Wise Young
08-23-2001, 02:27 PM
I recently received the following message in email:
My mother (74 and previously very healthy) is the victim of exposure to TCE,
which was in a floor adhesive in the condo above her. After weeks in the
hospital (where she was never diagnosed) and months in a rehab facility, she
is still confined to a wheelchair, has trouble swallowing and speaking, and
suffers from double vision.
Not only have I been unable to find any doctor willing or able to pursue the
TCE lead, but no one has suggested any treatment other than physical
therapy.
Any suggestions? I am very grateful for your time.
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I am sorry that I don't know much about TCE neurotoxicity.
Trichloroethylene is an organic solvent that seems to have a variety of non-specific neurotoxic effects on the brain. It affects peripheral nerve functions as well, effects the last months or years after exposure has ceased. Exposure to 60 parts per million causes cellular proliferation in the brain, a finding that is frequently associated with neurotoxicity and inflammation in the brain. Many of the effects of TCE are very similar to exposure to many other organic solvents, including paints.
I would suggest a couple of things.
1. If she has not already, she needs to have a neurotoxic evaluation and to see if she has accumulated TCE in her body.
2. She needs to have an MRI scan of her brain to rule out other causes of brainstem problems, including the possibility of a brainstem stroke.
3. If she had a brainstem stroke, it is important to determine the cause and eliminate the cause.
Here is a good web link for more info. http://www.ncchem.com/niosh.htm I will try to find out more. Does anybody have any suggestions. Thanks.
Wise.
My mother (74 and previously very healthy) is the victim of exposure to TCE,
which was in a floor adhesive in the condo above her. After weeks in the
hospital (where she was never diagnosed) and months in a rehab facility, she
is still confined to a wheelchair, has trouble swallowing and speaking, and
suffers from double vision.
Not only have I been unable to find any doctor willing or able to pursue the
TCE lead, but no one has suggested any treatment other than physical
therapy.
Any suggestions? I am very grateful for your time.
-----------
I am sorry that I don't know much about TCE neurotoxicity.
Trichloroethylene is an organic solvent that seems to have a variety of non-specific neurotoxic effects on the brain. It affects peripheral nerve functions as well, effects the last months or years after exposure has ceased. Exposure to 60 parts per million causes cellular proliferation in the brain, a finding that is frequently associated with neurotoxicity and inflammation in the brain. Many of the effects of TCE are very similar to exposure to many other organic solvents, including paints.
I would suggest a couple of things.
1. If she has not already, she needs to have a neurotoxic evaluation and to see if she has accumulated TCE in her body.
2. She needs to have an MRI scan of her brain to rule out other causes of brainstem problems, including the possibility of a brainstem stroke.
3. If she had a brainstem stroke, it is important to determine the cause and eliminate the cause.
Here is a good web link for more info. http://www.ncchem.com/niosh.htm I will try to find out more. Does anybody have any suggestions. Thanks.
Wise.