Dear Maff

( Just in case you don't remember I'm the person who hasn't been able to wear any new clothes in the past 8 years ).

I thought I'd update you on the possible cures you'd suggested I could try.
I've bought the Gupta brain retraining program and await it's delivery with anticipation. I also visited a GP to discuss the possibility of trying 2 supplements - DHEA and Phosphatidylcholine. He said that the DHEA was a steroid and that I shouldn't take it ( as you suggested ) but he wasn't sure about the other one. I think I'll try it anyway but I'd appreciate yours or anyone else's advice.

One annoying thing the GP said was that my sensitivity to new clothes must be pschological. I'm sure there's a certain element that is psychological but I feel very strongly that it's a misunderstood physical condition. As I tried to explain to him I have a 10 year old cotton t-shirt that feels great but a new cotton t shirt ( having been washed 20 times with the same detergent as the old t shirt ) that feels uncomfortable when I put it on and when the fabric moves against my skin it's like little electric shocks shiver through me. It has to be physical. What do you think ?

I'll keep you updated on my progress with the Gupta method

All the best

Gus21

Hi Gus,

My memory is bad but not quite that bad yet...of course I remember you

Good to hear you have taken some positive steps to tackle your chemical sensitivities. Many people feel it is permanent once you have developed it but myself and a number of other members here (e.g. LadyItchalot, bolam56) are testament to this being untrue. Those who actively try CAN get better!

It sounds like you have one of the many closed-minded GPs that unfortunately populate the NHS. You would be very unlikely to get a positive reaction to DHEA from any GP but the dismissal of your chemical sensitivities as psychological is not only uncaring, it shows ignorance of the medical literature and is just plain wrong. Take a look at this blog article I wrote a few years back explaining that there is more quality scientific evidence for multiple chemical sensitivity being a physical illness than there is for it being psychological - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Portrait of the Skeptic.

If you don't have the success you want with the Gupta program I would certainly recommend working with a doctor practicing environmental or functional medicine who addresses adrenal fatigue and may use DHEA as part of a treatment program. It is not just me who has found it helpful, a survey of 800 MCS patients conducted by Pamela Reed Gibson PhD found DHEA to be a highly rated treatment for effectiveness. The results of this useful survey are published as an appendix in her book - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide

If you feel up to it I would suggest you might look for a new GP who is more sympathetic and clued up. I now have one who always listens and will do whatever he can to help me well acknowledging his hands are often tied. I had many previously who had the same attitude as your GPs and it is simply not helpful in any way.

Good luck with the Gupta program and do keep us updated!

Maff

Hi Gus,
I too am allergic to clothes. I am sure you believe you are going crazy. I took a test that allowed me to confirm my beliefs. It was a test that showed delayed reactions to items and food. I am allergic to formaldehyde, bleach, inks and dyes, petroleum, cotton, wool, and the list goes on. Most clothes are dumped with formaldehyde before shipping to the US from other countries. Also all the stain resistant stuff is terrible that is on clothes and furniture. Most processess in making clothes involves bleach, ink or dyes and petroleum. I have had a big success with organic BUT not all organic. I also can not have any POLYESTER in my fabric or it makes me sick within a few hours and I am throwing up. I am toxined and sick for days. I cant go into a store and be around bedding or towels, I will get so sick I can throw up for days due to all the chemicals on our products. Try buying clothes from the US and use organic. I am also allergic to nickle which all jeans have nickle on them. Also be aware if your cotton is made from Genetically Modified Cotton it might make you really sick. There is proof that folks are getting sick from the planting and picking pocessess and we dont know how it can effect us wearing it. Animals that eat on the byproducts of GMO cotton die. The dyes on the clothes can be another big issue. When I was first sick I couldnt get close to my mail due to the inks on it. Since removing chemicals from my life, I can now do things that I couldnt before but clothes is still an issue. I am have just bought some material that I think is ok and I am going to make my own clothes. I am not sure if I can mention companies that I use but if you want some infomaton I can share it. Not all oganic works for me. I think it is the dyes, also pick light colors so there isnt any dyes used. The chemicals on the clothes, at huge doses are killing us. Parents wonder why kids have asthma and allergies. I know. The chemicals put into our childrens body through their skin and all the GMO food that is causing all these illnesses. I saw my change and what the chemicals did to me and how my body changed by removing them from my life. My mind is getting clearer every day. They are killing us and our FDA is not protecting us. They are in bed with these companies. They approved GMO food because they said it was not different then regular food. Check it out. They lied. Monsanto knows it causes huge allergies to people and cancer. This could be your issue also. Monsantos own scientists said that and no one cares. The head of the FDA was a previous attorney to Monsanto and he approved it. I would only eat organic foods to keep your body clean. I would get an osmosis filter for your water. Your water is full of fluoride, arsenic and others that will kill you. And make sure if they arent organic that they do not use GMO corn, canola, soy, All processed food uses GMO corn products. Do some research on GMOs and if you are not eating organic, probably 95% of your food is GMO, if in the United States. Also maybe it is your detergent. Try one for allergies and I suggest staying away from fragrances and corn. I also would do an infrared sauna to detox the chemicals out of your body. I just found this site and hope to learn some new things. I have been fighting this for 5 years and I can read my body and know when I am exposed but cant always tell why I am sick for days. You have to clean you environment from chemicals in your home and car and that will help u. Goodluck and you can do it.
I hope this helps. You are not crazy and yes your clothes are making you sick.

Sue

Dear Sue
I'm trying to think of the world and what's around us in a positive way but thanks for your comment.
Gus

Hello everyone.

I registered recently as i was trying to find someone having exactly the
same symtoms with me and i find out that Gus 21 is relly close.

I never feel comfortable with a new t-shirt in a point that i always have to wear used, and rarelly with trousers or long sleeves.

Now i dont now if its the same with you Gus21 in this matter,but i could not find understanding from others and the help of an expert didnt sound possible.
I cant call this exactly an alergy, but more like hypersensitivity of the touch sence, apparently to the messy cotton fibres that havent been smoothed by
the passage of time.
Its for the same reason that i always can feel on me a hair or a tiny object
irritating me while i am sure that anyone else wouldt bother.

John .b

Hi John,

Welcome to the forums. I hope we'll be able to help you.

It sounds like rather than an allergy or chemical sensitivity you have a generalised hypersensitivity to touch. This is a common symptom of illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Sufferers often experiences patches of skin that become intensely sensitive to the slightest touch and the extreme of this is fibromyalgia patients who experience a gentle touch as excruciating pain.

The problem seems to be that the brain is misinterpreting the signals it receives from peripheral sensory nerves and amplifies the softest of touches into the pain that would normally be experienced from a serious wound. The same type of hypersensitivity occurs with the other senses, a prime example being sensitivity to light.

Is the skin sensitivity the only symptom you have or do you think perhaps there is more going on. I am thinking energy levels, pain, cognitive difficulties etc?