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Morgellons Disease: Is It Real?
image Sufferers of Morgellons disease complain of invisible parasites biting their skin. And they get skin lesions from which sprout strange fibers. And mysterious black spore-like specks appear on their skin. Cases of this strange disease seem to be spreading, especially in the Bay area. One theory is that it has something to do with Lyme disease. Or it may be a case of mass delusion. The medical community seems to think it's mass delusion. Most people who show up complaining of these symptoms get diagnosed with 'delusional parasitosis', which is a psychological problem in which people imagine that they're infested by parasites. Not having any medical qualifications at all, I won't weigh in on whether this is a real disease or mass delusion, but some of the behavior of the patients does sound suspiciously bizarre. Take the case of Theresa Blodgett:

She gathers up the black specks, the mysterious fibers and the small, fuzzy 'cocoons' she finds on her skin and around her home. She tapes the macabre samples to typing paper, but she said no doctor will analyze the collection. Physicians who glance at the specimens dismiss the lot as stray hairs, clothing fibers, scabs and other common household debris, she said.

So either she really is suffering from something and is desperately but unsuccessfully trying to get doctors to pay attention to her, or she's obsessively collecting house dust and stray flecks of dirt and convincing herself that these things are parasites attacking her. (Thanks to 'K' for the links)
Categories: Health/Medicine, Psychology
Posted by Alex on Thu Feb 10, 2005
Comments (607)
More from the Hoax Museum Archives:
OOPS! Sorry ROD - part of the "brain fog". It probably doesn't help that I am running a fever right now of 102 F.
Posted by Victoria Moore  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  05:34 PM
:lol:
Oh, Ron! Oh, I mean RoD, you're such a kidder! I bet you are a very handsome man. Probably about 6', 170, muscular, luscious, thick blonde or sandy hair and big beautiful blue or green eyes!

OR you are ugly, have bad teeth, 5'5", fat, dark brown, thinning hair and eyes the color of poo.

Silly Rod, putting us on like that! You should be ashamed! If you google Morgellons you will find more information than you ever wanted to know, especially if you reach
http://www.morgellons.org
There you will be able to see pictures, see all the doctors who are involved with Morgellons Research Foundation, and learn about what was found in the 17th century. Set your med books aside and take the time to find out WHY it is called Morgellons. It does involve bacterias, possibly fungus and definately parasites.

What constitutes actual proof? What is scientific proof to you?

Look up this word: stenotrophomonasmaltophilia.

Dr. George Schwartz states on his web site
http://www.healingresearch.org/news.html
"This has been a baffling condition characterized by pustules, the feeling of skin crawling, and the presence of strange fibers within the lesion, the fibers may be blue black or even red. I have finally cultured the bacteria causing this disease it is termed stenotrophomonasmaltophilia this organism is extremely resistant to most antibiotics..." , you can read the rest there.

Technically, I am a lab tech and I will be happy whether you change your mind or not, as I know Victoria will agree. You see, we have nothing to prove to you, after all. We only debate on forum boards! You have to find "convincing material" somewhere besides here. We only have opinion here, right?

We only need to prove to doctors we are in fact, infected by something, and like Vick's doctor, they won't know what their seeing and we'll have to show them what you don't accept as proof now. At least that's the way it's turning out with my mother's doctor and for everyone I know who has Morgellons so far.
Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Poor Rod! What's good enough for a doctor isn't good enough for him!

I have to admit that I do admire Boo's weighing of facts before finding them fiction, as you would do the same, of course.

When would you accept Morgellons as a real disease? (I hope you NEVER get it!!!)

If it's on the news would you believe it?
If it's in USA Today? Washington Post? New York Times? AMA Journal?
Psychology Today?
You may never tell me your answer to these questions because it's none of my business. (I feel that you might be that type of person. NPD) Then again, you may tell me because I've stated that you probably won't.
Or, you may avoid this topic altogether...
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  06:23 PM
:) Lots of Love to you, Victoria. I know you feel bad. Brain fog does suck like a tornado as well as does a fever.

Poor Rod! Do we need to start a new topic for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Is it Real!? I mean, my goodness! He ignores so much of what you've had to say and only pounces on the one fragment of information that he thinks he can use to prove HIS point! :lol:
NPD is hell to live with. But it is fun when you can debate with them like this! :lol:
You just never know what they will say next...or won't say next, because they feel like they are giving you too much information about themselves for you to use against them.
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  07:01 PM
WOW! Way to go jaleenasmom! Tell it like it is girl! I would love to challenge ROD some more, but I just feel like "poo" tonight and will have to save it for another night!
Posted by Victoria Moore  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  07:35 PM
I spelled your name wrong? Surely you don't mean the time when I used a capital letter to start it?
Other than that I spelled it the same way you did. Go back and look.

Oh, and like i keep insisting.... Show me some freakin proof. PROOF. You know, actual empirical evidence.

Sorry, but just saying something is true doesn't make me believe it.

...And by the way, just because one doctor believes something does not make it real. An anthropologist from WSU went to his grave less than ten years ago totally convinced people were crazy because they DIDN'T believe bigfoot exists.

Irrational belief in the face of proof is one thing. But if you just believe the claims of every person on the planet without researching them at all, hell, you end up with stuff like Heaven's Gate.

Rational belief in the face of absolutely no proof if what all humans should strive for. This, and the quest for truth. Like i keep saying...

PROVE IT.
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  07:44 PM
Huh??????
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  07:53 PM
Double huh???????????? What a narrow-minded fool. I am telling you, he is not worth the effort to try to convince. But I do have my voodoo doll over in the corner and perhaps we could cook up a spell to cast Morgellons on him, then he can walk around and try to convince people that HE'S not delusional. UGH!!!!!! :coolgrin:
Posted by Victoria Moore  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:01 PM
Maybe I am totally wrong about you, Rod. Maybe you are not NPD but perhaps just unbalanced...
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:03 PM
Yes, when all else failed, play dumb.

Also, if this is what you mean by no longer responding to me, I wonder just which one of us is hanging around demending attention (NPD anyone?) (the DSM IV defines this as one of the symptoms).

I myself could not have cared less if you ever responded to my post. Still don't. But it's fun to watch you act like a tool in defense of something you CAN NOT prove.

I keep saying it, you keep ignoring it...
PROVE YOUR POSITION

All ya gotta do is show some empirical scientific data and, like I said, I would consider this proof. If it was proof, I would be proven wrong. I would admit it. Now get off your hiney and frickin prove it, don't just sit around scraping crap into jars and pickin it up with tape. ANALYZE IT. Or get a CREDIBLE source to do so. (the neighbor's dog's personal trainer's canary just won't do, sorry)

PROOF - Merriam-Webster
Main Entry: proof
Pronunciation: 'pr
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:17 PM
:lol: Oh, Victoria! You slay me! Could we actually do that you think? My step-son lived in New Orleans for 4 years while in the Marines. He can probably turn us on to a good person to help us with that...hehehehehehe
You are sooooooo right! Narrow-minded and how. I mean for someone to COMPLETELY IGNORE the web sites listed, and all the information that is available and then say "prove it". I mean really. He's totally ignored virtually everything we've said.

I think if he ever contracts Morgellons he could never convince anyone he isn't delusional!
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:24 PM
Huh????
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:27 PM
Ahem...at the risk of topping 2000 words I will repeat my earlier post to you...

Maybe I am totally wrong about you, Rod. Maybe you are not NPD but perhaps just unbalanced...
Posted by jaleenasmom on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 07:03 PM
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:29 PM
I am not the one here demanding PROOF...you are :lol:
That means YOU want someone's attention...and to be right. You finally had to drag out the DSM didn't you :lol: Of course, you would have to try to wound me somehow, personally, to prove my point :lol:
I may PLAY dumb, but I am by no means dumb...unless of course you are also a misogynist, then I will be dumb only to you :lol:

You miss the point, Rod! I do not have to convince you of anything. You have to convince me!

I don't have to get anyone CREDIBLE to analyze it.

Someone CREDIBLE already is :lol:
Dr. William Harvey, just for starters...but remember, you'll pay $300 an hour to talk to him!

YOU WANT THE NUMBER???? ROFLOL!!!!! :lol:
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:43 PM
You go to a website devoted to hoaxes and then complain when people there do not believe you without proof?

Yes, and I'm 100% sure that your "lab-tech" skills quite allow you to diagnose any psychiatric problems in anyone who disagrees with you, based on a few hundred words on a computer screen and no face to face.

I will repeat it again...
PROOF.

PROVE me wrong. Not only for yourself, but for all sufferers of this disease. Go to school and learn how to research it properly, then research it properly, then PROVE what it is. Is it too much to ask for some freakin PROOF instead of BS personal attacks? I guess maybe with you it might be.

I would break off this inane and pointless crap, but I'm having WAY too much fun repeatedly asking for PROOF and repeatedly not getting ANY.

(And you'll notice that I, unlike some other people out there, do not automatically leap to the personal attacks as soon as someone disagrees with me.)
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:45 PM
(the neighbor's dog's personal trainer's canary just won't do, sorry)

HUH?????????
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:46 PM
Sure, send me the number of your "doctor". If he is in legitimate public practice, he will not care that you have given out a published phone number.

If he truly believes that this is a problem then he will have no qualms talking to someone in another country at his own expense to get the truth out there.

And yes, just like in court, the burden of proof is on the claimant (that is to say plaintiff) to prove his case, not the defense to refute it.

Try going to court and telling the judge "I don't have to prove he was screwing my 4 year old, he has to prove did not." See how that works out for you.
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  08:51 PM
:lol:
You are right. I would LOVE to go back to school and get my master's degree, alas, my uh....personal ailments...hinder me.

"lab tech" skills in psychology??? Lab maybe...

I come to a hoax site not complaining...I am actually having fun :lol:
Maybe I am here for someone to prove me wrong. Prove that what I experience and what I have seen with my own two eyes cannot be so, because if it is...God help us all...

Have YOU thought about going to school to prove your opinion to yourself and to others?

I have to say, as far as for me, you have to DISPROVE what I experience and have SEEN.

Would you like to see pictures of my mom's lesions???
My step-dads scabs?
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  09:26 PM
So...you're on the defensive???
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  09:27 PM
Are you in a different country or is this some new requirement you have?

DR. WILLIAM HARVEY
FAMILY CARE CLINIC
119 E ACADEMY
DEL RIO TX 78840

You ever seen the "eye witness" get their stored ripped to shreds on the witness stand by the defense attorney? It ain't pretty...

http://ypng.webcrawler.com/info.wbcrwl/ypv3/list.htm?&kcfg=ypus&ypinsp=0&searchtype=all&qhqn=family+care+clinic&qn=family+care+clinic&qc=del+rio&qs=tx&qk=15&xmlurl=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.superpages.com%2Fxml%2Fsearch?SRC=Infospace&search=Find%2BIt&PG=L&CS=L&T=del%2Brio&PB=&S=TX&Z=&A=&X=&P=&CID=&K=&C=&N=family%252Bcare%252Bclinic&PI=&NA=&STYPE=&R=N&qsubcat=firstpage&ypfwd=1&21012;
Follow that link to see it on public record at webcrawler.com
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  09:42 PM
Sorry, I just tried the link and it doesn't work 😖
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  09:46 PM
YES. If pictures are proof.

For shit's sake get a freakin clue. You have totally disregarded my repeated requests for proof up until now. And your doc's phone # is???

You have also totally and repeatedly disregarded the fact that the burden of proof lies on he (or she) who makes the claim.
To prove my point, I will tell you this... Last night I saw Jesus in my bathroom. He had shaved all his hair and looked kinda weird (you know, not like cross-jesus at all). He took me for supper, and while at the restaurant he let me in on the secret of life. The secret of life is pretty simple. It is "be nice to rocks." That's it.
Now prove me wrong.
PLEASE.
I don't have to prove he was here, or what he said, YOU have to prove he was not. At least by the logic you seem to have worked out, that is.

Wow, makes sens don't it? Rocks. Prove me wrong.
Ooops, there's that word you don't like.

PROOF.

I'm not sure I understand your last line. Defensive of what? Reality?
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  09:51 PM
Oh, and may I add that it does not surprise me in the least that you would believe in voudoun. After all, it's not like IT has repeatedly been proven just a bunch of hokey BS. Oh Wait...
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  09:54 PM
Go to page 4 to see my post on Dr. Harvey's information...guess you missed it somehow...anyway here it is again...

Are you in a different country or is this some new requirement you have?

DR. WILLIAM HARVEY
FAMILY CARE CLINIC
119 E ACADEMY
DEL RIO TX 78840

You ever seen the "eye witness" get their stored ripped to shreds on the witness stand by the defense attorney? It ain't pretty...
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  10:07 PM
Why must I offer you proof? Can you not gets facts for yourself???

Now it appears I have pulled your chain :lol:

Lighten up! Chill out! This is the most intelligent conversation I've had in a looooong time...
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  10:21 PM
Can you show me a picture of Jesus at your house?

I can show you pictures of my mom's, and other people's skin.
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  10:24 PM
Wow. Like I have stated REPEATEDLY, give me some freakin PROOF. If pictures are all you've got, send them. PROOF. PROOF. PROOF.

And I just loved the way that you totally ignored my argument about who should prove what.

You have said time and again that YOU (i.e. the person making the claim) does not need to prove it. I (and everyone else) have to disprove it.

So, I make a claim, and you immediately tell ME to prove it? (Yes, this is called a double standard). This just proves the point that you think just because it is YOU (my stars aren't you special!) that makes a statement means everyone else is automatically wrong. Like I have said many, many, many times by now, let's see some PROOF.

"Why must I offer you proof? Can you not gets facts for yourself???" Simply because of this... If the person making a claim cannot back it up in any way, shape, or form, people should not automatically believe it.

Tell you what...

I will agree to believe your claims without the oft-requested proof, if you will agree to believe my claims without your requested proof.

And the corollary...
I won't believe your bullshit without PROOF until you believe mine without PROOF.

Can it be any freakin simpler than that?

Be kind to rocks, jesus said so. Don't believe me? TFB.
Posted by Rod  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  10:57 PM
I didn't ignore your argument.

"Simply because of this... If the person making a claim cannot back it up in any way, shape, or form, people should not automatically believe it." I AGREE.

Sorry, what's "TFB"?

Sure, you've stated many, many, many times how you want PROOF. The proof I offer you will probably not be good enough. Because it's not MY proof. I don't have labratory access in my home. I have been in touch with three Dr.s of Microbiology at a nearby college. They have agreed that their equipment is not sufficient for my purposes, but that they are going to do what they can to research this. They're all very excited about it!!! That was refreshing! Actual scientists wanting to learn more about something they didn't know existed until 2 days ago.
But they visited the links I sent them and did their "proof" on their own. Not a one asked me for some "proof" before and especially not after they visited the links I provided.

Did you visit the two links I posted for you? I thought you might need to see some really good magnified samples. Some "professional" scab sample pictures, as well as pictures of other things.

Do you have access to about a $12,000 microscope?
If so, I can send you some samples that you can look at for yourself.

Do you really think Morgellons is as far-fetched as Jesus visiting your home last night?
I am not being snotty here. Honestly, all chain pulling aside. Is Morgellons that far-fetched to you???
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  11:16 PM
Late for me dude. I have to get some shut-eye. My little girl will be up bright and early in the morn.

I'll be back tommorow though!!!!! :coolsmile:
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Fri Mar 04, 2005  at  11:30 PM
Short answer, YES, it's that farfetched.

I HAVE read through the websites you're talking about (as well as the ones refuting you). I always read both sides of the story (or as much of it as there is) before I make a decision about something. Quite frankly, you and the doc have failed to prove your side to me. From what I see, his credentials are somewhat suspect.

The only REAL decision I have made thus far is ramblingly explained here... When I was in high school, we did a test in class to see (wasn't high school biology FUN?) how big something had to be before you could feel it touching your skin. Turns out that human skin is actually pretty resilient to the touch of tiny things (this is why we don't feel it all of the time when a mosquito or some such lands on us), and there is no freakin way that you will ever convince me that ANYONE ANYWHERE can feel something the size of a paramecium or any other single celled organism as it is crawling ANYWHERE on the human body.
Now, I don't doubt these bacteria exist. What I am saying is that Morgellons does not exist as it is described. If you think you can feel something that small crawling on you, you either have some kind of nerve problem, or this is a psych problem. Plain and simple.

I say again: prove your position. There is no way that it is possible to feel this one kind of bacteria and not the tons and tons of other types crawling all over your body right now.

As for research, go to websites for universities. They will have contact info. There has GOT to be a student out there somewhere who is willing to write a thesis on an undiscovered disease. Quite probably you will have to undergo a psych eval, as no decent scientist (even a student!) would leave this avenue of possible attack into their research on this disease open. They would want to eliminate the possibility that it WAS all in your mind. Or maybe prove that it is?

I would enjoy being proven wrong as much as proven right. Because then I could add actual proven knowledge to my list of things I know, not just a bunch of stuff that nobody can prove, like bigfoot, or god (any god). All I want is PROOF (there that word is again) one way or the other. PROOF.
Posted by Rod  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  12:42 AM
:lol: Have you ever read the book "DOES THE CENTER HOLD?"

Is it that you don't believe in and god?

Do you believe there is such as disease as Fibromyalgia?

I believe that all we have to prove is this:
That things may actually be happening to people before we move to strike what they are telling us.


Case in point, Victoria's doctor of Internal Medicine, my doctor of Internal Medicine, John Cummings, my mother's general practioner, Jan Simms, my step-father's general practioner, Robert Brown, 3 Professors of Microbiology at Dyersburg State community college, Geoffrey S. Ames, M.D., William T. Harvey, M.D. is the current chairman of the NASA Education Advisory Committee. He has documented more than 565 of these (Borreliosis) cases in Texas and says 94% of (those with Morgellons
Posted by jaleenasmom  on  Sat Mar 05, 2005  at  09:04 AM
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