Hello-

I'm writing because I have had an incredibly difficult time finding ANY filters that I can use that don't make my symptoms WORSE!!!

I've tried HEPA filters to just filter out fine particles, but whatever chemicals they use to make that cause me problems. I've tried activated carbon but often times it sends tiny little particles into the air that causes me to have horrible reactions.

I've tried masks you wear, but even the slight chemicals they use to make the masks cause me to become worse. I've even tried getting a HEPA type vacuum back and washed it, then use that as a filter material, but that still had a chemical off scent that caused me to become worse.

I cannot find ANY filter that doesn't seem to bother me and make me worse.

In all seriousness I feel totally overwhelmed and I am beginning to feel hopeless. I've tried looking for different locations that don't affect me but I haven't had any luck. I've tried a total of about 6-8 different filters and I can't find even ONE that doesn't make me worse.

My symptoms are extreme. I become extremely light headed, I can't think, when I stand up I get a head rush, my spine begins to really ache and hurt, I can't focus, I can't remember things well, I become EXTREMELY depressed and often anxious. I get even more fatigued than I normally am. I've been trying to figure out a situation for myself for over 2 years straight now and I have to fight just to make it through each day. I feel eventually I will end up taking my own life. I really don't have the energy and ability to remain in constant unrelenting pain with no real end. It seems that EVERYTHING I try doesn't seem to help.

I've informed a very good friend of mine as well as my family that if I can't make things work I don't want to be alive any longer. I hate the thought of ending my life but it is the only thing at this point I can think of. I was originally diagnosed with bipolar only to find out that what was actually causing my depression and mood swings has been environmental triggers affecting me. I've attempted suicide once already but I ended up bailing out at the last minute. However- if I were to try it again I would not fail and I wouldn't back out either.

I'm just sincerely LOOKING for anyone who has found any type of filters that are unsually free of ANY odors or chemicals.

I'm utterly at the end of my rope. I've essentially been losing my will to live and there doesn't seem to be anyone who is ever able to really help me.

I doubt anyone is really going to be able to respond to this with much help- I suppose I'm more or less just telling everyone how much pain I am in- and letting them know it won't be long before I'm likely not around any longer.

-Jason

Hi Jason,

Sorry to here you are suffering so much and in such despair. Firstly I want to tell you to hang in there and not to give up because I know from your previous posts and talking with you privately that you're intelligent and determined and you CAN get through this.

I'm saddened to hear that the ICanBreathe! face masks didn't work out for you because they were a great crutch for me when my chemical sensitivities were at their worst.

I can't recommend any air purifiers unfortunately as the ones I tried caused me symptoms initially as well. I also found them to be ineffective for preventing MCS symptoms.

However, if there is one thing I have learned from many years of suffering from environmental illnesses it is that there is ALWAYS another way.

MCS is an organic disease that appears to be neurological/neurotoxic, as you know having had your SPECT scan. So as well as doing your best to avoid exposures you can also tackle your illness from the other end - by treating the underlying causes.

For me balancing hormones and neurotransmitters (particularly serotonin and GABA which are calming)played a huge role in overcoming my chemical sensitivities and please believe me when I say I was severely affected and feeling suicidal like you for a long time. I particularly found that adrenal function is central so taking DHEA supplements and boosting cortisol levels with licorice helped a great deal. You may want to have an Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) test to check your levels but experience has taught me to try things anyway to see if they help whatever a single test result may say.

Other things that may help are thyroid hormone (if levels are low), getting out in the sun more (light and vitamin D needed for neurotransmitter production), and precursors/co-factors to neurotransmitter production including 5-htp, high doses of vitamin D, l-tyrosine, dl-phenylalanine, SAMe, vitamin B6 (P5P form), and vitamin C.

Detoxification is also vital to prevent symptoms and further sensitization/damage of the brain. As you probably know glutathione is the body's most important antioxidant and I have found the best way to raise levels in the blood and cells to be LifeWave glutathione patches and undenatured whey.

On the subject on detoxification you may also want to look into your gut health as the gut can be a major source of toxins that affect the brain. Have a look at the Candida & Gut Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut Syndrome pages and articles.

The work of Dr. Martin Pall might also provide you with new avenues of treatment you haven't explored:

Article: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - The End of Controversy

Book: Explaining Unexplained Illnesses

I hope all this gives you something to think about and some new areas to explore. Most of all I hope it gives you HOPE. I have recovered from MCS and so have many others. I say this a lot but it is \"not a life sentence\". You are young so have a great chance to heal and life a happy and fulfilling life. Don't give up!

Maff

Hello,

I recently bought a product called 'Airfree Air steriliser'. It's very effective at reducing levels of allergens in the air (not chemicals though unfortunately). It doesn't actually use any filter and you can get a stainless steel model for those sensitive to hard plastic, as it heats up a bit.

I hope this is some help to you. I wish you the very best.

Try The Aireox 45 model air filter. They go to great lengths to use materials that are safe. There are no garauntees for any of us because we are all bio-individual and our sensitivities vary but that is the best that I have found. The 45D adds Purafil, a compound to remove formaldehyde. The 45 omits that substance. Call them and talk to them, they are very nice and helpful (I am not affiliated, just a customer). Maybe they will work with you.

Post edited by: GeorgeG, at: 2009/01/29 18:18<br /><br />Post edited by: GeorgeG, at: 2009/01/29 18:19

Don't know if this helps but...

I have found nothing that effectively filters the VOC offgassing in my apt... The air outside is always cleaner.

What worked for me was to open all the doors and windows in my flat as soon as I get home. I literally hold my breath as I open the front door, then run around opening the whole place up for a few minutes. Even in the winter, when it's cold outside, a total air exchange does the trick.

I turn the air handler of the furnace on with the place opened up to purge the ducts, then close the place up after 5 minutes or so. This totally exchanges my inside air, which has grown stale, with fresh outdoor air.

If it's warm enough, I leave a couple of windows cracked to keep fresh air moving through my place. If it's too cold to do this, I still find doing a total air exchange, then warming the place up is better than trying to filter stale indoor air.

Granted, there is some pollution in outdoor air, but I have found indoor air is always worse. After a total air exchange, I'm good for six to eight hours... Enough time to sleep. Then I repeat the process.

Also... Heat affects how quickly treated wood and synthetics/plastics and others materials outgass VOC into your room air. The warmer it is, the more outgassing you get. Keep the place cool while you are away, then do an air exchange when you get home and warm the place up till it's comfortable.

Hope this helps... GodSpeed my friend! You will find a way to go on and improve your MCS symptoms eventually... I did. It took 4 years of trying different tricks and supplements, but I am much better now. Keep trying and don't give up!

I use an ioniser, it doesn't need hepa filters, and there are loads of sizes available for personal, car and house use. It did give off an odour initially but this quickly goes.

www.heavenfresh.co.uk/

I'm sure there are other suppliers out there.

You are describing exactly the same symptoms I had, which were considerably reduced once I'd eliminated all manmade chemicals in toiletries, cleaning products, laundry, fabrics like acrylics, I'm sure you know what they are. This includes what are called unperfumed, because they still contain the same chemicals. I also have no additives, artificial sweeteners or preservatives in my food, and have basically detoxified myself over the last 6 months.
Like me, and many others, your headaches are the most debilitating and overwhelming symptom, once the inflammation in your sinuses is reduced the other symptoms should ease. Like I've said I used flixonase (an aqueous steroid)for about 3 months gradually reducing the dose.
I also found by gradual elimination that I discovered other things that trigger symptoms that I hadn't considered.

I do hope this helps

Stick in there Jason it will get better,

Helen