Limbic Notes

[tcmgpt13]

Music, as in sound healing

Originally Posted by Sadsack

Music played a very large role in my life, especially during the "wind up" of Morgellons. The night came a year ago where my sound system wouldn't work and other parts of this nightmare came crashing down. I can't go into all the details, but since that time I haven't been able to listen to music anymore. The emotion it stirs up completely overwhelms me and I can't regain my equilibrium.
Just one more thing I so loved that was stolen from me.
I hope the m-f'ers who created and dispersed this thing are pleased with their project. In the end, Perfect Justice will be served.
SS

Hope you don’t mind SS, but I thought to bring your post up here as it so very succinctly describes how this disease often hits the limbic system of the brain. It is so sad to me that whatever Morgellons is seems to mess with our brain’s limbic system and our emotions, especially the emotion of enjoyment or ludic behaviors (described below).

I suspect that this may be a weakness for many of us. Many have bipolar or severe depression before contracting Morgellons. Then if such a person gets Morgellons it will be an even more severe problem for that person. No wonder some have became so depressed they could not go on. Whether there is a problem present before contracting Morgellons or afterwards it can cause severe emotional problems. Prescribed drugs may also cause depression and I think I am noticing this effect myself. The drug I am currently using can effect the kidneys and since for me this is a weak area already I seem to be effected with some depression currently. I looked it up and depression is listed as a possible side effect.

Here are a couple quotes from a website I have found which discusses the limbic system in great detail. It shows what areas of the brain are involved in the limbic system and has some good illustrations of where they are located. I have posted about the limbic system before and will repost the links to those discussions later:

http://www.healing-arts.org/index2.htm

The entirety of these structures, that, years later would receive the name of "limbic system", developed with the emergence of the inferior ( primitive) mammals. This system commands certain behaviors that are necessary for the survival of all mammals. It gives rise and modulates specific functions that allow the animal to distinguish between the agreeable and the disagreeable. Here specific affective functions are developed, such as the one that induces the females to nurse and protect their toddlers, or the one which induces these animals to develop ludic behaviors (playful moods). Emotions and feelings, like wrath, fright, passion, love, hate, joy and sadness, are mammalian inventions, originated in the limbic system. This system is also responsible for some aspects of personal identity and for important functions related to memory.”

“....James Papez would demonstrate that emotion is not a function of any specific brain center but of a circuit that involves four basic structures, interconnected through several nervous bundles : the hypothalamus with its mamillary bodies, the anterior thalamic nucleus, the cingulate gyrus and the hippocampus. This circuit (Papez circuit), acting in an harmonic fashion, is responsible for the central functions of emotion (affect), as well as for its peripheral expressions (symptoms). “

In looking up old posts about the limbic system I found two posts which show how one parasite may directly effect our brain’s limbic system. Surely it cannot be the only one:

Cryptostrongylus Pulmoni - A new kind of Nematode

“8. Disruption to blood pressure regulation - Nematodes secrete vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, which is known as VIP, and hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulatory peptide which is known as HCNP (limbic system). Causes orthostatic intolerance (dizziness), memory loss, low cortisol.”

More on how this parasite effects the limbic system:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Actual quote from this post is found on this website’s interview of Dr. Klapow:

New Parasite Found In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS)

“Dr. Klapow Well, VIP is involved in regulating blood pressure and blood flow. It's important in regulating blood flow to the brain. It's believed to be implicated in orthostatic intolerance from which a number of CFS patients suffer. And, it also controls hypothalmic CRH, a hormone that's ultimately responsible for the level of cortisol in the blood which is suppressed in CFS and it's also suppressed in chronic roundworm infections. And the other one, HCNP, is a limbic system neuropeptide and it's believed to be involved in memory and immune function. When it goes wrong in areas that have Alzheimer's lesions, there are cognitive symptoms. In fact, some doctors have suggested that CFS looks in some respects like a reversible form of alzheimers.”

Old threads about the limbic system. This contains a quote from Dr. Harvey about how limbic system dysfunction is a problem for many with Morgellons:

The Limbic System and the Emotional Seesaw of Morgellons

This next post discusses possible natural supplementation for mild limbic systom dysfunction:

Natural suggestions which may help mild LIMBIC SYSTEM symptoms

It is disgusting how long this disease has been swept under the rug. I am fairly sure that to effect so many areas of the body, including the brain’s limbic system, this has to be a blood parasite similar to leishmaniasis and other protozoal infections or else some other type of infection. Anyone who had studied this disease from the start would at least have isolated, if not identified, what is causing our symptoms by now. Instead we are still in this ridiculous limbo of the unknown. As anyone else is we are all just guessing. Just the glimmer of an answer would be a relief of sorts.

[Sadsack]

Dr. Stanknger also says the limbic system is affected. That may play a part with me, but I believe in my case it is what is called "reactive depression" (vs endogenous depression). I lost so much through this; virtually everything I loved and mattered to me. It's too much to go into, but I had a life that was so full and busy I hardly had time to take care of myself. But I loved everything I was involved with.
It is all gone now - pets, gardening, home decorating, antiques. Family and friends are all but gone. (some are still in touch very rarely, and they NEVER ask "how are you" - they pretend none of this ever happened).
Music was such a part of my life, and there are memories connected with most of the pieces. When I hear them, it conjures up memories of specific things that I have lost, and I just can't handle it.
My daily goal is to minimize the emotion - anxiety, fear, etc - if I could replace them with positive emotions I would. But there is no joy, nothing to look forward to, all the things I loved are gone (especially my pets, which I had to part with last year).
This depression has to do with the way my life is. If I could have it restored, the depression would leave.
Oh yeah - I used to love to play golf, but now I have so much pain in my shoulders I can't even swing a golf club anymore.
And I loved Taco Bell...lol...if only they were organic. I'm sick of raw organic spinach!
SS