Interesting new article from Brazil on two patients who self identified with “Morgellons”.:
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rimtsp/v49n6/12.pdf
The first patient brought with her very small fragments of nails
and dry skin, believed by her to be parasites (Fig. 1). The second patient
also brought skin fragments identified by her as parasites (Fig. 2).
Both were submitted to histopathological examination showing
fragments of epidermis.
In times past, when we were still lacking in some important
information about the Ekbom syndrome, we came into contact with
two situations similar to those described here. One of these persons
went as far as to make a sketch of the human body showing the path of
the peculiar “things”. At that time all this sounded as nonsensical
arguments.
Possibly, people suffering from Ekbom syndrome try to solve their
problems by consulting different medical specialists. However, it is
not the subject of only one area of medical practice; it would make
sense to consider it to be a multidisciplinary subject requiring the
adoption of specific therapeutic measures. We became involved with
this subject as medical practitioners dedicated to the treatment of
infectious and parasitic diseases. Supposedly, their condition is
produced by “parasites”. In cases of serious skin lesions, one could
think of consulting a dermatologist, although other medical practitioners
could be aware of the problem. Concerning Ekbom syndrome, we think
that courses and other events on this subject should be recommended,
as it is necessary to expand the available information about this disease.
Michael, This is a very interesting topic.
One of my new specialists just diagnosed me with RLS. He said I am in the “severe” category with my sleep disorder. He has given me Gabapentin to try to improve my sleep quality, I also have to use a nasal spray.
I wanted to read your link, but unfotunately I only got as far as the paragraph below. The new medication comes with some not so nice side effects.
with my nano x-ray vision I pushed on Michael, the article was terrific.
This really stood out for me.
I did EXACTLY the same.
or it was Captain Kangaroo 🙂
Ekbom syndrome is real. Ekbom was right with this theory, well half right.
anyone now who wrote the “theory” on dying?
I’m just curious., that’s all.
There are actually two things called Ekbom’s syndrom. Restless legs syndrome is one (more fully: Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome) , and Delusions of Parasitosis is the other. I think the authors of this paper have confused and combined the two – perhaps due to language problems.
I have RLS sometimes, it seems possibly related to diet (for me). The sensations are not really like insects crawling on the skin, but more like something more liquid moving inside my legs. It’s really a strong urge to move, and abates as soon as I do move.
RLS is interesting here because it is suspected to have many different distinct causes, and not really be a disease in itself. Much like Morgellons – but with a well defined symptomology.
According to the Wikipedia, the UK support group for RLS has conflated RLS and Ekbom syndrome as well. Apparently both were described by the same person (Ekbom).
I thought I’d read somewhere that there’s a form of RLS where people believe that their symptoms are caused by parasites and/or they vigorously scratch the affected limbs. I thought that’s why RLS and DoP are sometimes described together.
Gillian, I have had ongoing sleep problems my entire adult life, so I’m very glad you’ve found something that improves your sleep quality. Cheers!
I am sometimes confused by your posts. Do you believe you have Morgellons, or did you at one time and you now believe you were mistaken? Just curious.
No I’m not mistaken.
Unfortunately, I do have Morgellons.
This is me, not the best photos.
http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq231/blackhole2008/Deschamps041.jpg
http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq231/blackhole2008/Deschamps174.jpg
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We can’t show her face because “she’s a dentist” 🙂
The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.
http://www.rls.org/Page.aspx?pid=471
Merc, That’s incredible I didn’t know that. I haven’t had time to read the link on RLS, but I wanted to share with you. My sleep specialist gave me the web address.
Do you have a link that can describe (in laymans terms please) the connection between Rest Leg Syndrome & Ekboms & DOP.
Much appreciated.
Gill.
I have a phobia with bugs, check out this site.
Decomposition
http://www.deathonline.net/decomposition/index.htm
FOR ANYONE that is a non believer in Morgellons, I would just like to say, IT IS REAL, IT DOES EXSIST, AND IT IS NOT A MENTAL DISORDER. This is a real shame, we have what id suppose to be professional medical personel arguing over this instead of researching and seeing that IT DOES EXSIST, IT IS REAL. My neighbor, a wonderful older woman, is as clean as can be, has been suffering for 3 years now with this HORRIBLE disease. She has WASTED thousands and thousands on tryong to find medical people who are familiar with this disease. The FIBERS ARE REAL, I HAVE SEEN THEM, I HAVE TOUCHED THEM, I HAVE INSPECTED THEM.The poor womans skin is nothing but lesions with fibers under the scabbing. She gets No Sleep due to the constant itching, let alone the fact she has NO LIFE now at all. Due to the fact she is so embarrased to leave the house because of the way she looks and the way she has to be cONSTANTLY SCRATCHING AT HERSELF. SOOOO for ANYONE, DOCTOR or fellow citizen that would like me to send them some of these fibers along with actual pictures , just let me know, I am SICK, OF PEOPLE saying this does not exsist, IT DAM SITE DOES.
Delusional parasitosis mimicking cutaneous infestation in elderly patients
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/179_04_180803/le10588_fm.html
I have witnessed the elderly first hand, suffering Alzheimers, dementia and/or delusions of parasitosis. The elderly are the most rewarding people to care for, their love is unconditional, and yet they are lost. All of them say the same thing I’ve heard it too often “I want to go home”.
I’m not promoting DOP because I am a Morgellons sufferer, however this part of the article seems a little more human.
“Empathy and a good doctor–patient relationship are required to optimise outcome”
What happened to our medical system?