I have been meaning to ask everyone...

So it seems that the more I avoid chemicals the more sensitive I get to them when I finally am exposed... anyone know why??? Or have the same experience as this?

I've been doing pretty well at avoid chemicals at my parent's house- BUT it seems like I'm getting increasingly sensitive to them! Such as things I could tolerate before I can't even tolerate after I'm 'trying' to get exposure off of my system- why would I be getting worse when I'm being exposed to things less???

I don't understand why my avoidance of chemicals has caused me to become even more sensitized to them- anyone have an explanation???

It is so distressing! My family is angry with me because they complain I'm only becoming worse the longer I seem to avoid the chemicals- I can't even tolerate what I was able to before...


IF anyone has any suggestions or information concerning this I would SOOOO appreciate it!

Thanks,

Jason F.<br /><br />Post edited by: javan999, at: 2009/03/11 23:55

I know what you mean. When I first developed this condition my symptoms were so debilitating I couldn't do anything at all for the pain. Once I started eliminating the chemicals that were making me ill, I got better and more able to function. But at the same time discovered more and more things that made me ill.
I believe these chemicals were also making me ill from day one, I just didn't realise. Things like printing ink, the gas cooker, paraffin candles, acrylic sweaters, caffeine and food additives.
Although you have discovered more things, they are probably chemically similar.

I am still sensitive, but I recover more quickly after an exposure. I have just changed my life style to avoid all chemicals. I'm lucky that I have a very supportive family.

What new things have you become sensitive to?

Thanks so much for your reponse Helen64...

To answer your question- I came to stay with my parents, and it only seemed to require that people not use harsh cleaning chemicals, then I noticed I needed for people to not wear perfume or cologne... then it seemed to require that people not wear personal cleaning products not made out of all natural products... then I notice I'm needing people to keep the bedrooms shut at all time to feel well... My family isn't very understanding to begin with- but with my condition requiring all of this, we end up getting in lots of arguments unfortunately. It isn't fu- in fact it is living hell and I often times just don't want to wake up for the next day to be honest.

If you don't mind asking you, how old are you? The reason I'm curious is whether or not the family you are with now is your own (husband and children) or if this is your parents.

I'm 26- been ill for a while now, but I'm staying with my folks right now. They have had a hard time understanding the illness and how serious it is. They typically fight me on changing most things- which I'll be entirely honest- causes me to feel hopeless, stressed and immensely depressed. I've told them this many times...

Maff has been very helpful- but I might even have them read your response and how you are improved- it takes time, and it has happened largely out of your family being supportive and understanding.

Different chemicals have different effects on me- but the effects range from anger/irritability/rage, to deep depression, anxiety, fatigue, light headedness, spinal pain, overall aching, cloudy head and thinking, pain in my central nervous system, and a few others...

I believe I'm likely more sensitive than most people with MCS... I'm so sensitive that I have tired over 6 different air filers with carbon, and qualities to help VOC's in the air and I can't tolerate any of them... they all make me worse. I have to keep the doors shut to all the bedroom doors to avoid exposure- have to avoid refined sugar, bananas, wheat, milk, hot substances (I think garlic), and others... I can't even really go anywhere and function... Even the chlorine from the tap water when taking a shower causes me horrible symptoms.

How long have you been avoiding chemicals? Would you mind telling me a little more?


Thank you so much,

Jason F., Colorado, and California<br /><br />Post edited by: javan999, at: 2009/03/12 00:04

Hi Jason, it sounds like you are having a really bad time. I started this all of a sudden in Sept. 2004. I am a paramedic and had a bad reaction to a nurses perfume in the hospital. Had no clue what was going on. did it twice more a couple weeks apart before the connection was made with the nurse. went thru the medical community, family doctor, pulmonologist, allergist (who laughed at me and said it was in my mind), rheumatologist, and endocrinologist. I gave up and found a naturopathic dr in Virginia Beach. I live in Virginia. They are more plentiful out your way. She did some extensive testing and found out I was allergic to a lot of foods. The top 5 were tomatoes, garlic, onions, whey, and grains. I also cannot tolerate MSG or any preservatives or coloring. Initially she put me on a very strict diet. It was very difficult at first. All organic, the top 5 I can never eat again. I am at the point now I don't miss them. My bread and stuff is made from rice. As long as I watch what I eat my reactions are less. Never liked italian food and didn't realize why. Its hard when your family isn't supportive. It very nearly destroyed my marriage. Now my husband goes in and sniffs before he will let me go in. I don't go to church anymore because of the perfume. The priests take turns coming to the house and whoever is coming wears nothing with scent. Nothing in mu house has a scent to it. My teenage daughter used to resent it but has also gotten used to it. Her friends know that can't come over if they are wearing anything with scent. I don't eat out or fast food. I am back working on an ambulance and am able to work productively. Granted it took two years and we lost our house because I couldnot work, I also had to go to a psychiatrist and get him to do all kinds of testing to prove to that I had no psychiatric disorders for the md. I had to prove to them that it wasnt in my mind. Didn't feel I should have to do that but if that is what it takes. There is lots of information out there. If you want send me your address and I will mail you some of the stuff I have accumulated over the last few years.
The first years or so it seemed like everytime i turned around something new was bothering me. I will try to explain it simply. Imagine your immune system in hyperactive overdrive. It thinks everything u smell is an enemy to your body and reacts. By avoiding somethng completely the next time u smell it it will react like it is the very first time. try the handkerchief or masks. I hope something helps. Jo

You should really have a look at Martin's Pall book, it really helps!

Here, I have a blog entry on the topic
www.galador.net/blog/post/2009/03/09/Rec...e-tablets-today.aspx

(I mengtion Stress B Forte, which I got immediately form the drugstore which did provide some relief)

and here is the book:
www.ei-resource.org/environmental-illnes...xplained-illnesses:/
www.amazon.com/Explaining-Unexplained-Il...77575&amp;sr=8-1

As Martin Pall explain, the MCS problen is two fold.
1. The vicious cycle of increased NO in the nervous system, the source of chronic pain.
2. The training of the nervous system which makes it inreasingly sensistive to the agent causing problem (this agent trigger the original NO increased, which self perpetuate).

I can't claim I understand everything in the book, it's almost a medical book. But it's clear that his approach is to reduce the NO. And it does help a lot. I'm not sure he has a solution for the trained nervous system (it's my understanding he has not), although he did mention that long term reduction are possible after long term hiding in chemical safe environment!. I supppose if you take the tablet for a long time it might helps...


Hope that help!?!

Hi Jason,

I am sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I have experienced MCS since Aug 2008 and have been signed of work since 23rd Jan following a particular bad exposure outside of my or my companies control. Since that time I have had to ask my partner and the children not even to use shower gel and keep doors closed etc I am so acutely sensitive we rid all our household chemicals some months ago. What I would say is that since leaving work and reducing my exposure I too have got a lot worse and at one point couldn't even tolerate food. I think perhaps that this adjustment could be a result of the body detoxing??? That was a couple of weeks ago and I like you was desperate for relief but I have stabalised and have at least 10 organic foods that I rotate as much as possible and only drink filtered water but my sensitivity haven't lessened but am able now to get out of bed. I know that it doesn't feel like it a the moment when your are in so much dispair but things will level out.

Apologies if you have concidered all of this but What is your outside air quality like where you live? The reason I ask is that I have had to leave my family as we lived only a few miles from a oil refinery and there was little respite for me, are you near any industry?. There may be things in the house that are also making you ill ie carpets, paint fumes from radiater paint no matter how old, gas appliances, washing powder, etc could it be any of these?

I do hope things improve for you and your parents become more understanding. I would concider all the advise Maff and others have with regard to supplements, I have to get stronger first before I go down this route.

Hopefully you should stabilise soon.

Regards

Sarah