- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
- Interviews
April's interview
How did all start?
About 14 years ago I was living in a small efficiency apartment that had a mold issue in the bathroom. I scrubbed the bathroom down with bleach to try to get rid of the mold and the next morning I woke up swollen from head to tow and it hurt to move; like I had pulled all my muscles.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I was finally diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities a little over a year ago now. My mother and I had already come to this conclusion, but it was nice to have it validated.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
There isn't really any treatment.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
The most useful thing I have found is to avoid chemicals and scented things.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
There have been so many difficulties, I'm not sure I could pick just one.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Many people think that I over react to things and that the chemicals don't really make me that sick. I have very few family members that I've stayed in contact with to begin with, but throughout the past several years I have found them not to be very understanding. Socially I have become practically a hermit; cutting off the people who refuse to understand my triggers. I have maybe a handful of people I still talk to.
What things have you stopped doing?
I have stopped going out to dinners and functions and pretty much all social events. I can't go swimming at the river when there are other people there because the stuff they put on floats on the water and ends up on me. I stopped going to the movies and malls. I have to do most of my shopping on line.
What do you think about the future?
The future scares me. I am alone most of the time. I cant really see a future. There's just the yawning void and I have noting to fill it with.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would like to go back to work. I miss meeting new people and going places. I miss going out to see bands.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life is stale, stagnant and boring.
