On May 15, 2002, Laura Toms <laura at lauratoms.com> commented on a possible EPD USA alternative being created Named LDA (Low Dose Allergens): I did some research and found out some interesting things that may prove to be tremendously good news to all of us in the US, and I verified that it is OK to post this information to the EPD list. Dr.

Stan Rohrer <stan.rohrer at scitexdpi.com> had been a patient using the EPD protocol. He has volunteered to administrate this FAQ for the EPD Mailing List. Initial FAQ construction began in December, 1996. You can note some names scattered throughout the text. These people, and many others, have been active on the EPD Mailing List at one time or another, but may not be currently active. Contribution to the Mailing List are the primary source for answers in the Patients Concerns sections.

Basically it is a group of people with a common interest in the EPD form of treatment. A computer has been set up to receive E-Mail submissions and resend them to all E-Mail addresses of individuals who have identified themselves as interested receivers by subscribing as described below. The intent of this group is to create an open forum for people undergoing EPD treatments, people considering it for themselves, family members, friends, or people just interested in it.

A Web page interface is now being used for EPD Mailing List subscriptions. This is actually more simple than some of the Email accessed subscription approaches. Be sure to read the information and follow the instructions. The list has movved among a number of servers so this author hopes he has kept up with the instructions. If you would like to subscribe to this group: 1. visit http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/epd -OR- 2. send email to epd-subscribe@yahoogroups.

The current EPD Mailing List administrator is Laura Toms <laura at ahphillips.com> ( was < ltoms at direcpc.com> before 5/3/02, was <ltoms at netspeak.com>, was <ltoms at columbus.rr.com> before 7/13/00). Prior to January 1999, the mailing list administrator was Sandy Sheppard <CNA00012 at MAIL.WVNET.EDU>. Prior to October 1998, the mailing list administrator was Jozsef A Toth <jatst3+ at pitt.edu>.

Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization (EPD) is an administration, via skin injection, of a beta glucuronidase enzyme and minute doses of mixed allergens. The enzyme is used at levels already found present in the body and the allergens are used in quantities much less than in conventional desensitizing treatments (allergy shots). The treatment is safer than conventional desensitizing treatments due to the low volumes of the agents.

That depends on what protocols you currently use to control your health. For people with serious problems it will certainly be different, but likely not a problem. For people with little to no restrictions, it will appear to be challenge, but after one or two shots it will become a routine that is not tough to live with. The protocol basically revolves around a few principles.

No. Physicians need to participate in a short, but very important course of training before they can obtain the necessary supplies. Doctors doing food and chemical EPD need additional training in dietary considerations and gut preparations in addition to the EPD training. Prospective patients will have to continue to seek a doctor that they can get to, who is trained in the technique.

In September, 2000, it should be noted that patients that have never started EPD may not be accepted into the EPD program in the USA. In 2001 all treatment in the USA were stopped until the FDA paperwork was completed to the satisfaction of the FDA. The EPD approach is unique enough that it apparently doesn't fit the existing paperwork structures well.

Do your homework. Learn as much as you can so you can make an informed decision. No one can make this decision except you and your doctors. Seek your doctor's advice! Seek an EPD doctor's advice! Unfortunately your current doctor may have never even heard of EPD so the final decision completely ends up to be your decision. Even if you choose not to do EPD after your research, it may be worth finding an EPD doctor with which to discuss your particular situation.

On 11 Jun 1996, MARTHA RALL <mrall at kumc.edu> said: EPD should not interfere with your ability to work, unless you get some unusually SEVERE side effects with it. If you work in a moldy or chemically laden environment, you may need to take 1-2 days "off" [holiday] during the critical 3 days surrounding EPD. I get my shots usually Saturday morning, so I can be "sick" [on holiday] Friday, Saturday & Sunday. On Jan 27, 1997, Marge Jones <mastent at enaila.nidlink.

Most doctors will do some testing and will certainly record your history to determine if indeed you have allergies to pollens, foods, and/or chemicals. Generally, it need not define all the specifics but simply determine categories so he can pick the EPD serums for your case. Traditional tests may be used where available. Alternative tests are possible if desired. Much of this depends on the doctor and how much he wants to document.

In the U.S. EPD is generally administered by a shot injected sideways just under the skin on the inside of the forearm. The needle is inserted sideways, so the shaft is almost laying flat on the skin. The serum is injected just under the skin. This leaves a welt not unlike a large mosquito bite which subsides in a half hour or so. The needle is quite small and feels like a mosquito bite or a bit worse.

Not from one week before until 3 weeks after the shot. It is a stress to your body - which is what you are trying to avoid.

On 2/22/97, Marge Jones <mastent at enaila.nidlink.com> related: In the office where I go I have come to know a darling little boy who started EPD at 10 months - the youngest child ever, at that time. He's now a normal almost-four-year-old, and I believe he gets about 3 shots a year. So the pesky protocol inconveniences his life only a few weeks per year. He will probably be off them altogether by the time he starts school.

CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a tough nut to crack. A number of EPD Mailing List members report that EPD has not (as yet anyway) been fully effective against CFS. However, EPD has made enough difference in food, inhalant, and chemical side issues to be worthwhile. Even though EPD does not appear to be a CFS cure, it has reportedly been very beneficial at regaining strength and regaining a more normal lifestyle.

Wash bedding and bed clothes (hot water to reduce dust mites and allow time for laundry soaps to out-gas). Make a large photocopy of the EPD chart from the Pink Book for reference or diary notes as the days progress. It's useful to add week day and dates notations. Arrange your entertainment / activities / homework / projects (videos, movies, audio learning tapes, needlework, letter writing paper, or such allowed tasks).

Consider that the insurance company already has your money (premiums paid), they make the rules on what is covered, they likely have no clue about what EPD is, and you want some of your money back. A suggested approach likely should include kind communications and education (loud voices and mean letters can always be used as a follow-up, but rarely does the soft sell approach work after they are put on the defensive).

On Jul 17, 1996, Jozsef A Toth <jtoth+ at pitt.edu> suggested this approach: The way I do it is to begin about 13 days before the shot. Each morning, I add one less teaspoon of regular coffee and add one more teaspoon of decaf; in my case this always totals 8 teaspoons for my usual two mugs. After about a week, I'm tapered down to nothing and am ready to stop for the allotted time in the Pink Book (I think it's something like 5-6 days before to a few days after.

On Dec 18, 1996, Marge Jones <mastent at rand.nidlink.com> offered: I have written the story of my EPD treatment for my own web site - http://www.nidlink.com/~mastent It is called "Mastering Food Allergies", and the home page offers these choices: Gameplan For Recovery, The Wheat-Free Page, EPD, Candida Infections, and The Resource Page (where visitors can register, and make comments).

To send a message to all the people currently subscribed to the list, just send mail to: epd@yahoogroups.com This is called "sending mail to the list", because you send mail to a single address and LISTSERV makes copies for all the people who have subscribed. This address (epd@egroups.com) is also called the "list address". You must never try to send any list command to that address, as it would be distributed to all the people who have subscribed.

From the Email address that receives the EPD Mailing List mailings, send an Email message to: epd-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Log-in. You may unsubscribe via the user center. Help is provided if you have forgotten your password.

EPD importation into the USA was stopped in 2002. LDA (Low Dose Antigens) is the USA replacement. Some historical and current status may be available at the web site of Dr. Shrader. The first answer may depend on your definition of the word experimental. Having been in use for over 20 years indicates that quite a bit is known about the EPD technique. The test data results are showing good consistent results from the treatment. of July, 2000, the EPD treatment is NOT APPROVED by the FDA.

Over 50 disorders have been shown to respond to EPD. EPD has been used to treat all aspects of allergies including allergens in the inhalant, food, and chemical realms. Because of having increased T-cells actively doing their thing benefits us in many ways, patients with many co-existing conditions have also improved, sometimes dramatically.

EPD has been administered in England, Canada, Germany, Norway, Italy, some other European countries, New Zealand, and the United States. There may be additional countries as well. Over 60 U.S. doctors have been trained in the technique, so it may be considered wide-spread, but access is still limited by the sheer numbers of doctors using the technique.

If your stress level is a normal part of your life, it probably won't affect EPD. If you have an extra stressful time in the days before, through the week after, the shot, the effectiveness may be reduced but likely not completely killed. Since some of the doctors only offer shots once a month, the patient may be just as well off to get the shot, even under stress, than to add another month to the cycle.

Amalgam Mercury (silver) fillings are a matter of medical dispute over whether they affect the health of people who have them as fillings in teeth. Many of the EPD related doctors will have some concern with the interaction of mercury with the immune system and allergies. Heavy metal exposures from a work environment (i.g. welding shops or metal/chemical processing) are also a related concern. On 6/3/97, Stan Rohrer <stan.rohrer at scitexdpi.

It likely won't do us much good to list insurance companies which do cover EPD since many of us have little choice. Additionally, even within the same companies (e.g. Blue Cross / Blue Shield) there are so many different plans that it is nearly impossible to compare. The best bets are to poll your insurance company choices before the sign-up period to see which has the best potential. Next, ask others in your same plan about the results of "fringe" claim requests.

American EPD Society. The "official" source of EPD information, doctors lists, and reference publications. Often not accessible. Stan Rohrer's Allergy Page. A collection of EPD and other allergy and medical resources. A very good place to begin additional research of EPD. For researching EPD studies and published articles, see the section on General Medical References. EPD Description provided by www.food-allergy.org. This is a food allergy resource site provided by Nickie Dumke, book author.

The Program in Economic and Political Development (EPD) is one of the many functional concentrations offered at SIPA. The EPD program prepares students for careers in international development.