Buying A Home
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What would you do?

Hello all! I'm need to this whole posting on the boards on here so forgive me if I forget anything.

So my husband and I bought our first home in December and got our keys the week between Christmas and New Years....very exciting for sure!  We had a lot of work to do to this home, but most of it was cosmetic (its a farm house built origianally in 1928 but in awesome condition).  After all the work we did-tearing down some walls, sanding wood floors and finishing them, carpet in living room and bedrooms, tile in entries, painting, etc. we finally were completely moved in by Feb 1st (not necessarilly unpacked-even today.) After we started sleeping here I started waking up in the mornings feeling stiff and having trouble bending my toes, fingers and even arms on some mornings as well as back, leg and neck pains.  Usually it lessens as the day goes on, but its still going on. 

When we first started moving I thought I pulled a nerve in my back and that all this would go away, but its going on 3 months and I'm not feeling any better-I'm thinking its not from the nerve I pulled in the move. I've mentioned the idea to my hubby that I'm afraid something could be wrong but he doesn't seem too concerned.  I hate discouraging him and the idea that this house is making me this way breaks my heart....we had looked at houses for almost 2 years and everytime we found one we loved it went into contract the day after we looked at it or the day before our appointment to look at it (no joke-over 20 houses this happened with).  This is by far my favorite house of all that we looked at, especially the more decorating I do to it to make it home, but I'm really starting to become concerned espeically after I heard a story on the radio the other day about a family that bought a home with black mold and after just 6 months they had to move out because the couple as well as their 3 children had become extremely ill from the mold.

I'm not saying we have mold of any type (my husband tried saving money and wavied any mold testing before we bought the place) but i'm really concerned. I'm only 23 and shouldn't be having issues that prevent me to walk down the stairs every morning because I'm in so much pain to walk.  What would you do in this situation?  I know I need to know what's going on with me, but I'm almost afraid to find out what's going on at the fear of possibily having to move out of what has become our dream home. Advise? Suggestions?

Re: What would you do?

  • Have you seen a doctor?
  • Are you having headaches? Normally, when I spend to long at my mom's house I start getting headaches due to the high mold count. She lives close to the river and I'm just not used it it like I was when I lived there. I would suggest seeing a doctor and maybe getting the mold test done in the house. You don't want to risk your health.
  • If it were me? I'd make an appointment with my primary care doctor ASAP and get referrals to specialists if needed. It could be so many things, but if it's been going on 3 months and affecting your day-to-day life, you need to call in help in identifying the cause and the solution.

    If only for peace of mind, I'd also call a reputable mold testing company ASAP. If you really want to save money, they sell DIY kits at Home Depot for $10. (Link) I don't know much about mold at all, but an expert would be able to tell you if A) you have it in your house and B) how to remove it (if it's something you COULD DIY) or how much it would cost to have it removed professionally.

    It sounds like you guys spent a lot of money and time fixing up your house. Your health is way more important than that! It sounds like you're already pretty miserable -- don't be scared to find out the answer -- think of it as a challenge to solve (with a pretty good reward, of finally feeling better!) Do whatever it takes to figure it out.

  • I would go to the doctor and call a mold inspector. Is your new house colder than what you're used to? If you're DIYing a lot of stuff (which is tiring) and the house is cold, that can be hell on your muscles.

    Do you tend to get sick after hearing about other people who are sick? I have a relative that this happens to and it leads to a lot of stress because she can't relax until she knows that she doesn't have x, y and z. 

     Take a deep breath. There is always a solution for everything. It just might be a very expensive solution. 

  • I would go see my PCP, tell them all your symptoms and concerns.
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  • Yeah, you need to go see a doctor.  It could be something to do with the house or it might just be a coincidence.  Either way, you need to get checked out.
  • Go to a doctor! 

    Has you husband been having any health issues since moving in the house or are you the only one experiencing this? 

  • I normally do have terrible migraine headaches. ironic thing is they have been less severe since we have moved in here, but I also went off my bc pills a few weeks after we moved in (which makes me even more nervous because I'm far from wanting to bring a child into a potentially dangerous enviornment)  My husband has not been having issues, but his mothers house has always been a mess. She has dust 3 inches deep or more on her tables, tv stand, etc. (if I'm at my in-laws inside for extended time I start feeling funny but nowhere near the aches and pains I'm having now)  I know I need to see my doctor, I guess I'm just scared but I know I need to....guess I just thought someone may have an alternative thought lol I will go pick up a diy mold tester and see what that shows as well...Thank you all for the thoughts! I'll let you know what turns out!
  • Mold doesn't typically manifest itself via aches and pains - it's usually respiratory or neurological in nature.  Which means that you'd be coughing, stuffy, etc, and/or with burning-type pain instead of achy pain.  If you're waking up feeling this way, I'd investigate the mattress or bed as a source of pain first.

    Either way, I'd just go see a doctor for reassurance - your PCP should be able to run some tests to see if maybe you picked up something that's just hanging on, etc.

    image
  • Thats what I thought as well, but it just seems too ironic to me that the aches started when we moved into the new place....I've slept on the same mattress for over 10 years and never had a problem with it (although a new one would be nice lol)  I've had the coughing, mucousy throat, runny nose, but I have just attributed that to sinuses (Ohio has had one crazy winter/spring-with not so much of a winter lol)
  • imagehis4life2010:
    Thats what I thought as well, but it just seems too ironic to me that the aches started when we moved into the new place....I've slept on the same mattress for over 10 years and never had a problem with it (although a new one would be nice lol)  I've had the coughing, mucousy throat, runny nose, but I have just attributed that to sinuses (Ohio has had one crazy winter/spring-with not so much of a winter lol)
    The aches and pains are unfortunately a sign of aging!  I'm just kidding...but not really.  We've had our mattress for 10+ years.  A worn out mattress plus renovating plus aging (just a little!) definitely causes aches and pains.  A trip to your doc and a DIY mold kit is cheaper, though.  GL.
    image
    Anything you can achieve through hard work, you could also just buy.
  • Should aches and pains at 23 be causing me pain throughout my day and getting moving? lol if so I hope I start getting younger lol
  • Just wanted to update everyone! I went to my doctor last week and she reassured me that there was no way it was caused from mold in our new home-she even told me not to stress and to enjoy our new home.  I am currently waiting on blood work results to come back and was put on a medication to see if it helped.....my doctor is thinking it is arthritis.  I'm kinda struggling with this idea as I'm only 23 but I guess anything is possible!  I also wanted to say thank you all for all the advice and concern!!
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