Morgellons Disease: Is It Real?

ya, ok, don't listen then.
just stop calling it "morgellons"
i hate that name.....nobody told "morgellons" foundation (the MF-ers, haha) that you're not supposed to name a disease before you know what it actually is.

PS its not nematodes

Are you kidding me? You think it matters who discovered what first. You have obviously been neurologically effected by this disease and may have become delusional on a different level. There is no trophy here. If there is a cure I do not care who beat who to the answer! Last I read the problem in Asia had not been solved. A little egotistical, aren't you? If you have been all over the world shouldn't your grammer be a little more polished than what it is? If you are all that you bloat yourself up to be, don't you have better things to do that to redicule peoples opinions and discussions on unresolved matters that still apply to them.

Uhhhhhhhhhhh....have I missed something????
I know it's been sometime since I've posted, but I try to keep up the reading anyway.

Dawna, you are infected?

Paul, you are infected or not?

cerulean (sorry if I spelled that wrong!) are you also infected?

WHERE'S ROD? DID HE DIE????

O.k , I am not stupid, I just do not have time to read everything. If the core of the problem is nematode, what is the black and the clear fibers. And how do you find the correct Dr. to help??? What are the rules with this thing? (The Do's and Don'ts) as far as your home, infecting other people, laundering the clothing. How long does it take to get rid of if? How does it function?

OH, ROD!

I missed you! Glad to see you're still here!!!

Dwana, my mom and I went to an Infectious Diseases Doctor.
Her GP and my Internal Med Doc sent us to the same one! She is very well versed in Lyme Disease and is from the Phillipines.

She diagnosed me and my mom with Lyme and mom with Morgellons.

I am not infected...yet. I am hoping that the regimine of antibiotics and a paticular line of product will do the trick for me.

As for my mother, she has been taking Bactrim and Biaxin for over 3 months. Her lesions are gone but she is still finding a few "critters" every now and then.
I forget where I learned about the Bactrim and Biaxin. It was Dr. Harvey from TX I believe, in an article I read somewhere on the net.
I understand that right now, the ideal treatment, if there is such a thing, is Rocephin IV drip 3 days a week for a period of months.
This alone can wreak havoc on your system.

Her "delusion" is being helped by these two anti's. You just have to find a doctor who is "willing" to listen to you, AND get on some kind of GOOD product. Something that will help heal you naturally with vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc. I know nothing of the aforementioned products.

I have tried two different companies products and they are both excellent.

I keep in contact with a lady who posted on here earlier, victoria. She has been taking a particular companies products for about 4 months. She returned to her Lyme Specialist, who also diagnosed her with Morgellons, (yes, that's what name he used), and he was as amazed as was she.

She has been declared and does fully assert that she is Lyme and Morgellons free!

I don't dare tell you that company though! Not here! Someone will swear I am tryig to make a buck even though I don't sell it!

If you would like to know what it is, maybe Alex could email me and I could give him the name of the company and he can send it to you. Likewise for anyone else that reads this. Or, maybe he could check it out and post the link himself.

I don't want to get "booed" off the board for saying "use this, it's a miracle cure"! :roll:

Hi jaleenasmom,
That is one reason I haven't posted my info here - and have been very low key at other sites. I just don't want people to think I am trying to "make a buck" either. All I know is that the stuff you mention helped me get well and I have shared that good news with a few other people in the hope it will do the same thing. I KNOW I needed the antibiotics - but the other helped and is continuing to help my immune system heal - it is allowing my body to heal itself from whatever condition made it "RIPE" for the Lyme and other co-infections. (Including what is being called Morgellons!) It is something I will probably take for the rest of my life. I am just thankful someone took the time to tell me about it and I am thankful you are taking it too!

Good to see you back posting, Victoria!

Funny how delusions can be so painful, huh?

I think at some point, we won't need the anitbiotics anymore!

O.kay, spill the darn beans. What is this "stuff" you speak of?

Morgellons is real! I have Morgellons.. So imaginary that, at times, a severe cardiac arrest would be a welcome relief.So clearly delusionary, that thousands of unconnected and intelligent people, are able to `imagine` IDENTICAL symptoms and show IDENTICAL signs. My god we`re gifted.. We can cause sores and make ourselves ill with only our powerful imaginations! So all you non-affected doubting wise asses stop for a minute and make yourselves bleed as if something has broken out of your skin..You may use only your IMAGINATION though. Just like we do.. Well? I`m waiting! Cant do it eh? NOR CAN WE!! Not only is it real, it`s physically and socially destructive. No one will tell you that you`ve got it. I know by what i`ve found out myself. I wasted a few trips to doctors who told me i was imagining it.. I was told that because i was clearly destressed about nothing, that i should take anti-depressants! Not to cure my illness, but so that i didn`t mind being ill! Two ignorant doctors was enough.. I not only have Morgellons to live with, but i`m also afflicted with being a drug user for the last ten yrs.. Who`s going to listen to a stupid druggie who feels creepy crawlies?? What chance have i got of being believed? My dependency doesn`t make me stupid or mad. Now drugs are a blessing. They relive the hideous symptoms of Morgellons disease and if i`m lucky, they`ll stop me reaching old age with a disease straight from hell. On my headstone i want the words, `ITS ALL IN THE MIND` ! From a nameless junkie who could be your kid or your parent...

I am doctor Andreotti of the Shrinners Institute, and yes the colprit here is a foriegn worm nematode that inavdes the skin and oragns of it's prey. It is very scary to see it in the USA, but travel and trade has bought the problem to this country. Some secondary insects maybe present as well. Collembia, rat mites, bird mites, and bed bugs are carrier vectors, transmitting this disease.

good,

Can someone please tell me what to do? I am not crazy, always pretty healthy. But, this summer I did get bit by a tick and got tick fever. I felt awful and now that I am feeling better well, My entire body feels just as this hoax that most of you are talking about. Yes, it does sound bizarre but, take it from experience, it is uncomfortable and to try to explain it to a doctor where I live is like trying to shove medicine into a three year olds mouth. I feel these bites but, do not see anything. It is not in just one spot its everywhere. People should not judge others, true some maybe just a psychological problem but, I don't believe this many people are gonna have these same symptoms and they are everday down town humans.

I have never had any problems except for hearing, and I don't think deafness is a psychological problem well, some may believe that one just doesn't want to hear. Ha Ha...

Anyway, I dont live in these areas mentioned, not even close to them. But, I do experience the symptoms. After the bite feeling a small area like pimple forms, so does anyone have a clue of how to help stop these symptoms. Because from where I am coming from it may not be psychological but feels like it can drive one out of their mind.....

please let me know if anyone knows something to stop these feelings....

OK I am very open minded in believing all of this about Morgellon's. I was biten by a tick and after getting this out of my system now, I itch and break out in small raised areas. Yes, it is very discomforting. As well, as thinking you are going to be the next person lying on the street someone picking at things not seen by the naked eye. Makes one think they are losing their mind.. Victoria, what are the ways besides the Biaxin to get ease from this... I live in a town where doctors say its all in your mind... I can not get answers here in my town... This stuff is driving me insane not to mention my hair is breaking and thinning out.... As for the person advertising headlice.... Come On, be realistic... We are all adults and I am sure have children that caught that bug in school so we Know the difference in something seen and not seen... That is just Wrong.... Victoria how do you get this out of your home....furniture... to keep others from getting it.... is there something you need to bath with, wash clothes to kill this thing off...please help.... Can't get it in my small hick town of delusional doctors of disbelief of new diseases... The Biaxin I am on.... what else can I do... please help.... you can email me
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
please and thanks for your insight....

NOT Headlice, why don't you actually try reading?
Collembola-the most abundant anthropod on earth

http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/59h812451976037.html

Go ahead and tell your doctor about "Morgellons", I'm sure he needs a good laugh.

when are you going to treat this parasite liike you would treat Giardia, or Loa-Loa,,,either diet or meds,,,

come on, I feel sorry for you all,,,,yes doctor don't know morgellons, and parasitologist thank morgellons.org is a rip off, where is the advice from 40 doctors on this????

this is a skin parasite which is prevelant in ASIA,,,it is her enow like Bird Flu which will do more damage than this this year in the WORLD,,,extimate 20M will die world wide,

see my pals site, pal, because his diet and plan helped save my life,,,,,get it and get on!!

http://www.be-healthy-forever.com

I knwo the man wnats to bag it and go out on his boat accross the world, but he really thinks he can help all out!

Look for all of you smart people out here in never ever land... i came on-line to ask this simple question because of our arrogant doctors of this so simple minded world don't believe none of this... and I too mean what you are saying as well.... but, as for the other part of you that get your rocks off by coming on line to try and piss people off that you do not even know a thing about... only makes me believe you were also part of that not so popular group in which stayed in trouble smoking behind the vo-tec buildings during high school.... if you could use your brain cells for maturity and not so much on you sarcastic remarks.... people might want to hear your views... but, some of you are just down right jerks on here...

so, what are you talking about?

not me babe!!

get well!

And as for you others that think its a
joke....
"buzz off"
Find a freebee chat room to argue with people...
your views and sarcastic remarks make me hate that we are living in the same world...
As for you who keep bringing up scabies and lice... Come out of your dark age world... Lice is a bug... not a f**king parasite... and you can see it.... Save that for another rainy day...
But, as for those of you that feel your own veiws should be believed then why not allow someone else's views being looked into as well, but, no you obviously are a male... why do i say that? Egotistical, arrogant, self-centered....
Leave your arguements for the court room bud...
People come on line to discuss things to see if someone else has the same symptoms... not to argue with people... If you want people to see your side... where is your website Huh?
Get a Life... But, dont lash out at people when they don't even know what the hell they are dealing with... No one really knows until the facts are proven Right.... Are yours proven...

Dear,

you don't want to see beyond the word "headlice" in http://www.headlice.org.
Yes, their mandate is to spread awareness about lice...BUT...when they started getting reports about this strange new skin disorder (which some refer to as "morgellons) the NPA decided to study it (along with the state of Oklahoma Health Dept)
What they found was that collembola (springtails not headlice) were infesting people.
Yes it is proven scientifically:
http://www.headlice.org/report/research/index.html

here's another independant study from swedish researchers in 1955 (which has been ignored by dr's):
http://www.headlice.org/swedish

Now, just because they say "headlice " in the web address, doesn't necessarily mean that they are talking about headlice. So try and work past that.

once again:
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/59h812451976037.html


It's a species of collembola---and no they aren't visible--they are microscopic, in fact the first juvenile stage of these creatures are no bigger than a human liver cell--to top that off they are non-pigmented, so they blend in with you skin.

Collembola infestation=morgellons (you're not supposed to name a disease before it has been properly recognized by the medical community, the morgellons people don't understand that)

Dear and Deary!

Understand the springtails are but one of the problems,,,look beyond that to Tropical Disease Creeping Neamtode of Borneo,,,spreading like wild fire,,,even CDC acknowledges it now. All the Morgellons symptoms and more,,,,so look beyound,these are larval migran mircoscopic worms,,,,see them in your skin,,,look like miniture veins, but they are not!,,,feet area.

And Collembellia (or whatever they are do eat nematodes!!!),,,where there is fire, there is something burning!!!,,,get it!!!

I know if you have real good healthy immune system you don't get this!!!!,,,food for thought,,,think next time when your at Dunkin Donuts!!!

And as for you others that think its a
joke....
"buzz off"
Find a freebee chat room to argue with people...

People come on line to discuss things to see if someone else has the same symptoms... not to argue with people... If you want people to see your side... where is your website Huh?

Does anyone else find it ironic that these views were posted NOT on a Morgellans website, but on the Museum of Hoaxes?

get yourself checked out for parasites, that sounds like what you have, I had this last year, and did a diet and beat beat it. SOme prefer to do medicines. Thiebenazole seems to work.

Good luck, and yes spreading like wild fire!

I see a lot of people here know about Morgellons or even have it. Could somebody PLEASE e-mail me in order to get in contact with me. I am desperately trying to find out more about this. I am trying to write a news story about it and really want to get the word out, but need all the truth and information I can get. Please contact me if you know anything. Thank you.

Mary Mahmud

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

WANT THE TRUTH, GO HERE, at least you can gather some information of what it is

My findings are that it is a skin worm from South AMerica, creeped its way here. There are sightings all over the world with countries with smarter doctors!!

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (marc from Safe2u-too!)

Marc,
are you the same marc from safe2use who claimed his problem was the tropical rat mite?

Mary,

Don't use the term morgellons, the CDC has already said morgellons is not a disease, you'll lose credability if you use the term morgellons.

If you think the so-called morgellons is your problem, then your best bet is to talk to these people:
http://www.headlice.org/news/2005/august/tiny_bugs_wreak_havoc.htm

Actually the CDC has not said it isn't a disease, they can't declare it a disease until somthing like 10000 people have had the same symptoms, or they get a scientific laboratory specimen of it. I can't say anything about whether it is real or not, obviously I'm not righting a story to say it's real or fake, because journalists really aren't supposed to do that. the CDC's role in this, is simply "we're not involved until we have to be" it is not so simple as to say the CDC said it's "not a disease" that sounds misleading, they haven't studied it to know one way or another. Anyhow, saying that, I won't lose credibility because it is something that is referred to as Morgellons, I am not calling it a disease, I'm giving the facts, and the fact is, they're calling it Morgellons, whether it is physical or psychological has nothing to do with this. Of course I will explain further, and make it clear it's not a medical term. That said, why is everybody on here so tense and defensive? The people who don't believe in this disease need to calm down, you're speculating, nothing more. For the people that have these symptoms, you can call it Morgellons, or Boogeyman syndrome, or poppycock, the fact is, the pain is real, the symptoms exist, and these peoples lives are harder because of it. IF people wanna say it's because of something psychological, I will gladly interview that side of it too.

Thanks all, take care.

writing that is, not righting, Freudian slip

Hi MARY,

I have to correct you, only the MORGELLONS FOUNDATION (most professionals debate) say it is Morgellons. Morgellons name is a term of the 1600's in France where skin worms (hookworm type) disease inflicted humans.

My doctor, and close to about another dozen doctors I spoke to say Morgellons is a self named disease/disorder by the Morgellons Foundation. Doctors and the CDC do NOT call it Morgellons,

Happy paper writing, but I am way ahead of you with state, federal government contact!!

skin worms like Creeping Nematode of Borneo is 99% what this is. Bottome line!!!,,,stick a foriegn substance in the USA, and you get new symptoms......BIRD FLU, SARS and other crap come from ASIA,,,so did this!!!

So, open your eyes,,,Morgellons excepts donations,,,what the hell have they done for this??? I did more as a sales rep for IBM!!!!, becuase I had to beat it and havea life again. The coach of teh Chicago Bulls, and a feww Very Important people have gotten this, and beaten this.

People should either diet (holistic) or go get Thiebendazole and take it for 2 to 8 weeks.!!

Simple, don't give this skin worm/parasite the Morgellons name, I personally think they are crooks!!!

The original marc (safe2use- was not a good scene!),,,and you sound like a clown,,,sorry Mary, for an author, you can't write or spell. Try to perhaps find a new career, as sales for the Morgellons foundation.

Wow you're miserable people, and I'm amused by that. By the way, it's called a typo, genius. Obviously nobody wants to listen to anyone but themselves. So that's cool. I am very happy doing what I'm doing, and really damn good at it. But I'm happy to leave you all to your sad lives that revolve around nothing but yourselves.

For the record, I never said Morgellons was an actual disease, I never said doctors call it that, so talk about checking your facts, because that's what I've been doing. And I've already contacted the CDC, so I think I'm well off without your opinion.

Anyone who is not an ass can e-mail me if they would like. I won't waste my time here anymore.

Take care.

Oh wait, hahahaha, Marc you had so many spelling errors, and you told me I couldn't spell. Sorry that just made my day.

Cheers

HaHa,,,I am really at SAFE2USE,,,,I hate you all,,,rat mite fever,,,is what this is,,,use pepermint enzyme cleaner,,,and you win, win, win!!!

Yo bozo,,,,,ddon't get so on yourself!!!,,,oh, sorry, Dr. BOZO!!

Safe2use has been treating this for years!!!,,,it's eternal rat mites!!!,,see my skin Dr. Bozo,,,,leave now!

Greetings - I have been infested with Collembola Seira since 3/05. I believe "Morgellon's" (or whatever the appropriate term) and Springtail Collembola are caused by different organisms. "Collemboliasis" has been absolutely horrible, but I have never seen or experienced hair like fibers, nor does it sound as severe. I am not contagious and believe this is associated with a immune deficiency.

So "delusive parasitosis" (the Drs-clueless-so-call-patients-crazy disease;-p) is caused by either Collembola and/or the Morgellons infestations. Is this correct?

Have you read about association with Dental Sealants as a cause?

So how are Morgellon's Disease and Collembola related? Similar mite? Are Morgellon's in the order of Collembola? Do they respond to similar treatments? Is a Morgellon just a hairy collembola? What is the name of the mite which causes the fibers?

My collembola symptoms are (in this order) a reddened area, then itchy red bumps and then open lesions, then small black lines and black specs. Sometimes large collections of bumps appear. The lesions attract additional infestation.
Please, anyone feel free to provide any insights or feedback you may have. I believe I have a treatment regimen that I believe will heal and rid myself of Collembola in the next 4-6 weeks. I am eager to share what I have learned.
ddx in Chicago

Please post your email so others can contact you DDX. I will entertain any remedies to be rid of this!

Hey,

I found out what is was, full diagnosis, and beat it wit diet,,,if you want there all prescriptions,,,,feel free to reach out to me.....beware of others here,,,,for they may want to do the ole,,,rippo-offo!!!

Hi Marc,
I am interested in what you say about having been prescribed thiabendazole for this. Would you be good enough to tell us the actual dose that you had, and exactly how long you had to take it? This is one of the azole drugs, used in worm infestations. Some scientists believe that the primary organism in this new disease is a fluke shaped nematode, which has other 'parts' to it, including mucus like worms, hairs, and the grey and coloured fibers. If this is so, I can see why you were prescribed medication from the azole group.
Please say more about the diet that helped you too. I do not see how a diet in itself would cure anyone, but it could certainly help, perhaps alongside medication, as you said.
I think that entrenched infection could attract collembola (which research has proven)and perhaps other arthropods.
Anyone with this horrible condition is likely to have, in addition to the brain fog, high levels of irritation. Please do not let this get in the way of realising when someone might be indicating the right answers, as that really would be a tragedy.
For those who claim to have been cured solely by diet, please post more details. I do not think it fair to expect anyone to pay for a diet sheet when they are so ill and desperate.
Marc, I hope that you tell us of the medication regimen that you were prescribed, thus allowing fellow sufferers to request the same, (or perhaps a similar drug), from their doctors.
With best wishes to you all,
Mo.

my daughter has these same symptoms. where can we find help in illinois? she is a patient at Mayo Clinic for other health problems and we would like to see if any of these health problems may be connected to Morgellons. at first I was doubting her skin problems, thinking because she is going through so much, she was imagining these feeling of bugs under her skin, but I have seen the spots and figers, they are realy. any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you

Hey, I spent mucho dinero, how many doctors see you for free?

I cannot prescribe Thiebendazole, I am not a doctor.

40.00 for diet is peanuts!!!,,,buying the herbs and suppliments needed are big bucks,,,,

I am sorry that I charge to keep my site open.

If you can tell my bill sto stop billing me for a while that will help, until then, good luck!

my time is money,,,,sorry!,,I have a family and life.

If you want to get cured (and you will receive the prper way of curing yourself) go see my site http://www.be-healthy-forever.com

by the way,,,it is named THE CREEPING NEMATODE of BORNEO,,,now asia!

Take care, & good luck!~

marc and paul!

Man, The world would be better off without people like you, marc or whatever your name is today. Buzz off, fkn idiot, jerkoff schlocker.

The world would be way better off without clowns like you- go crawl under a rock you freak, sorry i tried to help.

Good luck wart face!

Lester, customer service mananger

sounds like annoyed is a real loser,,,go away loser!!

Only a dr could prescribe anthelminthics. These, plus diet, and other measures, could possibly help. Has anyone been so treated?

Perhaps it only feels as if there is movement in the skin. Fungus readily attaches itself to and colonizes human hair, root hair itself is magnetic to dictate the direction of growth. Certain fungi also have polarity to aid in colonization and reproduction. People suffering from tinea capitis may have hairs that attract and repel each other. The fuzz balls collecting on morgellons sufferers may well be household fuzz that has been colonized by dermatophites. The black specks and some of the fibers shown on the morgellons site really resemble filamentous fungi. Labratory tests for fungal infections are inacurate at best for known species with their geonomes mapped. The majority of species have unknown genomes. I would advise the physician to not dismiss all meth users as simply being delusional when it comes to fungal infections, they are probably the highest risk group behind AIDS sufferers for harboring strange molds, chronic yeast infections etc.

I almost hate seeing this crap e-mailed to me, sorry I do not have patience for stupid behavor.

Infectious Desease doctors know what skin worm from ASIA this is. OK. Some form of CLM, OK!

Get on Thiabendazole pills for 60 days, get the hookhorm blood work ups, and stop waisting your time.

I happened to beat this holistically, and I have repeatedly asked this ASSHOLE firm to take me off the list.

Regular MDs don't treat this. Southern Doctors in ID/TD can fix up up or lay off the sugar for 90 days OK,

Good luck everyone, this site is clowns!

Chris Schott - can we connect off line from this site re help for your child? I am also in chicago.

I've been researching since I was last here and found this topic is finally getting attention in scientific circles. Some of it reads like a sci-fi novel.

Morgellon's and Collembola are caused by separate, but perhaps related afflictions going on here-- and none of them are delusional. I found some amazing images a Morgellon's and they looked like hairy nematodes to me. Thousands of families around the world are reporting infestation. A group of scientists has been studying them -- did you know they glow under black and UV light? And they definitely move and jump, so forget the fungus theory. Early, unpublished analysis shows indication of labatory, or synthesized origins.

One reason there is so much controversy is that there are actually a number of crawling mites which create creepy, stinging, biting or crawling sensations...scabies, rat mites, bird mites (etc), collembola (springtails) and Morgellon's. Springtails, for their part, are highly opportunistic moving in existing infestations, which is what happened to me. I believe many sufferers of Morgellon's also have springtails biting them. (I'm lucky in that I only have springtails, and after reading so about the Morgellon's worms I want to know what I can do to avoid them!)

I'm going to order the diet, anything can help. I believe these are systemic infections which require an integrated and wholistic approach to curing them.

Good luck to all the sufferers out there. Read and learn as much as you can.

DDx

More...

London re Garlic advice

Morgellon's are classified as Quorum Sensing, so as it turns out Garlic is an effective Quorum Sensing inhibitor. I would not only injest it but will try spreading directly on lesions and areas of infection. The abstract from the University of Zurich
http://botserv1.unizh.ch/site/site/research/projects/QSBlocker.php
describes how quorum sensing inhibitors "interfere with bacterial cel to cell communications".

In summary, all Morgellon sufferers should be ALL OVER garlic (I'm guessing part of diet plan referenced??). Yet another example of the powers of garlic!

Great advice, London, thanks.

DDX

Hey folks. Listen to mialabu!
That person is definitely on the right track. Srangely enough, many people have been cleared of this strange condition by receiving lyme disease treatment. Is this a rare form of lyme disease? Lyme disease is more common than many people think. I, at first, thought ofr ure there were bugs on me but it turns out that microscope images determined that there was indeed dermatophytic fungus growing all over my skin. A dermatophyte fungus causes the crawling sensations because it is a plant type fungus. that is, it actually grows roots- thus causing the sensations. Also the info which mialabu offered says that the airs attract each other. this sounds tru too as that's what it feels like.
Good luck everyone I know what you're going through.

If you can not afford Thiabendazole, fenbenzadole (similar drug from same group) is available under the name "Safeguard". I becently bought a tube large enough to treat a 1000lb critter, from wallmart for like $8. It's an oral horse wormer and extremely safe. The dosage is easy to adjust, the tube is marked in 250 lb intervals. Just be sure to dose yourself for 3 days, and do not under or overdose. The combination of that and topical antifungal spray seem to be helping.

I respect everyone's input on this condition however...when people recommend chemicals for this condition and it's not correct I feel , since I know a bit about this infection, that I should inform you all of the possible dangers. Somebody posted a comment about Thiabendazole or fenbenzadole to treat this condition. the problem with this is that your condition (if in fact you have morgellons) is not a worm or insect of any kind. This is a blood infection which closely resembles LymeDisease. Lyme disease treatments have proven to cure this condition 100%. be careful with chemicals because they wnon't alleviate the symptoms nor will they cure you. you'll only unecessarily ingest or coat yourself with dangerous chemicals. Good luck!