[Adalaide]

Does anyone else have chemical triggers that just set them right on fire? My husband and I have an awkward living situation, we live in his mother's basement but share the kitchen with her and his sister has always had the separate "actual" apartment that is the other half of the basement. Well, his sister got married and moved out so we're getting her kitchen since I have celiac and sharing a kitchen with wheat eaters is the suckzors for all of us. I've been cleaning it and going back and forth from our space to the kitchen means walking past through the rest of the now empty apartment. Apparently last night someone used the bathroom over there and sprayed a bunch of aerosol air freshener. I headed over for a few last bits of cleaning and the smell just hit me like bricks. It only took a few minutes and I was on fire on my entire left side, head to toe. It did confirm my fear that it has spread up through my neck and face though and is what is causing my vision problems. (which is a huge relief because no doctor could figure it out and I've been misdiagnosed with two medical conditions before my new neuro threw up her hands and was like "hell if I know!" ...at least she's honest, which is refreshing.)

I'm wondering if anyone else has this issue and if it's common or if this is just separate and because I have chemical sensitivities (which I had before CRPS) they happen to cause a problem for CRPS. Last night the pain in my head was so bad I almost went to the ER. It felt like someone hit me in the head with a spiked bat. I was doubled over in the new kitchen crying, trying to figure out how I could get back to my desk to get my tramadol. Somehow I managed to get every window in the apartment open (I don't exactly remember how) and was able to go back later with everything cleared up.

[Phaedra]

I am so sorry that happened to you. I am more allergy sensitive now. I noticed some perfumes start the wheels in motion for me. Perfumes I wore all the time now I cant. Hopefully you feel better soon.

[Nanc]

Hi Adalaide! Sorry you are experiencing this on top of your CRPS. Hope you are feeling better now.

My allergies are way worse now than before...I am super sensitive, but have not had quite the reaction you did. I do also get migraines and scents can be a huge trigger for me. I understand what you are saying about sharing the kitchen with wheat eaters. Fortunately it is just me and my husband, he is the wheat eater and I cannot have gluten (among many other things). It is a struggle, but I have good control in my kitchen. Glad you will have your own kitchen that you can control.

Take care,
Nanc