The Immune Cycle
and MCS
While worsening of MCS symptoms can often be explained by poor diet, lack of sleep, exposure to chemicals and other reasons, sufferers are often discouraged when a bad spell hits them out of the blue with no recognized trigger. It seemed to me that these bad spells came in a sort of pattern--that about every three months I would have one or two really good days that were always followed by a horrible crash to the bottom. After reading about the immune cycle in Hal Huggin's book "It's All in Your Head," I reconstructed my past performance with the help of friends and family (i.e: "Remember the weekend I got so sick at 'so-and-so's' wedding? When was that?"), and we were able to plot my worst episodes on a calendar.
I saw clearly that my bad episodes always came at three week intervals, and that my very worst episodes came at twelve-week intervals. (With my daughter's help, I later determined that these twelve-week intervals were when my three-week immune cycle and my four-week menstrual cycle coincided.)
So what explanation is there for this cyclic activity? How can it be used to help the MCS sufferer maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses?
It is important to keep in mind that MCS is directly related to the immune system, and the immune system works in a cycle rather than in a constant, steady flow. When we are threatened by some bodily invader, such as some virus or bacteria, our immune system goes to work immediately to resolve the situation. T cells and B cells are put out at the rate of thousands per second. These cells are then sent to the thymus and the lymph nodes where they can be changed to acommodate the particular needs of the body in facing its current challenge.
The total amount of cells produced is mind-boggling. But the cells produced by the immune system during this time of need do not hang around long. They have a job to do, they do it, and then suppressor cells generally come in and announce that the job is done, the enemy has been defeated. The cells produced by the immune system usually have a life cycle of 7, 14, or 21 days, and that is usually more than enough time for a challenge to be met.
But what if the challenge is ongoing, as in the case of someone whose body has put up a red flag to particular chemical groups that are all around us? What happens when 21 days has come and gone, but the challenge still remains?
Well, the immune system does not leave one in the lurch, but will stay "on the job". However, since the life cycle of these "fighter cells" is up, more will have to be produced. This time period, when old fighter cells are dying off and new ones are being formed, can leave a person in a vulnerable state. Remember, all these fighter cells rallied together upon being met with some great challenge, and they will all die off at about the same time as well. Imagine a factory full of workers: Would you expect peak production from the workers at the time of a shift change? No, because most workers are either clocking out or clocking in, and not many are active in the work of production at that time.
This is what happens in the case of MCS sufferers. When the cells are experiencing a "change of shift", the immune system will not be in a good position to ward off attackers, and then when all the new workers are "on the job", there may be a short reprieve until the life cycle of these new cells is over.
MCS sufferers do well to recognize these patterns and work along with the body. If one has had some bad episodes with regard to MCS, or if they have had any other challenge to the immune system, they would do well to mark it on the calendar. Underline the date that falls 7 days later, and the one that falls 14 days later. Take it easy on these days. Now circle the day that falls 21 days later. This is the one of which to be especially cautious. The MCS sufferer should realize that he or she will be more vulnerable at these times and do all that can be done to avoid situations that may present a challenge to the system. It is important to get extra rest and relaxation starting a day or two before the 21st day, and continuing a day or two after. This would be a good time to do some extra reading or watch that six-hour presentation of "Pride and Prejudice" while enjoying your favorite tea!
This knowledge of how the immune system works can be invaluable to the MCS sufferer. By working with the body instead of against it, you may begin to enjoy an increase in your good days. And don't we all want more good days?
© Dorothy Herrmann 2002
