A/C Intake Filters & White Floaters

[sojii]

Just want some input on a/c intake filters. In an effort to minimize dust and floaters, I've been using the two most expensive intake filters. They're both white. It may be coincidental, could be seasonal, but it seems to me the floaters have gotten worse and I know for a fact that my eyes, nose and mouth have been attacked more than before. I don't know anything about filters or how they're made, but I've seen evidence elsewhere that something can shear or clip hair off at the skin; why couldn't the same something be clipping fibers from the filter?

The reason I ask is because twice my dog has had neatly clipped - down to the skin - spots on her back. One was a perfect rectangle, the other was a perfect circle. Edges clean, as though a groomer had done it. I found the chunk of hair from the rectangle. It was neat, had fallen right off. She does not have mange & her vet treats her for Morgellons now.

I'm going to try one of the thick black plastic filters that have adhesive on the inner layer and see if it reduces the white floaters. If anybody has any suggestions, please let me know.

[xiblanque]

but....
What is the veterinarian doing to treat your dog? I find it interesting that Vets seem more open to fungal, bacterial, pathogenic/parasitic infections in animals than Docs are with the same issues in people. Perhaps similar treatments may be applicable for us (making dosage adjustments for the weight differences). I know others here have used animal pharmaceuticals. Any feedback?
sorry about the filter question. I don't really know any solutions except to check behind the filters for possible mold/fungal growth and clean with an enzymatic cleaner.
Xib

[sojii]

Just Ivermectin. My vet is usually not open to "natural" remedies, home made diets or out-of-the ordinary diagnoses, so it surprised me when he took to the morgellons diagnosis so quickly. He said there's vet dermatological literature already taking it seriously and he said he believes it's legitimate. My dog has a multitude of physical problems; she had Erlichea and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever when I got her (she tested negative for Lyme), a resulting grand mal seizure disorder and other problems. She's had two very large unexplained lesions within the past year. He saved her life initially and is attached to her; therefore he's being very careful. I can't see that te Ivermectin has made a whole lot of difference to tell the truth. She has the same round white things coming out of her skin that I do and hair loss regardless. She doesn't itch, never has.

[posey]

Sojii, I don't know about A/C - Furnace Filters or if they even come HEPA, which would be the best

However, I had my husband pick some up for the ducts upstairs and ending up throwing them away. The filters were white. They had moving fibers on them.

I have bought a long sheet of the black filtering at the hardware store and I don't see anything moving. I'll have to cut them to size, but that's OK.

In the past I have taken off the vent covers to wash them in the sink and I SAW what is down that long hole!! My husband and I have 2 different definitions of clean and I think the ducts need professional cleaning. For one, I did a mold test on a vent and oh yes, it is blowing mold spores. I didn't even shut the other vents or windows. In 24 hours I had 2 green spots which kept growing. Then you need to wait 48 hours to see if there is any slow growing mold. Oh yes there is. Two white spots started and took over the whole petri dish. The white stuff even grew over the green.

Number 2, I have always been a believer of duct cleaning. Our house is somewhere over 24 years old. We bought it 24 yrs. ago. We have never cleaned the ducts so can you just imagine what acumulates in there????

My husband will dry his gloves, boots, shoes, jacket, etc. via ducts in Winter. Gives me the creeps.

posey

[sojii]

Posey, I live in apartment, and yes, there are mold issues. They supposedly cleaned the ducts before I moved in in May. Getting mold dealt with in an apartment is like trying to pull teeth. It's like Morgellons; it doesn't exist; know what I mean? The long black sheet you're talking about is probably what I'm thinking of, too. It's thicker than a regular filter and seems to be made of some kind of plastic. It has a layer that's adhesive to collect stuff.
I've never seen fibers move like you have. I've seen hairs move and I've seen fibers react to static by jumping at, or away from, my finger, but I wear so much polyester I'm a walking static machine. You mean they're just waving around with no provocation or stirring of the air? I think I'd fall over if I saw that! Good thing my eyesight isn't that great!

[lindy2]

It is possible that we brought the Morgellons on ourselves... had not cleaned air ducts in 10 years or replaced furnace filter. When we took it out two years ago it had an inch of mold growing throughout. The house had terrible humidity and we couldn't figure out why. We have 10' ceilings upstairs and the air duct was near the top so it required a ladder to get up there; finally realized where the filter was, so threw that out and bought a new one. Had ducts cleaned, but all they do is vacuum them out. I was not impressed by what the technician did. I think that letting this go for all those years brought on 99% of my symptoms of Morgellons.

[posey]

Yes, I actually seen the fibers move. Even on an old ragged pair of jeans which I threw out.

I had to be sure about the clothing issue so I checked around the waste where it was unraveling and was astonished at what I saw. I could not move the rest of the day. Something set in which I tend to call "anxiety paralysis'. When I first realized I had this I used to get this a lot. I would sit at the dining table in a wooden chair all day. I just could not move or was afraid to. Not as bad now.

I've said this before so it is a repeat, but, I think that spandex may be involved as well as the stitching in clothing. Even if they are polyester, nylon or whatever, 99.9 % of the time the thread for stitching seams as such are cotton. Plus, how hard is it today to find clothes without Lyrica (spandex), the stretchy part of clothing. Near impossible.

I buy poly and nylon, but I've bought some with straggly strings from the thread hanging from the clothing. Got some clothes I've never worn 'cause I didn't take back or send back.

This is one expensive disease. Trying everything possible to control it and then trying to find clothing is on huge expensive headache. I cay "control" because I think it will take research if there even will ever be a cure. However, on the brighter side, a cure could be a simple thing.

One thing I believe for sure; there will be no cure without praying to God for one, and His divine intervention.

posey

[sojii]

Most nylon is almost as bad for me as cotton is. I've had really good luck with one particular brand of polyester slacks, Alfred Dunner pull-ons. I don't know how old you are; I'm pushing 60 so these slacks are ok for me but maybe you're young enough not to want to touch them with a ten foot pole. I wash them in hot water and dry them on wrinkle-release setting. They never need ironing, just hang them so that the crease is crisp and you're good to go. And they're all-season. I've never had a problem; I bought 5 or 6 pairs last December. I wear them to work every day but Friday, so these have been washed probably 35 times since then. The creases are getting a little iffy now; I should take them to the drycleaner and get them reset. One pair is starting to unravel in the waist, but it's not bothering me. They cost $25.00 a pair, which is pretty reasonable, considering all the wear I've gotten out of them. I turn them inside out to wash and right side out to dry; that gets rid of anything lurking inside. My experience is that the morgs just don't hang around in 100% polyester, even if it's woven. Even if they try, they wash away in the laundry.

Something else I've been able to wear that even has some cotton in it, believe it or not, are some tops from Dress Barn that are cotton / acrylic. They always have a bunch of colors in this top; it has sort of squared neckline - I think they call that a 'sweetheart neckline' - and 3/4 sleeves and they look like a light-weight summer sweater. They're always on a display table on the main aisle. They've carried them for years. I wash them in hot water, too, and eventually they will shrink or color will fade a bit on brights / deep colors, but they still look good with jeans.

Actually, I have seen a "fiber" do something weird I remembered, and it's REALLY weird. I walked into my bathroom one night, switched on the light, and saw a long, thick strand of yellow threads sticking out of a green towel that was hanging over the shower curtain rod. First, I don't don't know why they were yellow. It was probably 6 - 8 inches long and was sticking straight out into the air, parallel to the floor. I'm a head person usually and I just looked at it for awhile, marvelling. Then I cut it off and threw it away and washed the towel. I should have taken a picture, but didn't think of it.

I also have been through the freak-out paralysis routine when I've been afraid to do anything, touch anything or move. I still get it a little from time to time but it doesn't last long, thankfully.

[posey]

Hey sojii, thanks. I need pants so bad and am afraid to buy any due ti waste of money. I'm not a very good "sender backer". You still wear jeans? Are they cotton? Please help me some more.

I printed your post and hope to use it as a guide to buy clothes.

I haven't slept in my bed f 3 years now. I have to get the room excavated, disinfected and the proper wrapping for my mattress and satil sheets. But what about covers? Right now lay clean sheets on a leather recliner and cover with one sheet. I have an oil filled heater which radiates heat insted of blowng it.

I HAVE to get back into my adjustable bed, but in truth, the bedroom scares me.

[sojii]

Posey,
For several years I've been getting my jeans at resale shops to get the older relaxed-fit styles with higher waists. I had a bunch already when I became symptomatic. Older jeans are apparently not as susceptible to infection, maybe because of the processing used to make them. I soak them in hot water, borax and oxy-clean for 30 minutes or so before washing. I haven't tried wearing newer jeans or jeans with stretch since getting symptoms so I don't know if I could wear those or not. Just today I unpacked two pairs of stretch denim capris I hadn't tossed which were bought a couple of summers ago and am going to give them a shot. Will let you know how that turns out.
Also, I've noticed that if I wear hose with jeans, I get blue fiber cacoons underneath the hose. If I go bare-legged, there's nothing tight for the little buggers to spin the cacoons against.

Stay away from Goodwill and any resale place that sells stuff that looks worn. If you live in a metropolitan area, there will be resale shops, charity and privately-owned, that get clothing donations from stores and from people with enough bucks that they've only worn something once or twice. There's also one here that gets brand new off-season stuff from shopping tv channels. They're about as safe as buying from a store. 'Course, stores can have infected stuff, too.

skylark,
I probably won't be able to get my vet this week, was supposed to take my dog to see him today but have a rental car from a company that won't allow pets in the vehicle. But I'll try to get him to send me a link next week.