Dear Debra,
I read the story about the girl who was acting out severely and seemed to be cured by chemical reduction at age 7. My son has similar problems. what is this about? please help he is barely manageable at times.

Ian

Hi Ian,

Debra started by having me cleaning up one room in my house, that would be clean of all toxins, that my daughter could go to. It made sense to start with her bedroom. I got rid of the carpet (that harbors toxins).. Took down polyester window treatment, bought wool pillows, wool bed sheets. Another thing was the humidifier, that was spewing chlorine through the air. She is getting better each day. You can call me anytime. My number is 773 275 9123. My story on her blog is true, and I will be visiting schools in the whole country soon, to help other parents figure out their little angels. It is too sad to watch what these little innocent childdren have to deal with, because of all these chemicals in our world. Thanks, Denise

PS. And to think people use to make fun of the hippies, that wanted to live in nature, and away from all this toxic stuff!!

An exposure to Organophosphate pesticides really hit me hard, causing: anxiety, brain fog, extreme weight loss. I was very miserable for a couple of years.

What helped my chemical and other sensitivities most is the following:

1) lots of Reverse Osomosis or distilled water from glass containers (distilled water actually tends to have more pesticides)Do not drink out of anything plastic.

2) a good air filter, especially at night, with lots of carbon and potassium permanganate mix (not zeolite)to absorb chemicals

3) sleep in an OLD outgassed bed covered in barrier cloth to keep dust mites inside the mattress, instead of in your lungs.

4) remove all carpet and replace with ceramic tile or at least make sure any carpet is at least 3+ years old.

5)EPD (Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization) helped me quite a bit. Unfortunately, it is no longer available in the US but has been replaced with an almost identical therapy called LDA (Low Dose Allergen)

6) Probably the number one treatment that got me back on the road to recovery (besides avoidance) was Reduced L-Glutathione and Magnesium Glycinate. These 2 ingrediants will bind to chemicals and remove them from your body. You can buy these over the counter, I prefer Klaire Labs. I was told to use 75 mg per 100 lbs of body weight of the Reduced L-Glutathione and about 100-500 mg of the magnesium, but I use significantly more on a regular basis with no ill effect.

Of course, I am not a Doctor, I am just relating what has been successful for me. Follow my advice at your own risk. :-)

Hi Greyson,
My daughter is only 7, do you think I could try these Klaire tabs for her. Also, she was doing so great for the last 2 days, and then she smelled a little green vinyl frog, and it seemed to make her flip. Also, she is not able to do anywork in school, because she has so many reactions. Is it hard for chemically sensitive to complete any tasks when they are reacting? I definitely know she is chemically sensitive, but keep wondering if there is more going on that I am missing. Denise

My dd is also 7 and I've known for several years that she is chemical sensitive. What helps us the most with school is:

1. An Aller-Air Vocarb air filter in her classroom. On at ALL times.

2. Teachers cannot use any markers that are not low odor including dry erase (these are sooo bad)

3. Her teacher cannot wear perfume

4. She drinks water from home only

5. She uses unscented soap provided by me ONLY or water ONLY to wash

6. I pack her lunch every day with as much organic as I can buy and NO JUNK...by that I mean manufactured foods. She still gets treats but I make them out of good ingredients.

7. We follow the Feingold food program (www.feingold.org) and it tells me which foods have hidden chemicals in them.

8. Finally, if she is reacting, I give her one alka-aid tablet (this was in one of Dr. Rapp's books I think) but not more than one per day as it causes the body to stop absorbing EVERYTHING including nutrients. OR 300 mg of Calcium Carbonate will help too but not as much. These remedies also work to prevent or lessen a reaction if you can't avoid exposure...like visiting grandma at her smelly house.

Greyson,

where do you get that stuff from klaire labs. can't find anywhere.

thanks, denise

Hi Melodie

What a great thing to find someone else that can relate to us!!! I wish you were me neighbor, since not one of them really seems to believe me. I will take note of all your suggetions.

Denise

your not close to Chicago are you?

PS Is your daughter getting depressed over all this?

Denise,

I know what you mean. Every time our neighbors dry their clothes (with tons of Downy) we have to run inside. If you'd like, we can keep in touch via e-mail. My address is lundays@cox.net (soon to be lundays@suddenlink.net) And yes, my daughter does get discouraged about her allergies often. However, I try to make her life as normal as possible, sometimes going to great lenghts to achieve foods similar to what other kids have etc. I want her to enjoy her childhood and also understand that there is a way to do this and still have fun. It isn't a punishment. (though she still asks why God made her this way.) I do see a marked improvement in her though it has been slow and gradual over the years. My hope is that one day she will be recovered enough to live more normally but still try to keep the toxins down at home.

Big cyber hugs to you! It can be such a struggle and so hard to constantly be thinking about how to avoid things that will cause major problems...AND endure the stares and comments from some of the people closest to you because they just don't get it. Been there... ;-)

Melodie,

I have similar problems with my neighbors using very strongly scented fabric softeners and I have to run inside often. I haven't approached any of them regarding this as I am somewhat new in the neighborhood. It gets so bad that I can't walk around the block if someone is doing their laundry. I feel so angry. Melodie, I am curious, have you ever spoken with your neighbors regarding this issue?

It seems like the scents on the market are getting stronger these days. I also can't have anyone over to visit if they are wearing clothes with strongly scented fabric softeners and detergents. After they leave I find that the odor still lingers and it's really hard to get the odor out of the chairs where they've been sitting. (right now I am using chair pads that I made out of several layers of fleece that I can toss in the washer with vinegar to clean them) I don't know what to do if their small kids roll around or crawl on my carpet however....or if they want to sprawl on the sofa and watch tv. I feel nauseated, on edge, and can't really enjoy myself.

My husband LOVES to entertain for large groups of friends in our house so my sensitivities are really causing a strain on our marriage.

--Lisa

P.S. I'm glad I found this website, I've been feeling like a freak about this scented stuff and my reaction to it.

Lisa,

Two things I reccommend....First, get a good air purifier that is designed for MCS or specifically to remove chemicals. (I have an aller-air vocarb 5000) These are worth their weight to keep smelly guests from ruining your week. Second, when my dd can't avoid smelly things, I give her a dose of Alka-Aid beforehand. This helps prevent a reaction. It is an antacid and is safe for occasional use for this purpose. (consult your physician before taking any drugs as they might interfere with other meds you may take) It helps tremendously. I have not asked my neighbors about the fabric softener. I doubt I will as I don't think it would turn out well. Good luck with your situation. You aren't alone!

Hi LIsa,
We will help you. My daughter 7, is soooo chemicllay senstiive. E-mail me. @
Thinkingheads@sbcglobal.net

Denise

Thanks very much guys for your replies. I do have an Austin JR. air cleaner that is made for chemical removal but it doesn't seem to really make a difference. Maybe I should have gotten the larger model. I'm also considering putting a ceiling fan in the living room to get the air moving more. I will look into the aller-air vocarb and the alka-aid.

I get so anxious and angry about the fabric softener fragrance from the neighbors. I think my feelings about it can make my physical reaction worse so I'm trying to stay calm as I run around making sure all the windows and doors are shut. Anyone else have experience with emotions making the physical symptoms worse or vice versa?

Also, what do you use to get the perfume smells out of clothes? I've been using vinegar added to my regular non-scented detergent and sometimes adding washing soda instead of the vinegar (except that doing washing soda too much can break down the fibers).

Thanks.

Hi guys,

My husband has little cracks all over his tongue. Doctor said it is geographic tongue, but not one of them can get rid of it. Could this be from chemicals, or something else that you know of?

Thanks, Denise

Lisa,

I use just 1 cup of baking soda, with 1 cup of borax to wash clothes. if i have stains, i scrub with vegetable soap


denise

Lisa, I have read about something called barrier cloth that help keep chemicals off of you and things. It might be good for cushions or at least the bottom of them. Also, six layers of foil help to keep chemicals in seats from coming into you. I used to do this when I rode the city buses with their chemically toxic seats.I would take a pad with me. If you have to sit on synthetic seats at school, work, or in the car just take a thin pad along with an underside/insert of foil or barrier cloth. I read about that from Sherry Rogers, MD.

Dear Debra,

What is the list of things to not do, you gave to DENISE ARIAS :: ILLINOIS USA :: 3:44 PM that saved her daughter?

If you have trouble, like I have, getting your 8-10 servings per day of fruits and vegies, take a fiber supplement. I discovered recently grapefruit fiber, the easiest of all to get down, through Jean Carper's book Miracle Cures. This helps in the detox process.

Dear Lisa,

I have the same problem. I have three neighbors who are using toxic fabric softener. The scent is concentrated. It does not smell good at all. I am very sick from it. I feel like I have the flu. One neighbor on the left side of me is using it, and, additionally, another neighbor on the right side. There is another one accross the street that is also using it. I am going to the ENT in the morning. But, I know that I am going to get sick again after I finish the medication, that is, if the medication helps. I figured out it was the fabric softener a few days ago after I went to a discount retailer and purchased a differing brand that was liquid instead of sheets along with my usual necessities. I got home and washed one washer of clothes using the fabric softener in the rinse cycle. As I poured the contents into the machine I was shocked at the strength of the odor. It was the same odor that was coming from my neighbors\' homes. Not only did it smell terrible it was toxic. I let the rinse cycle finish and opened the lid of the washer. It was even still so strong that I rinsed them again without the fabric softener. After that rinse was complete I put my clothes through another complete wash cycle and my machine has a double rinse cycle. That, finally, alleviated the majority of the odor.

When I get in my car to go to work at 6:00 am, it is even stronger than what I have been experiencing during the day. It is so strong in the air it that it sticks to my clothing. For the rest of the day I smell it on my clothing, if I do not change. My throat becomes irritated, my nose burns and becomes raw, I get weak, ache, and my legs shake. I did some research and found in an article \"Fabric Softeners = Health Risks\", the chemicals that it is composed with. These chemicals have serious side affects which can include among many others damage to the Central Nervous System. The site address is www.ourlitlleplace.com/fabric.html. There is a phone number to the Environmental Protection Agency, but, the number is non-working. I am going to find the number on line and call to find out what can be done. Looking on line for support in my situation I found a tremendous amount of support and many situations that are like ours. I wish that everyone would be brave enough and take the time out to report these situations so that we can all do something to stop them together. Causing someone illness is not morally acceptable in my opinion.



Catherine Katy, Tx.