Housing issue for son

[PlanB]

Re: Housing issue for son

I hope you don't mind PlanB he is going to share the link you posted re the actress dying last year.

Jane, I want you to ignore this link which I'm posting on this thread. I want you to show it to your Landlord and your Landlord's agent so that they will sit up and take notice. Toxic mould takes years and years to kill. I'm utterly convinced that your son will be OK. His girlfriend lives at the same property and she is not suffering any of the same symptoms as him which is a good sign, and possibly an indication that your son may have an allergy to the mould (or something else) and not a life threatening problem.

What I'm hoping is that this scary You Tube story will help you to get those who are responsible to focus and not sweep this problem under the carpet, but I'm sure your son will be OK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-gIi_GmEo

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

We have to decide whether to send for an online test (DIY get some immediate results and then send off for a lab report) or see if the EH man has come up with a local company that can go out and test for us. Dave is chasing tomorrow - the problem is this isn't high priority for anyone else - yes there is mold on the ceiling but it isn't horrific, just a complete line from one end of the bedroom to the other in splatters like someone has waved a paint brush around - I know that they will have seen much much worse damp/mold issues but I do not seem to be able to get anyone to understand that certain types of mold are toxic! They look at Josh and see someone feeling poorly but in control - as they now have the windows open and they have completely isolated the bedroom. I suppose the best thing we could do is open the bedroom door, shut the windows and then call them back 24 hours later - they would see a very different sight! But I cannot do that to him, he becomes so confused and almost drunk, totally unable to maintain a conversation and at the worst point last week could hardly string two words together!

Its like living a nightmare and as time goes on and we eliminate more things I think Josh thinks he is losing his marbles!

Thanks for asking, someone caring means a lot.

Jane x

[cymruambyth]

Re: Housing issue for son

Hi, sorry that you are no further forward, though at least you can see the symptoms developing when he goes back home, so that you know that there is an actual problem at the flat. How long will the tests take on the mould? It must be very difficult not being able to do anything when you can see your child suffering; they are never too old for you to worry about them!

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

Well they went back yesterday and within hours of being back in the flat Josh's symptoms have begun to re-appear. We could actually see his mood lift whilst he was at home He also got the results from his carbon monoxide blood tests today and they are negative which brings us back again to a reaction to the mold.

My husband has now taken this into his hands - the landlords agents are saying that the mold is caused by something they are doing in the flat causing excessive condensation - they have suggested that they just wash it down. We are now getting the mold tested to establish the strain then the doctors will carry out a blood test but without the actual strain of the mold they cannot do anything. Dave is going to contact the agents tomorrow and demand to speak directly to the Landlord - I hope you don't mind PlanB he is going to share the link you posted re the actress dying last year. Tonight Josh and his girlfriend have gone back to her parents house as its only 1 1/2 hours from Wakefield and they will travel into work tomorrow from there.

This cannot go on, we are pulling our hair out and its awful to see your child be so affected by something and have no answers.

Jane x

[cymruambyth]

Re: Housing issue for son

Hi, any progress?

[cymruambyth]

Re: Housing issue for son

I'm glad to hear that there is some progress. Hope you have a lovely weekend behind locked indoors away from the threatened storms! They would have found it a bit difficult to keep all the windows open tomorrow!

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

Further up date - they are arriving here in about 10 minutes Environmental Health went out yesterday; agreed it was mold but cannot test the strain. He is going to serve notice on the landlord to sort it out - he has also instructed the landlord/agents to send out British Gas to carry out a full carbon monoxide audit - they haven't as yet. Once we get Josh's results on Tuesday EH will review and if necessary contact the landlords just once more to warn them they either do a survey or he will inform the HSE (apparently carbon monoxide falls under them).

Cant wait to see them and give Josh a huge hug.

Jane x

[cymruambyth]

Re: Housing issue for son

Don't you just love it when they are old enough to know better

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

Believe me PlanB if I could I would, they are two adults and they will not leave As Josh is feeling better with the windows open they wont pay for additional accommodation and no matter what I tell them they are sticking to their guns. Every minute of every day this week I am living in worry and both them and good old Jim from EH must be sick to death of me.

I am waiting to hear that British Gas will be there this afternoon and they are coming to stay with us at the weekend so I'm going to sit them down and talk to them face to face then.

Jane x

[PlanB]

Re: Housing issue for son

I can't put this any other way so here goes: GET THEM OUT OF THERE !
You are not being a "very neurotic over fussy mum" if you do, you're being a good mum

Plan B xx

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

This mornings update Josh is definately clear for glandular fever; they have tested for carbon monoxide and will test again on Friday now they are living in a flat with windows open 24 hours a day if that is the case then his levels should be dropping. Apparently it will stay and show in the blood for 3 weeks so we should have a clearer picture by Tuesday at the latest.

Environmental health have really kicked in; they are phoning the agents today to demand that they send British Gas immediately to do a carbon monoxide test. The doctor has now stated he is 100% sure Josh's symptoms are caused by an environmental issue and Jim (the EH officer) is determined to find out what it is. With regards to the mold, this is more difficult - EH do not test the type of mold - they will just enforce action to remove it if it is there. The doctor cannot do a full RASP test unless we know what mold it is - looks like we are going to have to pay for a test on the mold to get the strain, Jim is looking into testing companies for me in Wakefield.

Since they have decamped into the lounge and have the windows wide open Josh's health is improving, although they are both living in 4 or 5 layers of clothing and as it gets wetter and colder this cannot go on. Hopefully we will have some answers and a plan to put it right very soon.

Jane x

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

She had recently started her new job and so can't get time off they did call her when he was taken to A&E and she worries it will not look good.

Jane x

[cymruambyth]

Re: Housing issue for son

Hi can his girlfriend go with him, primed with all the questions you want to ask?

[tastyjane]

Re: Housing issue for son

Morning Elsa, Jim the EH man says dependant on his findings he will contact them such a lovely man.

Josh should have been tested for glandular fever 12 weeks ago when he first went with his throat problem, I also think the would have tested him last week as part of these tests but he's hopeless, I told him to ask exactly what he has been tested for but in true man like fashion he hasn't! I wish I could go with him as his brain function is not good at the moment and he forgets stuff. I have told him to write down a list to take with him today and also to write down the answers! Typical that I have gone back to work full time this week or I would have gone up there!

Jane x

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Housing issue for son

I did wonder about Glandular Fever but like you say the fact that it improved away from the flat might indicate otherwise. It is quite easy to test for so worth doing though.
I wonder if the Council would provide urgent temporary / permanent? accommodation if the building tests prove positive? Also, it would be interesting to find out if the people in the flat above have any problems. Or any explanation for the damp.