The cable guy

So I guess it’s been a while since I posted here. I’m bored with Sherri Blossoms, and my new creativity blog You Are the Muse hasn’t turned out like I’d hoped. So since I’m fragrancely frustrated at the moment, I thought I’d try venting here and see where it takes me.

What has me frustrated today is my new cable guy. I was disappointed to see a new guy, because my old guy, Stacy, was really handsome and nice and always wore the best cologne. And while that seems an odd thing to hear from a person as affected by fragrance as I am, just remember I don’t mind smelling the stuff, I just mind what it does to me. If a service person is going to bring a scent into my home (and they always do), it might as well be something I enjoy smelling. It softens the blow of the crappy after-feeling.

So the new guy, Mike, is also handsome but with the personality of a toad stool. All business. And, of course, the worst thing by far is he has that acrid smell of laundry detergent. I know it’s not the detergent itself, because I use free & clear detergent and it doesn’t have that smell. It’s a fragrance they add, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why, as it stinks. I think it’s the under-smell of cheap fragrance in general, because I’ve smelled it other places, too. I think people get used to smelling it so it becomes background noise, but it’s so obviously horrid when you don’t have it around every day.

Anyway, it sucks. I have all the windows open with a stiff wind blowing through, and still the acrid scent lingers. At least he didn’t sit on any of my furniture. And I must say, he got the job done and my cable is working perfectly. Too bad I won’t be able to watch it for the migraine I’ll undoubtedly get later.

Fragrance ingredients to be disclosed

A reader brought this article to my attention: http://www.icis.com/blogs/green-chemicals/2009/08/ It says that the International Fragrance Association plans to begin voluntarily disclosing the ingredients used in the industry. Since it’s voluntary, I doubt they’ll disclose anything that may harm their bottom line, but we’ll see.

On a personal note, my recovery time is way shorter after exposure, especially since I figured out the best thing to do is rest, no matter what. I think with rest and continued avoidance, I may heal enough to re-enter society within the next year. Realistically, I know I’ll probably have symptoms for a long while, if not the rest of my life. But I hope if I listen to my body and give her the support she needs to heal, it will eventually be a problem I used to have.

My favorite fragrance-free products

I’ve been in a lot of public places lately, which means a lot of fragrance exposure. I’d relaxed my defensive efforts–nose filters, mask, short excursions–because it seemed fragrance’s hold was lifting. I have tight, burning eyes and sinus pressure regardless of whether I go out now, and my short trips to the store and the longer outing to my friend’s place…Well, it seemed like those things weren’t making the symptoms worse like it used to. I thought my body was recovering.

I still think it is, but I’m finding out that repeated exposure can still build up. I’ve left only a day between each exposure over the past week or two–library, casino, grocery store, school enrollment, pizza place–and it has sure been taking a toll. I need longer rest time in a neutral environment between each outing to allow my body to metabolize the toxin. It’s such a relief to get back to my home, the most neutral environment I’ve found.

I’ve avoided making a list of fragrance-free products I use, because of laziness, yes, but also because until now I hadn’t tried enough of them to settle on a list of favorites. These products work as well as the ones they replaced, and in some cases better.

Cleaners

• Clorox Green Works Natural dishwashing liquid, Free & Clear. I love this stuff. I also put it diluted in pump bottles for hand washing.
• Soapopular hand sanitizer is completely inoffensive
• Simplicity Hypoallergenic Non-toxic automatic dishwasher sachets
• Borax is an excellent grease cutter. Nothing better for getting grease off appliances.
• Ammonia
• Vinegar
• Water. Seriously, do you need to use a chemical everytime you wipe the crumbs off the counter?

I have yet to find a suitable replacement for toilet bowl cleaner, so I just use ammonia or vinegar, whatever I’m in the mood for, but they don’t really get rid of the water stains. I’m still looking. Be wary of trash bags, because they often have fragrance added.

Body-care products

• Earth Science Fragrance Free Shampoo and Conditioner
• Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Body Wash, Fragrance Free (I prefer the store brand version of this, because it doesn’t seem to have as much of an odor and it’s cheaper, but this will be more easily found.)
• Dove Sensitive Skin bar soap. Make sure it says “Fragrance Free” on the package and not “unscented.”
• Dove Sensitive Skin antiperspirant. Again, make sure it says “Fragrance Free” on the package. “Hypoallergenic” doesn’t always encompass it.
• Almay makeup contains no fragrance ever, as far as I can tell.
• Lubriderm Daily Moisture for me, and Suave Natural Oatmeal Moisturizer for DH
• Olay Complete All-day Moisture Lotion, Sensitive Skin.

Be wary of any feminine hygiene products, because they do not have to list any added fragrance. I once bought a package of Carefree panty liners and was surprised with fragrance, so I avoid all their products, just in case.

Along my journey through the house listing all my products, I found a couple of scented products that sneaked past me. One was the Dove “unscented” soap, the other was my husband’s hairspray, both of which don’t list fragrance in the ingredients. I assume they list the actual chemical name of the fragrance, but the research to find out which one would be a couple of hours. And it doesn’t matter, anyway, because they have to go. These could be the reason for my constant eye and sinus irritation, and also the reason for the decreased stamina outside of the house. I’ve put that soap on my face every single day for a couple of weeks.

Anyway, that’s my list. Here’s an interesting interview I tweeted yesterday about toxins in personal care products if you’re interested in such things.

Update: So guess what? I didn’t use the soap or antiperspirant, and I feel tons better. It’s like night and day. I’m so happy I could scream. 🙂

ORFE #3

Odd Random Fragrance Encounter #3:

The pneumatic tube at the bank drive-through gusted “freshened” indoor air right in my face. Twice. Also, handling the cannister and receipt left smell on my hands that I haven’t been able to get off.

–Me

I’m a loser.

It’s an honor just to be nominated. As a young blog, Poison Scents couldn’t compete with the big boys. Congratulations to the winner and runner-up in my category!

Best Unusual Blog
That’s Baloney!
Runner-up, Strange State Paranormal Mysteries in Oklahoma

Go to Okie Dokie for a complete list of winners. Thanks guys, for letting me play! There’s always next year.

Odd Random Fragrance Encounter #2

Reader Linda posted her own ORFE:

Organic squash from a farmers market – thoroughly scented, from either soaking in fragranced dish detergent or sitting in a plug-ined room for days. Wasn’t washable.

Wow, how weird! So basically, even though you were buying an organic product, which by definition is grown without chemicals, you were still exposed to chemicals. Did you eat it? Did the scent disappear with cooking? Thanks for your sharing your ORFE.

Odd Random Fragrance Encounter #1

ORFE #1 On my styrofoam drink cup at Sonic Drive-thru. Might have been perfume or cleaner or air freshener. Hard to tell.

How about you? Have you detected fragrance in an unexpected place? Leave your ORFE in the comments, or email it to me at sherri AT sherricornelius DOT com. I’ll put it in a future post.

Also, Oklahoma bloggers, don’t forget to vote in the Okie Blog Awards. Poison Scents has been nominated in the Best Unusual Blog category.

A doctor who listens: priceless

[A portion of this post was originally posted on Sherri Blossoms on January 21, but it’s relevant here, too, so rather than rewrite it all, I’m copying it.]

I went to the doctor last week, finally. I haven’t been since I found out for sure I was having a reaction to fragrance. Besides the cost, I wanted to wait until I had eliminated as much fragrance from my world as possible, to stabalize and see what healed and what didn’t. It seemed to be going pretty well, and then The Time of the Migraine hit the reset button, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.

I ended up crying at the doctor’s office. I feel pretty dumb about the blubbering, but it just serves to show how frustrated I am by the whole thing, how much I really need to figure this sinus thing out. The X-rays showed nothing abnormal (it so cool to see inside my own skull) so he gave me a course of antibiotics and steroids.

I told Doc I’d been dealing with this problem for 6-7 years, but as I look back I think it’s been closer to eight or nine. I’m not sure if Doc believes me when I tell him how my old doctor dealt with these chronic problems. With the backward lens of time and experience, it seems like the old doc hated me. I wish I could see what he wrote about me in my chart.

It won’t surprise me at all if antibiotics clear it right up. The old doc refused to consider it. I love having a doctor who listens to me, even when I’m crying.

And oh yeah, I told him about the fragrance thing and he didn’t laugh at me. He didn’t get defensive. He didn’t dismiss it. He said some people have sensitive airways, and that was it. I’m hoping that the fragrance sensitivity will shake out when my sinuses are healed. I’d probably never go back to the old level of stinkiness, but at least I’d be able to be around people again, which means writer’s cons and a job and TCoB in general. To be normal would be the height of awesomeness.

Emerging from The Time of the Migraine

I have officially emerged from The Time of the Migraine. I say “officially” because it’s been a whole week since the constant threat lifted, and though I’ve had setbacks over this week, they were temporary and quite manageable.

I guess the extra stinkiness of the holiday season had me worn down to the point that I couldn’t heal up. I finally took to wearing a painter’s mask–you know, the kind that blocks paint fumes, fabric with a little yellow respirator on the front–to the store and when the kids got home from school, because the slightest whiff of any scent whatsoever caused immediate pain in my sinuses and eyes. The Time of the Migraine lasted two whole months, in which my husband had to do way more housework than he cared to,I  scarred my step-daughter for life when her visit left me clutching my head for three days, and I looked like a total Froot Loop having to wear that mask in public.

I will wear it whenever I need to, despite my lower hotness-factor, because the thing really worked. It blocked all scents, even vinegar (which I don’t have a problem with, but it shows the merits of the mask) and by wearing it in smelly places I was able to stave off the migraine for longer periods. I highly recommend getting one of these masks. I found mine in the paint section of Wal-Mart for five bucks, but I’m sure they carry them anyplace they sell paint.

My sinuses have given me trouble for years, and they are the root of my migraines. I’m pretty sure my sensitivity to fragrance arose gradually from the chronic sinus problem rather than the other way around, though I can’t be sure. I have thyroid issues, as well, so it’s hard to know where hormonal misery ends and sinus misery begins. But I finally have a doctor who listens and a course of treatment that may clear it up. My ultimate dream is for my sinuses to work perfectly, to be able to smell any damn thing I want to, and to never have a migraine again.

I’ve been nominated for an Okie Blogger Award!

New reader Georgie said:

Stopping by visiting all the 2008 Okie Blog Award Noms-Congrats on your nom!!!!

And I said, “Huh???” I thought there must have been a mistake, but nope. It’s true. Poison Scents has been nominated for an Okie Blog Award in the “Best Unusual Blog” category. Am I the only fragrance-free blogger in Oklahoma? I guess maybe I am. I always knew I was a weirdo.

So to whomever nominated me, I am honored. Surprised and honored. Thank you.

Here are the voting instructions, as per the Okie Blog website. I can’t vote for myself, but I’d be grateful if you could force all your Okie friends to vote for me. 😉

Voting

Only Okie bloggers with active Okie blogs at the start of nominations (Jan. 2) are eligible. “Active” is defined as having at least one blog post during the last 60 days of 2008. An “Okie blog” is defined as having at least one active blog author residing within the state of Oklahoma. All Okie Blog Awards are decided only by Okie bloggers. A blogger cannot vote for his or her own blog.
A blogger can only vote for one blog per category.
The voting period ends on Feb. 7, 2009.
Copy and paste the following entry list with your vote for each and send to obawards08@okiedoke.com

Categories

Best Overall Blog ——
Best Political Blog ——
Best Family Blog ——
Best Humor Blog ——
Best Audio Blog ——
Best Looking Blog ——
Best Unusual Blog ——
Best Writing Blog ——
Best Commentary ——
Best Culture Blog ——
Best Inspirational Blog ——
Best Commercial Blog ——
__________ You must include a link to your own blog in the email.

Your blog address ———

I haven’t been very posty on here lately, but I have a good reason. Fragrance-related, of course! I’ve been in Migraine City for the past couple of months, and can’t seem to get caught up. Plus, it seems like everything I think about posting has some sort of “poor me” factor, and I just can’t stomach that right now. However, I had a good doctor visit yesterday, so I do have something good to report in the days to come.

Thanks again for the nomination and the millions of votes I will get!