Symptoms & Recovery

This condition is marked by multiple symptoms in multiple organ systems when exposed to chemicals (even at very low levels), which are generally not even perceived by most people.  It is important to note that prior to my chemical injury I did not have any of these symptoms and no previous health issues, with the exception of iron deficiency. 

NOTE:  Not everyone has exactly the same symptoms.  For example, many people with chemical sensitivities get rashes and I do not.  Also, not everyone is sensitive to the same toxins.  It depends on what a person has been sensitized to. 

 

My symptoms can range from mild headaches to loss of consciousness:

•          Headaches
•          Dizziness
•          Brain fog
•          Closing throat
•          Migraines
•          Chest pain and shortness of breath
•          Slurred and stammering speech
•          Memory loss
•          Inability to focus
•          Loss of balance
•          Nausea
•          Vomiting
•          Joint pain
•          Blurred vision
•          Mood swings
•          Light-headedness 
•          Loss of consciousness

Writing a list like this makes these symptoms sound so benign, but the truth is that each of these symptoms can be extremely disabling and often leave me quite incapacitated.  How long symptoms last and which symptom I experience depends on the nature of the toxin, as well how long the exposure lasts.  

For example, the more intense symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, slurred speech, memory loss, violent vomiting, loss of balance, joint pain, closing throat, chest pain, shortness of breath and migraines come from exposures to gas and diesel exhaust, petrochemical products in general, kerosene, deet, paints, pesticide, oils, paint thinners, adhesives, strippers, cleaning products, dry erase markers, solvents, permanent markers, packaging tape, perfume and colognes, nail polish, nail polish remover and air fresheners.

Other symptoms like headaches, brain fog, inability to focus, mood swings, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, slurred words and stammering speech seem to result from exposures to scented personal care products, laundry soaps, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other chemicals in processed food, fabric softeners, ambient chemical-soup-like-air quality commonly found in spaces that are newly renovated or recently painted, ink from magazines and printed materials, lingering cigarette smoke, incense, burning sage or candles, synthetic furniture, carpets, new books and other printed material. 

My recovery time from these exposures can range from twenty minutes to several weeks and leave me aching, light sensitive, nauseous, dizzy, and unable to move and extremely fatigued.  It is nearly impossible to avoid many of these toxins because chemicals are pervasive in our society.  Unfortunately, this condition is chronic and accumulative, so the more I am exposed to toxins, the more sensitized I become and the only known treatment is avoidance.