Hi everyone!
I'm fairly new to the allergy thing. I've had skin tests and am allergic to dust, dust mites, molds and pet dander. Before being tested I had noticed an increasing sensitivity to some smells. Perfume, windex, smoke, etc. Are any of you bothered by this? It's getting worse. When I go to work and someone nearby has on a strong perfume it just about kills me some days. It's almost like a panic. I have to leave the area for a fresh breath!
Also smoke, I used to smoke...quit 2 years ago. My husband still does though. He's pretty good. Will go outside usually. Sometimes he stands by an open window. I think that some days are worse than others. Right now it feels that someone is sitting on my chest.
I take Allerx daily and have albuteral as needed. I don't have asthma but have reactive asthma? I think thats what they called it.
Anyway, what do you do to help yourself in these situations. Is it something I just have to learn to live with?
Thanks,
mamu :wave:

Before being tested I had noticed an increasing sensitivity to some smells. Perfume, windex, smoke, etc. Are any of you bothered by this? It's getting worse.

It could be MCS, or Multiple Chemical Sensitivies. There is a forum here called Environmental Disorders, which you might want to check out.

For some reason, sometimes after a bad cold or after exposure to chemicals, people get VERY sensitive to chemicals or odors, which never really bothered them before.

One of my problems is getting a tight chest, high blood pressure and heart rhythm problems, when I come into contact with a chemical, or pollen, or irritant that bothers me.

When I go to work and someone nearby has on a strong perfume it just about kills me some days. It's almost like a panic. I have to leave the area for a fresh breath!

Also smoke, I used to smoke...quit 2 years ago. My husband still does though. He's pretty good. Will go outside usually. Sometimes he stands by an open window. I think that some days are worse than others. Right now it feels that someone is sitting on my chest.

Have you checked your blood pressure or your heart rate when this happens to you? My blood pressure and heart rate are effected by many irritants, especially smoke. I can be bothered by the smoke in someone's hair or clothes, even though they haven't smoked in hours.

Checking that you have normal heart rate and blood pressure when you are having problems would help, somewhat, to put your mind at ease.

Anyway, what do you do to help yourself in these situations. Is it something I just have to learn to live with?
Thanks,
mamu :wave:

No one has all the answers, or can say for sure. From my research, once someone gets chemically sensitive, the only solution is finding out which irritants are causing the problems and avoiding them.

Sometimes medicines can cause these sensitivies. You say that you are taking Allerx and albuteral. Do you take any other herbs or vitamins pills?

Thanks for the reply beerzoids
I have been having some problems with my blood pressure lately. I haven't taken my pressure during a chemical moment though. I've been on dyazide in the past but am not on it now. I do not take any vitamins or herbal stuff. I will check out the Env. Disorders forum though, thanks.

I personally think Multiple Chemical Sensitivies is a bunch of hogwash but that's another story. :)

Both my husband and I have the same thing happen that you do mamu. Strong smells can bug people with allergies A LOT.

Perfume, strong chemicals, candles, smoke, going from the cold to hot or hot to cold outside.

These will probably be things you need to avoid. My husband takes Advair, Singular, and Zytrec and it helps him tremendously. I don't take any of those things and am really bothered by smells. I avoid perfume wearers like the plague. :)

I personally think Multiple Chemical Sensitivies is a bunch of hogwash but that's another story. :)

The Social Security Administration recognizes Multiple Chemical Sensitivies (MCS) as a disability. There are many doctors that specialize in MCS. People with MCS have been able to get relief from their symptoms by avoiding contact with the chemicals that make them sick.

But............ there are two sides to the same coin. Your opinion is that people should never have a bad reaction to exposure to chemicals. When I come into contact with certain chemicals it causes increases in my blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and various heart rhythm problems which have been documented while using a Holter 24hour ECG monitor.

If my problem is not being triggered by exposure to chemicals, and if there is a cure of which you have knowledge, I sure would like to know about it. What is your cure for this?

What has been the results of your research into this disease, and what do you think is causing the reactions that people have when they encounter chemicals, if their illness is not being caused by the chemicals themselves?

Linderrella,

Please clarify your view on MCS. I suffer from this lousy affliction and it is not hogwash. Believe me, 2 years+ ago I was the healthiest 28 year old guy and was very skeptical about peoples health complaints. Then one day I woke up and was ***** headed and dizzy for no apparent reason. Doctors thought it was an inner ear disturbance for a while, then I realized it got worse when I was around perfumes, fresh paint, cleaning solution etc. Perfect example: I got into my office two weeks ago and felt particularly ***** headed and swollen allergically. It was bothering the hack out of me, but nothing really smelled. Then my bosses assistant says that he just got all new furniture in his office. His office vents circulate into mine.

If you know anything about this lousy affliction that might help or why you think it is hogwash, I would love to know.

Let's face it, all chemicals are pretty-much poison. Some of our bodies just can't take it anymore. Maybe it is the autoimmune system going awry due to disfunction. I have these problems too, but I haven't pinpointed whether it is because I am Sulfite Sensitive, Salicylate Sensitive, or because I have environmental allergies. Maybe there is an underlying disorder that causes the body to react so strongly. It seems though, that when you are allergic to one thing it leads to another and then just about everything! My hubby jokes with me calling me 'hypo' thinking I am trying to get out of cleaning the shower but I get pains up my neck and my body gets flushed and swollen when I use tub and tile cleansers or harsh chemicals. Even inscence that people burn to make their homes smell good can be a nightmare in disguise. I can feel my heartbeat in my ears, it is just one more reason to buy things from a food co-op. OSHA will tell you too, the things we use every day will kill you in one manner or another. Be careful, and try to use as many natural products as you can, and leave out the allergens in the ingredients too!