Anyone have multiple chemical insensitivity (MCS)?

Posted by dennisjenkins @dennijenkins, Aug 21, 2025

Generally feeling unwell, trouble with focusing or memory, impending sense of doom. Has anyone else have MCS
THANKS

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Asthma & Allergy Support Group.

Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@drsharon - as long as you are not mentioning any products you are selling, please feel free to mention any brands that have helped you or produced a reaction in you.

I use mostly scent free products for my personal care and in my home because some products cause me to cough or my lungs to tighten up. I also almost never wear fragrance anymore, and that used to be a daily thing for me. It might take me a long time to determine a scent free product was causing me problems, cause I would not easily suspect it.

Will you share more about what kind of reaction the scent free detergent was triggering in you and how you figured out that the detergent was causing it?

Jump to this post

@lisalucier I had to retire very suddenly as I had severe coughing, chest tightening and weakness. I didn’t realize what a big role all the products played. At this point I’ve removed all scented products, candles detergents etc. which helped a lot. I’m also eliminating the products with preservatives etc and my skin is much better as well. I was using Tide unscented and switched to the unscented company and that helped as well. I’m sure there are other good detergents. For my hair I use unscented Philip Adam and for soap I found a very pure olive oil soap from Greece called Papoutsanis. I make cream out of organic shea butter blended with sweet almond, jojoba and rose oils. I clean my house with baking powder/vinegar/borax. If anyone has other suggestions I’d love to hear them! I have no connections with any company

REPLY
Profile picture for drsharon @drsharon

Does anyone know if people with MCS should avoid certain medications or have hospital procedures modified? I need to take osteoporosis meds and have no idea if the risk is higher

Jump to this post

@drsharon if you can have medications compounded, it is best. Every MCS individual will react to different medications or chemicals. In short, there’s no way to determine which medications would cause a reaction, until you take them. A lot of people reject the osteoporosis meds due to long term side effects. My sister has rejected them and exercises, maintains good diet and takes a bone supplement. With that said, you make the best choice for you. Avoid hospitals as much as possible because the indoor air quality is toxic and doctors wear fragrances w/o regard to patient’s sensitivities. I must avoid polyethylene glycol as it sets off my nervous system. So, perhaps research everything you will need to take medication wise. Compound what is possible…

REPLY
Profile picture for john0627 @john0627

@drsharon if you can have medications compounded, it is best. Every MCS individual will react to different medications or chemicals. In short, there’s no way to determine which medications would cause a reaction, until you take them. A lot of people reject the osteoporosis meds due to long term side effects. My sister has rejected them and exercises, maintains good diet and takes a bone supplement. With that said, you make the best choice for you. Avoid hospitals as much as possible because the indoor air quality is toxic and doctors wear fragrances w/o regard to patient’s sensitivities. I must avoid polyethylene glycol as it sets off my nervous system. So, perhaps research everything you will need to take medication wise. Compound what is possible…

Jump to this post

@john0627 thanks, I’ll look into compounding

REPLY

I suffer those same symptoms. I am not an anti-vaxer but mine started moments after I left my second Moderna covid shot some 4 years ago.
Prominent for me is the exposure to my laptop computer. To a greater or lesser extent from random exposure to people, in groups or individually, or in an elevator where people are or have been, and whatever they carry on their bodies. I am also an octogenarian. Doesn’t help.

My allergist/immunologist suggests, but can’t really diagnose, hyper immune response from the shot.

REPLY

I've got MCS, for the last two years I've had to avoid all indoor spaces including my job . The lung clinic I'm under said I'm the worse case they have delt with. I even react when my neighbour does her laundry , if someone walks past me or just walking past a shop or house.
Any help or advice appreciated.

REPLY

I’m sorry to hear that. You are not alone and it’s tough to deal with. Hopefully, one day they’ll find better treatments but, for the present, it’s basically avoidance of your triggers and take the meds and emergency inhalers. Also, some people are also sensitive to formaldehyde (think off gassing from carpets, pressed wood etc) Make the best of what is possible. I really wish they would ban these toxic scents. Good luck to you and everyone who’s going through this

REPLY

Hi
If I smell rubbing alcohol, I faint,
Think of how many hand sanitizers I avoid! Formaldehyde, my reaction is anaphylaxis, not fun. I found out after sitting on a a friend's new rug. Then there is Eucalyptus and it's cousins, cause anaphylaxis. Almost Death by shampoo. To add to the fun if I do not have the above results it sets off my trigeminal neuralgia. Some scents cause sinus infections. I have witnesses. Cleaning agents...
Now guess how much fun it is to be in a hospital or infusion center.
It is hard to go anyplace. Not complaining more like yes we too have a hard time navigating the world, because the reaction is not necessarily believed on the medical system.
JFN

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.