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Fragrances make me sick

Berryboy
  • By Berryboy
  • Posted September 11, 2009 at 1:37 am · 23 replies
  • In Triggers
  • Shared with the public
  • Edited September 11, 2009 at 1:41 am
1 Recommendation

Everytime someone uses anything with a fragrance I get nauseous and my nose and throat start burning. Then my head starts spinning and pounding. I have to take Imitrex to survive the migraine. No one seems to care. I have a roommate and the agreement was that the house is fragrance free but he uses Irish spring soap and there are other noxious scented stuff near his room & bathroom. He came here with clothing and bedding permeated with scented dryer sheets and the smell will not dissipate. It cost me over $200 a month in extra medication since he moved in. I specifically discusses the fragrance issues and specified in the lease that it was a fragrance free home. He professes deep spirituality but does not care if I drop dead from the pain tomorrow. Times are tough so it is hard losing a renter, but I think it is costing me more that I am receiving, especially my health. I have trouble at work as well. I tell people I get migraines from perfumes and fragrances but people don't seem to care. I even buy people unscented lotions to use. I bought my roommate unscented everything but he still uses his crap. He uses all my unscented stuff for free and I am suprised that he knows the scented stuff makes me sick but does not stop using it. I think people are either monsters or so selfish that they cannot do anything for the benefit of others. Once I used a balm to help my neck that was all essential oils & someone said the eucalyptus made them sick so I went home & showered and never used it again. I cannot imagine harming someone knowing that it makes them uncomfortable. What is wrong with people today? I find that even the people that profess deep moral beliefs are not any better. In fact I have lived with atheists who were more considerate.. What is suppose to make people tick is the love of God and to show that same love and mercy back. Just because someone professes they love God it does not mean that don't mean they really do. They talk but they don't walk the walk. It is all about them. I am in pain and it is unbearable. I find whenever you ask anything of anyone, no matter how nice you are, they treat you poorly because they don't want to change anything and just want to do their thing. We have become a hard hearted, lukewarm people who do not love eachother anymore. Noone cares. No one.

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Cancer Weakness Pain Prednisone Hearing aids Stress Imitrex

23 replies

janhwc

Dear Berryboy: I am so sorry that you are having such a bad time. I have been around people who wear their fragrances so heavy that it causes me to start choking and have to leave whatever event I am at earlier to be able to breathe & stop coughing.

I must admit that I am guilty of wearing cologne. However, from my past experiences, I have learned to go with a very light mist instead of perfume or cologne. So far, I haven't noticed that it bothers anyone. HOWEVER, after reading your e-mail, I am going to put a halt to wearing it anymore away from my home. I don't want to be the cause of making anyone else suffer for my vanity.

Please don't give up on people, there are alot of wonderful folks in our fast paced society, they just need to be reminded of things like this. We just need to let them know that we have a condition that doesn't allow us to enjoy these fragrances. but that irritates our tender systems. If they take offense to that, then at least we have tried, maybe they'll come around some day. I have found that many people are sympathic to our situation & might even apologize & they learn from the experience & try not to wear fragrances in public again.,

Thank you for bringing this issue up. I think most people don't realize the problems fragrances can create for others.

I pray your roommate will snap out of it. If that just doesn't happen, then, I hope you'll find someone who will be in agreement with your issues & honor them by not using the fragrances. I know it will be difficult, but perhaps you can locate someone by word of mouth or maybe even an ad somewhere, using a PO box for an address.

Best wishes to you, please let me know how it's going.

Blessings,

janhwc

gonenatural

I am sorry you are in this situation and I am sure you would easily find another room mate since times are so tough to live alone and maybe find someone that is older or has an illness will help. Many that are disabled or elderly have since lost their homes and the lists are too long for them to get into "special" income housing. I have an issue with some odors also, not as bad as yours, and it is getting worse. I don't wear scents as often as I use to and when I go to a theater I try to wear something soft. Someone soaked in the flowery odor gets me very sick and ruins the night for me and it is costly to go the theater. I've paid $200 a ticket, out of state, hotel, etc. I was lucky that evening.
We can't stop everyone from wearing something scented but the way we treat each other in a surrounding such as yours has sure changed. I find it difficult to speak in the open without a million nasty vulger words coming out of their mouths, even children with their parents there. Recently my bird was hurt very bad and had to be put to sleep and while waiting a grown man, in front of his mother, told me, you know, I would never spend that kind of money, what we do in Portugul is we snap their necks. I am standing there in tears already and he says this. And then more comes out and then the mother goes to the cage and going to try to pet my very injured bird and then I went off and told her we are in America, not Portugal, this is my bird to back away and shut their mouths NOW.
Sorry everyone, I know, Sarc site. Just what you are going through pulled something out of me.
gn

Angelfox

Hi Berry....I, too have problems with certain fragrances. Just being in church or the grocery can start it off.
I can see us all living in a bubble...LOL.I don't know the age of your roomy, but young people are very self-centered, all about me oriented.
Keep trying to get through to him and best of luck!

BUNKIE

Berryboy,
I am so sorry you have to go through this. I became very sensitive to all fragrences and toxins when I got sick with Sarcoid. When exposed I get a dizzy feeling, a migraine and become wobbly. It can last for several days. I have to admit before that I did wear some light cologne but never strong. I keep a mask with me at all times now and when put in a bad situation I put it on immediately. I have had people ask why and I tell them. I also have a scent free home and fortunately live alone so I can keep it that way for the most part. I have a sign on my door stating I live scent free. Yet I have friends I don't see often and at times they come in wearing it. I immediately grab my mask and they apologize but it seems to be just human nature. I purchased several air purifiers for my home that seem to help control it. I have a part time caretaker that comes when I need her and she used to argue with me about not using anything with a scent. She swore she did not and yet I would get sick. Finally I sniffed her clothes and it was the darned Downey she used to wash them. After we got that corrected it was fine.
I know times are tuff but if you can get a purifer for your room it would give you a place to retreat to. As far as the roommate goes he needs to really go. It sounds like he is doing it on purpose. He could at least use the unscented stuff around you and put on the other when he leaves the house. It is a small price to ask. I agree with gonenatural about you finding another roommate. There must be a way. Life with this disease is tuff enough without added stress because stress keeps us actively fighting Sarcoid.
Good luck to you.
Bunkie

carleen

I have the same condition, nausea, headache.
I also have my throat get raw feeling from any fragrances.
All my friends know this and understand but the mother n law needs better hearing aids :)

kimmarc

I have it too but not as bad or longlasting. I think that people just forget things if they are not reminded constantly. It's just like a very close person to me had to be reminded for YEARS that I was lactose intolerant cause every time I ate at her house I would get so sick. I swore she was trying to kill me. lol. And I quote " I didn't really think about the fact that butter is dairy".
Just keep doing what you do and try to get a new roomate. Remember: You are not alone. Peace.

Audreymac

I just started with this after having Sarc for 5 years. The scent hits my chest and I start to cough violently, Then I smell what is making me cough. I can't go to the gas station to fill my car. I was so short of breath, I had to leave church because of the perfume on the lady in the next pew!! I'm on 40 mgs of Pred until November and Advair. It has calmed down some but I do carry a mask with me just in case. I have to be real careful if people are out in the yard grilling as this too makes me cough. I shut all the windows.
I was so upset because I swore never to take Prednisone again, But it helps my breathing sooo much,I guess you never say never in life...

Berryboy

Thank you all for your feedback and encouragement. I get really down except when I am at home where I can breathe clean air and contol my pain. Thank you for having a place to express the pain and be understood

Berryboy

I have birds too and they are sensitive to many household items that have chemicals and fragrances. I am so sorry about your companion bird and the trauma your went through losing him. I have 4 and they are my little buddies. I did lose a resued Lutino parrotlet and I tried to bring him back to health but he was just to weak coming from a horrible breeder. Thank you all for your feedback and encouragement. I get really down except when I am at home where I can breathe clean air and contol my pain. Thank you for having a place to express the pain and be understood

Berryboy

Thank you for you kind and understanding reply. I guess most people don't want to change anything if they don't have to. It is very hard at work but worse at home since there is no escape from the fragrances. I sit outside with my birds as much as possible. I did a lot of gardening today so I am in a lot of pain but I just keep pushing because it hurst to sit, stand , lay down anyway. Take care and thank you for your words of encouragement

Berryboy

thank you for your recommendation for an air purifier. I will look into some without teflon to see if it might help. I am in pain pretty much no matter what I do but the fragrances just make me collapse. I need to work so it is a touch situation. I wish they could make a cool head gear that would filter out all the toxic air. THanks again for comforting me and take care of yoursel

Berryboy

Hi Carleen,

I am glad that you have understanding friends and family. THere is always someone who will be indifferent and I find that many people are indifferent and will not alter their habits no matter how much you suffer. I don't understand because It is not so hard to give of oneself to help someone who is hurting. I would not give peanut butter to someone who is allergic and if anyone came to visit and let me know that certain things affect them I would do my best to make them comfortable. Take good care and I hope the Mom inlaw learns to be kinder and more considerate of you

Berryboy

Thank you for your ecouragement. I have been contemplating the new roommate situation. I need to have a place I can go to breathe clean air. I don't know why it is so hard for some people to temporarily give up using things that harm others. He is only here until next may but I really don't think it will work for that long. I just have to figure out how to finalize it. I have sent him links and all kinds of information and feedback from other people but it has not moved him to care. I thought by buying him all the unscented stuff that generocity would compel him to be more considerate but it has not.

Berryboy

Thank you for sharing your situation. I have trouble pumping gas as well. There are so many things that affect me and cause pain but I just keep trying to survive and function as best I can. I would think with all the talk about green & heathy they would stop putting fragrances and toxic chemicals into body care products and household goods. I thing it is a long road ahead before there is a breakthough. Just think of how much cleaner our air and water would be if companies like Johnson & johnson & Dow, etc would stop using toxic chemicals. Take good care of yourself and thank you for caring enough to reach out to me.

BUNKIE

I forgot to mention Debra Lynn Dadd has a website for MCS affected people. I don't necessarly want to buy into that diagnosis yet but I use some of her ideas to help me with my perfume and toxin issues. She is very helpful and there are Q & A pages that you can use. Just a thought.
Bunkie

Mellie1954

If and when you go into remission, those sensitivities should go away. I was like that too when I had active pulmonary sarc. Scents still make me cough a bit, but nothing major.

sheree52

WOW I AM NOT ALONE AGAIN YOU ALL BLOW MY MIND...SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A FREAK BUT I JUST ASKED THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR WHERE I WORK IF WE COULD HAVE ONE RESTROOM ALL NATURAL FREE OF FLOWERS AND PINE TREES, HE AGREED BECAUSE HE ALSO IS VERY SENSITIVE .. THEY ARE WORKING ON IT, PULLED THE AUTO SPRAYERS OUT THAT DAY..YEAH!!

pamk

I can relate to the sensitivity. My sarc has been both active and inactive as I feel that it is always there. I am sensitive to fragrances no matter when. My sarc being inactive does not change my sensitivity or reaction.

I am a therapist and have a small office to see clients. I have had to ask some of my clients not wear their scents when they come in to see me. Most understand and I even have a sign up in my office. Fortunately my husband doesn't like the smell of fragrances so we live in a fragrance free home except when my daughter comes home from college and sometimes forgets.

PCofLakewood

I’m so happy to have found this site.
The government requires to each business to maintain MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for each chemical used at each facility, yet..some of the same chemicals listed on the hazardous chemical sheets, are the exact same base for many (if not all), of the perfumes people wear each day.
People are purposely making other people (possibly themselves) very ill by wearing toxic chemicals. No wonder so many people have cancer. The cure could be right under their own nose. Get a clue people..you're making other people rich by wearing toxic chemicals.
Also, I have co-workers that use their perfume to bully me. Sick.

PCofLakewood

I don't know how the word "sensitivity" worked it way into this toxic problem.
The word "sensitive' sounds like you have a choice.
We don't have a choice.
We have dangerous adverse physical reactions to toxic chemicals. There is nothing "sensitive" about it.

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