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Proud Mary

Wed May 18 2011, 03:52PM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

Meet the woman allergic to electricity
A British woman cannot use an electric kettle, keeps her washing machine in a concrete outhouse and cannot have neighbours with wireless internet because she is allergic to electricity.

By Andy Bloxham
The Telegraph
18 May 2011

Janice Tunnicliffe spends every night playing Scrabble by candlelight with her husband because she claims to have a rare condition called electrosensitivity.

She cannot bear to be anywhere near electromagnetic fields of any kind and, as a result, she cannot watch television, listen to the radio or talk on a mobile phone and has been left completely isolated from the modern world by her condition.

Mrs Tunnicliffe, 55, was struck down with the illness after receiving chemotherapy for bowel cancer three years ago.

Since then she has suffered constant headaches, chest pains, nausea and tingling in her arms and legs whenever she is near electrical devices or items that emit a signal.

Her only relief in this time was when her village, near Mansfield in rural Nottinghamshire, suffered a temporary power cut.

She said: "Different things give me different feelings but it's mostly headaches and nausea. iPhones make feel really sick within about 20 minutes of being near one so even though I might not realise someone has one straightaway, I soon find out.

"Wifi makes me feel like I have a clamp at the back of my head which is squeezing the life out of me. It's completely draining and a home hub can totally immobilise me - I'm left unable to move my arms and legs."

Mrs Tunnicliffeâ€™s normal existence was turned upside down when in February 2008 she was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pains and vomiting.

After three days of tests, it was discovered she was suffering from cancer and surgeons operated immediately to remove a six-inch tumour from her bowel, plus 14 lymph nodes.

Fortunately, despite the size of the tumour, her cancer had not spread, but it was decided that she should have chemotherapy after the surgery as a precautionary measure.

But it was then that her unusual problem started and she began to feel ill whenever she was near the myriad electrical and wireless items in her home.

She said: â€œPersonally, I think there must be a link with the chemotherapy and the ES, but no one is going to admit that.

â€œI used to go for long walks every day and while I was out of the house I would be okay. But when I came back I would start to feel unwell again very quickly and slowly I started to put two and two together.

"After the cancer, the doctors recommended we enjoy a nice holiday somewhere and the whole family went to the Greek island of Kos for two weeks in September 2008.

"While I was there was I was fine, but when I got home I felt ill again almost straightaway. It wasn't until afterwards that I considered it might have been because of all the 'electrosmog' we were experiencing at home.â€

Mrs Tunnicliffe has even had to cover her windows with a special metallic material to deflect errant electromagnetic waves.

Graham Lamburn, technical manager at Powerwatch, an independent organisation which promotes safer environments, said so far the medical profession has been slow to recognise electrosensitivity as an illness as its causes are as yet unknown.

The Council of Europe Committee on Monday called for a dramatic reduction in exposure to phones and other wireless devices.

Mattski

Wed May 18 2011, 04:37PM

Registered Member #1792 Joined: Fri Oct 31 2008, 08:12PM
Location: University of California
Posts: 527

wrote ...
Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure and non-specific symptoms of ill health: A systematic reviewstar, open

Martin RÃ¶Ã¶sliCorresponding Author Contact Information, a, E-mail The Corresponding Author

aInstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
Received 21 September 2007;
revised 4 February 2008;
accepted 6 February 2008.
Available online 21 March 2008.

Abstract

This article is a systematic review of whether everyday exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) causes symptoms, and whether some individuals are able to detect low-level RF-EMF (below the ICNIRP [International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection] guidelines). Peer-reviewed articles published before August 2007 were identified by means of a systematic literature search. Meta-analytic techniques were used to pool the results from studies investigating the ability to discriminate active from sham RF-EMF exposure. RF-EMF discrimination was investigated in seven studies including a total of 182 self-declared electromagnetic hypersensitive (EHS) individuals and 332 non-EHS individuals. The pooled correct field detection rate was 4.2% better than expected by chance (95% CI: âˆ’2.1 to 10.5). There was no evidence that EHS individuals could detect presence or absence of RF-EMF better than other persons. There was little evidence that short-term exposure to a mobile phone or base station causes symptoms based on the results of eight randomized trials investigating 194 EHS and 346 non-EHS individuals in a laboratory. Some of the trials provided evidence for the occurrence of nocebo effects. In population based studies an association between symptoms and exposure to RF-EMF in the everyday environment was repeatedly observed. This review showed that the large majority of individuals who claims to be able to detect low level RF-EMF are not able to do so under double-blind conditions. If such individuals exist, they represent a small minority and have not been identified yet. The available observational studies do not allow differentiating between biophysical from EMF and nocebo effects.

and in the conclusion:

wrote ...
Current, one cannot completely rule out that a small minority exists who can indeed perceive low-level EMF. However, such individuals
have not been identiï¬ed yet. It is unknown how such
individuals would be characterized if they existed. A meta-regression of previous studies does not suggest that self-declared EHS is a useful predictor.

This woman is probably not lying about her symptoms, but she seems to have jumped on "electrosmog" as the cause without a thorough investigation.

Nicko

Wed May 18 2011, 04:40PM

Registered Member #1334 Joined: Tue Feb 19 2008, 04:37PM
Location: Nr. London, UK
Posts: 615

Interesting. The "dreaded" Wikipedia has some interesting discussion on electrosensitivity (i.e., does it really exist anywhere but in the subjects' minds)

In typical Telegraph form, the headline implies that she is proven to be allergic to electric fields, however a double-blind test inside a Faraday cage would be interesting... maybe she's just electrophobic?

Conundrum

Wed May 18 2011, 05:15PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4062

Placebo effect comes to mind, they just found out that it can cause measurable improvements even if people are aware that the tablets have no active ingredients as long as it is prescribed by a doctor and explained to them.

This was on the radio an hour ago.

Also explains why homeopathic remedies seem to work even though there is no possible mechanism for them to do so.
Basically you could put pure H2O in that little vial and achieve the same effects as the mind affects the body directly.

An interesting experiment I would do is give her a little metal box with some embedded silicon and fine wires, and convince her that it is a quantum resonator designed to neutralise electrosmog, then observe the results.
Bonus if it actually does affect mobile phone signal strength or something by absorbing energy to flash an LCD panel so the subject can see a change and "believe" that it is working.

Publish in science journal, profit!!!!

-A

Proud Mary

Wed May 18 2011, 05:52PM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

I see no reason to disbelieve in the woman's distress, nor in her belief that her sufferings are caused by invisible influences outside the self, so she is deserving of our compassion even if her belief in 'electrosensitivity' should turn out to be mistaken. She has endured a grave, fearful illness and treatment with highly toxic substances, and it seems to me not unnatural that she should look to agencies outside her self to give form to the threats and dangers of her situation, reducing them to a category of 'things to be avoided' over which she may exert control.

What sort of EM field could transit the windows unless they be shielded with a metallised film, but not be able to come in through wooden doors, the walls, roof, and so on?

ConKbot of Doom

Wed May 18 2011, 06:51PM

Registered Member #509 Joined: Sat Feb 10 2007, 07:02AM
Location:
Posts: 329

Conundrum wrote ...

Placebo effect comes to mind, they just found out that it can cause measurable improvements even if people are aware that the tablets have no active ingredients as long as it is prescribed by a doctor and explained to them.

This was on the radio an hour ago.

Also explains why homeopathic remedies seem to work even though there is no possible mechanism for them to do so.
Basically you could put pure H2O in that little vial and achieve the same effects as the mind affects the body directly.

An interesting experiment I would do is give her a little metal box with some embedded silicon and fine wires, and convince her that it is a quantum resonator designed to neutralise electrosmog, then observe the results.
Bonus if it actually does affect mobile phone signal strength or something so the subject can see a change and "believe" that it is working.Publish in science journal, profit!!!!

-A

Like a cell phone jammer, for added irony, if it does indeed help her?

Nicko

Wed May 18 2011, 06:52PM

Registered Member #1334 Joined: Tue Feb 19 2008, 04:37PM
Location: Nr. London, UK
Posts: 615

Proud Mary wrote ...

I see no reason to disbelieve in the woman's distress, nor in her belief that her sufferings are caused by invisible influences outside the self, so she is deserving of our compassion even if her belief in 'electrosensitivity' should turn out to be mistaken. She has endured a grave, fearful illness and treatment with highly toxic substances, and it seems to me not unnatural that she should look to agencies outside her self to give form to the threats and dangers of her situation, reducing them to a category of 'things to be avoided' over which she may exert control.

What sort of EM field could transit the windows unless they be shielded with a metallised film, but not be able to come in through wooden doors, the walls, roof, and so on?

I don't think anyone was suggesting that her distress is genuine and justified, its just the whether "electrosensitivity" (if indeed it exists at all) is the real reason.

The "shielding" on the windows is useless - equivalent to a tin-foil hat. I wonder if some dubious sh*t of a snake-oil salesman charged her a lot for it...

Having said that, all the plasterboard in our house (on the ceilings mainly but also in some rooms in the older parts that are "dry-lined") is foil-backed (breathable though, with tiny holes) to improve its insulation factor.

A consequence is that our DECT phones are almost useless (we have had to install boosters), and mobiles only work in rooms that directly face the cell mast. So presumably there is some effect on incoming EMI, however, the amount my workshop generates almost certainly dwarfs any namby-pandy DTI/ofcom/whatever-approved rubbish...

Bored Chemist

Wed May 18 2011, 07:31PM

Registered Member #193 Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 07:04AM
Location: sheffield
Posts: 1022

"She has endured a grave, fearful illness and treatment with highly toxic substances, and it seems to me not unnatural that she should look to agencies outside her self to give form to the threats and dangers of her situation"
That situation is not uncommon and, with luck, better cancer treatments may make it more common. Most people in that situation are thankful that the problem is over, or at least in remission, and get on with their lives as well as they can. Not many start believing in the equivalent of fairies at the bottom of the garden.

Her distress (and belief) are, I have no doubt, genuine.
However it is unlikely to be treated or cured without a genuine diagnosis.
Electrosensitivity is not a valid diagnosis but it masquerades as one and thereby prevents any real treatment.
In the meantime she is vulnerable to any snake oil salesman with a roll of cooking foil or whatever.

Then a newspaper decides to make money from her plight and, in doing so will probably lead others to think they have the same "problem" and to suffer distress in turn.

There's not a lot of good to this story.

Chip Fixes

Wed May 18 2011, 08:05PM

Registered Member #3781 Joined: Sat Mar 26 2011, 02:25AM
Location:
Posts: 701

There was a story about a man, (may have been in popular science?), who said he suffered from the same thing. He worked at an electronics company for many years and then he had severe migraines and stuff and found out it was electrosensitivity. He now lives in a remote cabin with a shielded computer.

EDIT: Found it :)

Proud Mary

Wed May 18 2011, 08:11PM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

Bored Chemist wrote ...

Most people in that situation are thankful that the problem is over, or at least in remission, and get on with their lives as well as they can. Not many start believing in the equivalent of fairies at the bottom of the garden.

It is difficult to understand how you could possibly know such a thing, and come by such information.

There are many many studies of the relationship between grave illness and mystical, spiritual, and religious beliefs - psychological responses that I would characterize as extra-rational and you, it would seem, less kindly, as "the equivalent of fairies at the bottom of the garden."

I will let just one such study stand in for the thousands to be found on Medline.

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2011 Mar 12.
Spirituality, Religiosity, and Spiritual Pain in Advanced Cancer Patients.
Delgado-Guay MO, Hui D, Parsons HA, Govan K, De la Cruz M, Thorney S, Bruera E.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual pain may affect advanced cancer patients' symptom expression, coping strategies, and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the prevalence and intensity of spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual pain, and how spiritual pain was associated with symptom expression, coping, and spiritual quality of life.

METHODS:

We interviewed 100 advanced cancer patients at the M.D. Anderson palliative care outpatient clinic in Houston, TX. Self-rated spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual pain were assessed using numeric rating scales (0=lowest, 10=highest). Patients also completed validated questionnaires assessing symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale [ESAS] and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), coping (Brief COPE and Brief R-COPE), the value attributed by the patient to spirituality/religiosity in coping with cancer (Systems of Belief Inventory-15R), and spiritual quality of life (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being-Expanded [FACIT-Sp-Ex]).

RESULTS:

The median age was 53 years (range 21-85) and 88% were Christians. Almost all patients considered themselves spiritual (98%) and religious (98%), with a median intensity of 9 (interquartile range 7-10) of 10 and 9 (range 5-10) of 10, respectively. Spiritual pain was reported in 40 (44%) of 91 patients, with a median score of 3 (1-6) among those with spiritual pain. Spiritual pain was significantly associated with lower self-perceived religiosity (7 vs. 10, P=0.002) and spiritual quality of life (FACIT-Sp-Ex 68 vs. 81, P=0.001). Patients with spiritual pain reported that it contributed adversely to their physical/emotional symptoms (P<0.001). There was a trend toward increased depression, anxiety, anorexia, and drowsiness, as measured by the ESAS, among patients with spiritual pain (P<0.05), although this was not significant after Bonferroni correction.

CONCLUSION:

A vast majority of advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care considered themselves spiritual and religious. Spiritual pain was common and was associated with lower self-perceived religiosity and spiritual quality of life.

Copyright Â© 2011 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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