We have stopped washing our clothes, towels and bedding in detergents and fabric softeners, and now use baking soda instead of detergent, and white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for softening and to reduce clinging.

The results........ No longer waking up during the night with chest pains and a tight chest. Much more stable heart beat. Overall, I'm feeling much better. Much less fatigue, and more energy.

Does anyone know a good, safe clothes softener. The towels are still a little rough. Better rough than contain a bunch of chemicals that are spreading all over one's skin after a shower.

We have stopped washing our clothes, towels and bedding in detergents and fabric softeners, and now use baking soda instead of detergent, and white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for softening and to reduce clinging.

The results........ No longer waking up during the night with chest pains and a tight chest. Much more stable heart beat. Overall, I'm feeling much better. Much less fatigue, and more energy.

Does anyone know a good, safe clothes softener. The towels are still a little rough. Better rough than contain a bunch of chemicals that are spreading all over one's skin after a shower.
If you live where you have good, outside air, hang your towels outside. Sun and wind produce wonderful smelling towels that are really pleasing to the touch.

Also we have been using Country Save laundry detergent with no adverse reactions. This is usually available at a health food store, but not at the supermarket.

woodturner

If you live where you have good, outside air, hang your towels outside. Sun and wind produce wonderful smelling towels that are really pleasing to the touch.

Also we have been using Country Save laundry detergent with no adverse reactions. This is usually available at a health food store, but not at the supermarket.

woodturner

I mentioned hanging up towels outside to my wife, instead of using the dryer.

Would you like me to tell you what she said? :mad:

I can't believe how well I am doing, now that we have washed ALL of our sheets, socks, clothes, towels, etc., using baking soda. I've been fighting heart disease for many years. We've removed all of our wall to wall carpetting, we keep our place almost dust free, we use very few chemicals, no perfumes, and I have a very restricted diet.

I have to read the newspaper and most mail with special gloves or it causes my BP to soar and my heart to go nuts, with rapid beats, tight chest and chest pains. I often have to sleep in a leather recliner without covers just to get through the night without chest pains and palpitations.

Last night, with the newly washed, in baking soda, sheets, I slept very well, and did not get a tight chest in the middle of the night.

By far, the worst offender was the towels. I think that, when one wipes a chemically ladened towel against wet skin, it makes it easier for the chemicals to penetrate the skin.

Thanks for the tip on the "Country Save laundry detergent". I'll look into it.

I mentioned hanging up towels outside to my wife, instead of using the dryer.

Would you like me to tell you what she said? :mad:

I can't believe how well I am doing, now that we have washed ALL of our sheets, socks, clothes, towels, etc., using baking soda. I've been fighting heart disease for many years. We've removed all of our wall to wall carpetting, we keep our place almost dust free, we use very few chemicals, no perfumes, and I have a very restricted diet.

I have to read the newspaper and most mail with special gloves or it causes my BP to soar and my heart to go nuts, with rapid beats, tight chest and chest pains. I often have to sleep in a leather recliner without covers just to get through the night without chest pains and palpitations.

Last night, with the newly washed, in baking soda, sheets, I slept very well, and did not get a tight chest in the middle of the night.

By far, the worst offender was the towels. I think that, when one wipes a chemically ladened towel against wet skin, it makes it easier for the chemicals to penetrate the skin.

Thanks for the tip on the "Country Save laundry detergent". I'll look into it.

Perhaps if you suggested hanging towels as an activity you and your wife could do together? But maybe that would not fly either.

Yes, paper is nasty stuff. I notice it affecting how well I can think and it causes the skin on my hands to crack and start bleeding. Some paper seems to be much worse than others. I read the mail wearing gloves and a mask that has a carbon filter. Inconvenient, but keeps the head clear.

Do you know about coenzyme Q10? It is a nutrient that everyone with or without heart trouble should be taking. I can tell you more about that if you want to know.

woodturner

Perhaps if you suggested hanging towels as an activity you and your wife could do together? But maybe that would not fly either.

I don't think that I will suggest that to my wife. It's not that I am totally against the idea of being committed to an asylum, I am just not ready right now.

Yes, paper is nasty stuff. I notice it affecting how well I can think and it causes the skin on my hands to crack and start bleeding. Some paper seems to be much worse than others. I read the mail wearing gloves and a mask that has a carbon filter. Inconvenient, but keeps the head clear.

Coated paper bothers me, even with gloves. I haven't tried wearing a mask while reading. Uncoated paper also bothers me, but not all the time. I don't know if it is the actual paper, or chemicals in the paper, or the ink.

The worst paper is carbonless paper.

Do you have more problems at any particular time of day? I am much more sensitive at night.

For someone like you, or me, who is significantly and immediately effected by chemicals, at least we can take the steps to protect ourselves. I feel sorry for all of the children, who suffer silently from all kinds of misery, not knowing that the clothes that their parents are putting on their bodies, or the blankets under which they are tucked in at night, are causing them to be sick.

When did you first find out that you were sensitive to paper?

Do you know about coenzyme Q10? It is a nutrient that everyone with or without heart trouble should be taking. I can tell you more about that if you want to know.
woodturner

I had used Q10 for about 10 years. I've stopped taking it because it interacts badly with my current medicine.

Thanks for the reply and the suggestions.

Last night was the third night without being in contact with fabric softener or laundry detergent. I also use baking soda and water as a deodorant, and brush my teeth in the morning with hydrogen peroxide and in the evening with baking soda.

Once again, I slept all night, woke up without a tight chest, without chest pains, without palpitations, and without feeling tired and beaten up. My blood pressure readings are lower than normal.

I can't do much about the poisonous gases in our air, from automobile exhausts and sewer exhaust stacks coming out of everyone's home, but at least I can protect myself and my family from some of the chemicals that are marketed as safe for our health, but can be very dangerous.

Coated paper bothers me, even with gloves. I haven't tried wearing a mask while reading. Uncoated paper also bothers me, but not all the time. I don't know if it is the actual paper, or chemicals in the paper, or the ink.

The worst paper is carbonless paper.

Do you have more problems at any particular time of day? I am much more sensitive at night.

For someone like you, or me, who is significantly and immediately effected by chemicals, at least we can take the steps to protect ourselves. I feel sorry for all of the children, who suffer silently from all kinds of misery, not knowing that the clothes that their parents are putting on their bodies, or the blankets under which they are tucked in at night, are causing them to be sick.

When did you first find out that you were sensitive to paper?

I have never noticed any correlation betweenthe time of day I handle paper and the severity or lack of reaction. But there may be something to that.

I think I first began to be aware of my reaction to paper 2 or 3 years ago. My wife has a good nose and can often smell the bad paper even though I may not be able to. But if I handle the paper, I can feel my fingers start to buzzing or tingling. Within about 5 minutes I often develop bleeding cracks on my finger tips. With that short a time span between exposure and reaction, it is easy to draw the conclusion that paper is the culprit.

I agree about the children being subjected to these exposures. Something I was reading recently was talking about toxic residues found in dust in homes. (Must have been an article in Our Toxic Times). The researchers were finding elevated levels of DDT even though it has not been in use for a number of years.

Sorry to hear about you not being able to use CoQ10. I love the stuff as it seems to help immensely with getting toxins out of my system.

I think I first began to be aware of my reaction to paper 2 or 3 years ago.

Do you have any idea what triggered your sensitivity? From your nickname, have you worked around wood for a long time?

My wife has a good nose and can often smell the bad paper even though I may not be able to.

Does the smell of the paper bother you in any way?

My wife is very understanding. At least your wife can see the bad reaction. My wife has had to accept that, if I put on the wrong shirt, it might make me sick, depending up the level of pollens and pollutants in the air, or depending upon other irritants that I might have come into contact with recently.

But if I handle the paper, I can feel my fingers start to buzzing or tingling. Within about 5 minutes I often develop bleeding cracks on my finger tips. With that short a time span between exposure and reaction, it is easy to draw the conclusion that paper is the culprit.

Have you found others with the same type of reaction? It is very frustrating when one has a reaction, and finds that it is not very common. For instance, I was suffering from a very strong heartbeat, which would continue to thump hard for hours. I finally found out that, if I consumed food that contained calcium, within two hours of taking my Digoxin, or my Verapamil, it would cause a long session of heart thumping. If I ask others about this relationship between calcium products and those two meds, I get absolutely no one that has gotten the same reaction.

Also, I get increased heart rhythm problems and blood pressure problems, when I wear new clothes, or new sheets, rather than old ones. I find very little info on this type of reaction.

I agree about the children being subjected to these exposures. Something I was reading recently was talking about toxic residues found in dust in homes. (Must have been an article in Our Toxic Times). The researchers were finding elevated levels of DDT even though it has not been in use for a number of years.

Sorry to hear about you not being able to use CoQ10. I love the stuff as it seems to help immensely with getting toxins out of my system.

I think that we trust the system too much. We trust that restaurants are going to serve us food that has been prepared in a healthy and clean manner. We trust that doctors are going to prescribe the correct meds for our conditions. We trust that manufacturers are not going to use chemicals that can be harmful to our health. We even trusted the cigarette makers when they advertised that cigarettes were good for our health, and that they weren't going to add addictive and dangerous chemicals to the cigarettes.

I sure hope that, someday, you find a solution to your paper sensitivity. Does any other material, or product, give you a similar bad reaction?

I've gone through four nights without contacting any clothes or bedding with the chemicals from detergents or fabric softener.

It seems like my systolic BP is somewhat higher, and my diastolic BP is somewhat lower. Since it is only four days/nights, I won't consider that a significant change until the BP change has continued for a month or more.

I've had significant heart disease for about 20 years. My heart is now beating much better than normal. Usually my heart would jump and skip beats constantly. While my heart is not beating completely normal, it is much more stable and relaxed than it has been in a long time.

I would often wake up in the middle of the night with chest pains, a weak rapid beat, and a tight chest. Now, for four nights, I have slept through the night and wake up refreshed.

Just recently, I had gone through some very bad days, where my symptoms were really getting bad. I was feeling very weak and sick. That is why I tried something as drastic as washing everything with baking soda, although I felt that it would be a total waste of time.

Now, instead of being depressed and sick, I really feel much better.

Just wanted to pass on this info, just in case it could help others.

This is great news!

Could be histadelia, I have the same problem with fabric softeners, not soaps though from what I know... anyways try taking an antihistamine and see how that helps. If it does help, let me know and ill give you all the info that you need to know about histadelia.

Could be histadelia, I have the same problem with fabric softeners, not soaps though from what I know... anyways try taking an antihistamine and see how that helps. If it does help, let me know and ill give you all the info that you need to know about histadelia.

Thanks for the info. I looked up histadelia. It's an interesting disease. It reminds me of how many different, complex things can go wrong with our bodies.

I'll try an antihistamine, as long as it doesn't interfere with my heart meds. Thanks!

I can't believe the improvement in my health and heart, just by getting rid of fabric softeners and detergents. I've still got a very sick heart, but at least it is beating much better, I am getting less chest pain, less difficulty breathing, less weakness, more energy.

It's hard to believe that something like fabric softener, which is sold in every store in America, can cause such health problems! I would imagine that most people don't get sick from it, only the chemically sensitive, but I don't really know.

Thanks again for pointing out a possible link to histadelia. It is certainly worth researching.

Regards, and good health.

This is great news!

Thanks!

Regarding your reaction to paper, do you get the same reaction to other items besides paper?

Do you have any idea what triggered your sensitivity? From your nickname, have you worked around wood for a long time?



Does the smell of the paper bother you in any way?

My wife is very understanding. At least your wife can see the bad reaction. My wife has had to accept that, if I put on the wrong shirt, it might make me sick, depending up the level of pollens and pollutants in the air, or depending upon other irritants that I might have come into contact with recently.



Have you found others with the same type of reaction? It is very frustrating when one has a reaction, and finds that it is not very common. For instance, I was suffering from a very strong heartbeat, which would continue to thump hard for hours. I finally found out that, if I consumed food that contained calcium, within two hours of taking my Digoxin, or my Verapamil, it would cause a long session of heart thumping. If I ask others about this relationship between calcium products and those two meds, I get absolutely no one that has gotten the same reaction.

Also, I get increased heart rhythm problems and blood pressure problems, when I wear new clothes, or new sheets, rather than old ones. I find very little info on this type of reaction.



I think that we trust the system too much. We trust that restaurants are going to serve us food that has been prepared in a healthy and clean manner. We trust that doctors are going to prescribe the correct meds for our conditions. We trust that manufacturers are not going to use chemicals that can be harmful to our health. We even trusted the cigarette makers when they advertised that cigarettes were good for our health, and that they weren't going to add addictive and dangerous chemicals to the cigarettes.

I sure hope that, someday, you find a solution to your paper sensitivity. Does any other material, or product, give you a similar bad reaction?

As you can guess from my name, I am a woodturner. I have been turning since I was about 12 or maybe younger. I was at least large enough to stand infront of the lathe and hold the tools.

Yes the smell of some papers bothers me. I discovered that the smell of many chemicals affect my sense of good judgement, certain papers among them. About three years ago, I was in the shop the morning after attending a Master Craftsmen's Guild meeting and stuck a 1/4" chisel into my hand. I just didn't have the good sense to do things safely as I ALWAYS DO otherwise. So loss of work time also figures into what paper, perfumes and other chemicals do to me. Now, I don't go near my tools after toxic exposures or if my head has that unconnected feeling.

I do not know the probabilities of this, but my wife, my two children and I are all chemically sensitive. Looking back, I am inclined to believe my father was also chemically sensitive, though no one thought anything about such issues in those days. So I would guess there is some genetic tendency at least on my part. However, I would guess that my life on the farm (36 years) and being exposed to a number of toxic ...cides, diesel and gasoline have also played a role. I can still smell the chemical on treated seed when ever I think about it.

I agree about our (society at large) trust being an part of why we live in such a polluted environment. I am quite adamant that the best thing we can do is to take responsibility for our own health every way we can. Maybe it is easier to put that responsibility in the hands of the medical or industrial "experts." But look where it has gotten us. I do not mean to say that one can't gain valuable information from the doctor or the chemical engineer etc. But at the end, it is my life, my body, my reaction to chemicals etc. I pay the doctor for his good advice, if I go to the doctor, so I can make informed decisions that are going to affect what is my responsibility. Many people act (and maybe the medical profession encourages such and maybe it doesn't) as though they belonged to the doctor. "The doc says do this, so I blindly do accordingly," is not an attitude I can swallow.

Hope I have answered your question,

Woodturner

Yah no problem, as for your heart problem, Im not sure what is wrong but if its a weak heart or something you should look in to Coenzyme Q10, like that person mentioned earlier, but on top of that, I would recommend ginkgo biloba, it thins the blood and causes organs including the brain to use oxygen 5 times more effeciently, and then you could look in to herbal vaso dialators such as quercetin, and grape seed extract(which also improves circulation all around, not sure how). If you do find that you have histadelia, like I do, then you should probably avoid ginkgo biloba until you get your histamine levels down to normal. Ginkgo biloba can cause your adrenaline levels to spike, so in conjuction with excess histamine which causes high levels of adrenaline, it can lead to panic attacks, it did in me. There is a good site called The Analyst that talks about histadelia, just search histadelia at yahoo.com and it should be listed at the top with the first words Diagnose me, that should help you decide if you might want to look into it more.

Oh and im not sure what medications you take so like you said you would do with antihistamines, also do with the herbs that I recommended, that is, talk to your doctor and see if he thinks its ok.

Bronson

This is now the 10th day of wearing clothes that have been washed in only baking soda, and using towels, blankets, sheets, etc., that were washed in only baking soda.

I also brush my teeth in the morning with hydrogen peroxide, and in the evening with a pinch of baking soda and water. I use baking soda and water as a deodorant, and it works as well as my old deodorant.

For one day, I went back to what I use normally for a deodorant, and what I use normally to brush my teeth, and I felt worse the entire day.

Everyone is different. What helps me, or hurts me, may not do the same to someone else. But a warning flag should go up to everyone when one considers the huge number of different chemicals that we are exposed to, each and every day, in our water, in our air, in our clothes, in our food and in the other products that we use.

I am not saying to go nuts and either live in a cave or become paranoid. But, it makes sense to me, for those with unusual health problems, to try and limit exposure to chemicals and pollutants and irritants.

Since I've been using baking soda as a detergent, a deodorant and for brushing my teeth, my blood pressure has improved, and my heart is beating much better.

This is now the 10th day of wearing clothes that have been washed in only baking soda, and using towels, blankets, sheets, etc., that were washed in only baking soda.

I also brush my teeth in the morning with hydrogen peroxide, and in the evening with a pinch of baking soda and water. I use baking soda and water as a deodorant, and it works as well as my old deodorant.

For one day, I went back to what I use normally for a deodorant, and what I use normally to brush my teeth, and I felt worse the entire day.

Everyone is different. What helps me, or hurts me, may not do the same to someone else. But a warning flag should go up to everyone when one considers the huge number of different chemicals that we are exposed to, each and every day, in our water, in our air, in our clothes, in our food and in the other products that we use.

I am not saying to go nuts and either live in a cave or become paranoid. But, it makes sense to me, for those with unusual health problems, to try and limit exposure to chemicals and pollutants and irritants.

Since I've been using baking soda as a detergent, a deodorant and for brushing my teeth, my blood pressure has improved, and my heart is beating much better.

Sounds like you are on to something here. Isn't it great when you can delete the offending chemical/s and your body starts responding by acting more normally. Shows what a miracle the human body is.

Woodturner

Sounds like you are on to something here. Isn't it great when you can delete the offending chemical/s and your body starts responding by acting more normally. Shows what a miracle the human body is.

Woodturner

Not so fast. It did seem like a miracle.

But, I think that I am going through some kind of withdrawal symptoms. I'm getting frequent, slight chest pains, frequent tightness in my chest, a somewhat regular heartbeat, but weaker and stressed. This has been going on since last night (about 24 hours), which was day ten of my withdrawal from fabric softener, detergent, mouthwash and regular deodorant. I've had serious heart disease for over 20 years, but I have seldom gone through these exact symptoms, and never for this length of time.

It doesn't surprise me that the withdrawal symptoms came after 10 days. The last heart medicine, that I withdrew from, caused significant symptoms after eighteen days, and I had to get back on it.

I'm hoping that these symptoms don't persist for too long a time. UGH! :(

But, I think that I am going through some kind of withdrawal symptoms. I'm getting frequent, slight chest pains, frequent tightness in my chest, a somewhat regular heartbeat, but weaker and stressed. This has been going on since last night (about 24 hours), which was day ten of my withdrawal from fabric softener, detergent, mouthwash and regular deodorant. I've had serious heart disease for over 20 years, but I have seldom gone through these exact symptoms, and never for this length of time.

It doesn't surprise me that the withdrawal symptoms came after 10 days. The last heart medicine, that I withdrew from, caused significant symptoms after eighteen days, and I had to get back on it.

I'm hoping that these symptoms don't persist for too long a time. UGH! :(

It has now been 15 days since I've stopped using commercial fabric softeners, detergents, mouthwash, toothpaste or deoderants.

Day 10, 11 and parts of day 12, I experienced increased problems relating to my heart disease. Starting with day 13, the heart related problems subsided. My heart seems to be beating much better, my blood pressure is lower and my energy level is higher. I am almost positive that my increased problems were related to chemical withdrawal. However....... I was very worried during those days, and felt poorly.

I noticed this morning a significant improvement in my sense of smell and in how my sinuses feel. The only negative is that I've been somewhat constipated for the past 15 days. I don't know how long it is going to take before I no longer get withdrawal problems from eliminating contact with those chemicals, but I am amazed at the positive changes in my health by staying away from fabric softeners, detergents, deoderants, mouthwash and toothpaste.

Has anyone tried the same thing that I am doing? It would be great to hear someone else's experiences, and if reducing these chemicals helped their health in any way.

It has now been 15 days since I've stopped using commercial fabric softeners, detergents, mouthwash, toothpaste or deoderants.

Day 19.

I've had a very irregular heartbeat for over 20 years. At many times, my heartbeat would be fast and hard thumping. At other times, my heartbeat would be fast and weak. The beat will still go nuts if I do too much, or if I do something stupid that will irritate my heart.

My heartbeat is now more regular than normal, and more relaxed. My blood pressure is also significantly lower, and I am able to include more salt in my diet.

I have started using my regular deoderant without any noticable side effects, so I am ruling that out as one of the offending chemical irritants.

I know that the mouthwash contained chemicals that irritated my heart. I don't know if the main source of my problems was the fabric softener, the detergent, or both, but I don't care. I will continue to have my clothes washed in baking soda, using distilled white vinegar instead of a liquid fabric softener, and a washcloth damped with hydrogen peroxide instead of the dryer sheet.
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I will continue to have my clothes washed in baking soda, using distilled white vinegar instead of a liquid fabric softener, and a washcloth damped with hydrogen peroxide instead of the dryer sheet.
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Hi, I noticed you mentioned a washcloth damped with hydrogen peroxide in place of a dryer sheet, I was curious about that, is it supposed to work as a softener? Thanks. =)

Bounce and Snuggles are absolute killers ... You might try a small - 6" square of regular aluminum foil in your dryer inplace of the fabric softener. It will soften and reduce static kling.

Bounce and Snuggles are absolute killers ... You might try a small - 6" square of regular aluminum foil in your dryer inplace of the fabric softener. It will soften and reduce static kling.

That's interesting, I never knew that. I'll try it. thanks :)

Hi, I noticed you mentioned a washcloth damped with hydrogen peroxide in place of a dryer sheet, I was curious about that, is it supposed to work as a softener? Thanks. =)

We use both the peroxide instead of the fabric softener sheets in the dryer, and the distilled white vinegar instead of the liquid fabric softener, in the washer. This is to reduce static cling and to soften the clothes.

The laundry room always smells of vinegar.

Our clothes come out fairly soft. Not as good as the fabric softeners, but almost as good. We get more static cling than before, but it is not too bad.

I am going to try lhacker's aluminum foil idea and see how well that works. (Thanks lhacker!)

I have gone through an amazing "fabric softener" withdrawal experience. For about 10 days, I felt great! Then I started to have significant problems with a tight chest, chest pains and a very weak heart.

For hypertension, I am on a calcium channel blocker (CCB), which works very well for me, but it also is supposed to slow the heart and make it beat softer. I am guessing that, without the fabric softener chemicals coming through my skin into my system, it has changed the way that my heart reacts to the CCB.

I've slowly reduced my CCB intake by 25% over the past 13 days, without any increase in my blood pressure, and my heart is beating better, although I still am experiencing periods of very weak beats. I'm not going to reduce any more until I find out how well my heart does on the 25% reduction. I intend to attempt to very gradually stop taking the CCB altogether, but that is going to take some time. Why? Every time before when I reduced my CCB, my BP went up, but not this time. I am wondering if the fabric softener sheet chemicals were somewhat responsibile for my high BP.

It makes me wonder how many people are suffering from health problems due to a combination of pollution in the air which comes through someone's skin or lungs, chemicals from fabric softeners and detergents, chemicals in inks and paper, food additives, etc., and the medicines that they take.

Headaches............ allergies............ chemical sensitivities (MCS)........ heart problems........... fatigue......... etc., How big is the list of health problems that could be caused by our chemical environment?

I've slowly reduced my CCB intake by 25% over the past 13 days, without any increase in my blood pressure, and my heart is beating better, although I still am experiencing periods of very weak beats. I'm not going to reduce any more until I find out how well my heart does on the 25% reduction. I intend to attempt to very gradually stop taking the CCB altogether, but that is going to take some time. Why? Every time before when I reduced my CCB, my BP went up, but not this time. I am wondering if the fabric softener sheet chemicals were somewhat responsibile for my high BP.

It makes me wonder how many people are suffering from health problems due to a combination of pollution in the air which comes through someone's skin or lungs, chemicals from fabric softeners and detergents, chemicals in inks and paper, food additives, etc., and the medicines that they take.

Headaches............ allergies............ chemical sensitivities (MCS)........ heart problems........... fatigue......... etc., How big is the list of health problems that could be caused by our chemical environment?

Amazing! I have now reduced my blood pressure medicine (CCB) by 50%. Absolutely no increase in blood pressure. The last time I tried this, my BP soared!

I drank an entire bottle of wine yesterday. If I have more than two glasses of wine, or drink beer, my sinuses swell shut for 2-3 days. I woke up this morning without any sinus swelling at all!?

The removal of the wooden cabinets and wooden storage units from my place, the stopping of using fabric softeners and detergents and mouthwash, the treating of the top of my head with electro-acupuncture pads, and the avoidance of clothing, has really made a huge impact on my health! I also have a very limited diet.

What good could this have for someone else? Well....... all allergists and MCS doctors recommend avoidance. I basically simulate living in a bubble, with few clothes, avoiding perfumes, chemicals, and use a very limited diet. I did notice, several years ago, that my symptoms got worse when a new super highway opened up near my place. Since MCS/Allergies is combinational, then if I can't remove the highway, or industrial plants spewing garbage into the air, then I've had to clean up my own personal environment.

I also feel very strongly about the effectiveness of the electro-acupuncture. It is something that I can do in my own home, and it works!

Congratulations!!! May I ask, does your electro-acupuncture pad cause pain? I experience pain with regular acupuncture.

I have to say, I feel better myself. However, my stomach is still driving me nuts!!! I've tried to put all suggestions to use and have seen improvement in other areas of my health. Thanks.


Amazing! I have now reduced my blood pressure medicine (CCB) by 50%. Absolutely no increase in blood pressure. The last time I tried this, my BP soared!

I drank an entire bottle of wine yesterday. If I have more than two glasses of wine, or drink beer, my sinuses swell shut for 2-3 days. I woke up this morning without any sinus swelling at all!?

The removal of the wooden cabinets and wooden storage units from my place, the stopping of using fabric softeners and detergents and mouthwash, the treating of the top of my head with electro-acupuncture pads, and the avoidance of clothing, has really made a huge impact on my health! I also have a very limited diet.

What good could this have for someone else? Well....... all allergists and MCS doctors recommend avoidance. I basically simulate living in a bubble, with few clothes, avoiding perfumes, chemicals, and use a very limited diet. I did notice, several years ago, that my symptoms got worse when a new super highway opened up near my place. Since MCS/Allergies is combinational, then if I can't remove the highway, or industrial plants spewing garbage into the air, then I've had to clean up my own personal environment.

I also feel very strongly about the effectiveness of the electro-acupuncture. It is something that I can do in my own home, and it works!

Congratulations!!! May I ask, does your electro-acupuncture pad cause pain? I experience pain with regular acupuncture.

I had regular acupuncture treatments, for sinuses, 20 years ago, where they put a bunch of needles all over my face and head, and faced a heat lamp right over my face. It was not pleasant, but it seemed to help.

The electro-acupuncture can be quite uncomfortable depending upon how high you set the frequency (current), and which flow (massage) setting you use. You can make it very mild, or give yourself a stimulating massage, or really turn the machine on high, making the experience quite uncomfortable and even painful.

If you own the machine, or go to an acupuncture doctor who lets you control the settings (for which you should insist), then the level of comfortable stimulation, or pain, is up to you.

I shaved the top of my head. I covered most of the top of my head with the pads. When I applied the current, the left side of the top of my head was very sore and tender, but the right side didn't bother me at all. This is something that I did not expect, because I had noticed no discomfort on the left side before the treatment. The soreness indicated to me that I might have found a problem treatable by electro-acupuncture.

I have to say, I feel better myself. However, my stomach is still driving me nuts!!! I've tried to put all suggestions to use and have seen improvement in other areas of my health. Thanks.

I think about your situation often, since you have one of the more difficult problems. I am glad that you have seen some improvement. That is great.

Personally, I am astounded by what I have learned. Everything that I might touch, eat, breath, or smell can effect my health. And..... how I react also can depend upon the time of the day. Each medicine taken can be effected by what is touched, eaten, breathed or smelled.

I have heart disease. The heart meds that I take can effect my system much differently depending upon what time I take them, what I have eaten or touched, if I take the meds too close together, and if I take other supplements, such as vitamins and/or minerals.

I now believe that there is not one doctor on this planet who knows how a patient will react to any type of medication, never mind when they give multiple medications.

I now believe that there is not one doctor on this planet who knows how a patient will react to any type of medication, never mind when they give multiple medications.

I have to agree. The doctors I've encountered prescribe meds like trying on outfits... "Well, if this doesn't work, we'll try that... If that makes you ill, we'll try another..." My issue is not with medicine, but with attitude. We are all human and subject to error... why do doctors tend to believe that this rule does not apply to them? Why do doctors believe that pharmaceuticals are the answer to every ailment? If that were the case, I'd be cured by now, right?

Beerzoids, I believe that I have some idea of the torture you've suffered all of these years. Do you think you finally have a handle on it? You sound as if you do!

Beerzoids, I believe that I have some idea of the torture you've suffered all of these years. Do you think you finally have a handle on it? You sound as if you do!

I've just gone through a couple of very nasty weeks. Constant chest pressure and difficulty breathing, combined with chest pains, overheating and fatigue.

I found that I could do better lying on my left side. When my symptoms would get worse, besides constantly popping nitro, I would lie down on my left side and that would help.

I have now reduced my Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) from 3 pills per day to 1.5 pills per day, and am feeling much better. My heart is still very sensitive, and I've got to be careful not to exert myself too much. My sensitivities also increased significantly, and I had to really stay clear of many irritants, and some new irritants that hadn't bothered me before.

This is amazing to me. I thought that I was doing a good thing by eliminating fabric softener, detergent and mouthwash. At first I did great. Then I found out that my reaction to my CCB was getting significantly different, as a result of not coming into contact with those other chemicals.

I started reducing the CCB on March 13th. It's taken me a total of about 35 days to get from 3 pills to 1.5 pills.

There are so many factors that could influence how someone reacts to a medicine, and those factors can change on a daily basis. No wonder why there are so many interactions amongst medicines and foods, and whatever!

Regarding the torture I've been through........ Sometimes, when driving home from work, with extreme fatigue, and painful stuffed sinuses, I envisioned driving into a concrete barrier at a high rate of speed. I never got close to trying it, but I thought about it.

How are you doing? Any progress on solving your problem with your apartment?

I've just gone through a couple of very nasty weeks. Constant chest pressure and difficulty breathing, combined with chest pains, overheating and fatigue.

I'm very sorry to hear this! I was under the impression that you were doing so much better.


I found that I could do better lying on my left side. When my symptoms would get worse, besides constantly popping nitro, I would lie down on my left side and that would help.

I have now reduced my Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) from 3 pills per day to 1.5 pills per day, and am feeling much better. My heart is still very sensitive, and I've got to be careful not to exert myself too much. My sensitivities also increased significantly, and I had to really stay clear of many irritants, and some new irritants that hadn't bothered me before.

This is amazing to me. I thought that I was doing a good thing by eliminating fabric softener, detergent and mouthwash. At first I did great. Then I found out that my reaction to my CCB was getting significantly different, as a result of not coming into contact with those other chemicals.

I started reducing the CCB on March 13th. It's taken me a total of about 35 days to get from 3 pills to 1.5 pills.

There are so many factors that could influence how someone reacts to a medicine, and those factors can change on a daily basis. No wonder why there are so many interactions amongst medicines and foods, and whatever!

I once received a reply, on a different board, that if I didn't take action, my sensitivities would continue to multiply! The action they thought I should take was the "Liver Flush." I am too nervous to try it. I cannot recall if you have tried... the claim was that this is all related to LGS.


Regarding the torture I've been through........ Sometimes, when driving home from work, with extreme fatigue, and painful stuffed sinuses, I envisioned driving into a concrete barrier at a high rate of speed. I never got close to trying it, but I thought about it.

I want to tell you that you need to get help... having a plan is step 1 in suicidal ideation. However, that is the professional B talking.

I've woken up with a burning in my stomache, nausea and gagging. At these times, I have imagined taking horribly drastic steps and have realized that they are extreme in comparison to my suffering (I hope that hitting a concrete median at full speed would be worse than living with your health complications).


How are you doing? Any progress on solving your problem with your apartment?

I think things are better. I talked to a homeopath who believes that I am unable to truly address my issues through eliminating environmental issues. Although he may be right, now that I'm able to keep the windows cracked, I feel like a new man.

BTW, I do not know if you remember this, but I posted my problem on an allergy newsgroups. You were the only one who responded to me (I saw your reference to the healthboards later) and I really appreciated it.

Hang in there... there has got to be a way to address these issues!!!

I'm very sorry to hear this! I was under the impression that you were doing so much better.

I am doing better. I have real hope.

When I first got rid of fabric softener, detergent, wooden cabinets and mouthwash, I really felt much better for a little over a week. Then, the rhythm distrubances caused by my CCB (I guess) got much worse, due to the change in not using those chemicals.

CCBs cause a lot of rhythm problems, especially to me. I have been trying to get rid of my CCB for about 3 years, without success. Each time that I lower my CCB, my blood pressure soars or I get a bad case of tachycardia. Then I get back on the full dose and suffer with the bad side effects.

The game has totally changed since I got rid of the fabric softeners, etc. I can now cut the CCB without any problems with increased blood pressure!

I cut my dose down to one pill yesterday. This morning I woke up with a strong heartbeat and a BP of 137/84 at 6:30am. This is extremely low for me in the morning.

My heart is jumping around today, probably due to the decrease in the CCB.

I once received a reply, on a different board, that if I didn't take action, my sensitivities would continue to multiply! The action they thought I should take was the "Liver Flush." I am too nervous to try it. I cannot recall if you have tried... the claim was that this is all related to LGS.

I have read about the liver flush. I have no idea how the epson salts will react with my condition and my meds, so I won't try it.

I want to tell you that you need to get help... having a plan is step 1 in suicidal ideation. However, that is the professional B talking.

I wouldn't think that there was one person, in this world, who was in misery, who hadn't fantasized about an easy way out. For me, that was a quite a few years ago. Since then, I've gotten rid of my sinus misery, improved my heart problems, and learned to live around my chemical sensitivities. Having difficulty breathing for a few days, weakness, overheating, sweating, chest pains, etc., is something that I can deal with. I hope to have that improved within two weeks, when I am totally off the CCB.

I've woken up with a burning in my stomache, nausea and gagging. At these times, I have imagined taking horribly drastic steps and have realized that they are extreme in comparison to my suffering (I hope that hitting a concrete median at full speed would be worse than living with your health complications).

My truck talked me out of it. I didn't want to be lying on a hospital bed with a big truck repair bill. Besides that I like my truck.

I think things are better. I talked to a homeopath who believes that I am unable to truly address my issues through eliminating environmental issues. Although he may be right, now that I'm able to keep the windows cracked, I feel like a new man.

Just by cracking your windows? Have you ever tried that before? What happens on a high pollen, high polution day? Do you have days where opening the windows makes you worse?

BTW, I do not know if you remember this, but I posted my problem on an allergy newsgroups. You were the only one who responded to me (I saw your reference to the healthboards later) and I really appreciated it.

I have also appreciated our dialog, and your willingness to respond to my problems, even though you have quite a few of your own.

Hang in there... there has got to be a way to address these issues!!!

I am still amazed at the effect that food, outgassing of furniture, chemicals such as fabric softeners, have on the meds that I take, and my health.

Thanks for the concern. Good luck to you.

Just by cracking your windows? Have you ever tried that before? What happens on a high pollen, high polution day? Do you have days where opening the windows makes you worse?

YES, just a crack!!! This weekend, however, I had them wide open for 48 hours! I sneezed once or twice, but I'd rather deal with my allergies, which seem better these days, than with my sensitivity to whatever is in my townhouse. Pollution seems like less of an issue in our area, though I know it's a problem everywhere urban.

Last night, it was so warm that my wife and I decided to try the air. I felt all right when I woke up (not as good as Sunday morning), but I went to the gym and when I came back... I smelled paint as I walked through the front door! I went in to the kitchen to make some coffee and I could feel my chest tightening. I opened all of the windows and it disappeared. It has got to be the paint continuing to off gas (or something else and I just notice the paint smell). Also, with new neighbors on either side, those townhouses had to have been painted within the last month or two. My wife and I are committed to moving into an older structure when our lease is up. I would rather pay higher utilities and lower rent than to continue dealing with this.

Do you think that that homeopath is right? Do you think that sensitivities are symptomatic of something bigger? That scares the bejeebers out of me!

YES, just a crack!!! This weekend, however, I had them wide open for 48 hours! I sneezed once or twice, but I'd rather deal with my allergies, which seem better these days, than with my sensitivity to whatever is in my townhouse. Pollution seems like less of an issue in our area, though I know it's a problem everywhere urban.

At least you have found a way to get some relief. I air out my place about once every two days, for about 30 minutes, and I have seven good sized, air filters, with ionizers, mounted on the walls.

Often, on TV, hawkers are speaking about the hazards of indoor air pollution, and then trying to sell some absurd and expensive device to deal with indoor air pollution, that cannot possibly work. But, as you have found out, inside air pollutants can really make one sick.

I smelled paint as I walked through the front door! I went in to the kitchen to make some coffee and I could feel my chest tightening. I opened all of the windows and it disappeared. It has got to be the paint continuing to off gas (or something else and I just notice the paint smell).

Paint fumes and outgassing can be very nasty. There are two different types of paints, oil based paints and water based paints. I'll bet that you have oil based paints in your appartment.

Do you think that that homeopath is right? Do you think that sensitivities are symptomatic of something bigger? That scares the bejeebers out of me!

Anything is possible. From what I have read about chemical sensitivities, most people have no underlying disease, other than their bodies having problems dealing with foreign irritants. It is very normal for the body to reject foreign matter. Organ transplant patients must take special drugs to stop the body from rejecting organs from someone else. People with allergies, the system has problems when it encounters allergens, smells, fumes, certain foods, etc.

Have you had an EKG-stress test, to check out your heart? When you go to the gym, or when you workout, do you get short of breath quickly, fatigue easily, get lightheaded after just a little workout? If you carry something heavy, do you get weak, lightheaded and have difficulty breathing?

The heart is a remarkable organ. One can lose 50% of a heart's beating capacity, and still do OK.

In my case, when I come into contact with certain irritants, my heart doesn't beat right, I get chest pains, sweating, difficulty breathing, tight chest and/or my blood pressure soars.

I am now down to one CCB pill per day, and my reactions to irritants have lessened, and I am doing much better. WHEW!!! What a nasty experience!

I feel that they should put warnings on all fabric softeners that the chemicals in them can be hazardess to one's health. They should do that to all paint cans too, right!? For me, after 25 years of health problems, I am experiencing major changes for the good. Only time will tell where all this leads to.

Best of luck and health. Very happy that you have found a way to deal with the harmful gases within your apartment.

Do you feel your problems are symptomatic of something bigger? Are there any signs of other problems?

In my case, when I come into contact with certain irritants, my heart doesn't beat right, I get chest pains, sweating, difficulty breathing, tight chest and/or my blood pressure soars.

I am now down to one CCB pill per day, and my reactions to irritants have lessened, and I am doing much better. WHEW!!! What a nasty experience!

It's now five months later. I got off of my CCB on May 1st, and have stayed off of it. The reason: I had stopped using fabric softeners on Feb 22nd, which changed the way that my heart reacted to the CCB.

But, I still had additional heart rhythm problems and frequent tightness in my chest, so I tried something else. On June 1st, I stopped drinking diet soda containing Apartame. Stopping it seemed to have a significant effect on lowering my blood pressure. But I still had frequent tightness in my chest and additional heart rhythm problems.

I thought that my Digoxin might not be working the same way in my body, due to my stopping fabric softeners and diet soda, so on August 27th, I cut my Digoxin by 25%. After the reduction, I felt more alert and with more energy, and, after a while, the bouts of tightness in my chest were reduced.

It's been 20 days since I've reduced my digoxin and I am not sure if my system has totally adapted, yet, to the reduced Digoxin. It takes a long time to reduce meds after being on them for a long time, in my opinion.

I've also found out that, when I get a tight chest, if I wear a dust mask, the tightness goes away within 30 minutes. Perhaps my tightness is both Asthma related and heart related? I think so.

I now sleep with a dust mask on all night, and wake up refreshed, with my heart beating softly and slowly, and I feel much better. Before wearing the mask, my heart was always jumping around and beating erratically in bed, and was always beating hard, fast and erratic in the morning.

I have a damaged heart, high blood pressure problems, heart rhythm problems and asthma. I am of the belief that many things that I breathe, or consume, or that touches my skin, makes my condition worse, and the more that I can avoid, the better my heart disease and asthma will do.

I have made major changes to my diet, major reductions in the number of cleaners I use, major reductions in the number of chemicals I encounter, and major changes to my lifestyle. As a result, I am feeling MUCH better, and am on much less medication. I am still on heart meds and asthma meds.

Also......... I still feel that I am having withdrawal problems from cutting out fabric softeners five months ago and/or from cutting out my CCB. Time will tell if I am right about the length of time it takes to withdraw from common, everyday chemicals, like those in fabric softeners. The most common withdrawal symptoms? Soft bowels, constipation and increased sensitivities.

Why am I doing all these strange things? Although I still have significant damage to my heart, which can't be fixed, heart rhythm problems and problems with my blood pressure, I am doing much better. I felt that I had no choice, if I wanted to survive my heart disease. I also wanted to see if I could reduce the sensitive nature of the way my heart beats, and reduce my "too high" blood pressure.

I feel better and have more energy, and finally can sleep comfortably through the night, but my heart still reacts with PACs, PVCs and tachycardias due to things that I consume, things that touch my skin, and things that I breathe. My blood pressure IS lower. AND.......... when my heart starts to misfire, it goes back into a somewhat normal rhythm much sooner than before, so I have seen some positive results. I had hoped for better results, but I am pleased with the positive changes and think that my survival prospects are better.

I wanted to share my experiences, just in case it can help someone else.

Besides the fabric softeners and perfumes, another major antagonist that I now avoid is the daily newspaper. If you take or read or have a newspaper in your home it could be a problem. Newwpaper is very porous. It absorbes many of the chemicals from the printing processes then outgasses for days. One of the chemicals in the offset printing process is the fountain solution - a very acidic, highly volatile alcohol. If I buy a Sunday paper, put it on the kitchen table and lean over it to read - I will get a severe congestion/headache within 10 minutes.

Besides the fabric softeners and perfumes, another major antagonist that I now avoid is the daily newspaper.

I read the newspaper with gloves. At one time, I could not have the newspaper in the same room, but since they changed their ink, I can tolerate it more.

If you take or read or have a newspaper in your home it could be a problem. Newspaper is very porous. It absorbes many of the chemicals from the printing processes then outgasses for days. One of the chemicals in the offset printing process is the fountain solution - a very acidic, highly volatile alcohol. If I buy a Sunday paper, put it on the kitchen table and lean over it to read - I will get a severe congestion/headache within 10 minutes.

Thanks for the feedback. I did not consider that just the presence of the newspaper in my place, could be adding to my problems. I think I will forego the paper for a week or two and see if my symptoms improve. Thanks!

Do you also have problems with carbonless paper, or the stuff that comes in the mail? I'll get a questionaire from an insurance company, etc., and I can't get close to it or my heart rhythm goes nuts, my blood pressure soars, and I get a tight chest.

I am still amazed that, just by removing fabric softeners, my heart meds acted differently.

And yet, doctors frequently prescribe multiple heart meds to patients without regard to a patients environment, diet or sensitivities. No wonder why so many patients either react badly to the meds, or refuse to take them because of the side effects. The patient then goes back to the doctor and complains about the side effects, and the doctor will say that it is all in the patient's mind, or that the side effects are caused by the patient's anxiety or stress. In other words, any problems that the patient has is caused by the patient, and can't be blamed on the doctor prescribing the wrong meds, and/or the wrong doses.

Do you have any increased health problems when lying in bed?

When I was at my worse last year, whenever I went to bed - laying on my back and both nostrils would close up, laying on my side ... whichever nostril was up would open up and the side that was down would congest, ie: lay on my right side and right nostril would congest-left would open and vice versa. It has been a year now since I found the hidden "smells of Christmas" potpouri (that I am sure was the initiating problem) and got rid of it. Through carefull attention, I think I have removed most of the other antagonists and generally feel prety good. Yesterday in Sears, I had a relapse that lasted about 2 hours after I left the store. Not badly congested, but my eyes were tearing, I had a bad headache and that foggy, lightheaded half drunk feeling. My Doctor keeps blaming my heart, but, like the allergist, a battery of tests showed nothing but moderate high BP. No allergies, no heart problems and nobody wants to hear about how odors (some of which I can't even smell) effect me. I had 3 complete blackouts in June, I believe they were caused by volatile chemicals. My Doctor thinks it's my heart and ordered that battery of tests I just completed.

Carbonless papers, petroleum, paints some glues do not bother me. I have not noticed any problems to printing on hard surfaced or coated papers _ they just don't absorb the odors. I do have a problem with "CA" Cyanoacrylate adhesives otherwise known as Super Glue, the odors burn my eyes and make me terribly congested. We just remodeled the kithen and the odors were STRONG, yet I never had a headache or congestion or faint feelings from these.

When I was at my worse last year, whenever I went to bed - laying on my back and both nostrils would close up, laying on my side ... whichever nostril was up would open up and the side that was down would congest, ie: lay on my right side and right nostril would congest-left would open and vice versa.

That seems to be quite common with sinus problems. I had the same problem for years. When my sinuses were really bad, I would constantly switch, from side to side, to open up one miserably stuffed nostril, and close the other one for a while.

Have you found out why it happens? It's my feeling that it's caused by the swelling of the middle turbinate. When one lies on one's left side, the left middle turbinate's swelling drops down to plug the airway, and the right middle turbinate flattens out, opening up the right airway, and then vice versa.

It has been a year now since I found the hidden "smells of Christmas" potpouri (that I am sure was the initiating problem) and got rid of it. Through carefull attention, I think I have removed most of the other antagonists and generally feel prety good.

Good to hear. What else did you remove?

Yesterday in Sears, I had a relapse that lasted about 2 hours after I left the store. Not badly congested, but my eyes were tearing, I had a bad headache and that foggy, lightheaded half drunk feeling.

I hate that mental fog! Sears doesn't bother me too much, but Home Depot is a killer. I don't get the headache, or the eyes tearing, but I get heart rhythm problems, a tight chest, high blood pressure and that foggy, lightheaded, tired feeling.

I've also got a problem with certain types of clothing and dyes. I was in line in SamsClubs, waiting in line near the stacks of clothes, and my heart started jumping, I felt weak and very tired. Pain in the you-know-what!

My Doctor keeps blaming my heart, but, like the allergist, a battery of tests showed nothing but moderate high BP. No allergies, no heart problems and nobody wants to hear about how odors (some of which I can't even smell) effect me.

Surely you have encountered people who understand your sensitivities to odors and chemicals, right? I always compare my situation to the many documented cases of allergic children, who could die if someone on the same plane eats a peanut. It is difficult to imagine that a peanut could give off dangerous fumes or chemicals.

I had 3 complete blackouts in June, I believe they were caused by volatile chemicals. My Doctor thinks it's my heart and ordered that battery of tests I just completed.

To me, it is possible for a normally stable heart to become unstable if the body is overloaded with the many chemicals produced by the endocrine system. The endocrine system produces chemicals for many reasons, such as in response to stress, allergens, immune system responses, etc.

Carbonless papers, petroleum, paints some glues do not bother me. I have not noticed any problems to printing on hard surfaced or coated papers _ they just don't absorb the odors.

Our "irritants" are different, and our symptoms are somewhat different. But the game is the same. We both suffer symptoms when exposed to various irritants and odors. We've just got to find and isolate the irritants that are unique to our systems, if we can.

I do have a problem with "CA" Cyanoacrylate adhesives otherwise known as Super Glue, the odors burn my eyes and make me terribly congested. We just remodeled the kithen and the odors were STRONG, yet I never had a headache or congestion or faint feelings from these.

I use super glue and haven't have a problem with it. I'll trade you my carbonless paper sensitivity for your super glue sensitivity.

I also have never fainted, but I have often felt like I was going to faint, especially after coming into contact with several irritants within the same period of time. The more irritants, the worse my symptoms. My symptoms are also worse from about 9:30pm to about 3am. But, I can relate my fainting symptoms to the irregularity of my heart. The worse my heart jumps around, the worse my symptoms.

It surprises me that you didn't react to the strong remodeling odors. They would have killed me!

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully, someone, someday, somewhere, will find a cure for chronic chemical sensitivities.