CDC to Study Morgellons Disease to Aid Both Patients and Doctors

Morgellons disease has been handled by doctors as a mental disease or ignored in the past. The Morgellons Research Foundation, formed in 2002, rejected that idea. Patients, advocates and 40 members of Congress were among those who have called on the CDC to investigate this dreadful disease.

Morgellons disease is a newly emerging infectious disease, reports the Morgellons Research Foundation (MRF). It can be disfiguring and disabling and can affect all groups of people, even children.

Some symptoms of Morgellons:

* non-healing skin sores/lesions

* abnormal crawling, biting and stinging skin sensations,

* the presence of fibers or other foreign substance on or just beneath the skin

* fatigue

* mental confusion

* memory loss

* joint pain

* changes in vision

Up to now Morgellons Disease was treated like Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue used to be. With some doctors treating it soley as a mental disease. In Morgellons case, they called it "Delusions of Parasitosis (DP) meaning this is a psychiatric illness with the presumption of a purely delusional "parasite infestations".

Some doctors have completely refused to treat people with Morgellons. Leaving patients with no where to turn with the painful symptoms they endure.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) will start there study soon. The investigation may take a year and will involve Northern California Health Plan patients of the last 18 months.

The Armed Forces Pathology Institute and Kaiser Permanente will help conduct the study. Dr. Michele Pearson lead CDC investigator called it an unexplained illness.

Patients taking part in the study can plan on the following:

* A general medical examination.

* A dermatologic examination.

* A mental health exam and evaluation.

* Skin biopsies.

* Multiple blood tests.

The CDC will be using a combination of epidemiologists, laboratoriams and pathologists.

Information from the Mayo Clinic says that 15 countries have reported cases of Morgellons. To date the most reported cases have been in the U.S. They are found in clusters in California, Texas and Florida.

At present there is no treatment for Morgellons Disease. The Mayo Clinic gives the following suggestions on coping with Morgellons Disease.

* Establish a caring health care team. Find a doctor that believes there is such a thing as Morgellons Disease.

* Be Patient. The doctor will want to run tests to look for know conditions first.

* Keep an open mind. Consider various causes for your condition and follow the doctors recommendations. It may include long-term mental health therapy.

* Seek treatment for other conditions such as anxiety and depression.

* Keep track of all the latest news on Morgellons Disease.

* It is fair to say that the Morgellon Disease Foundation might not agree with all of the above.

* If you are suffering from Morgellons or need information please call the CDC Morgellons Disease Information Center @ 404-718-1199.

Sources

www.reuters.com/home
www.mayoclinic/health/morgellons-disease/SN00043
www.morgellons.org
www.cdc.gov/unexplaineddermopathy