Thanks so much -- ya know they tried to tell me that I was the ONLY one who they have ever heard that couldn't tolerate even the basic filters -- I KNEW that couldn't be true just knowing the nature of this beast.

I will check on that site and see if they have any suggestions at all.

I really appreciate this info!

Judi

Hi Maff,

I can relate to what you are asking; however, yes, I have found that it can help especially to clear out stuff that "accidentally" gets in due to open windows, family members that just don't get it, windows being open, mail that gets brought in scented, MY STEPDAUGHTER (who is a teenager who mainly lives with her mom and Refuses to not use heavily scented products and laundry detergents and shampoos), etc. Also when we have had to buy something new - OH MY GOD! I have to mainly use it to run in the problematic area when I am not in it to clear it. I did find one very small desktop model quite by accident as it was the first one I bought desperately trying to find something to allow me to continue to be at my job. It was way too small to do anything really except when I put my face directly on it if someone was had walked by with cologne -- not alot of help, but at least better air. For some reason that tiny one I can tolerate much better than any of the Austin ones I spent so much money on. Only a very small inkling of dislike when I turn it on but pretty much tolerable. It is just not big enough to do any really benefit for me with the extent of my reactions.

The masks alone do not work when there is something I really react to around (and I do have a slight reaction to them though not too bad, it always starts with lips and cheeks tingling and I know what it is). I use a pre-filter now in them and have used several carbons in a mask and have even added another mask with extra carbon or 2 on top and if the product is real bad for me, I still react to what is in the air if bad (better than at first because less things do it, but still have to hold my nose). This also gets hard to breathe through when air blocked by too many carbons.

I am very thankful for the improvements that have occurred for sure, but from experience I now realize that the more toxins we are exposed to, the worse we get again.

When this got to its peak after me working in a sick building for 25 years (and other bad exposures in early life) and then the icing on the cake was Toxic Mold in my house that took months to find due to it being in an inside wall and a tiny drip of water at a time we couldn't see at first. I couldn't stand to be in the house and my husband thought I was nuts. I always had some reactions which I thought were more allergies, but never knew it could get like this. I have had severe Fibromyalgia for about 30 years though. Now that I know more, I realize I had symptoms my entire life.

Anyway, we had to remove every chemical in the house back then. I couldn't even handle baking soda at the time. I am sure you understand, I just couldn't handle anything.

I will check into the respirator too, but I have never found one I could stand on my face for any time due to pain issues. I have trouble wearing glasses due to pain on my face and ears. I am light sensitive often and have to wear sunglasses alot too so all my glasses all have to be as light as possible and I have to take breaks from having them on. Even the masks hurt my ears (wearing ear plugs is painful also). It is strange I know, but my reality.

I will also look into the DIY chemical testing kit. That is interesting. I didn't know that was available.

Thanks so much for all your insight and info!

Best Wishes!
Judi