Guest guest Posted May 25, 2002 Report Share Posted May 25, 2002 , Some people are prescribed oxygen for chemical sensitivities and find that it helps them when they are in public venues. I personally just can't go anywhere any more, due to all of the toxics out there, even when I'm having a good enough CFIDS day to go out. Reducing exposures in your own home is really critical, I think. Needs (www.needs.com) is the best source for fragrance free and nontoxic everything. They send out a free catalogue. Magick Botanicals makes a full line of fragrance free shampoo, soap, hairspray, etc., and there are other companies that make fragrance free options as well. The best way to find things is to go to a natural foods store and look for " fragrance free " on the label -- " unscented " is deceptive, as it sometimes means the product has chemical masking agents to hide the scent. Baking soda and vinegar work wonders for many household chores, and steam cleaners are also great. You can clean most things with steam alone. Baking soda and vinegar are an excellent substitute for laundry detergent as well. Good luck! Peggy In a message dated 5/25/02 9:56:18 PM, writes: << Avoidance is difficult. I've only recently realized the impact that fragrances have on me. Before, I didn't know what it was that made me ill when I was exposed to them. Now it's quite clear. >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2002 Report Share Posted May 25, 2002 Many of my more " weird " or more peripheral symptoms reflect my overall condition; scents, temperature, changes in the barometer. The tireder and sicker I am the more sensitive to everything.I am sure there are other symptoms but I can't think of 'em right now. Adrienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2002 Report Share Posted May 26, 2002 We are currently having problems with fragrances and avoidance makes sense. I know it's hard and there is the problem of isolation, believe me, I understand. I have been sensitive to synthetic fragrances for about 14 years, but noticed that after several months of treatment for hypercoagulation (heparin and nonprescription anticoagulants), an apparent side effect was a reduction in sensitivity. So much so that Ken commented that I wasn't fleeing from synthetic scents anymore. I had also had been on antibiotics for mycoplasma for several months prior to the improvement in MCS. Maybe a coincidence, who knows. The MCS became very bad again after a particularly bad and prolonged exposure in January, and interestingly, an ISAC panel done shortly after the exposure showed a dramatic increase in my prothrombin fragments. Our daughter showed very similar changes in her ISAC panel results and she had also become much more sensitive to fragrances. Of course, we are hoping that the prescription and nonprescription anticoagulants that we are taking will have the added benefit of reducing the MCS problems. We'll see... Also, someone on another group recently reported that after taking antibiotics for Lyme she noticed that her MCS had improved as well. Interesting... Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2002 Report Share Posted May 26, 2002 I use an industrial type respirator & it really filters out all the toxins. I get it from a Place called on Safety company but I am sure you can find a place that carries them nearby if you look in the yellow pages. I made myself a badge to wear that says I am allergic to smoke perfume & chemicals so people will know why I am wearing it. The badge really helps educate people & I find a lot of sales clerks & other people end up telling me they have problems with perfumes also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2002 Report Share Posted May 26, 2002 Hi , I really sympathise with your fragrance problem. I have had problems with scents for all of my life although I didn't have a name for it as a child. I bought a filter type mask from a local health-food type store and find this a real asset to use on public transport/in shops etc. It does attract some strange looks (and the occasional rude comment) but it means that I can get around a bit more. Kindest regards, Annette __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2002 Report Share Posted May 26, 2002 Laurie, No disrespect or flaming intended......just a thought re: your post: " improvement in MCS. Maybe a coincidence, who knows.... hoping that the prescription and nonprescription anticoagulants that we are taking will have the added benefit of reducing the MCS problems. ...abx...she noticed that her MCS had improved as well. Interesting... " I have to remind myself when my symptoms are lessoned--just because we can no longer sense and turn and avoid does it then mean the toxic effects are no longer poisonous or toxic to our systems...and then, is our MCS really improved or cured..I have been kicked back just recently as I threw caution to the wind and ignored triggers cause I have been sooo good about avoidance over the years--DUH ;-( , resulting in my son of 19 telling me he would take away my car keys for the next month and I was not permitted to leave the house and expose myself for at least two more weeks to anything and I was not allowed to get my blood drawn at the hospital ever again-only at the doctors or resource lab ;-) --this recent reaction from a 10 minute non-avoidance of trigger exposure really concerned him this time-- I have been down more than 2 weeks trying to kick it and regain my mcs " normal " which for is cfs without the sensitivities....Anyway do YOU really feel that heperan (sic) alleviates MCS and then maybe abx too? Ken and you are two of my trusted information sources--no references or referrals needed ;-) Thanks, Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2002 Report Share Posted May 26, 2002 Hi Carol, Ken and I strongly suspect that the heparin helped. Our MD is also interested, because of the changes in our ISAC panel results after the prolonged exposure we were subjected to. That doesn't mean that we think caution would no longer be necessary though. Before the recent exposure that gave us such problems, I believe I had improved enough that the chance exposures out in public were not making me feel ill - I didn't automatically flee from them, but I was still careful to avoid any prolonged exposures. A difference of a few seconds of exposure maybe - but I felt more free to be out in public with other people. This is all so unknown and apparently so complex, I wouldn't presume to know the answers. I'm not suggesting that someone take heparin to try to improve their MCS, but it would be very interesting if other people who are taking it for hypercoagulation notice improvements in MCS. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2002 Report Share Posted May 26, 2002 Annette Barclay wrote: > I bought a filter type mask from a local health-food > type store and find this a real asset to use on public > transport/in shops etc. It does attract some strange > looks (and the occasional rude comment) but it means > that I can get around a bit more. > Annette, I find that the filter masks designed for " nuisance odors " which have a layer of activated charcoal embedded in them work alot better than plain dust and pollen masks when it comes to fragrances, diesel fumes, and smoke. I've been buying them from Gempler's in bulk (NAYY...) -- el (andrea@...) Nevada City, CA, USA " ...wake now! Discover that you are the song that the morning brings... " " One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are. " - Gail Godwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2002 Report Share Posted October 28, 2002 Carol, I had to give up wearing perfume because I'm allergic to something in it. Back when I used to have migraines, I'd get one every time I was around someone with strong perfume for any length of time. Sue in NC on 10/28/02 5:43 PM, Carol at carol@... wrote: > Has anyone ever noticed that some fragrances exacerbate their symptoms? I > can take a little perfume, but too much throws my system out of whack. I > would think it's chemicals, but even aromatherapy with natural oils > (chamomile, lavender) has this effect. I was just curious if anyone else > has this symptom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2002 Report Share Posted October 28, 2002 Hi Carol, I have always had reactions to certain perfumes and aftershaves but I think that it is due to allergies. Anything with rose, magnolia, or honeysuckle are the worst. They cause me to get dizzy and have headaches. Iris --- Carol <carol@...> wrote: > Has anyone ever noticed that some fragrances > exacerbate their symptoms? I > can take a little perfume, but too much throws my > system out of whack. I > would think it's chemicals, but even aromatherapy > with natural oils > (chamomile, lavender) has this effect. I was just > curious if anyone else > has this symptom. > > Love to all, > Carol > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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