I am 50 years of age. When I was a young woman I worked in a cabinet factory. Back in 1979 we didn't worry much about chemical overload.

I worked in the spray room where toxic chemicals were used all the time. There was one filtered mask for everyone to use if they wanted to use the blackened, dirty thing. I don't even know if it had any new filters. I didn't get sick at this time, except some perfumes made me feel stuffed up if I wore them.

When I was 35 I had a hysterectomy. From that time on my life began to change. I went from not being able to wear perfume to not being able to sit near someone that had it on with out getting a head ache or being stuffed up. Then it went to an asthmatic cough, lightheadedness, forgetfulness, a spaced out feeling, a tiredness that was incredible, joints and muscles that ached all the time. By this time I had changed jobs and was working in an office.

Because of MCS I have lost friends due to them having to wear their perfume. People that I thought were close friends have abandoned me. It was amazing for me to see their faces change to a look of ....you've got to be kidding, not wear my perfume......

Except for going to work I would stay home. It was the only safe place I had. All of the chemical type cleaners, my shampoo, deodorant, and soaps had to be scent free.

At work I would wear a carbon filter mask. It isn't easy to answer a phone with a mask stuck on ones face. Besides......people looked at me like I had a disease I could spread to them.

Shopping was something else I use to enjoy that has been taken away from me if I don't wear a mask due to the malls reeking of perfume. Wearing a mask helps but when I get the clothes home I can not wear them until they have been washed or hung outside to out gas for several days.

I cannot buy new furniture, or have new carpeting, or redo my wood floors due to my problem with MCS. My husband built me an art studio that for 2 years I could not walk into with out a carbon filter mask on. I can use the studio freely now that it has out gassed for the last two years. We had to install a very expensive air filtering system so that I could use the room.

At this point in my life due to diet, exercise, allergy shots, prozac, and an herb called milk thistle...I am living an almost normal life. I have done everything I can possibly do to be well. Am I well.......no....but I am better. I thank God every day for the health that I do have. I know many out there suffer far greater than I do. I am able to work at my job with out the mask now. I still battle with employees in other offices burning their scented candles. I think I am winning this one due to the American's With Disabilities Act.

My dad also has MCS. He was about 35 years of age when he first started having problems with smells. I don't know what triggered his. He is 74 now and because of his battle with MCS he has many heath problems. Not only does he have asthma like I do, but his heart has been affected. If he gets around someone with perfume or smelly laundry softeners on them he will start coughing until he throws up. It has been miserable for him. We have worked together to be as well as possible. Because I discovered that chemicals were at the root of our problem I hope to not suffer as greatly as my dad has. But whatever will be.......will be.

Thank you, Diana for allowing me to tell my story. There are more details I could have included, but I am tired of typing. I hope everyone that writes their stories eventually have a happy ending.

BarbieAnne