ack, smokers are driving me mad...

All my fibro symptoms are flaring at the moment - chest pain, jaw pain, the works - and now I'm noticing that if a smoker comes anywhere near me I feel so horrible that I have to Get Out... Get Away... Immediately.

It doesn't matter that they're not smoking while they're around me; it's the scent that lingers on their clothes... and stays in any room once they've left... that is driving me mad.

I'm getting it with cleaning products and fabric softeners and perfumes and other chemicals too, but smokers seem to be the worst.

Does this ease up as the other symptoms (hopefully) improve, or am I stuck with it for life now that it has happened?

Ivy.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend our smoking members .

It's incredible, isn't it, how far a scent can travel, and how long it can last?

No offense taken. Not at all I actually sympathize with you. And if you are asking me(Baloo) if I am a Scout I am not. Of course I am not sure what you mean.. like Girl Scout, Boy Scout, or am I Scouting here. Either way I am not a Scout. I joined here awhile back. Hope you have a terrific day. : )

I have the same sensitivities.  Not only do smoke and scents bother my fibro, but they also set off my asthma and give me a headache.

 

I can't go to restaurants that allow smoking, and I've even had to leave church because of all of the perfume (gotta love little old ladies who bathe in their eau de toilette ).  I can't use air freshener or scented candles or anything like that. I have to use "All Free and Clear" with absolutely no fabric softener, dryer sheets, etc. 

 

about the only scents I can stand are some of the vanilla or fruity ones from Bath and Body Works.  They are pretty light and don't bother me.  I so agree with you Marlee about the oil based scents.  They make me gag.  I guess I can tolerate  the BBW scents because they are alcohol based.

 

I used to go to an allergist at a big city hospital, and you couldn't wear anything scented to the office.  No lotion, scented hairspray, scented deoderant, etc.  It was really interesting to look at everything you use and see how many things actually contain scents of some kind. (And it is a bit difficult to eliminate all of it).

 

Hugs - Austen

AustenFan said...
I have the same sensitivities.  Not only do smoke and scents bother my fibro, but they also set off my asthma and give me a headache.

Ditto. I go for all the unscented stuff as much as possible.  My husband does his own laundry because he likes scented fabric softener and I won't use it. 

Scents don't bother me but the cigarette smoke just about puts me into an asthma attack. I can feel my chest tightening right up. It is a nasty, nasty addiction. Glad I never got involved with that. Lisa

I'm extremely sensitive to cigarette smoke. My other half smokes outside, thankfully. Alot of times during the winter the smell clings to him and I can't open the window of the car to get "fresh' air. I used to suffer from voice loss in which I would go from Minnie Mouse to Marge Simpson in a day's time. I didn't know that I was so allergic to it that when my son was sneaking a smoke in his room that it would tunnel through the vent system in my mobile home and make me sick. The good thing about the voice loss is customers would buy more just to shut me up......Even when I told them it didn't hurt to talk.

to AustenFan.....All free & clear has dryer sheets. I've found unscented bleach alternate and fabric softeners. To help put a Downey ball with apple cider vinager in the rinse cycle. It takes out all of the extra soap and makes them look and smell better. The vinager does not cling to the clothes

              Nana Monster