- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
- Interviews
A Multiple Chemical Sensitivity interview
How did all start?
I realise in hindsight that I inherited the propensity for allergy and chemical sensitivity from my mother, who had an unexplained fever in her thirties, after a long period of constant stress. For as long as I knew her, she had hayfever and was sensitive to cigarette smoke, alcohol and medications. I had the same sensitivities in a mild form for as long as I can remember, until they became acute in my early fifties after I had also gone through a long period of constant stress.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I had to self-diagnose after a book by Dr Theron Randolph put me on the right path.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I have yet to find a local doctor who has any knowledge or understanding of MCS, so I simply practise avoidance of triggers.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Working from a completely fragrance-free home and avoiding triggers.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
I cannot travel as I cannot sleep anywhere but in my own fragrance-free bedroom or indeed spend more than about 12 hours in an environment with chemical smells.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
I had to deal with much misunderstanding and pushback initially but I have been able to make my life as comfortable as I needed to, especially as I am in my 70s now and do not need to do things I do not want to do or go places I do not want to go.
What things have you stopped doing?
Socialising in other people's homes, going to large gatherings, and travelling.
What do you think about the future?
I worry about the possibility of becoming incapacitated and not being able to control my environment.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
I can honestly say that I have not experienced undue hardship and have always been able to make the best of whatever circumstances I had to deal with. I guess I have been blessed with what is usually referred to as resilience.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
At the moment I would like to be able for me and my husband to move from our house to a retirement village without having to take my condition into account, as it can potentially cause me problems where I cannot control my environment.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I have been blessed in many ways and although coping with this disease has not been easy, I still rather count my blessings than dwell on negatives.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
You will need a job you can do from home so you can earn an independent living and control your environment. In the initial acute phase it will be very hard to see any future, but you can and will eventually regain control of your own life.
