I cannot remember if we have ever discussed this before or not. Does anyone have problems being around things like this? Like extreme nausea, a headache or a sudden increase in pain? Or going into a fabric store, where there is a lot of odor from the finish they use on fabrics? I feel like throwing up walking through the perfume department in department stores...

I read in the paper about people who described themselves as being chemically sensitive and thought they were crazy... I seem to have joined their club, although perhaps not to the extent that I read some people are affected...

Earthy fragrances are particularly bothersome... How about you all?

Even the odor from the insoles of various new shoes bother me and I get a sudden onset of the neuropathy in my feet/legs if I wear them...

Cathie

Cathie,

I'm so sorry. I don't have the problem, but one my dear friends has a bad case. She formed Ohio Network for the Chemically Injured. (I think that's the right name) That is one website to go for support.

rose

Cathie,
I have avoided the cleaning powder, room deoderant isles in Walmart for years. I honestly can't breath in them. And clothes...I wear cotton flax almost exclusively. Or silk or something that's not manmade. Synthetic clothes hurt me more. When the Sjogren's/neuropathy hit, I threw out every perfumed candle and all the fragrances in the house. I'm not really sure what to attribute all of this to.

Billye

I have posted about this on the old forum. I am very chemical sensetive. I cannnot walk down the isle in the grocery that has the cleaning/laundry products without holding my breath. Parfume makes me ill, and when my sensetivity is acting up to extreme, I can even smell things such as plastics,tupperware,synthetic clothing,and paper products driving me nuts.

It just came on one day out of the blue, after my initial symptoms of PN first appeared.

..have to avoid the cleaning and detergents aisle at the store since pn....tom

long before my PN stuff for sure...I'd always attributed it to allergies..some have been tested and well founded [a relief of sorts?]. Others such as strong scents tho...just clog up my whole sinus system and give me a bad-cold syndrome for a week at a time... Even when I take my decongestants and sprays...Sometimes you win, others you aren't so lucky.
I have learned one thing - READ THE INGREDIENTS of your soaps, detergents, shampoos, softeners...all of 'em. and look for CHANGES [that means you don't throw out the old package until you get the newer for comparision] That happened to me with an oil...the formula changed from basic glycerines and mineral oils to cheaper 'carrot seed extract oil'. According to the FDA it's used as a commercial disinfectant or the like and in concentrated forms is toxic....I'd not near any toxic levels in my 'moistureizer' but I sure broke out on one big rash ....ALL OVER!
To me, change means a cheaper fomula...usually masked by some SMELL. Only smells I LIKE and can tolerate well are real-Lemon, Lavender and Pine scents.. Imitations I can sniff out right out? Even w/clogged sinuses...I can tell.
Take care with soaps and all... The fact that there are 'scent-free' products out there now...or simpler formulations is a blessing for ME, and I hope for you.
Besides...the less 'scent' on you and your clothes? The less likely BUGS that bite will be attracted to you. [The Lemon, Lavender and Pine scents are known to be less yummy]...
Rite now even band-aid adhesive bothers me...so I guess I'm getting fussier?
Super good thoughts! - j

Hi Cathie...

I find some things bother me that never did before.. I'm ok with stuff like perfume, scented candles, etc... but for example they came to clean my carpet and I had to have them leave - I couldnt even really smell anything but got nauseus, dizzy, and immediately had to leave the room... I've also noticed other scents like what they clean our apt lobby with - other poeple are sniffing and commenting on how good it smells - I have my face covered and get out of there as fast as I can... some paints I used to have no problems with make me feel sick for days now... I'm also assumed its the auto-immune compoenent of the PN... but not sure!