Discovering the Hidden Culprit: My Mycotoxin Diagnosis

I’ve been lost in a cloudy haze of brain fog, along with other unexplained symptoms for 12 years—until recently, a test revealed 14 mycotoxins silently wreaking havoc in my body. This blog is my raw, real journey to detox and reclaim my life. If you’ve ever felt trapped by unsolved health mysteries, this might hit home.

The Long Battle

For over a decade, I’ve stumbled through endless practitioners, chasing answers for the brain pressure that squeezed my skull down into my jaw, along with a throbbing right at the center of my forehead, my third eye. The brain fog created hazy, forgetful days. My hormones spiraled out of control during perimenopause, and my once-sharp mind dulled, taking me away from my true passion of writing. Recently, PVCs (extra heartbeats) joined the chaos. A recent family diagnosis of Alzheimer's, dementia, and a super brain cancer left me very fearful. Nothing made sense—until my daughter came to me saying she thought my symptoms might be coming from the MTHFR gene variation that she was recently diagnosed with that is genetic. I tested positive (see image with description of how the Mother Fucker Gene can affect you) and this information sent me down a rabbit hole. Listening to one of Gary Brecka’s podcasts with Dave Asprey, I froze. Dave described his mold exposure—brain fog, fatigue—and it was like he was reading my life. His symptoms were mine, to a T. That moment cracked open the door to answers.

NOTE: If you have a variant in a gene, that does not mean the gene is expressing. Like Gary Brecka says, "Your genetics load the gun, your lifestyle pulls the trigger."

The Genetic Clue and Mycotoxin Shock

I took a genetics test with MaxGen Labs (www.maxgenlabs.com), uncovering my MTHFR gene mutation—a glitch in methylation that makes detoxing toxins harder. Then came the bombshell: my MyMycoLab IgE/IgG test on February 11, 2025 (order at www.mymycolab.com), showed positive for all 14 mycotoxins, including Gliotoxin at 1.686 (very high), Stachybotrys Trichothecene at 1.708 (very high), and Zearalenone at 1.258 (high). These mold toxins, tangled with my MTHFR genetics and perimenopause mess, are the culprits behind my misery. It’s a messy web—neurotoxic Gliotoxin fogging my brain, estrogenic Zearalenone fueling hormone chaos, Stachybotrys dragging me down—but seeing the light at the end of this tunnel feels so refreshing. But let me go into a little more detail because this is jaw-dropping! Of the 14 mycotoxins tested, 10 are directly brain-related, meaning they have neurotoxic effects or contribute to my symptoms like brain fog, headaches, night anxiety, and cognitive issues. The remaining 4 have indirect or lesser brain impacts, primarily affecting other systems (e.g., liver, heart), though they can still exacerbate systemic stress influencing brain function. HOLY SHIT...12 years to uncover my living nightmare with one simple blood draw!

The Detox Begins: Slow and Steady

I started my detox on February 26, 2025, taking it slow after years of knowing how eliminations and detoxes mess with you. A low-tyramine & and mold-containing food elimination has helped, ALOT, (I've lost 10 pounds of inflammation/water weight in three weeks) but the real work began when I introduced other therapies: rectal ozone therapy (weird but so effective), dry brushing twice a day, infrared sauna sessions, Epsom salt baths, and recently, vibration plate sessions on my T-Zone Vibration Plate. Until I added these therapies, the side effects hit hard—headaches (different from my normal ones), constipation, muscle cramps, and body aches—as my body stirred up these toxins. Long hours of education and patience got me through, and now I’m ready for the next step: adding the prescriptions Cholestyramine and Nystatin. More on that in the next post!

My Current Toolkit (With a Big Caution)

Here’s what I’m using daily:

• Binders: Activated Charcoal (1 cap 2x/day), GI Detox (1–2 caps evening), ACZ Nano Zeolite Extra Strength (6 sprays 2x/day).

• Mobilizers: Currently, Liposomal Glutathione, NAC Augmented, Silymarin (Milk Thistle), TUDCA, Curcumin-Evail 400, Buffered Vitamin C, PC Liposomal Phosphalipid Comples, NAD+ Platinum, are all helping to release stored mycotoxins from my tissues (liver, fat, brain) into circulation or bile, ready for the binders to do their work.

• Therapies: Rectal Ozone Insufflation (2x/week), Infrared Sauna (5-6x/week), Dry Brushing (2x/day), Epsom Baths (2x/week), Vibration Plate (3x/week).

• Hydration/Electrolytes/Trace Minerals: Detoxing 14 mycotoxins—especially the 10 hammering my brain—takes a toll, and I’ve learned hydration is my lifeline. Methylated multivitamins, minerals, and electrolytes keep my cells healthy and strong, my liver flushing toxins, and my low BP from tanking further. With my MTHFR glitch slowing the detox process and perimenopause throwing curveballs (As mold toxins clear from my system, I'm now experiencing estrogen fluctuations triggering hot flashes), I need these to balance the chaos—headaches, muscle cramps, and dizziness don’t stand a chance otherwise. Here’s what I’m using:

  • Electrolytes (LMNT): 1 packet daily, spread out throughout the day—sodium, potassium, and magnesium to fight dehydration and constipation from the binders.

  • Magnesium: 3 caps (not sure the mg yet—checking my bottle!)—calms nerves, eases cramps, supports detox enzymes.

  • Buffered Vitamin C: 1000 mg—antioxidant boost for my foggy brain and tired body.

  • Liquid Ionic Trace Minerals: Taken several times a day—a full spectrum of over 72 naturally occurring minerals in tiny doses to plug gaps my genetics can’t fill.

    ***** But here’s the deal—your needs might differ. A genetics test (like mine from MaxGen Labs) can show what’s right for you—don’t guess and risk a setback like I did early on! My MTHFR genetics mean I need specific support, and without a genetics test, you could do more harm than good.

Will This Be Forever?

I've questioned if detoxing these 14 mycotoxins—10 of which are hammering my brain—is a lifelong journey, especially since my MTHFR genetics make my body slower at detoxing. Here’s the truth: it’s not endless! With no new mold exposure, my heavy hitter binders like Cholestyramine and therapies like sauna can slash these toxins in 6 months to 2 years—faster with my current push that started February 26. My body does detox, just at its own pace, and once levels drop (I’ll retest in May-June), I’ll shift to maintenance—supporting my genetics with will be best for me at that time. It’s a marathon, not a life sentence, and I’m hopeful you can find that light at the end too!

Conclusion

This is just the start, and I’m here to share every gritty detail. Next week, I’ll dive into adding Cholestyramine and Nystatin—my big leap forward. Join my private Facebook group, “In The Moment Live Private Group,” for real-time updates and Q&A—I’d love to hear your story too!