There is a sister in our Cong that is very frail and can't take fragences, she couldn't come to the Hall when we remodeled because when she walked in the door she passed out. Once when i was with her waiting to help her husband get their car, i was holding onto her and i just looked out to see where he was and i turned around and she was crawling on the ground to get to the bench in front of the KH door. She smelled a fragrence of someone who came out of the hall, She passed out in the hall once because someone was wearing colgne and they had to carry her out. When she comes to the hall they sit in the backroom library so she won't smell anything. Another sister gets sick and will get headaches and throw up, i don't wear any colgne or lotion if i know it has a fragrence. Inge knows this sister also that used to write, i miss their encouraging comments, but she also would get very sick, so we need to be aware of these friends and make the adjustments needed so they can attend the meetings, a sister that now goes to another hall had to stand outside the door while field service arrangements were going on and had to ride in her own truck. There are ways that we can be an encouragement and not wear fragrences and when our friends come to the meeting go over and give them a BIG hug and tell them how glad you are to see that they could make it. 
millie 
Hello,

I have been chemically sensitive for 20 years, a symptom of a spinal cord
injury I have called arachnoiditis. I find it difficult to be around others
because of the fragrances they wear and as a result am pretty isolated. My
reaction to chemicals is quite severe and can be life threatening. Usually when
I explain my difficulty, the answer more times than others is that they are
wearing fragrance to cover up the smell of their perspiration. Some have
answered that it makes them feel better about themselves as others notice their
fragrance and compliment them on it. They tell me that unscented products would
not give this benefit of feeling good about themselves.

So far I find that I cannot take any type of medication to deal with it as I
then react to the medication. I have tried wearing filtering masks and even
oxygen to go out in amongst people, but I find it is not resolving the problem.
I do use natural unscented products, like baking soda, etc. that is inexpensive
and does the job without any side effects.

Heather
Hi- I'd like to offer my experience in case it can help others...
 
I have suffered with MCS very bad in the past. Not only did perfume and hair products give me terrible migranes, racing heart, shaking hands, and a knot in my stomach which would often esculate to projectile vomitting. Other triggers were some cleaning products, solvents, smoke, and gasoline vapors.
 
But I love to smell natural things like flowers, foods, babies, and even puppies breath!
The friends thought I was a fusspot until the AWAKE! article on MCS. Then I even got an apology from an elder.
 At my worst, a sister hugged me right before a meeting, and the chemical in her perfume transferred onto my blouse in the chest area. After that, the fumes were going right into my
face. I had to drive myself home and take a shower to get it off me. 
 
Medical tests showed a problem with my adrenal gland and I built it up using alternative therapies. Today, I am much, much better. I do have a homeopathic remedy I carry in case I'm exposed to a smell that I start to react to. It allows me to travel in a car group with the friends again without getting so ill. And I am grateful for all the "green" products and organic personal hygiene products that are available today. Keeping my chemical exposure as low as I can really helps.
 
I suspect a chemical in my trigger products. I think it might be a petroleum product or maybe formaldehyde. Those with MCS don't react like a typical allergy. There is a real toxic reaction to some toxic chemical.  There's no medicine to block this reaction like pollen allergies. It's different.  And there can be a wide variety of causes.
 
I hear of many sisters with this. Especially when a KH replaces their carpet. The glue is very toxic and the carpet is all synthetic material that off gases. I know of many friends who had to switch halls due to this.
 
A couple of KHs in my area offer a Perfume Free zone which is loving.
If you know anyone with this affliction, please understand how hard it is, most doctors don't know what causes it or how to treat it...at least the ones I went to. Only an alternative doc ran the tests that helped me.  So please be encouraging and kind when meeting them. It's very hard to want to be close and hug our brothers and sisters, but they can't because something you sprayed on, rolled on, or ran thru your hair can make them violently ill.
 
It's nice to know there are others out there that know the suffering of MCS. Soon, Jehovah will lead us into his promised paradise and we'll be able to ejoy "restful odors" too!
Until then, keep enduring!

P
Hi 
I told a sister she couldn't go in my car group because she had too much perfume on she later told me she had been working in her yard and apologized because she didn't have time to take a shower so she just sprayed herself with perfume. She was meeting up with the afternoon group. Everyone in my cong. knows I'm very sensitive to perfumes as is a lot of other sisters and they know they can't go in my car group if they "smell" I would rather smell BO then perfumes...at least the BO doesn't make me sick....it just smells bad. I have gone home before the meeting is over many times because of all the perfumes. I usually don't go with my husband anymore when he gives talks out because I don't want to come home sick. Lot's of sisters just keep putting on perfume all day long because they can't smell it anymore, they don't realize it is in their clothes. But the brothers need to take a lesson from this too. The after shave they use is powerful and it too makes people sick. I think we are at the bottom of the DNA barrel  each generation is getting sicker and sicker.
                                            YS, Kathy 

We have/had many in our congregation who were allergic to fragrances, even one
elder who is sensitive to it. an elder and his wife moved to another
congregation over it, because before it was addressed, his wife couldnt even
walk in the kingdom hall, she would literally suffocate from the fragrance. When
we had bookstudies, there were 2 groups that were designated "fragrance free"
bookstudies for those who were effected by it. Our C.O. even addressed it,
talked about France and London in the days of Yore, when they would put heaves
of perfume on to cover body odor, so he said, "just take a bath"...it's been
about 2 years now, you wont smell anything in our kingdom hall, unless it's from
a visitor. we make sacrifices for the ones we love.

-Manny

There are medications that reduce the chance of a reaction and others to
deal with a reaction once it's started. As far as I know there isn't
anything to completely prevent an attack. Also with all the allergies
these people have, they may have an allergy to a drug that might
otherwise help them.

Jim

Medications generally are not the answer most of the time
it's a case where the cure is worse than the disease.
The only real solution is Jehovah's kingdom. Temporarily it is better
for us to avoid blood guilt since perfumes can and do kill people. Why
chance wearing them?

Dori

I like wise have allergies to more than just fragrances, mine also include,
dogs, cats, birds, grass, trees, etc, I work in retail and out in the public, I
come across fragrances this more than I do at that Hall.

Some of those in the congregation who have such sensitive's have expressed
themselves very clearly regarding the dangers to their personal health regarding
the use of fragrances, essential oils, colognes, carpet cleaners, etc. My heart
goes out to them as a suffer myself.

I'm grateful that most of the brothers and sisters do not wear fragrances at the
Hall and there for I have been one of the few who can sit out in the main Hall
instead of the back room where some other families have to sit for similar
reasons.

Yes, there are some who are new others are visiting, some just plain forget; so
the congregation has to put up with me very patiently while I sneeze, and sneeze
and sneeze.
I on the other hand realize that we are all imperfect, we all forget `what day'
it is and make those last minute rushes to the Hall to attend meetings without
showering and removing the days work smells down the drain.

I live in a state where dogs, cats, etc usually travel with their families,
although the dog, cat, etc is not in the car for service, their dander, hair and
salvia is still there and most of the time it causing problems for me out in
service too.

I'm still thankful because of the love shown by the entire world wide
organization of Jehovah's people, forgoing their right to wear such at the Hall,
I am able to not only go to the Kingdom Hall but also sit out front with the
friends because this helps me not to think more of my own self interest as can
happen as a sister living alone, who also has allergies.

The elders have their hands full taking care of all of us, I try not to complain
about anything, because the congregation has to endure my sneezing and wheezing
attacks when someone did forget or didn't have time to bath before meeting. I'm
just very grateful to have association, love and sincere concern for me as a
sister in Jehovah's Wonderful Organization.

Your sister,
Jolene

I am one of those extremely sensitive persons.
I have multiple chemical sensitivity.  NO there is nothing you can take. Masks do absolutely no good when you are chemical sensitive. Because many chemicals are actually gases. Those pass right thru the mask.   People who have these sensitivities have been over exposed to chemicals and their bodies do not cleanse the chemicals out of their bodies. It is totally frustrating not being able to go places and do things (like go to the Kingdom Hall or Conventions or Assemblies). But what is truly crushing to ones spirit is to be feeling pretty good and so you go to the Hall and have to leave within minutes because of the strong cleaners used or the perfumes, colognes, hair spray, deodorants.  Many of us are so affected we cannot function for weeks or months after being exposed to some simple little thing like bleach.  For 10 years I couldn’t go in to the Kingdom hall or even Wal-Mart’s because of the severe reactions.  But I have been working on detoxing during all that time and now I can go to the meetings. I feel totally blessed to have the privilege once again to be with my spiritual family.  I also thank Jehovah for all the friends who put the health of others above their own desires. And continue to pray more will come to understand.

Much love from your mcs sister.
Michele

Keep in Mind Cosmetics can be FATAL to some in the congregation! Going
to a meeting shouldn't be a matter of life and death due to allergy.
Obviously I carry an epipen but really if something as simple as not
wearing perfume can spare the life of a brother or sister is it worth it?

Dori

I have not been able to go to meetings for a couple of years now. My reaction to fragrances is varied, depending on the type and strength. It starts with it being hard to breathe, burning lings, a sore throat, heart burn, and a headache. If I am around it more than just a few minutes, it keeps me up at night for over two weeks. The first few nights of which I have a raw throat, and then it slowly gets better to the point that I do not have to try and sleep in my living room propped up, but can actually lay down and sleep in my bed. It always seems to be the 15th night that I can sleep all the way through the night.
I have one of those masks that remove vapors and gasses from the air, like painters who work in confined areas use. I keep it in my truck in case I have to work in an area where someone has on cologne or is smoking. It has been suggested to wear it to the hall, and it would allow me to be there, but if you have ever worn one of those you know. It is laborious to breathe in one. In a quiet environment like a kingdom hall, you would be able to hear me breathing throughout the entire hall. It would sound like Darth Vader. And for the one wearing it, it is even louder. I would not be able to concentrate and those all around me would also be very distracted. I would also have to wear it all the way home, disrobe in my laundry room, and run in to take a shower and wash the smell out of my hair, and keep my clothes out there in a garbage bag until they can be washed.
It doesn’t take much to numb me to the fragrance so I have to be careful. One time I was at a restaurant and had a single alcoholic drink. That was enough to numb me to the effects of the person who sat down near us who was wearing cologne or perfume. I was able to enjoy my dinner, but had to suffer for over two weeks again.
 I know a sister who has similar problems, but she also has a very week sense of smell, so she must rely on her husband to keep her clear of fragrances.
Dave

I have been searching for 20 years for a solution and I haven't found any pill I can take that will offset the chemicals I react to.  I do not react to all chemicals and have learned which ones to avoid to the best of my ability.  I am isolated from people most of the time.  My husband and I use no scent products in the home and have hepa chemical reduction air filters throughout our home.  We keep a sign on our door about being chemically sensitive so that others know not to come in with fragrances on. We rarely fly for the reason that perfumes are quite strong, particularly we find the stewardesses are the strongest.  We cannot eat out because of the same situation with fragrances.  If we can't drive somewhere we usually don't go.  I have worn air filtering masks but they get too hot to keep on too long.  I have tried everything I know of and so far I have not found a solution.

I wish I could tell you I found a solution but I have not.  I commend those who do not wear fragrance. It is unusual to find someone who doesn't wear it.  I have a very small association of ones who I can be around who do this as well.  Personally I appreciate it.

The EPA does have a site where they list the most dangerous perfumes to avoid and they recommend avoidance as the most effect means of reducing symptoms.  They are attempting to pass legislation that reduces wearing of fragrance in public buildings due to the respiratory problems fragrances cause.  They state it will take a long time to pass. Just look how long a no smoking in buildings law took.

Heather

(slightly edited for content)

Have you ever sat at home month after month and listen to the meetings, never seeing a sister or brother, feeling a hand shake, seeing a smile flashed your way, feeling a warm arm across your back?   
 
But how do those who have chemical sensitivities and are forced to sit at home fit into the scripture that says we should encourage one another and not to forsake gathering together.    

If I am home month after month because you or someone else feels the need to wear chemicals, do you call or come by to encourage me or others like me?    
 
Brenda