Chemical Sensitivity To Our Toxic Environment
Worsens Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Living with MCS since the young age of 9 with chemical sensitivity to environmental toxins, I do believe that I and others with (MCS) Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, are like "toxin detectives".

For instance, during outdoor activities or simply outside in my own yard, I sometimes have to 'change course' because the exposure to dryer sheet toxins or synthetic laundry fragrances wafting from a neighbors laundry vents can cause an instant migraine.

And because I also have fibromyalgia, I'm 100% convinced of the correlation between toxin exposure and worsening fibro symptoms. 

The important point to understand is that MCS people react to toxic substances, and these toxins to which we do react are also unhealthy for non MCS people....and, I believe, especially for those suffering from fibro.  

Consider two known facts:

•  Fibromyalgia onset is fairly often preceded by a trauma to the body.
•  Fibro flares are often triggered by "soft" traumas such as bright lights, loud noise, crowds, weather change, etc.

Should we be surprised when environmental toxins constantly trigger our fibro symptoms?

I believe this is true for fibro victims who cannot consciously detect these toxins or become overtly ill as we do with MCS.

So, this component of my protocol is Environmental Toxins.

Chemical Sensitivity And The Toxic Load Effect

A toxic environment is a huge factor in both the development and worsening of all fibromyalgia symptoms.

An essential key to living smarter with fibromyalgia is working to create a safe environment.

This means the home that we live in, the office we work in and everything we
put on our bodies.

Remember that companies and products that cater to making your home or body look or smell nicer are NOT catering to YOUR good health.

No, in fact they are doing great harm by including such toxic chemicals, fragrances and synthetics.

We all have some degree of chemical sensitivity but most people don't even notice it.

Some even think the smell of laundry detergent on their clothes is nice. Whereas, in my case that is one of the worst offenders.  

And think about the great number of toxins we face everyday. I can usually handle a single exposure; but, multiple exposures can cause me to have lingering symptoms for days.

What I'm saying is that there is a toxic load effect, a threshold above which even your low level of chemical sensitivity will begin to affect your fibro symptoms.

Below I was talking live about a recent experience that you might just relate to if you also live with Fibro and any level of chemical sensitivity. (Lisa) 

Creating Safe Havens

How many ingredients does YOUR body lotion or hair conditioner have in it? Did you know that many hair conditioners contain formaldehyde, yet it won't be listed on the label. 

What about the new carpet recently installed in your home, or the air freshener at your office?

Do you find that symptoms seem to wax and wane in accordance to your exposure to new materials, shopping malls, clothing stores and the like? 

Formaldehyde is just one of the carcinogenic chemicals that contributes to our toxic environment.

Many people are exposed to it every day and don’t even know it. It’s often part of new car smell, new clothing, carpet, and body products.

We have to be willing to make adjustments and not be so attached to things that can easily add to the complexity of our fibromyalgia symptoms.

The first step to Mastery Over Symptoms

 For more information on how chemical sensitivity exacerbates anxiety like symptoms within the fibro body, please visit Fibromyalgia and Chemical Anxiety.

I don't always rely on a face mask, but it is good to have with us just in case. An airplane, bus, or crowded place might make it necessary at times. 

Often times, ‘living smarter’ is simply living lighter, free from the toxic load that only exacerbates and drives our symptoms to intolerable levels and act as Endocrine Disruptors.

  A tool I use and recommend is use of a Vog Mask to avoid MCS exposures when an environment is highly toxic, or use for allergy season as well.

These masks have been continually improved (functionally & style) and now Amazon offers an extensive line which you can see here, Vog Mask.

Range of Stylish Masks from Amazon

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