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P O Box 4171
Monitor Station
West New York, NJ 07093 USA
201-868-5791
The National Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome Network (NEMSN) is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 to help eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) survivors and their families, as well as new patients suffering EMS-like symptoms. The 1989 EMS epidemic was associated with the ingestion of contaminated L-tryptophan supplements from one source, the Showa Denko company in Japan. The particular contaminant(s) that caused the EMS epidemic has not been definitely identified. In addition there is also evidence that a genetic predisposition is required for EMS onset. There are current cases of EMS and EMS-like disease. Patients have reported EMS-like symptoms after consuming L-tryptophan, as well as the chemically related 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-htp) and Melatonin. EMS is a disease of abrupt onset causing severe, disabling, chronic muscle pain, skin symptoms and usually with high blood eosinophil levels. NEMSN offers patient education, networking and advocacy to patients worldwide through its website, www.nemsn.org. NEMSN also offers information and education to health professionals. The December 2019 NEMSN newsletter, at this link, contains the most up to date information on EMS as of the date of publishing. https://www.nemsn.org/sites/default/files/newsletters/December%202019.pdf
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