--but rarely is--used to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of a study.

Matthews explains why "Junk Science" is an oxymoron that should never be applied to the position that MCS is organic.

Chapter 7: Medical Literature and MCS: An analysis of Seven Papers by Donald Dudley

This chapter blew my mind. It really sickened me to know how sloppy the research has been by those who oppose MCS recognition. The chapter is both enlightening and disturbing: It discusses the fact that there are seven major studies that are used to show MCS is a psychogenic condition. In these seven studies, there were a total of 334 patients studied. However, no more than thirty-three of these patients actually had MCS. In five of the studies, none of the patients had MCS. Of the remaining two, in one study, eighteen out of forty-one had MCS, and in the other study no more than fifteen out of fifty-three had MCS. Thus, it is fair to state that the studies have nothing to do with the real MCS. (See pgs 111-130) [Note: With those few claimed MCS victims in the studies, Dudley was being generous. It is possible that those few did not actually have MCS]

Chapter 8: My Experience with Chemical Sensitivity by Bonnye Matthews

Talk about wow! This made me even sicker than Dudley's chapter! I was so upset and enraged after reading this chapter that I lost sleep over it! I almost think it would be better for people to not read it--but then the person would be deprived of valuable information.

Matthews' personal story is the cherry on the ice cream. I believe it will produce a very large amount of angry patients and doctors.

Matthews explains how her personal experience demonstrates that the US medical and government systems have deliberately ignored MCS and even suppressed research on it. It really upset me to learn the things I learned in this chapter. It made my stomach churn. I may never view the integrity of the US medical establishment in the same way again.

NATURAL MEDICINE AND MCS:

I agree with another reviewer here, that the book should have discussed natural medicine. I think Matthews was so concerned about pleasing traditional medical doctors (who cynically request documentation of MCS) that she didn't want to turn them away with a discussion of natural medicine.

The scientific literature is filled with evidence of natural medicine's beneficial and likely beneficial affects on MCS: HGH therapy beneficial in MCS' sister diseases CFS and FM; MCS severity alleviated by hydroxocobalamin and cyanocobalamin; MCS severity alleviated by antioxidant therapy; etc.

The book should be updated to include this natural medicine data and much more.

SUMMARY:

Though the book is not perfect and has several flaws within it, it is, again, unquestionably one of the best books MCS sufferers can own. It contains very useful hardcore scientific data, objective reasoning and evaluation, and a lot of compassion. It has the power to move many people and I am sure it has and will continue to do so.

The book's overall message that MCS should not be ignored and cannot be forever is clear and powerful. Without a doubt, this book is a riveting, stomach-churning chock full of disturbing data.

~ Pat Casanova