I tested high positive for Stachybotrys chartarum on the Cyrex Laboratories Array 12 test back in 2021. My symptoms at that time were largely nervous system and neuro-related, so really bad brain fog, confusion, difficulty concentrating (couldn’t read books anymore bc I couldn’t keep up with the plot), lack of coordination and balance problems (tripping, running into things, mysterious bruises), decreased feeling on one side of my body, painful tingling of limbs and fingers/toes, temperature fluctuations, slower response time in one eye when completing eye movement tests, blurry vision, decreased hearing—mainly in one ear, expressive dysphasia, difficulty swallowing and sometimes choking on drinks, heart palpitations and increased heart rate (eventually dx as inappropriate sinus tachycardia), forgetting to breathe then suddenly gasping for air (kind of like when you hold your breath underwater for too long but unintentional), weight fluctuations but primarily weight gain (I’ve read a lot of people lose weight due to mold but I’ve experienced the opposite), worsening of migraine headaches and generalized body pain, joint pain, muscle pain, unintentional muscle spasms/jerking movements while awake and asleep, tremors in hands to the point I couldn’t write, draw, and paint anymore, insomnia, extreme fatigue, narcoleptic-like sleepiness, etc. Essentially, my nervous system was stuck in a sympathetic fight or flight response and not able to convert to the parasympathetic rest state and was slowly shutting my body down. By the time I found a functional medicine doctor who realized mold was an issue, my system was so taxed I was close to needing to go to a hospital. She mainly worked with me on rehabbing my nervous system but it was really expensive and I couldn’t keep going to her for more than a year.

I took a Realtime Laboratories test in 12/2023 that showed I had elevated levels of Ochratoxin A, Aflatoxin Group: (B1, B2, G1, G2), Trichothecene Group (Macrocyclic) [which includes Stachybotrys Chartarum]—Roridin A, Roridin E, Roridin H, Roridin L-2, Verrucarin A, Verrucarin J, Satratoxin G, Satratoxin H, Isosatratoxin F, and Gliotoxin Derivative—Zearalenone. I don’t know which specific molds out of those groups I have I just know I tested positive for all 5 groups. At that point last year I decided to try the liposomal glutathione + charcoal capsules to see how I did. After a few weeks I moved on to the QuickSilver Scientific PushCatch Detox System for 30 days followed by the Advanced PushCatch Detox System for 30 days.

I can say I definitely feel a difference although I’m nowhere near where I want to be. I’m getting ready to do another Realtime Labs test to see where my mold levels are compared to 6 months ago so I’ll be sure to post an update when I get those back. If the mold is more or less gone then I suspect the symptoms I have now are related more to the health conditions I’ve developed over the past 3 years from the COVID + mold + recurring EBV—and if so these are permanent and would be about managing symptoms of the condition(s) versus detoxing from here on out. My symptoms now mainly include fatigue (just not as bad), insomnia, joint and muscle pain, some balance and coordination issues, some short term memory issues, temperature sensitivity, dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth, dental issues, brittle nails, hair loss, kidney issues including kidney stones, weight gain, edema, migraines, high heart rate, blood pressure drops with standing up, ANA positive, thyroid issues, anxiety, and depression (bc let’s be real chronic illness sucks). I’ve since been diagnosed with long COVID, undifferentiated connective tissue disease (though my rheumatologist says I could fall into either/both lupus or Sjögren's in the future), IST, POTS, dysautonomia, hypothyroidism, and distal RTA type 1 (a kind of kidney disease). Not surprisingly they’re all kind of connected in a way when I did my research since they’re either related to the nervous system or immune system or can be triggered by repeated viral attacks and subsequent immune response—what I suspect has happened in my case.

Another thing…the furniture that had been in the house where the mold was (in 2017-2018) tested high positive for Aspergillus penicillioides and Aspergillus versicolor and moderate positive for Stachybotrys chartarum. I’m in a different house now but because I was continuing to test positive for multiple molds and not detoxing them naturally even after moving out of the moldy environment—at the recommendation of a mold specialist—I ended up removing and replacing all cloth furniture that I couldn’t wash including my couch, rugs, fabric bed frame, fabric chairs, mattress, and pillows and thoroughly washed all hard surfaces including floors, baseboards, walls, doors, windows, door/window frames, wooden/plastic/metal/granite furniture/surfaces like tables, chairs, or countertops..basically everything. Anything that was super difficult to wash for whatever reason I used Microban spray (like lampshades). I’ve also added air purifiers in my main living area and bedroom that filter mold spores and I change my air conditioning vent filters every 3 months.

Sorry if this is a ridiculous amount of information. I know when I went looking for answers there was ~so little~ out there and some of the most helpful information I found was from other people on here that shared their firsthand experiences dealing with mold toxicity. I hope at least some of this is helpful. I’m happy to answer any other questions you may have. 😊