Might be MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. If so there are a few things you can do, but getting away from air pollution is the biggest one. You might Google MCS for ideas. If it is MCS, even little things might help, for example NEVER use fabric softeners, and ESPECIALLY get rid of all drier sheets. Try to avoid permanent press clothes or bedding. Throw away anything with petroleum products in it, like most cleaners and even deodorant. I could go on, but you get the drift. It takes awhile to "change lifestyles", but it sure has helped me.
Chuck
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I have had the same problem since 91, But to make it more difficult, I have Asbestosis with the allergies. I have been to about every king of a specialist that is out there. I have found that Astelin works better than anything that I have tried. I have traveled everywhere trying to find a place where I can breath. wintered 06-07 Naples fl. 07-08 Texas valley 05-06 Tombstone AZ. of all Tombstone was by far the best for breathing. One thing I know for sure, If you cannot get enough air in your lungs your heart will pay the bill sooner than you think. Try the Caribbean it is good but costly
1. See an allergist for allergies.
2. See a Pulmonologist for anything more complicated.
It could be much more serious. I started with allergies and wound up at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver. They found a hole/tear in my heart and put an implant in. My Pulse-Ox came back up and then we found I have CCHS, so I am on a Ventilator.
Do YOU have these problems? Probably not, my point is -- without proper medical treatment you may think it is allergies, but it could be more serious. I never dreamed I would have these problems.
Wow. Thanks to everyone for the input. I thought of MCS long ago and eliminated many chemicals from my life. We went "green" long before it got popular. Use vinegar, baking soda and castille soap for a lot of things. I quit wearing perfumes a very long time ago. I can't stand to be in the same room with someone who's got a strong cologne scent! I moved out of the city to avoid city pollution only to discover that there is chemical agricultural air pollutants too. I've had my ductwork cleaned...am scrupulous about mold etc. It seems that the more things I eliminate the more sensitive I become! I have been to many doctors over the years and have taken a lot of drugs. I make my own saline solution for rinsing out my nose just to avoid the preservatives. I'll get rid of the fabric softener sheets...although they did not bother me while in Florida. Nothing did. I have to think that the air is cleaner on the Gulf Coast.
I have never been to a pulmonologist...that may be my next step. I know several people here who've been to pulmonologists...they've been friends for years and I've watched them deteriorate in SPITE of being under a specialists care and all the drugs! One of them says she's just fine in Arizona...but stays here because of her gkids. Another is "just perfect" when she goes on a cruise...but is right back on her inhalers, etc. as soon as she gets home. So I really do have to wonder if it's just really crappy air quality...smog...like one previous responder said. That's why I was asking if anyone else had had similar situations...where they were really sick in one place and healthy in another...and WHERE are the "healthy" areas. I know that it's pretty individualized...one person's healthy place may not be mine.
Anyway...thank you again for your input.
covets sun
covetsthesun wrote: Tenn Stud thanks for the tip on Astelin. I'll look that up. Also...What was it about Tombstone that made it better than Naples for you?
covets sun
After just a few days like 5-6 I was completely off all medications. Clean air! In Tombstone their is very little vegatation to produce pollen. In Naples vegatation is everywhere.
If you have never seen a Pulmonologest I would suggest that you do so before it is too late to help the problem. Since 1991 I have had about every procedure and taken every kind of medcine for allergies that has been made. In May 2000 I found a Puomonologest that found it was Asbestosis from when I was in the Navy. Now I get a CT scan every 6 months to follow the progression. IF you have a breathing problem you are going to have a heart problem!! Don't put it off any longer
Roger
I have terrible allergies too. Sounds the same as you. Drs. said to move to AZ. If I have to stay here just do the best to live with it. I am on singulair and chlorpheneramine maleate,(it is over the counter 100pills for about $3) I find it works as well as zyrtec and claratin. I do avoid all perfumes, laundry products, cleaners etc. I use the vinegar, Baking soda, and fragrance free products.( not just unscenred for they have there own smell. I have an inhaler in case I have a bad attack. It seems to work for me. I always have to be prepared to leave places at a moments notice because of smells. Church is the worst for perfume. Good luck!
My son has bad allergies in the Spring especially.
He lives in the Dallas area.
As soon as he gets off the plane in Las Vegas, he is cured.
Before Dallas he lived in NM and did not have a problem there.
Before that he lived on Long Island and no problem there.
It's only Dallas that is bad for him.
His 2 little daughters suffer the same thing in Dallas.
So it's something to do with Dallas.
My son can't move away from Dallas as he has 22 yrs in with the city and will get retirement in another 8. Also his children live here and he sees them often.
I would say that if you are suffering in KC, then get out of there.
That's what makes sense. Tell your folks that KC is killing you, and they must move with you.
I know, sometimes it's easier said than done.
Good luck
Every one of us is different. I asked my dr. where I could go to find air I could breathe. Arizona? Baja? Hawaii? California or Oregon coastal cities?
He said just about every place we go has their own problems. I might be fine in the summer in Crescent City, CA, but the winter brings mold and too much rain or the spring in New Mexico is ok, but new flowers, etc. in the summer make it hard on me.
We have been up and down the west coast looking for "clean air" that I can breathe. Only Crescent City, CA seemed to be ok. BUT I have not spent a summer there.
If you want to look at air quality itself, look at the AQI from the govt. Or google for cleanest cities (air quality). Wyoming had 3 of the cleanest cities on one report I read. I was in Wyoming at that time. They were right, the air was easy to breathe and that was July.
Not any easy answers unless you are rich enough to travel the world.
AND...and then, we have our families. I stay inside with HEPA filters running. It is ok. Not the retirement I had dreamed of, but ....
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