Last year EMS seemed to spark some media attention. On the serious side, a documentary by New Dominion Pictures, produced for the series: "Unsolved Mysteries," (a regular program of the Discovery Health Channel), traced the 1989 epidemic of EMS. The scene begins with Bonnie Bishop's tragic near-death experience in New Mexico. Her physician, Dr. Blavins noting an extraordinarily high eosinophilia count, considered leukemia a possible cause. Not finding other reasons for her rapidly worsening symptoms, he asked her parents to bring him any and all medications she might be taking. Being a healthy athlete, Bonnie was taking only a few vitamins and food supplements including L-Tryptophan. The program quickly moves to the stories of three other women in New Mexico with acute illness and similar symptoms who were also using L-Tryptophan. Dr. Blavins put in a call to Dr. Millicent Eidsen, Director of New Mexico Public Health, who became concerned and contacted the FDA and CDC. As evidence mounted, "Health Alerts" were issued to other states cautioning against the use of L-Tryptophan. An epidemiological survey of patients who recently experienced a high eosinophil count in New Mexico confirmed that there was an unusually high number of persons with like symptoms who were taking the perceived "safe" L- Tryptophan compared to those who were not. The drama increased, and FDA called L-Tryptophan off the market on November 13, 1989.
At Mayo Clinic Dr. Mayeno was shown as he performed tests using gas chromatography
revealing a mysterious "Peak E" (which stands for "eosinophilia"). Finding that all brands of L-Tryptophan were produced by one company, the narrator pointed out the company used genetic modification and an inadequate filtration process to increase production of L-Tryptophan for the US market. The role of Showa Denko KK of Japan, however, was not accurately portrayed, leaving the viewer an impression that the company "cooperated in every way."
Dr. Gleich, shown in an interview at Mayo clinic, warned against "using any health food products" because companies do not have to meet stringent tests like those for prescription medications. "EMS is a very bad illness and many people died the first year, and even today most patients report their symptoms have become worse."
Events affecting the lives of the four women from New Mexico were portrayed throughout the video and Ms Bishop was shown at the end recovered, healthy, and riding off on her bicycle. Several NEMSN members commented that this ending implies that EMS is no longer an illness or that people "recover" eventually. On the other hand, at least one NEMSN member's personal relationship was disrupted because the spouse became convinced that people no longer suffer from EMS. One person reported her physician told her "EMS is a Myth."
Except for the problems noted above, the production was very well done and prompted several people to contact NEMSN.org through our website. Many were individuals
who became ill in 1989-90 but were never diagnosed with EMS. Although the documentary was aired at least 8 times during October and November it was viewable only by Direct Satellite Television or through large cable networks. NEMSN requested copies from the Discovery Health video distribution office and was told that this production would not be available for sale. Due to limitations of copy write law, NEMSN is not able to offer copies for members at this time.
Chill Before Serving a book by Cynthia Lawrence published by: Mystery and Suspense Press, iUniverse, Lincoln NE. (2002), is a rapidly moving murder mystery involving intrigue among the top chefs of the California cullinarts which includes a very familiar theme about a company who produced a health food supplement called Bio-Valerio. This reviewer admits to being foiled at each attempt to identify the murderer until the very end of the book, but fooled not at all by the plot. The story is a thinly disguised scenario recognizable by anyone with eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (except perhaps those whose cognitive functions are waning).
When the author was asked, "where do you get your ideas?" she replied: "I was inspired by two separate events in my life when I was witness to a friend's mystifying illness. Several years back a healthy young woman, the mother of two children, was rushed to the emergency hospital with heart palpitations. Later that day, after she was brought home, I stopped by. Her face was noticeably flushed, she still felt shaky. The cause of her sudden distress: eight cups of chamomile tea that she'd sipped over a few hours to relive the symptoms of a cold. Chamomile, that cozy old remedy! Who'd dream that an herb tea, loved too well but not wisely, could produce such potentially dangerous side effects"..."The other impetus for my story was a tragic death. Robyn Gair was a brave and lovely young woman, whom I'd known from birth, the daughter of a close friend. Robyn had taken a fall from a bike, breaking some small bones in her hand, and she was in constant pain. Her doctor suggested L-Tryptophan, not a drug, but a nutritional supplement, to help her relax and sleep. Several months later, she developed muscle weakness, rashes, and severe breathing problems. There was no cure for her. After a long debilitating illness, she died. (Author's note: pg 249)."
Although this is a work of fiction, the fact remains that one can learn valuable lessons and read a well crafted mystery by reading Chill Before Serving, by Cynthia Lawrence from Toluca Lake California.
Share Your Mission (Volume 3) is a collection of interviews by Dr. Winn Henderson, host of an internationally syndicated radio talk show: "Share Your Mission." Hugo’s Press of Knoxville, TN publishes the book. The editor of the NEMSN newsletter, Joe Hayes, shares top billing with a number of famous people: Larry King, Bernie Siegel, and Harvey Mackay among others. Dr. Henderson interviewed Joe about his experiences in life and his mission as a professional networker. Joe talks about his compromised immune system since serving in Viet Nam where he encountered bacterial infections and viruses and later his near death experience with eosinophilia myalgia syndrome. He also became concerned after learning about affects of Agent Orange and the Gulf War syndrome on the immune system. His mission is directly related to his passion of maintaining a healthy immune system: "to make a major impact on people's lives across the country and around the world. That means changing lives of those that I make contact with through my many means of communication."
The first step according to Joe is to "remove all unhealthy consumption, cigarettes, alcohol, bad eating habits." Then he suggests finding a successful mentor to follow. He and his mentor Mark Yarnell have formed a new company called "Health Awareness International" promoting a hyper-egg product that balances and supports the immune system with antibodies and immune co-factors designed to fight human invaders. For more information call 828-488-6398 or jhayes@dnet.net
The book is filled with inspirational and motivational messages from Dr. Henderson's interviews all aimed at encouraging individuals to set and pursue a mission in life. Dr. Henderson does Christian counseling worldwide. My personal favorite? "a goal is a dream with a deadline" (Harvey Mackay).
Sharron Lobaugh - President NEMSN