Subject: (Maxey) Melatonin therapy? (fwd)
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 132814 -0600 (CST)
From: "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To: emfguru <rbeavers@llion.org>
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 11:00:05 -0800
From: Edward S Maxey
To: emfacts@tassie.net.au
Cc: rbeavers@llion.org
Subject: Melatonin therapy?
Hello Don Maisch,
First, many many thanks for a remarkable story about elevated
magnetic fields from current in a metal water pipe. Very
instructive indeed.
This case is especially important in that it illustrates how
ONE CAN DO SOMETHING about the problem. Usually
folks exposed to high EMFs have little choice but to rant
and rave to power companies and municipal authorities.
Only occasionally is one able to directly repair the problem.
As to melatonin therapy for stress, it would seem from the
narrative that the EMF stress source has essentially been
dealt with. The return of active dreaming together with a
lessening of the headache would seem to attest to the
bodies' (his and hers) having already shown a desirable
response.
It is distinctly unwise to second guess a physician who
knows his/her patient both by history and by physical
examination. Kudos to him/her. Few physicians in North
America would have even considered EMF as a source
of stress.
However, based solely on the information below, it
would appear wise to let mother nature work her wonders
for a spell longer. Should the already observed improvement
continue at its present rate there will soon be no need for
the melatonin anti-stress therapy.
Don, your point about the timing of melatonin production
is well taken. However, if one assums that the body's melatonin
production is turned off by nocturnal light or EMFS (there is
research support for this notion) one may also posit that turning
off nocturnal light or EMFs will enhance melantonin production.
This seems to have happened when the plastic water pipe splice
was inserted.
Present epidemiology does show an EMF/brain tumor link.
Any persisting headache should be properly investigated.
This is a really nice and very instructive water pipe EMF story!!!
Cordially,
Ed
(E. Stanton Maxey, M.D.)
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Date:
Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:31:02 -0600 (CST)
Dear Roy
Some time ago I think you posted a message from Alasdair Philips with
advice on the proper amounts of Melatonin to take. I could not find that
message so I am asking advice on the following case from your 'readers'.
My question is at the end of this message.
****" On December 12, 1998 a home and office survey was conducted for a
26
year old female who suffered from increasing migraine headaches. Previous
extensive medical testing was unable to find any obvious cause for the
migraines. X-rays and MRI scans revealed no damage to vertebrae in her
neck
with good flexibility but weak neck muscles. She reported a fall from a
horse in childhood and problems with occasional headaches since that
time.
The headaches became worse since moving into current home and she
reported
"ceasing to dream" since moving, possibly indicating a reduction in REM
sleep.
Her doctor suspected a possible connection with computer use as she
worked
in front of one all week. However a survey of her workstation revealed
very low EMF exposures with 0.3 mG in reception room and 0.5 mG at her
sitting position in front of low emission monitor. Ergonomics did not
appear to be a factor.
At her home however a problem immediately was apparent with about 9 mG on
the bedhead on "high power usage", 8 mG on "low power usage" and 5.3 mG
with all power switched off at the main power switch. The water pipe was
reading about 98 mG on both high and low power configurations, with 3
amps
on the water pipe.
In this situation the water piping in the house was acting as a return
path
for another house somewhere in the street. As the water pipe ran directly
under the main bedroom bed, it was giving a fairly constant bed head
magnetic field exposure of the order of 6 mG to 9 mG regardless of power
usage.
Corrective action on the 15th of December involved inserting a 2 meter
length of poly water pipe between the water meter and the house to
electrically isolate the water supply. The level on the water pipe
dropped
to 0.5 mG and 0.4 mG throughout the bedroom on both low and high power
usage.
As of 18 January 1999 the woman reports the following changes:
1)About three weeks after the fields were eliminated both the woman and
her
husband found they both were dreaming again and having very vivid dreams.
2) Headaches significantly less intense and changed in pattern after
about
three weeks after fields eliminated. Previously the headaches would come
on
soon after getting out of bed in the morning and increase in severity
during the day. Now they are there when waking but disappear during the
day. Significant improvement in headaches reported."****
THE QUESTION:
She advised me that her doctor is now going to put her on Melatonin
capsules. One tablet three times a day. The bottle recommends this dosage
to relieve 'stress".
I think that this amount is far to great and it should only be taken at
night just before going to bed. Perhaps melatonin taken during the day
could sensitize the eyes to daylight and cause damage?
It would seem to me that since the pineal gland only produces melatonin
at
night, in the absence of light, pumping it into the body during daylight
hours is not a good idea.
What would be a "safe"nightly dosage as to not overload the system?
Looking forward to any advice on this matter.
Sincerely
Don Maisch
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Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html