Food and Chemical Allergies ....

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jillybromley	Food and Chemical Allergies ....		Lead	[-]
Posts: 2443 02/13/08 23:32 Jilly in UK	Tags : None I've just had a further set of allergy tests done and collected the results today. I now have Yeast, Eggs, Dairy, Chicken, all household cleaners and detergents, perfume, fragrances, air freshners, petrochemicals, petrol, diesel, added to the list. Now, on my first set of allergy tests that were done just after Christmas I went on a gluten-free diet, alongside a very high protein diet. Well, I've been feeling a whole lot less ill since I've been doing this. There's been a considerable improvement and my CFS is much more stable. I'm just wondering how many CFS FMS sufferers have been allergy tested, and if so did you find you improved by cutting out those particular foods, or have you found that a high protein diet helps you? I'm not quite sure which it is that is doing me good, or whether it's a combination of both!
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Kerree	chemical allergies	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 280 02/15/08 19:01 USA	Hi Jilly, Wondering if you can share about your chemical allergy testing. Is an allergist testing you, a naturopath? I'm finding your testing for chemical allergies especially hopeful. My reaction to fabric softener, drier sheets, perfume etc. is severe. I've been met with much disbelief from doctors and even from friends with the best of intentions. It is hard for them to understand how products they use everyday, on their clothes, their bodies could possibly cause such a drastic neurological response in my body. I can have a partial seizure, atypical migraine or asthma attack at exposure. This can be quite discomforting and even scarey to the person wearing the causative agent! Feel grateful for the people who make changes and come over wearing fragrance free products and clothes washed in non-toxic detergent without fabric softener and drier sheets. They are the minority though, and there is no way to go out in a crowded public place without being exposed to these chemicals.
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sue in ohio.cloudsonlinesup...		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 91 02/15/08 19:21	I went through allergy testing last Januray and nothing showed up, but my allergiest thinks I do have some allergies but they did not show up because some of the meds I was on that could interfere with the testing which I could not go off of. I was probably on allergy shots off and on for over 20 years and they never really helped. I have come to the conclusion that my allergies are to things that a normal allergiest does not test for. I know I cannot handle detergent or any kinds of cleaners with a strong odor- even organic cleaners! I have an instant asthma attack when exposed to cigarette some or strong perfumes. I also react to changes in the weather with increase sinus and asthma problems. I recently discovered a line of cleaners by clorox called green works made with natural plant extracts and they have no odor! I love them and am switching over to all the green works products. I have tried going off certain foods for a period of time and never felt any better so I don't think I am allergic to any specific food. As long as I take digestive enzymes and probiotics I seem to be able to eat anything as long as I don't eat extremely high fat foods in excess. I eat whole grains and would hate to have to go on a gluten free diet, but many people with FM and CFS have benefited from it. I am not willing to go that route as I feel pretty good right now as long as I keep the stress down. I definitely feel overexposure to chemicals is a huge problem for a lot of people. sue in ohio
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Kerree	oops	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 280 02/15/08 19:22 USA	Accidently pushed reply before I was finished. --oops! Jilly, knowing there are practitioners who test for chemical allergies, means ther is greater awareness than I've been aware of. Hopefully over time this will bring awareness to the public and someday (change is so slow) perhaps some of these chemicals (most which are toxic) will be banned from products and replaced with safer ones. It has been incredibly challenging for my teenagers to have a parent with chemical allergies. They go to school with their peers drenched in perfume, cologne and other scented products. Often my kids come home with the products on them simply by sharing air with their perfumed peers. If they drive a friend in the car who is wearing products I'm allergic too, it effects me. When they want to have a friend over--they have to go through the whole "please don't wear perfume or clothes washed in fabric softener or drier sheets." I know this embarrasses them... We are constantly devising plans on how to have their friends over and minimize my exposure to chemicals. We now have a direct path to our "bonus room" that bypasses me. They keep the windows open in the room (if a friend is inadvertently wearing a chemical). Though it's not perfect it's helping to keep their social lives healthy. Jilly, thanks for sharing about your testing and chemical allergies!
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granny ja		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 5549 02/17/08 02:59 Queen of Tea USA	I was tested in the early 1970s' and found to have yeast, mold, dust, and dust mites allergies. I was getting the shots for yrs. and then decided they weren't doing me any good. I don't notice any other food allergies. Just the fermnted foods and things like mushrooms. But, sometimes I just "binge" and suffer. I used to get so upset with my oldest daug. in the 70s' she would come down stairs with her perfume on. I told her many times don't do that to me. The nose hairs would want to straighten up long efore she entered the room I was in. Same thing when I worked mornings in the bakery. I could smell the aftershaves, colognes, and perfumes from two rooms away. I would be back by the ovens and some people would come in I could smell them. NOT a good thing.! I have sinus problems now every morning when I get up. My face feels like I had a run-in with a baseball bat. I am using Flonase spray have since 93 and I can't say that does much. So glad you know what you are allergic to. Yrs ago I used to think I was "snatizing " the house by cleaning with bleach in my mop water and cleaning water. I used to get to coughing and usualy went into pneumonia. So had to quit that. I found vinegar will be good in the mop water. And you can spray alcohol and it will evaporate. I tense up sometimes going down the laundry supply isle in the store. If a box of soap had been accidently opened It throws me into a sneezing frenzy. take care.
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jillybromley		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2443 02/17/08 11:21 Jilly in UK	Hi There Kerree, Sue and Judy, Sue thank you so much for sharing your experiences with allergies and allergy testing. That was very helpful to me. It's always good to hear what others have found helpful and what hasn't been helpful. I'm glad you've managed to find the Greenworks products and hope that they manage to keep your allergies at bay. It sounds a great company! We've got a good company here called Ecover for household cleaning products that are chemical free, which I haven't used up until now, but I think I'll look into it. Yes, I agree probiotics can really help on the food intolerance side. I take them every day. The gluten thing is a bit tricky, but luckily our local supermarket sells a good gluten and yeast free range of products, so although I can't eat bread I've got a nice muesli that I can eat and also some biscuits made with rice flour.. Judy, Sounds like you've got major chemical allergies going on there! Yes, I have to agree with you on the use of vinegar for cleaning. I make up a bottle of white vinegar, bicarb of soda, and lemon juice, and I use that for most of my household cleaning. Kitchen, bathroom, toilets, floors, surfaces. I even put it into a spray bottle and then it's easy for wiping down the kitchen surfaces, etc. It makes quite a pleasant air freshner as well. Sorry you haven't found much relief from your shots or your nasal sprays, they don't seem to do a whole lot of good long term, do they? I can relate to the "binge and suffer" That's exactly what I did at Christmas, and boy did I pay for it! Went as stiff as a board and completely bedbound for about 2 weeks. All because I ate one or two things I know I shouldn't have! Kerree, Yes, I'll gladly tell you about my testing. Allergy testing is quite popular in the UK. I think it became more popular a few years ago when it was found that a lot of childhood eczemas and asthmas cleared up when milk/lactose was removed from their diet. All our supermarkets sell soya milk as a substitute for cows milk. I'm not sure how popular Allergy Testing is world-wide? But, oh dear, poor you ..... Your symptoms sound so difficult to live with in this chemical world that we live in. It's very difficult to find a way around it, because as you say, it's not easy for people, who are not allergic, to understand how being in contact with these chemicals can cause such devastating effects. I've had two types of Allergy/Intolerance Testing done. One was a Blood Analysis Food Intolerance Test that was done at the beginning of January. Looking for wheat, grain, gluten intolerance. There seems to be a difference between a Food Allergy and a Food Intolerance. A Food Allergy shows within an hour of eating the food. A Food Intolerance does not show for 3 days, and involves the whole body and the production of antibodies, and is more deep-rooted and, (if I've got this right) can have long term systemic effects on the whole body. The second test, which I think is the one you may be more interested in was for Food and Chemical Allergies. It covered over 100 different elements of Food and Chemicals. That test was done at a local clinic in Bromley High Street. and it was done by hair analysis. Maybe looking for antibodies again, but I'm not really sure how they do it. There is some controversy over the accuracy of hair analysis testing and it is not officially accepted by General Medicine. But there are so many therapies that are only just beginning to be accepted by General Medicine that I'm inclined to use my own judgement on these matters. I've been helped more by alternative therapies than I have by conventional medicine who do not seem to have a great deal of answers for CFS/FMS type problems. The Clinic I used for the Hair Test is called Herbs Plus, and is a kind of Naturapathic Clinic and also Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. But they are connected to Allergy Link which is the Company that did the testing. Unfortunately Allergy Link do not have a website. But here is the Herbs Plus website. www.herbsplus.co.uk It may be possible for Herbs Plus to arrange the test for you, even if you are overseas. Maybe email them and see what they say. Or maybe they could put you directly in touch with Allergy Link. Kerree, I will list the Enviro-Toxins that they test for so that you can see that it can be really helpful as to what you might need to avoid, rather than having to avoid everything! Maybe there is some similar service in the US, even if it has to be done through the mail. I'm a bit lucky living in London because we have all these places right on our doorstep. Allergy Link test for: Enviro-Toxins Chlorine, Bleach, Flouride, Pesticides, Fungicides, Formaldehyde, Smoke, Traffic Fumes, Petrol, Diesel, Petrochemicals, Perfume, Fragrance, Deodorisers, House deodorisers. Household cleaners, (sprays, wipes) Polishes, Detergents, Fabric Conditioner/Softener. Toiletries Petroleum Jelly, Mineral Oil, Lanolin, Tootpaste, Bubble Bath. Fur, Dust & Pollen Cat hair, Dog hair,Wool, Feathers, House Dust Mite, Tree Pollen, Plant Pollen, Grasses/Hay, Moulds & Spores. Foods About 100 different types of food , including different types of Alcohol, and Antibiotics, and Food flavourings and Food Preservatives. I hope this gives you a bit more information. It seems to be very difficult to get rid of allergies once we've got them. Probably because our immune systems are impaired with our CFS/FMS and become very sensitive due to that factor. But it's always good to try to pinpoint what is causing the problem, rather than just living in a sea of allergic reactions and intolerances without really knowing what exact chemical or food is causing it!
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SunnyMary		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4271 02/18/08 04:34 Mediator Babe Moderator USA	So much good information here!!! Jilly, I don't know if it's a CFS thing per se, but I found that I've had a lot more problems with respiratory allergies since I first became sick. I've found it helpful to switch over to organic cleaning products without much scent. My food allergies have remained about the same, with the exception of yeast - I am Queen of Yeast! Ugh. I've had to try and cut most sugar and yeast products out of my diet. I think it's because my immune system is all messed up. I am SO happy to hear that your CFS is becoming more stable with this new regimen! You go, woman!!!!
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jillybromley		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2443 02/18/08 16:15 Jilly in UK	Oh, thanks so much Mary .... I'm hoping so much that it will continue to help. Fingers crossed. I've never considered that I might have Yeast problems until now. It was only when most yeast products were cut out out automatically with my gluten-free diet at beginning of January, that I began to feel better. But I was still having the occasional slice of gluten-free bread (still with yeast in it), because I didn't know. But now that I've had the Yeast result in this second set of tests I've cut it out 100% and am feeling very good. I know that Yeast Overgrowth often comes along with CFS, due maybe to a weakened immune system, but I didn't know what the symptoms were, and didn't realise I had a problem with it. It's good to know these things. Every little helps, doesn't it? I do find that CFS is one of those conditions that sometimes we can find small things to help the condition. There's no big one-off amazing cure, but lots of little things help. Sorry to hear you've got a yeast problem too ..... it's a bit of a pain isn't it cos it means we have to be a bit careful with our sugary food too? But I pretend I've forgotten that bit when there's a nice chocolate bar in the cupboard! Selective memory ......
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shadeaux63		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2940 02/19/08 13:00 USA	I don't know about others experiences, but I cannot get a doctor to take allergy testing seriously.I'm on medicaid, and have asked every doctor I've been to for the past 15 years if they would get me a referral to someone for testing.And every time, the answer has been something like," Unless you have a serious allergic reaction, I can't give you a referral like that, just because you want it". When I've mentioned my reactions to various things, they usually look at me like I have three heads, and tell me just because I don't like strong smells, doesn't mean I have an allergy.It doesnt seem to matter that I almost literally cannot breathe around petrochemicals, many detergents, perfumes, bleach, air fresheners, etc... A few years back, when my oldest daughters therapist talked us into putting her in a group home, we had to visit several to make the choice of which one we wanted her in. We went to one home, and rang the bell. As soon as the woman opened the door, I got a knife-like pain right through my brain. We walked in, and the place reeked of chemicals. I asked her if she was aware that the air in her home was unsafe, and she replied," Oh, I HAVE to have my smell-goods." The case manager insisted we go ahead and take the tour, to see if the home would be good for our daughter. I told her there was no way my daughter was going to be tossed into all this poison.By the time I was in the house for 10 minutes, I began getting dizzy, my ears began to ring so bad it hurt, and I got incredibly nauseous.I literally had to run out of the house, saying as I went, " I can't stand this anymore." I got outside just in time to throw up at the base of one of the trees in her yard.I don't know what they talked about, but everyone else was in the house for another 10-15 minutes.When they came out, the case manager asked me what I thought about the place.My turn to look at HER like she had three heads.I told her" I already said I wasn't leaving my daughter in a toxic waste dump, do I really have to say anything else?" She told me," Oh, I didn't understand what you meant by that." Um, HELLO??? Is anyone in there??? In the kitchen alone(where I got so sick I had to leave), there were FOUR of those plug-in air fresheners, a bottle of Lysol air freshener, and a bottle of bleach on the counter. I asked why she had bleach on the kitchen counter, where food was prepared, and she said she always made " the girls" use bleach in the rinse water for the dishes, to kill germs. Later that week, I went to my doctor, and described the symptoms I had while I was there.She told me I was "being silly", and that I was watching too many made for tv movies, and that "those kind of chemical allergies just don't exist, except in the mind of people who have them". Allergy testing is very expensive, and we simply don't have the money to pay for it out of pocket.And alternative practitioners are not covered by medicaid.So, I get to suffer, and have people tell me all the time how "silly" I'm being.I've had people laugh when I tell them I can't walk down the aisle in the store where the detergents are, or the aisles next to it. When I complained to our local cab company owner that thier drivers habits of hanging air fresheners on the mirror in the car was making me sick(and some drivers put 3, 4, or more-and one has SEVEN), he told me I either had to deal with it, or not take his cabs.And we won't go into how much cologne these drivers wear. And we know this man well-hubby used to drive for him. He has the only cab company that works in our town, so I have no choice there, either.The only place I have any control at all over it is in my house, so guess where I stay most of the time?
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SunnyMary		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4271 02/19/08 16:44 Mediator Babe Moderator USA	There's no big one-off amazing cure, but lots of little things help. I am in absolute agreement about that, Jilly. I think it particularly helps for those of us with CFS to figure out things we can do to help ourselves. I know that, for me, feeling a little more empowered has definitely lifted my spirit on many occasions. This weekend, I was having problems with my blood pressure dropping. My partner was horrified by how low it was. But I was quite content - I just looked at him and said, "Yes, it's bad. But it's great that I can feel/know what's happening without having to use a blood pressure cuff, and I know that in order to feel better I need to lay down and rest. I also know that it will probably pass in a couple of days. That's really good news!" He was rather perplexed. (And I completely agree about the chocolate - I have the same...um...memory loss when it comes to that. ) Shad, I know what you mean about the severe chemical/scent problems. My partner has the same problem. I know it's not in his head, because he's really not a whiner and it makes him terribly ill. It's a real struggle to get people to understand how serious the problem is. I've had to ask guests to our house not to wear perfume, and a lot of times people just don't take us seriously and wear it anyway. I can see where Medicaid would have a problem covering allergy testing - unless you're dying, they probably don't want to know. I just don't understand this modern-day obsession in America with perfumes and air fresheners. I find it so gross!!! There does seem to be a growing understanding on the west coast that not everyone can tolerate that stuff, and a general decline in use with a lot of people. I'm thinking that this will spread as time goes on. Then again, you and I live in very different cultures on opposite ends of the country.
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jillybromley		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2443 02/19/08 19:02 Jilly in UK	Hello Shadeaux I'm so sorry to hear how bad your allergies are and that your Doctors do not seem ready or able to send you for testing. I suppose the importance given to any particular medical procedure varies a bit from country to country. I thought your Doctor's reaction was a bit harsh "those kind of chemical allergies just don't exist, except in the mind of people who have them". Wow .... that just isn't true, as we sufferers well know. I complain a bit about our NHS system and its slowness, but we do have free Allergy Testing so I suppose we are lucky really. They do the Hydrogen Breath Test, and also the Skin Prick Test, and also the Ige Blood Test. The hair test I paid for privately because I wanted to know quickly. It was £35 which is quite a lot really, but sometimes the NHS can be very slow waiting for appointments. I'm sorry to hear so many of us have these allergies, but it seems to be a very common occurrence with CFS/FMS sufferers, .
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jillybromley		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2443 02/19/08 19:56 Jilly in UK	Just thought I'd pop this in here. It's what I use around the house instead of chemicals .... maybe it will be useful. Kitchen Surfaces 2 cups white vinegar 1 cup of water few drops of eucalyptus Put in spray bottle to use when needed. Can add a tablespoon of Bicarb of Soda for really stubborn surfaces. Toilet Cleaner 2 tablespoons of Bicarb of Soda 2 Tablespoons of white vinegar 2 Cups of Water 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil. Stir and wait 10 minutes Air Freshner 2 cups of water 1 heaped teaspoon of bicarb of soda 2 teaspoons of lemon juice (I used bottled lemon juice) put in a spray bottle - spray around the room Limescale around taps. (Don't use on gold-plated taps.) Soak toilet tissue in white vinegar. Wind it around your tap. Hold in place with a plastic bag or a bit of cling film. Leave overnight. Limescale will just peel off in the morning Windows White vinegar cleans windows beautifully To Steam Clean Your Microwave Slice a lemon and put it in a bowl of water Place in microwave and set timer for 20 minutes. .
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Kerree		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 280 02/25/08 17:19 USA	Shadeax--Your reaction to the chemicals in the care center sounds like it was awful! But, it makes so much sense, as the air freshners, cleaners etc. are neuro-toxins. I'm so glad you told them their air was a "toxic waste dump". I know those with lung conditions like COPD, Empysema,Asthma can have their breathing severely effected by these chemicals--and people in care homes often have these conditions. Pretty awful thought thinking of the people whose conditons are worsened by all those chemicals having to live there! I think it's awful what your doctor told you about your reaction that day being in your head! Last night after the Oscars, there was a program on the dangerous chemicals that are in many make-ups. I didn't see it (on too late for me), but my daughter did. So good to see info. beginning to get out to the public. Make-up contains many of the same toxic ingredients as in the cleaning, laundry, air fresheners and other toiletry products I did research for a web-site on the toxic chemicals in many of our everyday products So many of the chemicals are neuro-toxins! I believe eventually they will be found to be dangerous to all, but for us with compromised Central Neurvous Systems, the result of exposure can be severe and immediate. I have Myasthenia Gravis and before I knew that my muscle weakness/ paralysis was due to this, I did some research to try to figure out why my muscles weren't moving. I came across other neurological conditions in which chemicals in everyday products make symptoms worse. I'm very curious how many conditions that effect the CNS can cause chemical sensitivity/allergies. Jilly--Thank you for the chemical allergy info. and the link! Hair testing--that makes sense. Wonder if naturopaths here in the US are doing that yet. I will research. Seems that we are quite behind Europe as to our standards of the dangerous ingredients that are legally allowed in the products we consume, put on our bodies and on our clothes (what is in the detergent, enters our system through the skin.) Mary--Years ago I had the skin testing for allergies and though I have asthma and allergy symptoms and two parents whose skin tests have been over the top positive. My tests came out negative. I was working with a doc. with many CFS patients and he said that he keeps seeing that for some reason many with CFS show up negative even when they obviously are suffering from allergies. He was seeing a lot of it and wondering whether it might be due to the changes in our immune systems. My mother who tested over the top positive for years, suddenly is testing negative. She doesn't have CFS-- Her doc. doesn't know why. Sharing this because I don't think negative allergy tests are necessarily positively negative! hee-hee It took years for the dangers of cigarette smoking to be understood and for action to protect the public to occur. I think it will be a similar story with the toxic agents in our everyday products. Jilly--so glad you have a good "safe" air freshner idea. I use much of what you do for the other purposes, but have not come up with an air freshner. Going to give that a try. It's so nice to find "safe" smell good ideas!
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Kerree		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 280 02/26/08 00:25 USA	Jilley, I just tried your air freshener recipe. I used the juice from an orange instead of the lemon--but it was lovely to go around the house spraying such a fresh lovely scent, that I could breathe in, without symptoms. Thank you!
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granny ja		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 5549 02/26/08 02:09 Queen of Tea USA	Ladies look up Formaldehyde http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/81111_34.html and phenol http://www.benzenelegalgroup.com/ My daughter got tested several yrs. ago. She brought home a couple of pages with a long list of things you will find these items in around your home. Wish it wasn't too long for me to type out. I may scan it and send it to someone tho. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you.
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Julie jb		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 813 02/26/08 23:47 The Friends UK-reporter	Jilly, i read about this years ago, used to go to the library, there were loads of books on the subject, what Judy has said about Formaldehyde was the one that struck me the most, if i remember correctly it can be found in carpets, especially new carpets, the idea was to furnish your home with most natural methods possible. Also shampoo, cleaners, bubble bath it can be found in a wide range of things, but the two i stopped was the one mentioned and shampoo, as you putting it directly onto your head and skin most days. The easiest way to reduce it as more often that not it is found in the air, is to open the windows and let fresh air circulate as much as possible. I had the youngest then little, was quite into it all, most of my rooms are wooden floorboards, sanded down and varnished, with odd rugs, plastic contains so much things, i read all the toys you fill a child's room with, all made of plastic etc, boxes, storage boxes, the child then sleeps in all that every night. It made sense to me the main place is the home. Have lots of plants, especially certain types as they do help with the air, and i always have my windows open as much as possible. Mattresses can contain chemicals as can duvets, which are made of man made fibres. However, it is not always possible to opt for natural products as these tend to be far more expensive to buy, but by following certain rules you can eliminate the contact with them. I read many stories of people who suffered tremendously fatigue etc, due to chemicals around them, some are more sensitive to these things than others. Chemicals so many are added into cleaning products, although now you can buy ones that are relatively safe or make your own like you said. Think if you do use cleaning products that are strong to always wear household gloves as i am sure these can go into our bodies. Once took the eldest when he was little to the swimming pool when they had just redone it, the chlorine if i am right what they use was so strong, he had a really adverse reaction to it, have read similar when they put too much in the water.
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shadeaux63		#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2940 02/27/08 08:19 USA	Julie, for three days each week, I can't even begin to think about drinking water, bathing, or doing anything that requires me to run the taps. On the days when they put chlorine in the water system here, that smell is so strong it smells like someone poured it directly in my sinks, and makes me incredibly sick. There IS a lot more awareness about the toxicity of chemicals people use every day.BUT, unfortunately, the chemical companies have done thier own "studies" showing thier products to be safe- and most sheeple go along with it, because it's easier. I think a lot of the doctors attitudes have developed because medicaid doesn't want to pay for anything they don't HAVE to,and the docs don't want to have to tell a patient that they can't do anything for them.I could be wrong, and just trying to believe the best in people like that, or it could be that they truly feel that way because they believe all the hype as much as everybody else(frankly I think that would be just sad). I use baking soda and/or vinegar for almost all of the household cleaning.I can't afford the all natural shampoos, but we do invest in a large bottle of Dr. Bronners liquid castille soap, instead of regular bath soaps. It can be diluted a LOT without losing one bit of cleaning ability(or sudsing). One large bottle(not the gallon bottles, although that's the way i would like to buy it) will last my family of 5 for 3-4 months, and almost all the ingredients are not only organic, but fair trade(meaning that they work with villages directly, to buy the more exotic ingredients(coconut oil, hemp oil,etc...), and there is no corporation that makes most of the money- it all goes to the villages). Since I frequently break out from laundry detergents, I've been looking for alternatives there, too. I did find one very interesting product that I want to try- soap nuts.Here's a link for anyone else interested http://www.maggiespureland.com/ Amazon.com has them for the cheapest prices,I think.They're expensive to buy, but they can be reused until they won't produce suds anymore, which someone told me was 3-6 loads, depending on the size of the load and how soiled the clothes are.
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ponolops		#17	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1473 02/27/08 10:45 Quasimodo England	Hi Jilly, Can't type much as my hands are bad today but I had to add my 'ten penorth' to the thread. Over the years, I have found I am allergic to more and more foods. First of all, it was bananas and mushrooms. After eating them all my life, suddenly they gave me massive stomach cramps. Then it was grapes. I don't drink as alcohol makes me ill, so I wonder whether that goes hand-in-hand. But so many fruit drinks have grape as an added ingredient, I was limited there as well. Then it was Elderflower presse. I loved it and even used to make my own elderflower drink. It now gives me monster headaches. On and on it goes. Every year, at least one more allergy. Hubby thinks it is because our immune systems are low because of all the pesticides in food and drink and the pollution in the air. Also it could be due to a lifetime of pain killers. Who knows? I have never been tested as quite honestly, I can't be bothered to admit to anything else being wrong with me, which I know is silly. I just deal with it. Great article Jilly. Thanks. Penny
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Muset		#18	[url]	[-]
Posts: 6 02/28/08 18:26	I'm sorry, I'm hurting too much to read all these replies, but I want to thank you for the lead on the "green" cleaners... going to look for those. There are a few things I want to comment on, but I haven't read all the posts so please excuse me if I say something someone has already mentioned. I have most of the fragrance allergies you all speak of... my whole family does. 1. Try one of those little purse Vicks inhalers... you get around a 'smell' that is going to set you off, Inhale deeply both nares, and for some reason this seems to block the reactions... almost like it takes up all the recepters and the offensive odors have no place to hang. 2. When ever I get around people that have that kind of perfume / cologne / deoderant / house sprays I always ask why they like using products that use whale sperm to make the smell last longer? Don't they know whales are endangered? Do they like wearing sperm? Usually gets to the guys more than the girls. Is it really whale sperm... well, it's been a long time, and I know it's a whale hormone that has to do with sperm or sperm production, but SPERM really hits the nerves if you know what I mean. 3. That same chemical that makes the 'smell' of perfumes / colognes / deoderants last longer, you know the whale sperm, they believe is also what is making boys and men more effeminant. Giving them higher voices, bigger breasts, smaller testes. I also ask the boys if they like the idea of having SMALL 'things'. That really hits home. You would't believe the colognes these hight school boys wear! Axe is unbelievable! My husband had a deoderant that he used for travel, not at home... a plain Gillette product, travel size, but not unscented. But he'd come home from a trip and I'd start to wheeze when we got into bed... he finally asked me if I was allergic to HIM. I replied YES, it seems that way. He's the one that figured it out... bless him, he threw it out that day, and took the garbage out. 4. Why did you go outside to vomit? I'd have done it on her kitchen stove! I'll try to find the articles with the information I mentioned above... I really don't like to say things I can't back up with facts, but This is a good topic! Did I say I was hurting... and I typed all that. Talk about verbal vomit... sorry. Hope to be back soon, and thanks for letting me rant! Jenny P.S. speaking of food allergies... the active ingredient in Viagra is made from peanuts. Sort of poetic, eh.
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shadeaux63		#19	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2940 02/29/08 03:47 USA	Actually, I'm glad I ran out and threw up under her tree.The lawn was very well manicured, and she was obviously just as proud of it as her house. I can just picture her out there trying to clean it up, so the neighbors wouldn't see or smell it.Somehow, the thought of that makes me feel better.
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Julie jb		#20	[url]	[-]

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Food and Chemical Allergies ....

Food and Chemical Allergies ....