Chemical Sensitivity, mcs, chemically sensitive tribe?

[marimara]

I've recently understood that I have been chemically sensitive my whole life and since I have a case of chronic hives I have been on the search for the reason why.  I believe I have mild MCS.  Perfumes in particular are bad for me, causing sore throats, migraines, or regular headaches.  Paint will cause headaches. Cigarette smoke will cause sore throats, congestion in the sinuses and nose, and migraines. Synthetic fragrances, esp in laundry detergents and dryer sheets will cause skin rashes, headaches, congestion, sore throat.  

We are currently in the process of remodeling a home to make it a "safe house" for me.  We recently ripped out all the vinyl flooring and carpeting and had the terrazzo floors refinished (concrete mixed with marble  and polished to a shine).  Eventually there will be all terrazzo and ceramic tile in the house.  We don't live full time there yet as dh's job is still in Ga.  I replaced faux wood (ie vinyl) blinds in the LR with cotton breezy curtains from Ikea.  We bought a lot of furniture from Ikea since they have better standards for toxic materials and work hard to use nontoxic materials, especially w/formaldehyde in the glues for furniture, and flame retardants in furniture and mattresses.  We couldn't afford an organic couch and mattress.  So Ikea was the next best thing for us.  The Ikea mattress will be encased in a cotton barrier with a wool topper on top.  

I believe that my hives started because we moved into a newish house (less than 4 years old) that had wall to wall carpeting and everything was new.  It smelled new and like paint everytime we walked in.  We lived there for 3 years.  My hives started the summer after I stopped breastfeeding while living in that house.  The neighborhood was heavily sprayed with pesticides and herbicides as well. And was built on top of an old cotton field, so you know the ground was soaked in pesticides/herbicides.  That would explain why I could never get anything to grow there.

Next, after we downsized that house (along with our entire life plan of downsizing and living more simply) last year in early summer, we temporarily moved into an apartment until we can move out of state.  I have horrible regular allergies to this area in general (pollen, etc.)  The apartment is not as new as the house, but has wall to wall carpeting as well.  Has some vinyl flooring as well.  And (I didn't know this before) apartment homes are soaked in pesticides.  They spray monthly outside here and offer to spray inside (though I decline that offer, thank you very much).  This would explain why I have NEVER seen a bug in this apartment, this is in the south where you will find cockroaches in multimillion dollar homes.   I'm sure the air ducts are so completely nasty here I don't even want to look in them.  I had to buy a HEPA air purifier for my bedroom to even sleep.  

After rounds of allergy tests (standard allergies to cats, dust mites and Dust itself (wtf?), birch trees, and some grasses, there is no explanation for my hives.  I am seeing a rheumatologist this week because I did have a positive result on some autoimmune tests (the ANA) and because of intermittent joint pain, hair loss, and fatigue.  After much research, I discovered that many autoimmune disorders are thought to have arisen as a result of environmental allergies or toxicity.  So that leads me to here.... I believe I have mild multiple chemical sensitivity and wonder if there are more of us here on MDC? 

[deditus]

I believe I do also. I also think it is caused (at least for me) 100% by liver stress. I would love to chat more about it but my thoughts are not together right now, so remind me if I don't come back soon.

[Thing1Thing2]

Would love to have a MCS tribe! I have had MCS for 7 years. I believe it started when we bought new bedroom furniture.