I have had chemical sensitivity for about ten years. It started when the law firm I worked for moved into a sick building. Actually, it was an old building, where the air intake was right on the street level of a very busy road and above the designated smoking area. To make a long story short, I started reacting to everything outside and inside. I couldn't breathe. My doctor said I was having anxiety/panic attacks. Then I got so sick, I could not get out of bed for months. Lucky for me, I had patient bosses. They thought I was nuts, but loved me, so they kept me employed as long as I could work. By chance, a client of the firm was selling Living Air cleaners and I bought one for my office. It helped me along with sealing up all the air vents. I bought a second one for my home. It has taken a long time, but having the clean air inside has helped me get stronger. I still can not use any perfumes, chemical cleaners or eat a lot of different foods. I never had a food allergy until this happened.
Now, I am not so sick every day that I cannot leave my home without fearing that I will collapse somewhere. Recently, however, all the condos where I live spray painted and repaved the driveways. I got very, very sick. When I have really sick to compare to, I realize how much better and stronger I have gotten. Still, I cry because I have IT!! I crank up the air cleaner and it helps. Everyday I pray a lot and thank God for those days when no one is doing thoughtless chemical actions.
I wish there was a coalition to stop spraying chemicals in the air. I am sick and tired of being tired and sick because everyone is in a hurry.
I can work again but not in sick buildings. I actually work at a hospital here in Alaska that has an air cleaner and does not use any chemicals that people are sensitive to (known sensitivities). We have a lot of chemo patients and they cannot handle most smells. It feels good to have a job that cares. However, I do not look forward to the summer when roads are paved and buildings are tared and sprayed. I have a hard time leaving my house and after a long winter that is not fair.
June 2001