Please Dont Use Fabric Conditioners (plastic, paper, better, effects)

[dizzybint]

Recently in hospital for a gall bladder removal, I was asked about allergies and told them all chemcals especially with smells.. the nurse asked if her perfume upset me or gave me a rash.. I had to explain that thsi wasnt the case, it wasnt a matter of not liking her perfume or skin disorders but the other symptoms caused by her perfume, she then took a list.. a long one of all the things that made me feel ill.. She then spoke to the surgeon who came in to see me. and said he would take care of this during the operation, which thankfully he did , and I woke up feeling great after it.. I hadnt realized that an illness that cant be treated or cured would even be considered to be catered for... sorry for going off topic a bit here but have a look at what can be done if and when any other MCS suffererers need an operation. there's also a page about fabric conditioner on there too. Anaesthetics for the Chemically Sensitive - Allergy UK

[Marc Allen 242]

So, you have an allergy...

[dizzybint]

Pardon Marc? actually its not a true allergy or so Im told..

[sskkc]

Originally Posted by Marc Allen 242

So, you have an allergy...

Nope, a "sensitivity".

An allergy can be proven. A "sensitivity" won't show up on tests which is why it's claimed by so many hypochondriacs.

Now, I'm not bashing anyone. I learned the difference through personal experience. After giving birth for the first time, I got sick a lot; randomly and sporadically. It took 8 months to discover the culprit was eggs, unless they're fresh, overcooked and I've eaten something else (bread, for instance). I'm fine if they're baked into stuff and I can have a flu shot. I have the same issues with corn tortillas, avocados, and certain rice grains.

I wasn't believed for years by some, as I am related to many hypochondriacs. After awhile, my grandmother (who said I was just being difficult, and was doing it for attention) decided she had a sensitivity to soy. The reason I knew she was lying was because if she didn't know a food had soy or soy products, she was fine.

She had a long history with hypochondria. The morning she went in for open heart surgery, her hypochondria angered the surgeon so much, my aunt had to beg him to do the surgery. After a couple hours, he agreed to reschedule, but it was eye-opening! My daughter is a hypochondriac as well. It must be in the genes!

[dizzybint]

I dont think I should answer that , I might get banned....shocking

[harry chickpea]

When people suggest that food sensitivities are all in a person's head, there is a very good chance that they are wrong. Hypochondria and such sensitivities are commonly confused. In general, the Woody Allen portrayals of the classic hypochondriac are based in fact. If an illness comes into public consciousness, their default reaction of a hypochondriac is not "It would have to be proven that I have this illness" and is instead "I have the illness until proven otherwise." Certain figural fears may also present on a recurring basis, like "I know I have cancer because..."

Food sensitivities are more related to the reaction of the gut and immune system. Consider that if the spinal cord is severed, a person who is not mechanically ventilated will die, because the lungs are controlled by the brain and will cease to function. That same person will have a fully functional digestive system (other than full function of the esophagus) because the entire system operates independently of the brain. Other than a few strange gurus who can suck water up their ...., most people have little or no conscious or unconscious control over their digestive processes.

That is not to say that the part of the nervous system that controls the gut cannot be "re-programmed." There is a surprisingly effective technique called N.A.E.T. that I fully admit sounds like voodoo and hokum, but works - providing the proper practitioner is found and protocol followed. I know this from personal experience.

It is also prudent to remember that each of us is unique, not only in physical appearance, but in mix of gut bacteria and organisms, blood type, genetic traits, and so on. What not an issue for many people may be a severe issue for a few others - eg: peanut allergies, gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, seemingly idiosyncratic traits like lettuce sensitivity to people with diverticulitis, and so on. When a person becomes challenged by life events, the overall balance of health can shift and reserves be depleted, making such traits more apparent. We are flawed creations.

[plwhit]

Since we are on the topic of food allergies I found these old articles interesting:

Three million hypochondriac Brits are suffering from imaginary food intolerances

Three million Brits are suffering from "imaginary" food intolerances, it has been revealed.

A study by a food diagnostic company discovered that many hypochondriacs have changed their diet after carrying out self diagnosis on the internet.

And incredibly one in 50 reckon they only noticed the condition when a friend had similar symptoms.

Three million hypochondriac Brits are suffering from imaginary food intolerances

AUSTRALIANS are the world's greatest hypochondriacs when it comes to food allergies, wrongly blaming their meals for everything from acne to headaches - and celebrities are often at fault, skin specialists said yesterday.

"These imagined food allergies are far more likely to be reported by women than by men," she said. "An individual often feels that they have control over their symptoms if they blame food."
Professor Katelaris, speaking at yesterday's annual scientific meeting of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, said most children grew out of their allergies by adulthood.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/health/fo...183001209.html

[plwhit]

Originally Posted by dizzybint

Pardon Marc? actually its not a true allergy or so Im told..

Which accredited medical specialist told you?

When I have an illness I trust my Doctor and my specialists as to my condition over friends and Internet blogs, just wondering...

[dizzybint]

Here I have to agree, many celebs claim to have what I call celebrity allergies.making a mockery of people who may or are suffering from them.. and I can understand exactly whats being said here.... my own however started way back in 64 when I knew nothing about these kind of things, I was young and fully of vitality , ice skating dancing , full of energy.. then this happened, I was confused and couldnt work out why I felt so sick, and exhausted , the mood changes too would take over, and my right eye now had a growth in the bottom corner which would flare up if I smelled certain things like household paint.. cleaners etc... no one listened. even my GP didnt have a clue what was going on giving me pills for this and that, all useless, got the point when I just didnt tell him again.. too much to tell here.... but as far as wanting attention from doctors, you couldnt be further from the truth...apart from my spell in hospital last year, Ive seen my doctor once to check the scars. so think twice about calling sufferers hypochondriacs.. This illness worsens over time.. as up until the late 80s I was still able to avoid most things that bothered me. had two jobs I loved working with pre fives, but things got much worse affecting my whole life. not only mine but my families too.. it cant be easy to live with.. If this is imaginary, then god help all the military personnel with Gulf War Syndrome. but yes I can understand what you say about the celebs who look radiant and healthy claiming to have some attention seeking allergy... if only they really knew...

[dizzybint]

Originally Posted by plwhit

Which accredited medical specialist told you?

When I have an illness I trust my Doctor and my specialists as to my condition over friends and Internet blogs, just wondering...

plwhit , I just saw this question from you.... sorry I missed answering there... GPs Ive seen over many years either havent a clue or admit they dont know enough.. isnt it about time they did though.. I visited a homeopathic clinic eight years ago run by the NHS and it was all explained to me there about true allergies and how this isnt seen as one, and that Id need a liver function test , but that there not carried out for such conditions , and then he went on to say he couldnt help.. as he didnt deal in chemicals and that I needed to see an allergist, but that we dont have one on the NHS in Scotland , they only have a few in England.. so there ye go... I ve written to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive who both wrote back to me in detail. saying theyve known about MCS or environmental illness for some years now, but have no plans to open clinics for such illnesses.... now wasnt that nice of them.... Id like to add this .... if I didnt have this condition I too would find it very difficult to believe or understand so I see where others are coming from..