Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)

This page was written by Shelley Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. See disclaimer.

Overview of Eosinophilia-Myalgia
Causes of Eosinophilia-Myalgia

Diagnosis of Eosinophilia-Myalgia
Eosinophilia-Myalgia Patient Stories

Overview of Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)

What is EMS? Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS; diagnostic code 710.5) is a systemic, immune mediated disease that originally surfaced in the United States as an epidemic in 1989. EMS resulted from ingestion of an amino acid, L-Tryptophan, a popular health food supplement at the time. The FDA recalled the supplement in March 1990. NEMSN.

Causes of Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)

Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (similar to Scleroderma, EMS was often caused by contaminated L-tryptophan, an amino acid dietary supplement, in the late 1980's) National Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome Network.

Non-L-Tryptophan Related Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome with Hypoproteinemia and Hypoalbuminemia. Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) has been associated with L-tryptophan use since 1989; of the 1345 EMS cases reported, 191 (14%) were not related to the use of L-tryptophan. The Journal of Rheumatology. VOLUME 30: NO. 3 MARCH 2003.

Diagnosis of Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)

Eosinophilic Fasciitis & Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome Diagnosis is made by looking at a sample (biopsy) of affected skin. It is thought that EF is a type of scleroderma. About.com. (Also see: Eosinophilic Fasciitis)

Patient Stories of Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)

Faith Rumph: Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS) I am one of several thousand Americans who became ill from ingesting contaminated over-the-counter L-tryptophan, an amino acid dietary supplement...

Gillian: Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome or Eosinophilic Fasciitis My arms and legs still feel really hard and are very inflexible. I can't fully open my hands or point my toes...