Dear Dan at the CDC,

I have the fiber disease syndrome...with black specks, crawling/wormy-like sensations, itchy scalp, arms, legs and face, painful stabbing sensations, black stuff appearing on my hands and legs... and, of course, the occasional non-healing, itchy lesions. I understand the CDC is doing a study in California. Why are there no studies in the Northeast?

Why is there no PRESS RELEASE ..TO THE MEDIA, statement that there is something going on?

I need my insurance to cover my costs for all of my doctor visits...and that cannot happen without a diagnostic code. What is the CDC doing to advance the knowledge of this dastardly emergent disease to the medical world......when will YOU call it a disease?

When will one of us take the wrong medication because we try everything and be put into a coma...or worse...infect a child and have it spread through the school system?

There are now 9,271 registered people on the Cherokeechas.com site.....WHAT RECOURSE DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE? - soon it will be 10,000...and up!!

WHAT DOCTORS DOES THE CDC ADVISE WE GO TO FOR OUR NEEDS?

WHAT DOCTOR DO YOU RECOMMEND I GO TO IN THE NE TO HAVE DETAILED TESTING PERFORMED?

WHAT DIAGNOSTIC CODE CAN WE USE? WHEN WILL YOU MAKE THE STATEMENT THAT THIS IS REAL?

WHEN ARE YOU COMING OUT WITH SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING..TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL WORLD AND WE SUFFERERS WITH SOME HOPE...AND LATER ANSWERS?

WHEN WILL THERE BE TESTING IN THE NE...WHY ARE WE IN THE NE IGNORED?

Doctors cannot suggest a therapeutic compound/drug for treatment without a target.... WHAT IS THE CDC DOING...?

Please advise on this.

Dear (anonymous):

I apologize for the late reply. I have been out of the country much of this year and some of my messages have been lost or delayed, so it was good for you to reconnect.

CDC's first aim is to scientifically characterize the condition you describe and that can most efficiently be accomplished in an area where there exists a large number of self-reports. That is one reason why California is involved. Another important reason has to do with the relationship between federal and state public health authorities. Since public health is primarily a state responsibility, CDC ordinarily requires an invitation, as we have received from California relative to this proposed field work. CDC has consistently been responsive to the news media on this matter and will become proactive when there is concrete information to share. At the present time too little is known about the condition to draw even preliminary conclusions; we have, therefore, seen it as premature to issue any formal statements.

Regarding your personal situation, you would be well advised to seek symptomatic relief from a trusted health care provider who will be best qualified to evaluate your situation, arrive at a useful diagnosis, and provide an appropriate course of action. Since the term "Morgellons" presently has no scientific basis it is not useful for physicians or others engaged in clinical care.

Good science takes time, but we feel that you and the others with similar complaints are entitled to an objective, deliberate, and comprehensive approach. CDC would not serve you well by engaging in speculation or encouraging it. We share your interest in developing answers as quickly as possible and are working toward that end, consistent with the high scientific standards that govern CDC's work.

I wish you well.

Dan Rutz