Anyone have multiple chemical insensitivity (MCS)?

Posted by dennisjenkins @dennijenkins, Aug 21 11:15am

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

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Profile picture for dennisjenkins @dennijenkins

I read up on irritant asthma. I have no breathing problems, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Blood work is always good.

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I have severe MCS, but I do not have asthma. I’m not sure why people are advising inhalers for something you don’t have. Now some with MCS do have asthma, but not everyone does. There’s no allergist that can cure MCS. It is a disease of avoiding/controlling chemical exposures. Taking the right supplements can make life easier. 16 years into this and by trial and error, I can control exposures and symptoms.

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Profile picture for john0627 @john0627

The exposures are unfortunately, cumulative. I had no option than to stop attending church. Those weekly exposures can make MCS worsen. In the meantime, do you take Vitamin C, Quercetin/Bromelain or glutathione? These help chemical sensitivity and attenuate reactions. Before church you could take 500 mg of C, and then after church, try 500 mg. more. The C helps mitigate the lung inflammation and clear the chemicals from your body. The best glutathione is Thorne SR. 1 or 2 daily. The Quercetin/Bromelain (1) daily. If it causes itching, stop taking it as some people are allergic to it. I do fine. These are my life-savers, along with a Thorne mineral supplement which helps the body produce glutathione-the body’s master antioxidant responsible for detoxification.

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I actually take all of those things, I am seeing a functional medicine doctor as well. I will have to up the C and see what happens.
Thank you

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Profile picture for drsharon @drsharon

A lot of viruses can trigger these sensitivities including asymptomatic Covid. My doctor believes my sensitivity was triggered by a virus and this was in 2018. It doesn’t change anything knowing this. Try to find and stay away from triggers. Good luck to you.

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This is true, but more often than not, it’s from exposure to chemicals and the body lacking the gene for successful methylation. My entire family has MCS, and I know another family where all 6 kids have it at various stages. MCS is the fastest growing illness now all over the world. People need to stop buying scented toxic laundry/cleaning products and calling the house “clean”. It’s crazy what advertising has done to the public in convincing people their homes are dirty unless using these fragrance chemicals! Ugh 😑

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Profile picture for km6 @km6

I didn't know there was a name for it, but chemicals, scent of any kind, exhaust are my enemies. Every Sunday at church I have asthma due to people with scent. If my neighbor is doing laundry, the odor from the dryer will do it. Some stores from outgassing and chemicals in clothing will do it. I don't go near department stores with perfume counters during the holidays especially.

It is really tough on those of us with this issue. Sometimes I end up on prednisone because of it.

Jump to this post

The exposures are unfortunately, cumulative. I had no option than to stop attending church. Those weekly exposures can make MCS worsen. In the meantime, do you take Vitamin C, Quercetin/Bromelain or glutathione? These help chemical sensitivity and attenuate reactions. Before church you could take 500 mg of C, and then after church, try 500 mg. more. The C helps mitigate the lung inflammation and clear the chemicals from your body. The best glutathione is Thorne SR. 1 or 2 daily. The Quercetin/Bromelain (1) daily. If it causes itching, stop taking it as some people are allergic to it. I do fine. These are my life-savers, along with a Thorne mineral supplement which helps the body produce glutathione-the body’s master antioxidant responsible for detoxification.

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I am male 62 years old and developed MCS after moving into a new home at age 45. Doctors were of no help other than identifying my symptoms as “allergies”. Unhelpful to say the least and understandably so. They have no medication that can cure these sensitivities; only pharmaceuticals that can mitigate the symptoms. There is a genetic component to MCS. All of my siblings now have it at various degrees of severity. I took a number of supplements after i initially got sick. And in 2 years was 90% better. I stopped my supplements and proceeded to live normally. But that “normal” cost me and caused me to have a severe relapse which has resulted in mostly being homebound. I also believe these chemicals are responsible for a stricture in my throat and GERD. I have more severe symptoms depending on the chemical. 16 years into this and i know which supplements can take me out of a sudden reaction. I am willing to help share any information to help others. To the gentleman that posted this, do you remember an initial exposure to a chemical that may have initiated MCS? The metallic taste, etc., is indicative of an initial exposure that brought all of this on.

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Profile picture for jennsheppard @jennsheppard

I have this very same problem and just about did when I have to walk down the detergent aisle in the grocery store! Are you on a medication called topamax? It causes a hyper sensitivity to smells and i didn’t know until I talked to the pharmacist because I thought my prescription smelled “off”. It might be worth taking a look at your meds and talking to a pharmacist. Hope this helps.

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Thank for the pointer on Topamax, I've been on it for 16 yrs for Fibromyalgia and neuropathy in my legs. I'm definitely going to check into that!

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I didn't know there was a name for it, but chemicals, scent of any kind, exhaust are my enemies. Every Sunday at church I have asthma due to people with scent. If my neighbor is doing laundry, the odor from the dryer will do it. Some stores from outgassing and chemicals in clothing will do it. I don't go near department stores with perfume counters during the holidays especially.

It is really tough on those of us with this issue. Sometimes I end up on prednisone because of it.

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I've posted before about having Multiple chemical sensitivity, I'm sorry we are all dealing with it :(. Can I ask how are you finding providers to care for your other health issues. I'm in Nebraska, I have lung issue's were I need a CT scan and other misc test. I cant get a primary to take on my case since the pandemic. I had one Direct care, pretty expensive when you are on Medicare but she left. Any suggestions!

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Profile picture for jennsheppard @jennsheppard

I have this very same problem and just about did when I have to walk down the detergent aisle in the grocery store! Are you on a medication called topamax? It causes a hyper sensitivity to smells and i didn’t know until I talked to the pharmacist because I thought my prescription smelled “off”. It might be worth taking a look at your meds and talking to a pharmacist. Hope this helps.

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Thanks for the good advice. Unfortunately I’m not on any medication outside of the asthma medication to treat the chemical sensitivity. I feel fine just so long as don’t get exposed to chemical smells or catch a cold. I have no idea why people expose themselves willingly to toxic chemicals but most people have no idea it’s so toxic. You’re so right about the detergent aisle! Good luck and hang in there

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