Comments on: Interview with Peter H.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:15:43 +0000

I tested for a reaction to glycerine and it’s in pretty much all bar soaps so I try to use just liquid soaps.

I usually use Nature Clean but I’m not sure it’s available in the States. I also alternate between in and Seventh Generation General Purpose Cleaner in liquid form. Sometimes i cut it with water, sometimes not.

By: Livia

Livia — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:49:49 +0000

such a good description of MCS. I often have a difficult time trying to explain what this condition is.
And even still, most people just can’t understand or relate to it. I guess I would feel the same way if I didn’t have this.
I can’t seem to find a good mask to wear. I have trouble with charcoal and haven’t had much luck with any of the 3M products.
What would you recommend for a hand soap in liquid form?
As far a laundry goes, Seventh Generation does not work for me. I have had better luck with Nellie’s laundry soap, Mule team Borax, baking soda and vinegar. I agree with your comment about essential oils. I cannot tolerate most of them.
Good job with this interview. If anything it just confirms what most of us are dealing with on a daily basis and what a debilitating condition this is.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:59:27 +0000

Chemical sensitivities are very hard on relationships. Extremely hard. I don’t know statistics but I’d guess that a good 2/3 of relationships falter because of difficulties adapting by both parties.

Making all the needed changes is a lot to ask a healthy partner. There’s another Yahoo Group created just for partners of chemically sensitive people. they discuss their unique difficulties and support each other.

By: Jenny R.

Jenny R. — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:52:18 +0000

This is great, thanks Peter and Erin! My best friend has somethihgn probably a lot like this and can’t leave her house very often. She had to get a divorce too. Her husband couldn’t deal with it. It’s been hard for her she’s not goo d at computers and doesn’t do very much. I’ll see if I can print this out for her, thank you.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:48:54 +0000

Thanks for posting this. I’d like to see more of Peter’s story. Sounds a lot like mine, sadly.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:43:38 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story online, Peter. It’s been almost 4 years since my diagnosis and it still seems like a nightmare that I am hoping to wake up from one day. I hope someday there will be a place where we can be out and about and not have to worry about our safety.

By: Suzanne LeBlanc

Suzanne LeBlanc — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:09:04 +0000

I have done a lot of reading and editing of articles about environmental health and MCS and this is among the best. Very useful tool to teach about MCS.

By: nopinkhere

nopinkhere — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:57:34 +0000

Thanks for the info and the story! I have to be very careful with scented products because of my allergies. I also had to stop making scented candles because I began reacting to the carrier oils of the fragrances. But I have never had anything near the level of problem you outline. Given the difficulties Peter describes with reading, I’m totally impressed at the level of research he’s been able to do. I guess it’s somewhat like mercury poisoning. Each person has a natural inborn tolerance level. You’re mostly fine up to that point, but watch out if you go past it because you’re screwed. And by the way, there’s not a handy readout on your body to tell you when you’re getting close.

By: Susie Collins

Susie Collins — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:43:55 +0000

Aloha from Hawaii! Excellent, excellent information about MCS. Bravo! Thanks Erin and Peter, you both did a great job on this interview, it’s heartening to see such good info out there. Take care! Aloha, Susie

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:37:29 +0000

Oh, indeed. I gave up fabric softener over a decade ago, and haven’t missed it much since then. But up until the point where I learned what was in it, I *loved* the smell of it. It signified warmth and freshness and coziness. Now, it just reminds me of nasty chemicals.

The only laundry product I use at this point is either Seventh Generation or another eco-friendly, non-chemical-laden brand I can’t think of off the top of my head. I’ve been reading into how to make my own laundry detergent, though, and it sounds really easy.

Still, if you’re using baking soda and vinegar and it’s working? Heck, maybe I’ll try those instead.