ME Sufferer Seeks Research

Reading Chronicle 24th July 2008

An ME sufferer has called for more research into links between her condition and chemical allergies.

As a landmark ease in the High Court this week examines how the Government monitors the health impact of pesticides, Elaine English from Grazeley Green said chemicals in agricultural sprays and other everyday items are having an adverse affect on her health, and called for more research to investigate a connection between ME and multiple chemical sensitivities.

She said: “Its not necessarily cause and effect, but I do think there is a need for more research.

“I have suffered from multiple chemical sensitivities since the 1980s. Originally I reacted to chemicals such as turpentine, white spirit and gloss pain. But I began to be sensitive to other chemicals including a range of perfumes and newspaper print.

“They can cause a kind of brain fog, headaches and aching muscles, the problem is these can also be symptoms of ME, but there is a crossover.”

Mother of two Elaine, 56, said that chemical spraying at nearby farms leaves her with breathing difficulties, and said that although farmers do not have to warn residents, there are no protections in place.

She said: “When I had a severe relapse of ME and I had various blood tests done, including lymphocyte blood tests, which confirmed my known chemical sensitivities and also identified some new ones.

“They found that I had absorbed a chemical found in many perfumes which had accumulated and actually damaged my cells.”

Miriam Potter of Reading Area ME Group said: “Chemicals and toxins are very much part of an ME sufferers life, because ME sufferers can be very sensitive to toxins and chemicals of many kinds.

“My personal way of coping with them is to use bicarbonate of soda instead of washing powder for washing clothes, and using diluted vinegar as a stain remover. I also make my own liquid soap and cleaning products, its dead easy, and anyone can do it.”

Miriam