Savely says there does seem to be a significant link between Morgellons and
chronic lyme disease
A new, mysterious illness, sounds like it comes straight out of The Twilight
Zone. It’s a rare, skin disorder called Morgellons.
You may be surprised to learn that Texas is second only to California in the
number of documented cases of Morgellons.
“It’s scary. You’re like are these bugs in my skin?” Morgellons patient
Cindy Casey said.
If it’s sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, you’re right.
“It’s very, very odd what’s happening to these people. They have little blue
fibers, and black specks and white threads coming out of their skins,”
Morgellons & Lyme Disease Expert Ginger Savely said.
But that’s literally just the tip of what’s bugging these people. Under the
skin, those fibers are connected to what appears to be a cluster of fibers
or in some instances, parasitic looking organisms. Oh, and did we mention
they don’t stay still?
“It’s movement. It’s actually moving, it’s almost like they’re intertwined
with your muscle tissue,” Morgellons patient Eric Roberson said.
Health experts don’t even know what causes the skin condition.
“We don’t know what it is. We don’t have any idea if this is a fungal thing
or if it’s a parasite. Nobody knows,” Savely said.
Savely says there does seem to be a significant link between Morgellons and
chronic lyme disease.
“It’s weird to be so happy about having a chronic disease, but we’re just
happy to have an answer,” Casey said.
Cindy Casey is so happy. She travels all the way from San Francisco to
Savely’s South Austin office. Carol Arledge from San Angelo, Eric Roberson
is from Austin were told they were crazy and in need of psychiatric help.
“I knew I wasn’t going crazy because obviously you can see it,” Arledge
said.
Using a $70 microscope, Cindy’s Husband Charles is able to quite literally
focus on his wife’s ailment.
“When you pay close attention and you see things coming of these people’s
skin, you know that this isn’t delusion, that this is real,” Savely said.
Health experts tell KXAN that while Morgellons patients are not cured, their
skin conditions almost always improve once they begin receiving treatment
for lyme disease.
What is being done about this unknown skin disease?
Fifteen physicians in the U.S. are currently treating patients with this
baffling skin disease. These physicians are trying decide the best medical
management of their patients, while scientists identify the skin pathogen
related to the Borreliosis.
Over one hundred people with this skin disease have tested positive for
Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the bacteria which causes Lyme Disease. The
working hypothesis of this foundation is that an infection with Borrelia
burgdorferi (Bb) may alter the individual’s immune system and allow this
unknown organism to become an opportunistic coinfection.
A working hypothesis is subject to change as research continues and facts
emerge. Objective scientists form new hypotheses when old ones are no
longer supported by current research findings.
Physicians and scientists are beginning to investigate the lesions of people
with this disease. The fibers from the lesions are being studied to
determine their origin.
This foundation has received no funding and has done this research based on
the kindness of scientists, laboratories, physicians, and individuals
concerned about this public health fiasco.