I was diagnosed with MS in 2006 and my symptoms were fairly manageable until 2014. Strangely, that was a few months after we moved into our new house. I tried every alternative treatment I could think of and did not find much relief. Finally, I started wondering, could it be something in this new living space that was making me sick?
When I ran out of alternative treatments I started thinking about Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs). I had a hunch that the EMFs in our new house might have played a part in the decline of my health. I reached out to fans on my Facebook page. The thousands of comments I received were incredible, and your helpful input would become a key step in my new quest for healing, leading me to write about The Green House that Almost Killed Me.
I had thought the beautiful house we built was green through and through. I worked diligently with our contractor to use no-VOC products during the construction process from start to finish. Additionally although our house was not visibly impacted by the historic flood that hit Boulder shortly after we moved in, I had tested it for mold. I thought our house was well constructed and ecologically sound. I was wrong.
I made a huge mistake in the design of our new home. I had not researched the ecological impact of the electrical systems installed. But something changed that day on Facebook. With your help I did a deep dive into EMF research. Your responses to my questions about EMFs were disturbing, and they may have saved my life.
I started to realize it wasn’t all in my head, especially after digging in to the book Zapped, which is an easy read and incredibly informative. In the course of one week, I turned my life upside down to reduce my exposure to EMFs. Here are the simple steps I took to reduce EMFs in our home and in my life overall!
Unplug Smart Appliances
The first thing to go was the printer in my tiny office. It is a wireless printer. I unplugged it from the wall. Now, when we need to print, we plug it in with the ethernet cable and the electric cord, plus we use another cable to connect our computers to it for printing.
Turn off WiFi
We unplugged the routers in our house and instead began using ethernet cables that plug into the wall. It doesn’t look pretty because we have cords all over the place, but being sick isn’t that pretty either. For more information on how I hardwired our computers into the Ethernet you’ll want to read my post called Avoiding EMFs at the Computer! If you are unable to turn off WiFi completely I recommend turning off your WiFi at night.
Turn off Breaker to Bedroom
Yes, this sounds crazy, and for most people it may not be necessary. However, for my system to get a rest from EMFs we decided we would turn off the circuit breaker to our bedroom. We are now using flashlights in the master bedroom and battery operated analog alarm clocks.
We also turned off the circuit breaker to the laundry room that is on the other side of our bedroom wall. This breaker is only turned on during the days that we use the washer/dryer so that the electric current is not active while I’m in the bedroom at night. Finally, my husband parked his cell phone outside of our bedroom so that I am now sleeping in a cell phone free environment.
Eliminate Cordless Phones
Cordless phones use a technology called DECT which stands for digital enhanced cordless telecommunication. This type of phone continuously emits electromagnetic radiation from the base, even when you are not speaking on it.
Although I thought that I was doing a good thing by using a landline, I was wrong since I was using cordless phones for our landline. I eliminated all of the cordless phones from our house, which were a significant source of EMFs, and instead replaced them with these corded landlines.
Reduce Cell Phone Use
Over the past couple of years I became accustomed to using my cell phone often. Last week I changed that habit. I now leave it at home when I exercise, and when I take it with me it is in airplane mode with the data switched off. When the cell phone is in airplane mode it does not emit electromagnetic radiation.
I take the phone with me in the car in case I need it for an emergency, but again, it is in airplane mode with data switched off. I don’t use the phone in the car. If I need to I will make sure the windows are rolled down. Using the phone in the car with the windows up is like using a phone in a Faraday cage. The EMFs are somewhat trapped in the space bouncing off the walls, literally, having no where to exit. The same thing that makes your car safe during a lightening storm, makes it a sealed space that can trap EMFs when your cell phone is in use.
I’ve written a great post with links to scientific research for those of you who are wondering Are Cell Phones Dangerous?
Dismantling the Control4 System
Unfortunately, since I entirely neglected the electronic components in the building process, we have a long way to go. The house is on a system called Control4. That means that every light switch and thermostat in the house may be on WiFi, not to mention the televisions, and much more. We plan to eliminate this system and unraveling it is going to be a complex process. We are only at the beginning.
Changing Habits Takes Time
So far I’ve been spending a great deal of time and energy to reduce the EMFs in our home. Since I really enjoy creating new habits it has been very easy for me. My family is making changes to their habits too, and these changes in behavior were not their idea, so it is less pleasant for them. I have turned their world upside down. Thankfully they have been really good sports about it. I am very lucky and show them my gratitude at every opportunity!
You’re Crazy EMFs are in Your Head
When I’ve spoken with friends about reducing the EMFs in our home the response has been interesting. One friend said she was very proud of me, that she was glad I had not given up on my health, and that I was still searching for an answer and working to get well.
Another friend had a different response. This friend said there was no proof that EMFs are harmful and that people would think I was crazy in my efforts to reduce EMFs in my own home. Thankfully I haven’t really ever cared much anyway what people thought of me so that’s not an issue! Many people have told me that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a total scam, and still, I get my HBOT treatments for MS, finding them particularly helpful.
It’s been less than one week since I made all of the changes outlined above! Since it took around 10 months of living in the house for all of my strange symptoms to arise, I expect it will take at least that long to heal. Remember, healing is a process that takes time.
Next, I’m bringing in an EMF specialist to measure the different areas of our home to help me to get the EMF situation here further under control. I’ll be sure to keep you posted! I’m so glad that I went on Facebook to chat with you all last week about EMFs. I learned so much from you! Now I hope you can learn something from me and that together we can spread awareness of this important issue!
If you want to make a difference, share this post on Facebook, or leave a comment about your own experience with EMFs below.
Lisa says
In this day and age when you are “diagnosed” with MS, RA, and a plethora of other diseases, make sure you get tested properly for Lyme disease as well. Many people are being misdiagnosed for diseases when in fact the Lyme bacteria has been sitting dormant in your body only to finally show symptoms similar to MS, RA, etc. To those who may in fact been tested and cannot find answers, find a good naturopath. Hope this post helps at least one person from having to go through years of trying to find answers to their ailments.
Elana says
Thanks Lisa! I write about that extensively in this post:
https://elanaspantry.com/new-approaches-to-neurological-conditions/
Have a wonderful day!
Elana
Beba says
Hi Elana,
This was an interesting read, thankyou for sharing. I’ve been thinking more about this topic in recent months myself especially since reading the 3 most recent books of an Englich Researcher called David Icke. I’d encourage you and all your readers to read his work. As controversial as he has been over the past 26yrs, I’m an open minded person and I like to look at life with an open mind and take what resonates for me and leave what doesn’t. Reading David’s, work has changed my whole view on modern day life more like a paradigm shift especially in relation to technology, mobile phones, Wi Fi and the push to have everything Smart – which I’ve realised is really not so smart. I’ve decided I want to live a simpler life devoid of excessive exposure to all this technology – like I did 20 yrs ago. I actually feel better and get more done with my day when I don’t use any of it. I understand now why I’ve never been a fan of technology, especially after reading David’s books. I’ve only had a computer for 2 1/2 yrs, my friends have never understood why I’ve always been very slow to embrace technology – now I’m able to tell them why, because it has a sinister side. When I use the Wi Fi for the internet, I neutralise the EMF’s from that and from my computer by using a Grounding mat which you can buy on line, I got mine from http://www.BareFootHealing.com.au. An Ex US Cable TV installer came up with the idea years ago. His research shows that humans have lost the ability to stay connected to the healthy electrons that come thru our body directly from the earth and so we miss out out on the health benefits from that connection with the earth. That’s why gardeing with your bare hands in the earth makes you feel so good, well it does for me.
Some other things you should be mindful of is that these “Green Light bulbs ” we’re all forced to use now are really toxic, not only do they contain nasty heavy metals like mercury etc they emit very unsafe levels of radiation which make our homes more toxic. There is nothing green about them, we’re all being conned by our Governments. It’d switch back to the incandescent bulbs – they are so hard to buy now, so I limit the use of turning on lights in the house, I mainly use lights that are covered with glass covers as David suggests it reduces the radiation exposure. We don’t have a Smart Electricity Meter, still the old Analogue one – which will be staying. I learnt that the Smart Meters not only emit huge amounts of radiation BUT they also contain surveillance technology within it as do all technology that is termed Smart – TV’s, i phones, i Pads etc. There is no such thing as having a private conversation any more with the use of all this technolgy. The movie Snowden (which I really want to see) is really showing the tip of the iceberg in terms of the Surveillance not only in the US by the Federal Gov but what the whole world is exposed to – any one that uses the internet that is. All internet traffic gets routed via the NSA in Utah, I can’t recall the name of the exact city sorry.
I wanted to share with you and your readers some other ideas to help with health matters. I’m like you and want natural solutions especially for health problems. I wasn’t aware until recently that you had so many other health issues to battle with on top of your Celiacs. I read on the site your thoughts on the idea that we are holographic – the mind reflects the body. That is true, were energetic beings in a physical body. I recommend the Book Vibrational Medicine (2001) by US Doctor Richard Gerber MD, for a deeper understanding of that topic. After getting my Social Work years ago I’ve moved in to the realm of Alternate Therapies because I’ve always been focused on getting real results as quick as possible for my clients. I’ve had to put that on hold for now while caring full time for my elderly mother who as Dementia. None the less my interest is still very strong in this area. I’m only interested in therapies that ACTUALLY work. I’ve done so much reading, practice and research over the past 20yrs that I only want to offer suggestions that give real tangible results and don’t waste your time.
Your already familiar with the work of the Heart Math Institute, I’d suggest following up on the independent work of Sheva Carr who has a long association with Heart Math as a teacher. Also the research and work of Grant McFetridge PhD – Peak States of Conciousness. Grants techique is called Whole Hearted Healing. 5yrs ago I studied RPT – Reference Point Therapy which is based on Grants work. RPT was developed by the then Married couple Australian Simon Rose and Evette Rose (Sth African). On his RPT web site Simon has said he has got very good results in treating people with MS. RPT practitioners are available in the US (over the telephone or Skype). Evette Rose uses the name Rapid Personal Therapy instead since they divorced to refer to her therapy technique. You just have to do an internet search to find out where, I don’t know anyone specifically in the US that does RPT.
What I do know from my own experience with RPT is that the results are quite astonishing. When I was first learning and practising the technique I worked on my brother without his knowledge. I was curious to see what RPT could do. My brother when he was 3yrs old got a 3rd degree burn to one of his feet ( the entire top of the foot) and about a year after I did the work on him – which I’d forgotten about by then, he came to me all exicted about his burnt foot. He said to me he thought when you have a 3rd degree burn that the skin wasn’t supposed to go back to normal. I was shocked by what I saw, I had to stop myself from laughing out of shock. My brother was very perplexed as to what had happened to his foot, he’s 52 yrs old now and had lived with that burn for over 47 years without it changing EVER. When he showed me his burnt foot it was obvious the once burnt skin was going back to normal. My brother just shook his head in absolute disbelief, he just didn’t understand what happened. I didn’t have the heart to let in on my secret because he is somewhat close minded. When I told my sister later we both laughed, she had a look for herself afterwards and was quite literally amazed at the change in his foot. The reason it worked that way was that you are working with the subconcious mind and the person wasn’t attached to the outcome – because in this case they didn’t conciously know what was going on. If a person has no resistance to the change, then the problem will just resolve itself quite literally. I could give you countless examples that defy modern medical and scientific ‘knowledge and understanding’ one I can’t resist RPT works also on whats regarded as non concious matter ie, I fixed my mother’s upright freezer after the umpteenth time the copper tube burnt out – saving mum $300 dollars at the time. I was pleased with that result. The main barrier to healing is usually the Secondary gain we hold towards a problem/illness/ disease etc. Put quite simply, people gain something out of being ill etc and it is usually is something they are not concious of. This might surprise and challenge some poeple’s understanding of a problem/illnessness/disease but that doen’t mean it’s not true eg, for some people being ill/ having a disease brings them attention they may never have had before. I’m not saying that is the exact case for everyone. What that Secondary gain is? is very unique to each of us. I’m a good example, I’ve been dealing with Insulin resistance and Reactive Hypoglycemia for a number of years without being aware of it until this February (I only found out both 9 months ago and am only now getting results I like and need). I’ve used RPT numerous times on myself this year without success on this health matter, my subconcious mind is not ready to let go of whatever the Secondary gain is which I still can’t figure out. I’m OK with that, as I’m doing other things to address my health problems like practicing 5 Tibetan Rites (based on Yoga Postures) doing them daily rebalances your energy System – Chakras. Easily downloadable from the internet, I’ve seen the Rites referred to as the fountain of youth. I practise daily alternate nostril breathing (from Yoga) to balance the Para Sympathetic and the Sympathetic Systems. Yoga Mudras ( hand postures) the daily practice of Acupressure, based on the Meridans used in Acupuncture. I Meditate, eat non processed foods and make everything from scratch as well as eating for my Blood Type, I do Yoga and light weights for exercise. When I think about it, I can see the need I had to really take good care of myself – something I let slide while other life stresses got in the way. That is a good realisation to make for anyone really.
If your keen on Oxygen therapies, I’ve never tried this myself but I know you can buy on line Oxygen drops that you put into water and drink which is another option and very convenient I would say. It is a medical fact that deoxygenated cells in our body are one cause for why cancer develops as well as other diseases. Another cause is that our bodies are overly acidic. One simple way to test for acidicity is to test your saliva when you get up in the morning with a strip of litmus paper (easily purchased on line). All the food we eats leaves an ash residue that is either acidic or alkalin,e the later being achieved by eating a whole food diet and the former from eating a diet high in processed and junk food.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I hope I’ve been able to open your mind to new and different ways to address your multiple health issues. My motto is you can never have enough tools to address and maintain your health. It is only when your health is gone that you realise how it important it is to your quality of life – as I’ve found out for myself over the past 7yrs.
Many blessing,
Beba
Elana says
Beba, thanks for your amazing comment and for taking the time to share so much wonderful information with me and this community! I love what you wrote about secondary gain! We studied this in depth in the two year Satir training I took starting in 2004. That is one of the reasons I have hesitated to share much of my health journey here. Recently though, since that’s mainly what my life has been about over the last 3 years, I decided it was congruent to discuss it here. Still, I think it’s very important to not let illness become an identity because of secondary gain and so many other more obvious reasons. I wish you all the best and am so blessed to know you here :-)
Beba says
My pleasure Elana,
I have got a lot out of your using your recipes, which I really connect with. No using strange toxic ingredients like Xanthum gum etc. I felt a real deep empathy for you as I read more about your health struggles on your blog which I had never read in a lot of depth before due to time restraints. I share alot of the same values as you and seeing that you have given so much to so many people over the years, its only fair to recieve back some of what you have given out. If other people benefit from whatever someone is able to share then everyone is better off. I love all the suggestions other people put out, it expands my thinking in new ways. I’ve never spent any time looking at bloggs before, I’m finding it really useful.
I share your sentiment about not defining yourself by an illness. I like to think it’s about transcending our ego and realising we are so much more than just this physical body we inhabit. Just briefly I did forget to add previously the use of healing Tones like Rife Frequencies and Solfeggio Tones (www.solfeggiotones.com) our bodies, individual organs for that matter and all various diseases resonate to a specific hertz (Htz) frequency and from regular use by listening to certain healing tones you can restore the balance again and regain your health. I’ve really got alot out of using the tones myself. Just need to stay really well hydrated (like over 2 ltrs of water per day) when using them so the changes integrate physically. I’ve never heard of Satir training, sounds interesting. I’m curious now. I’ll have to take a look at it, thanks.
All the best and many blessings,
Beba
Cindy says
Thanks for taking the time to write down all thins info, very helpful and informative.
Tim says
What’s your email Beba?
Doreen says
We adopted 4 children 3 of which were tested and have the MTHFR A1298c mutation. Isince finding out 3 weeks ago we are supplementing with methyl folate and went completely GF..we also put in a 13′ raised garden bed for more greens. We were concerned with the heavy metals and the inability to detox due to the MTHFR and will be implementing the celantro juice detox. You had stated 1 quart dor you, so would 1/2 that be appropriate for a child?
Any other helps would be great! We don’t have them using any electronics. They get to watch a movie on Friday Eve’s with no other tv all week. :)
Elana says
Doreen, thank you for taking in these children!!! You are amazing and they are incredibly blessed! So glad you had them tested for MTHFR. The cilantro detox juice is fantastic, I would start with less than a cup for each of them to see how they react to the detoxifying effects. Cleansing too fast can weaken the body in some people, like myself, so it can be important to go super slow. I hope you’ll stay in touch in the comments and keep me posted on your family’s progress :-)
Mary says
I was just diagnosed with MTHFR 1298c- which is why I am on Elana’s page looking at GF recipes! I need to find a good functional medicine practitioner who understands MTHFR!
Elana says
Thanks Mary! I mention my MTHFR diagnosis in this post:
https://elanaspantry.com/new-approaches-to-neurological-conditions/
I’m so glad we are on this healing path together :-)
Elana
rr rehkemper says
So sad that I was unable to just print out your article (& comments)… so that I do not have to sit in front of the computer (EMF) to read it. Hopefully you can correct this flaw. Thanks
RR
Elana says
RR, thanks for your thoughtful comment! We previously had a feature which allowed readers to print an entire post from the website. We received a ton of feedback from readers who were very concerned about wasting paper and met their request to make only the recipe portion of the posts printable. Unfortunately, due to backend issues that are very technical, we don’t have the flexibility to do both.
If you would like to print the post, feel free to copy-paste it into a word document and then print. You could also take a screenshot and print. If you do decide to read on the computer, first, be sure not to use WiFi, plug into an ethernet cable to get internet. Second, unplug your computer from the electric socket while you are reading to reduce the strength of the electromagnetic field, and charge it while you are out of the room.
Have an amazing day!
Elana
Karen Couch says
Thank you Elana so much! I have Rhumitoid Arthritis and been managing it naturally though I still have flares, like right now. I was thinking of getting a fitbit (it monitors your activity, you wear it on your wrist). Then I got your email about EMF and it made me wonder if the fitbit could also carry harmful EMF? I have decided to research this alittle more before I make a decision on purchasing one. Thanks again and Shalom Shabbat :)
Elana says
Karen, I’ve heard that this device uses WiFi or something similar, so it’s not an item I would use personally :-)
Linda C. says
I found your article so interesting as well as the comments. Hope for you that in six months or less you are feeling so much better.
I have a question. Is it possible that the tinnitus that my husband and I both suffer with could be actual “noise” the EMF emits?
Best of health, Elana.
Elana says
Linda, I haven’t heard of that but I am only at the very, very beginning of my research. You could experiment with turning off the breakers in your house for the night to see if the tinnitus lessens. Just remember to keep the one on that goes to your refrigerator so your food doesn’t spoil :-)
Yvonne says
For Linda, there is a very good Homeopathic Remedy for Tinnitus. Check with a Good natural food store.
Elana, I truly appreciate how dedicated you are to solving your health issues. I enjoy learning from you and find your revelations so educational. Thanks. Yvonne
Elana says
Thanks Yvonne! So happy to hear that my research is helpful to you :-)
Linda C. says
Thank you, Yvonne, for the tip. I will check with my local natural food store for a remedy.
Elana, thank you also for the tip of turning off the breakers sans the one for the refrigerator. And, thank you for so willingly sharing what you have learned over the years to improve your health. Blessings, Linda
Elana says
You’re welcome Linda :-)
Jennifer says
Hi Elana, My husband is able to post on Instragram directly from Lightroom. I hope that helps. Good luck and I hope you feel better. :)
Elana says
Thanks Jennifer! That is a huge help :-)
Pam says
The electric company installed a smart meter on my house, too. (behind my back) I am looking into this product.
Smart Meter Guard RF Radian Shield Cover
Elana says
Thanks Pam!
Ann-Marie says
Re the comment on amalgam fillings acting as mini antenna, note also vaccines – such as flu vaccines contain mercury / aluminium and also act as mini antennas. Our kids were damaged by vaccines – and were hugely electro sensitive, and only started sleeping through the night after we cleaned up our home of EMFs and switch off at the circuit at night. Where it could be argued that this was inconvenient, I am so Grateful for a full nights sleep! They are not nearly as electro sensitive some 2 years later, but we have a lot of healing to do yet.
Elana, thank you sincerely for your blog and recipes and your indomitable spirit. I wish you well
XXX
Elana says
Ann-Marie, thanks for pointing out the info on vaccines and electromagnetic hypersensitivity!
Lisa says
I live in a VERY small community & know of 2 individuals who have had titanium straps placed in their c-spine to stabilize a fusion with cadaver bone for spondylosis, herniation, disc degeneration, etc. Within 5 years, both women developed severe MS symptoms. Neither women were tested for allergic reactions to metals. Currently, I have the conditions that a surgeon wants to perform the same time of surgery. The neurosurgeon acted like I was nuts for asking for a metal allergy test. January is my next visit w/ this surgeon – I have pain but I have more fear. Any ideas or recommendations?
Elana says
Thanks so much for sharing this Lisa! I have found Pilates to be very helpful for back issues. But be careful, I would recommend working with an instructor who has a minimum of 2 decades teaching experience, and who knows how to work with injuries.
JB says
LIsa,
Look into regenerative therapies for back and musculoskeletal pain. Regennex.com is a reputable site. Basically its using your bodies own blood to heal areas of your body. There are three forms of it: prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma, and stem cells. The stem cells used are your own to heal an area. It’s an option to consider before surgery.