Update: I don’t suffer as severely from sensitivities as I used to since I went off my birth control, Depo-Provera. I still choose to stay away from products laden in chemicals and artificial scents since I learned how bad they were for us and our environment.

My name is Stacie. I am 37, I live in BC, Canada and I used to not be able to be around artificial scents and/or chemicals. I started to become sick from chemicals and products containing artificial fragrances around late 1999. My reactions varied depending on the product but could be any combination of: dizziness, nausea, headache, upset stomach, confusion/brain fog/inability to concentrate, coughing/inability to breath, a general unwell feeling, flushing of my face and becoming extremely hot.

I’ve tried to figure out if there was one incident that caused my sensitivity. The only thing that used to come to mind was that in 1999, BC TEL merged with TELUS and I worked at BC TEL headquarters and they renovated to use TELUS colours. New paint and carpeting was installed throughout the building. I remember one day during that period becoming very nauseated and dizzy and being taken to Health Services by a co-worker.

Update: I started using Depo-Provera in 1999.  Coincidence? I think not.

I used to say that I was allergic to paint, air fresheners (an oxymoron), perfume, cologne, makeup, scented candles, household cleaners, laundry detergents, fabric softeners and anything else that has an artificial scent and/or is a chemical (most, if not all artificial scents are created with chemicals). Really, it wasn’t not a true allergy as there was no histamine response but people understand the word allergic; if I just said I was sensitive, I don’t feel they would truly understand the extent of my sensitivity. I also had a reaction to lilies which are quite fragrant.

Update: It was in the summer of 2008 when I was in the presence of lilies and I didn’t become ill that I first noticed my sensitivities had changed.

I used to stay away from public washrooms as much as humanly possible as they tend to be very scented (it was poison to me). I have not attended an indoor wedding since 1999 and I used to only see movies at non-peak times (read: not on the cheap night). I also used to avoid going to large gatherings because of the possibility of there being someone/something scented. I eventually worked in a small office with people very understanding of my sensitivity.