I Now Know I Am Not Alone

Researching sensitivity to fragrances and migraines and came across these pages.
OMG I can't explain how I feel knowing I am not ALONE. I have extreme sensitivity to just about any fragrance and chemical. I now shop on line (husbands orders) to avoid, detergent aisles and mixing among strong perfumes and deoderants of other shoppers.
I have days off work regularly with migraines - fortunately my co-workers are very understanding after witnessing the pain (and vomiting) that these migraines bring on.
I am sure my doctor doesn't fully understand about how these smells affect me, when you are in the full throws of a migraine there is just no way you get yourself to the doctor.
Had my sinuses operated on last August - helped for a short while but seems to be heading back to just how I was prior to that. Doctors response - cannot cure your "Allergies to fragrances".
Well I have now vented and feel better for it, cheers all! :

you are most certainly not alone! many of us on this forum have severe sensitivities to many smelly things, most especially perfumed products, cigarette smoke, and cleaning agents.

the unfortunate truth is that there is no treatment for this condition, aka "multiple chemical sensitivity". avoidance is the only thing available, and of course, this isn't always possible, if one is to live in the world as it is.

since i have suffered from this condition, along with the migraines, for 43 years, i know a bit about the subject, and have many disappointing experiences with worthless treatments. for a positive note to this depressing post, people ARE becoming more aware of how these substances can make a person sick.

rarely do i mention my condition without having the person respond with "my sister/aunt/mother, or someone i know is allergic to perfume, too".

it's a toxic world we inhabit, but just so you'll know, it's not the SMELL making us sick, it is the chemical making the smell(s). perfume, for instance, was made of flowers in the far distant past. in the modern world, perfume/fragrance never saw a flower, and is composed of a multitude of chemicals.

it's great that you have understanding co-workers. do they all leave off the stinky stuff for you? that would be the goal. in a perfect world........dianne

btw, i have had 3 surgeries on nose and sinuses and none made one iota of difference in my sensitivity.

I didn't start having problems with scents until after pregnacy. I got my first m when I was pregnant. It progressively has gotten worse. I can smell things that others can't.

I feel ya! I have the most horrible reaction to certain scents, and I can definitely smell things that others cannot smell! Certain perfumes will send me into an immediate migraine. And, when I'm in the middle of a migraine, smells that I normally don't smell come at me full force!