Synonyms

• Eosinophilic Myalgia
• L-Tryptophan Disease
• Tryptophan Disease
• Tryptophan Syndrome
• Toxic oil syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome is associated with the ingestion of large amounts of contaminated L-tryptophan, a dietary supplement often sold in health food stores. The contaminant remains unknown. It is a disease of abrupt onset causing severe, disabling, chronic muscle pain, skin symptoms and other neurotoxic reactions . Diagnosis is not easy and depends on finding unusually high levels of eosinophils (circulating white blood cells) over a period of at least six months.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
Tel: (404)639-3534
Tel: (800)311-3435
Email: http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info

National Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome Network
Jann Heston, President
PO Box 3016
155 Delaware Avenue
Lexington, OH 44904-1212
USA
Tel: 6145835720
Fax: 6147377384
Email: NEMSN2005@aol.com
Internet: http://www.NEMSN.org

Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease (CURED)
2937 Bayberry Dr.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Tel: (847)793-0071
Email: ellyn@curedfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.curedfoundation.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

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This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/25/2008
Copyright  1990, 1991, 1992, 1999National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.