What is CIRS?
Thank you for letting me share with you about CIRS. I hope this can help a lot of people you may know get help before they have to suffer like I did. My dr in new Hampshire says that she see's people when they've been sick for 15 years or more due to being undiagnosed. So it was very good I was diagnosed so early. I feel so passionately about helping people who could be experiencing what I went through and I would welcome talking with anyone who needs encouragement. Tonia ❤
My biased opinion: I do believe in the shoemaker protocol for CIRS Treatment. I know there are natural options for healing out there that don't use it, but I do believe it won't work unless you understand CIRS susceptible patients needs.
With that I have no affiliation with Dr. Shoemaker or any obligation or conflict to share his work. I've personally used it and have personally been a patient of practitioners that have used this treatment plan.
Great Sites for mold illness
https://survivingtoxicmold.com (Blogger that has CIRS provides awesome info
www.survivingmold.com (Shoemaker website)
Moldco.com (prepay for labcorp labs needed for cirs, best deal price wise esp if insurance won't pay for them or your Dr won't sign your lab slip) get blood HLA test done and find providers to help u get treatment
http://www.regenixhealing.com (My dr who saved my life)
VCS Tests online
There are two online tests. Shoemaker who is pioneer for cirs has one and it costs $15 and it keeps your tests stored in system so you cna review them over time. Also the image box that shows the sample in the test is larger. But I've taken both tests at same time and came up with similar results with same fails on same eye.
Shoemaker site https://www.survivingmold.com/store/online-vcs-screening
This next test has a free version. For people starting their journey it's an easy way to take the test esp if you are skeptical. It will let you print the results but won't store them unless you pay $15 it will also email you to remind to to take test again in a few months.
Vcs Test. com: https://www.vcstest.com
My Links:
MyYoutube Channel To Share Videos via a playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVauz8Qv1pHNABU8OG-_1lQ
My Blog: http://www.cirsconnected.com/
What is CIRS? Definitions
Did you know that it only takes ONE exposure to trigger cirs genes and it only takes 15 minutes of an exposure to raise your TGFB-1 levels!!
So even if you grew up in a moldy house or spend time in a moldy dorm or had a short time at a moldy work office or someone's house - you can trigger cirs illness if you have CIRS genes.?? This is correct.
My (Tonia) Definition of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: Its a genetic disorder where some of your genes that usually control the inflammatory response from mold and other biotoxins, turns on and when that happens you get sick and develop an inflammatory response you can no longer turn off on your own, causing a lot of damage in body, changes to sympathetic nervous sysyem, brain problems, memory problems, , gut issues, damage to central nervous system, and many other multi systems in the body.
Over last few years they now know that actino bacteria also grows in water damage building and is responsible for even more illness that mold. This must be checked along with mold tests.because actino bacteria spreads super fast. It's also much easier to Remediate!
I've also been diagnosed with babesiosis which is from a tick bite, babesia parasite that takes over red blood cells, and creates same inflamatory response as any other biotoxin but comes with it's own complications. About 60% of population has this particular parasite and doesn't know it yet.🙄
Left unchecked You get sick all over with so many different symptoms that the regular medical people tell you you're crazy because they are ignorant and bound and contracted to the traditional medical companies and insurance companies.
From Dr. Shoemakers website SurvivingMold.com:
An acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environmentof a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and mycobacteria as well as inflammagens such as endotoxins, beta glucans, hemolysins, proteinases, mannans and possibly spirocyclic drimanes; as well as volatile organic compounds VOCS, especially in genetically-susceptible people
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a progressive, multi-system, multi-symptom illness characterized by exposure to biotoxins. The ongoing inflammation can affect virtually any organ system of the body and if left untreated becomes debilitating.
What are the symptoms?
This is an Unofficial chart, Although it does show the symptoms clusters, I made this myself for myself. CIRS needs to be more fun and easy to understand. Most stuff online is very analytical and boring.
There are 13 symptom clusters. You only need one symptom in a cluster to be listed as having that whole cluster count. People who have 8 symptom clusters tend top have CIRS. You can have only two symptom clusters and also have CIRS its not definitive way of figuring this out. You'd need to do this and then a VCS test and then see where you land given your exposure and history.
To find list of all the system symptoms, check this out here: https://www.survivingmold.com/resources-for-patients/mold-symptoms
Fatigue
Weakness
Nauseous
Aches
Muscle Cramps
Unusual Pain
Ice Pick Pain
Headache
Light Sensitivity
Red Eyes
Blurred Vision
Tearing
Sinus Problems
Cough
Shortness of Breath
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhea
Joint Pain
Morning Stiffness
Memory Issues
Focus/Concentration Issues
Word Recollection Issues
Decreased Learning of New Knowledge
Confusion
Disorientation
Skin Sensitivity
Mood Swings (depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger attacks)
Appetite Swings
Sweats (especially night sweats)
Temperature Regulation or Dysregulation Problems
Excessive Thirst
Increased Urination
Static Shocks
Numbness
Tingling
Vertigo
Metallic Taste
Tremors
Sleep disturbances -because CIRS affects rest and digest of sympathetic nervous system
What is Happening?
It Starts in the Genes on Chromosome 6. Certain Genes turn ON, Once that happens the brain is affected.
The brain is ground zero, then the changes in the brain have a cascading affect on the body with multiple system malfunctions and symptoms.
The Inate Immune system cant turn off, and cant hand off to the adaptive system, inflammation starts to happen all over the body, with body aches and pain, and fatigue, breathing issues, sinus issues, memory problems, anxiety and depression, and on and on and on.
Here is Dr shoemaker biotoxin pathway chart... See any symptoms listed here? Normal people can clear on the left side and cirs illness on the right side.
Where is first place to start?
View Symptoms Chart - Do you have Any? (if you have 7 or more you could have CIRS)
Try The VCS Test see if you pass? ( Take one on Dr. Shoemakers website at https://www.survivingmold.com/store/online-vcs-screening or at https://www.vcstest.com/ If you fail and have symptoms I highly recommend finding a CIRS Practitioner)
Test your work and home: if you've EVER lived or worked in a water damaged building and have been exposed even ONE time. You can do a hertzmi2 or ERMI test from available at EnviroBiomics. Here is an affiliate link do a HERTZMI2 and actino test. You can also test with a hygrometer to see moisture levels.
**Find a CIRS Certified Practitioner at survivingmold.com ( even tho its not just from molds anymore its from a biotoxin soup.)
Identify the biotin and get out of the exposure
Start The medical labs
Start a Treatment Plan
Medical documentation
This is a good one
Jennifer Smith: Chronic Inflammatory response Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment:
https://www.survivingmold.com/docs/CIRS.JLS.FINAL.PDF
This is a really good paper. It does have the new language of medical verbiage that can be hard to follow, but it has the details, the labs and what they mean, the symptoms, the biotoxin pathway chart and a treatment overview so you can begin to understand the steps a Certified CIRS Practitioner will take you on. This is important to understand because you need the help of someone who understands CIRS and can help you navigate from where you are medically - this is unique to you. There is also a list of foods to eat and not eat.
